Looks super good, right? Click here to PIN this recipe for later.
I didn’t set out to make the best vegan chocolate chip cookies, but I’m pretty sure that’s what I did. There are hundreds of recipes for vegan chocolate chip cookies on the internet but I think these are extra special. If you’re looking for a chocolate chip cookie with a chewy gooey center, crispy edges, the perfect crumb, and gourmet flavor, then look no further.
As I said, I wasn’t trying to make the best vegan chocolate chip cookie. I was only wondering which vegan egg substitute––if any––would make the best chocolate chip cookies. Before this recipe my favorite chocolate chip cookie didn’t have an egg substitute at all, but since people are always asking me for vegan and baking advice, I wanted to know if using an “egg” would make much difference. So I created a little experiment––video below––where I made three identical chocolate chip cookies, but used a different egg replacer in each one. I tried the recipe with a flax “egg”, aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas), and oatmilk––which is really not an egg replacer, but served as the control cookie.
What I found was pretty surprising. Watch the video below!
The flax egg ended up being the best egg replacer for vegan chocolate chip cookies! The texture was absolutely perfect, giving the cookies a nice crumb and decadent texture. The flax doesn’t make the cookies grainy, but adds nice body. Maxx said these tasted gourmet while the others tasted store-bought. Depends on what you’re into, but I’m super bougie, so gourmet sounds about right to me. While the aquafaba and oatmilk cookies were delicious, they didn’t spread while baking, so the texture was more dense.
To take these flax “egg” cookies to the next level, I baked them again with the addition of espresso powder, cardamom, and chunky sea salt. And wow! WOW! There are few combinations as perfect as cardamom, espresso, and chocolate. Each flavor stands out while also highlighting the essence of the others. The finishing salt is the touch you need to pull it all together in perfect harmony. Every bite is like a taste of heaven.
I love that these cookies stay fresh and delicious for a few days after baking. I’ve kept them up to 4 days and they’re still delicious. Stick one in the toaster oven to warm it up before indulging. I wouldn’t recommend freezing them, only because they are so easy to make. Why not make a fresh batch every week? Recipe below!
If you’re craving more vegan chocolate desserts check out my tahini oat cookies, oatmilk chocolate mousse tart, avocado mousse, and chocolate matcha sticky buns 🌟
PIN this recipe to save it for later!
Cardamom Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ground flax seed
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup white sugar 100g
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed 110g
- 1/2 cup coconut oil melted 112g
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour 270g
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
- Maldon salt for finishing
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the ground flax seed and water. Stir well and set aside to thicken for at least 5 minutes.
- Add the sugars and coconut oil to a stand mixer and whisk until creamed.
- Mix in the flax "egg", espresso powder, and vanilla, and beat until combined.
- Remove from the mixer base.
- Sift in the flour, cardamom, baking soda, and salt.
- Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix the ingredients together.
- Once combined (it will likely not hold together), add the chocolate chips.
- This dough is pretty dry, so you may want to use your hands to bring it all together. Careful not to over work it.
- Place the dough in the refrigerator to chill for 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop batter and form into balls before placing them on the baking sheet. I like them best with a double cookie scoop for large cookies. About 3-4 tbsp dough.
- Bake 6 cookies on a tray at a time, making sure to keep 2 inches around the cookie for them to spread.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and let them cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Let them cool for about 10 minutes longer before eating.
Doug / April 1, 2023 at 4:06 pm /
Followed the directions for these cookies to the tee but still had major issues getting the dough to stick together even after refrigerating for more than an hour. I ended up forming balls of dough that did not spread out at all. The balls (cookies) taste great, just look lousy. What did I do wrong?
Bec H / January 13, 2023 at 8:29 pm /
Wow! These cookies are truly THE best. Flavor and texture are spot on. So delicious! It’s impossible to eat only one. I’m trying not to eat a third. Just WOW. Thank you! This is now my go to Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. And adding the finishing salt . . . Swoon!
Nadim / June 11, 2022 at 9:46 pm /
Im doing a food and nutrtion project I need nutrtion value and grams and everything like calories suger carbs etc
Kendara / April 27, 2022 at 12:16 pm /
Hello! I hope to make this sometime next week. One of the comments mentioned I can substitute the white and brown sugar for coconut sugar. What would be the measurement for the coconut sugar?
Sandi Bell / March 5, 2022 at 9:20 am /
I try not to use white or brown sugar. What could I substitute?
Christian Love / April 26, 2022 at 9:10 pm /
Coconut sugar is an excellent substitute!
Lisa M. / December 9, 2021 at 3:24 pm /
WOW, these are dangerous! I had a bit of trouble making drop cookies out of the dry dough even after putting in the fridge for an hour. I took the rest of the dough and put it in my silicone 9×9, pressed it down a bit with a spatula and baked at 350 for 15 minutes. It was easy to cut into squares after it cooled. Will be making this many times this holiday season. Yum!
Nel / October 26, 2021 at 7:02 am /
Delectable! -Truly the best chocolate chip cookie for me:)
Bonnie / September 7, 2021 at 8:26 pm /
Wow these are so good! I make the recipe from tollhouse on the regular, but now I have to cut out dairy. These easily outdo that recipe, even my son loves these (who is picky and rejected other vegan cookies). New favorite cookie recipe!! Thanks!!
Rita / August 27, 2021 at 2:43 pm /
These are the most decadent cookies and truly the best vegan chocolate chip cookies. And I’ve made a lot! I made them during the winter and shared with omnivore friends who also raved about them.
Cindi Tolle / August 17, 2021 at 5:32 pm /
I made these cookies and thought they were amazing. I can’t wait until my husband tries them. My next experiment will be to use a GF blend flour in lieu of the all purpose to see if I can make it GF for one of my friends. Fantastic! Next up, I plan to try your vegan crab cakes. Keep up the amazing work.
Jenne / August 27, 2021 at 2:02 pm /
Wonderful! I am so happy you liked them too 🙂
Sally / May 12, 2021 at 5:36 am /
These cookies are delicious, chocolatey, slightly crisp edge, nice texture.
Jenne / May 20, 2021 at 11:10 pm /
I’m so glad you enjoyed them too!!
NICOLE / April 25, 2021 at 4:27 pm /
These are amazing!!
Ashley / April 25, 2021 at 11:47 am /
These look incredible!! I am so excited to give these a try!! Yummm
Folasade / April 25, 2021 at 7:52 am /
This one caught my attention. Yummmy
Giselle / April 24, 2021 at 8:13 pm /
I will definitely try these!!