Double Chocolate Chip & Orange Cookies
Makes 2 dozen
Chocolate goes well with a plethora of other flavors: mint, raspberry, cherry, hazelnut, etc. One combo I just can’t get enough of us chocolate and orange.
These plant-based goodies require few ingredients and come together quickly, making it the perfect New Years’ treat for your friends, family, or office coworkers!
Tips and Tricks
In order to make this fully vegan, use a plant-based butter such as Miyoko’s unsalted European-style butter alternative. I also call for organize unrefined cane sugar, as this isn’t refined using the bone charring method (which is what is used in refined white sugar). Finally, you’ll want to use vegan chocolate chips, as most of the ones in the supermarket will have some dairy in them.
You can absolutely put your own spin on this recipe by changing the flavors you use. Chocolate and raspberry would be terrific! Just add some pureed raspberries to your dough. You could also add some espresso powder and hazelnuts to make a ‘coffee’ cookie. Creativity is encouraged!
Like any cookie recipe, you can change the shape and size of your cookies to be whatever you desire! Just know that larger cookies may take a little longer to bake in the oven.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plant-based butter
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk alternative of your choice
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp kosher salt
zest of one orange (or about 1 - 2 tbsp)
Juice of one orange (approx. 1 - 2 tbsp)
1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a stand mixer over medium speed (or by hand in a large bowl), cream the butter and sugars until crumbly, but fully incorporated. Add the milk alternative (oat milk was used in testing this recipe) and vanilla extract. Mix over low speed for a few seconds. This will not change the consistency of the batter much.
Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix over medium-low speed until you start to see a dough coming together. The dough should be thick, but workable.
Add the orange zest and orange juice and mix thoroughly into the dough. Add the chocolate chips until fully incorporated.
Grease and/or line two baking pans. Taking a tbsp worth of dough in your hand, roll into a round ball and place on the baking sheet. Continue the process, spacing out each dough ball at least two inches apart, until both baking trays are full.
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes in the oven. Your decision on when to take these out will depend on how gooey you like your cookies. For a soft cookie, take out of the oven after 10 minutes, let sit on the pan for 2 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool. If you prefer a crispier cookie, let the cookies for 12 minutes, then take out of the oven.
After you’ve let the cookies cool a little, enjoy with some orange juice, your favorite cocktail, or on their own!
(If they last that long, these cookies should last a week to a week and a half).
