Have you ever had a craving for a warm, gooey cookie that just melts in your mouth. Personally, I think there is nothing better than the smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven. If you are looking for the best way to make treats without using eggs or dairy, you are in the right place. Believe it or not, you can make the most amazing cookies using only plant based ingredients.
I know how it feels when you try a vegan recipe and it comes out hard as a rock. It is pretty much the worst feeling when you want a soft snack but get a hockey puck instead. But don’t worry, I have been there too. After a lot of baking in my own kitchen, I found the secret to making soft and chewy vegan cookies every single time.
Today, we are going to explore how to make these easy vegan cookies. Whether you are a pro baker or this is your first time in the kitchen, these recipes are so simple that even kids can help. Let’s dive in and see how we can make your kitchen smell like a dream.
Why You Will Love These Soft Vegan Cookies
Honestly, many people find it hard to believe that cookies can be delicious without butter. But here is the deal. When you use the right ingredients, you get a texture that is actually better than traditional cookies.
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They are super soft. We use special tricks to keep them from getting crunchy.
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Simple ingredients. You probably have most of these in your pantry right now.
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Perfect for sharing. Since they have no dairy or eggs, more friends can enjoy them.
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Quick to make. You don’t have to wait hours to eat them.
If you are wondering why these cookies stay so soft, it is all about the moisture. Without eggs, we use things like applesauce or flax seeds to keep things bouncy and light. Trust me, your friends and family will have no idea these are vegan.
The Secret Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Baking
Before we start mixing, let’s talk about what goes into these treats. Usually, cookies need eggs to hold them together. In our vegan version, we use a few clever swaps.
1. The Egg Replacer
I suggest using a flax egg. To make one, you just mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it gets thick. It works like magic to hold your cookie together.
2. The Fat Source
Instead of butter, you could try vegan butter sticks or coconut oil. I personally like vegan butter because it gives that salty, rich taste we all love. Make sure it is a bit soft but not melted when you start.
3. The Sweetness
Brown sugar is our best friend here. It has more moisture than white sugar. This is exactly what makes the cookies chewy instead of crispy.
Recipe 1: The Best Soft Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is my absolute favorite recipe. It is the one I go to whenever I need a sweet treat fast.
What You Need
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1 cup of vegan butter (softened)
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¾ cup of brown sugar
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½ cup of white sugar
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1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
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1 flax egg (as we talked about earlier)
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2 cups of all purpose flour
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1 teaspoon of baking soda
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A pinch of salt
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1 cup of dairy free chocolate chips
Here is How to Make Them
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Prep your oven. First, turn your oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Mix the fats and sugars. In a big bowl, cream the vegan butter and both sugars together. You can use a big spoon or a mixer. You want it to look fluffy.
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Add the wet stuff. Stir in your flax egg and the vanilla.
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Add the dry stuff. Slowly mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Don’t mix too much, just enough so the white flour disappears.
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The best part. Fold in those chocolate chips.
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Scoop and bake. Put big spoonfuls on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes.
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The hardest part. You have to wait for them to cool down for 5 minutes. They will look a bit soft when they come out, but they will firm up as they cool.
Recipe 2: Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Pillows
If you love peanut butter, you are about to find out why these are a total game changer. They are thick, soft, and so savory.
What You Need
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½ cup of creamy peanut butter
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½ cup of sugar
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¼ cup of almond milk (or any plant milk you have)
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1 cup of flour
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½ teaspoon of baking soda
Here is How to Make Them
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Mix the peanut butter and sugar. Get them nice and smooth in your bowl.
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Add the milk. This adds the moisture we need since peanut butter can be a bit dry.
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Stir in the rest. Add your flour and baking soda. The dough will be thick and smell amazing.
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Make patterns. Roll them into balls and use a fork to press a criss-cross pattern on top.
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Bake. These only need about 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Tips for the Softest Cookies Ever
I want to make sure your baking turns out perfect. Here are some things I have learned over the years.
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Don’t overbake. This is the most important rule. If the edges look slightly brown, take them out. They keep cooking on the hot pan even after you pull them out of the oven.
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Use a cooling rack. This helps air get under the cookie so the bottom doesn’t get soggy.
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Measure your flour correctly. Instead of scooping the flour with your cup, use a spoon to put flour into the cup. This keeps the flour light and prevents the cookies from being too heavy.
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Chill the dough. If you have time, put your dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. This makes the flavors stronger and stops the cookies from spreading too much.
Fun Fact: Did You Know.
Did you know that cookies were actually created by accident. Long ago, bakers would drop a small amount of cake batter into the oven to test the temperature. These little test cakes were called “koekje,” which means “little cake” in Dutch. So, every time you eat a cookie, you are eating a tiny piece of history.
How to Store Your Cookies
If you don’t eat them all at once (which is hard to do), you need to keep them fresh.
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Room Temperature. Put them in a jar or a plastic bag. They will stay soft for about 3 to 4 days.
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The Bread Trick. One tip is to put a slice of white bread in the jar with your cookies. The cookies will pull the moisture out of the bread to stay soft. It sounds weird, but it totally works.
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Freezing. You can freeze the baked cookies for up to a month. Just pop one in the microwave for 15 seconds when you want a warm snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use gluten free flour. Yes, you certainly can. I suggest using a “measure for measure” gluten free blend. It usually works perfectly in these easy vegan cookie recipes.
What if I don’t have flaxseeds. No worries. You can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce instead of one egg. It makes the cookies very moist and adds a tiny bit of natural sweetness.
Can I use coconut sugar. Yep, you can. It will make the cookies a bit darker and give them a slight caramel taste. Personally, I love the way it tastes.
Why did my cookies spread so much. Usually, this happens if the butter was too melted or the oven was not hot enough. Make sure your oven is fully ready before you put the tray in.
Is vegan cookie dough safe to eat raw. The thing is, raw flour can sometimes have germs. If you want to eat the dough, you should heat the flour in the oven for a few minutes first. Since there are no raw eggs, it is much safer than regular dough.
Bringing it All Together
So, what do you think. Making soft and delicious vegan cookies is much easier than it sounds. At the end of the day, baking should be fun and stress free. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive ingredients to make something your family will love.
Whether you choose the chocolate chip version or the peanut butter ones, you are going to have a great time. Plus, your house will smell like a bakery.
There you have it. That’s pretty much everything you need to know to become a vegan cookie expert. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process. One tip is to have a glass of cold almond milk ready for when the cookies come out of the oven.
Anyway, I hope you have a blast baking these treats. Don’t forget to share them with someone you love. After all, cookies always taste better when you share the joy.