Ingredients for Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies (Home Kitchen Version)

To create the perfect batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need a combination of staple baking ingredients and a few plant-based substitutes. These items come together to deliver that classic chewy, gooey texture and irresistible flavor. Let’s break down the key ingredients and why they’re essential:

Reasons You’ll Love Our Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

How to Make Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Step-by-Step Instruction

Don’t worry if you’ve never baked with a flax egg before! It’s a simple and effective replacement for a chicken egg, acting as a binder that holds all the cookie ingredients together seamlessly.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients 

Mixing the dry ingredients is a key step for perfectly baked cookies. Whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt ensures even distribution for consistent texture and rise.

Measure and Add: In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Mixing the wet ingredients is essential for creating a smooth, creamy base. Creaming the vegan butter, sugars, plant-based milk, and vanilla ensures even sweetness and sets the stage for perfectly soft and chewy cookies.

• Measure and Add:
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, combine the following:
    • 132 grams sugar (2/3 cup)
    • 144 grams brown sugar (3/4 cup, packed)
    • 150 grams vegan butter (2/3 cup, softened)
    • 80 grams plant-based milk (1/3 cup)
    • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Cream the Ingredients:
  • Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the sugar, brown sugar, and vegan butter together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Gradually add the plant-based milk and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until fully incorporated.
• Scrape the Sides:
  • Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.

Creaming the wet ingredients creates air pockets that help give the cookies a light texture while blending the flavors perfectly. It also sets the stage for the dry ingredients to combine smoothly later.

Step 4: Prepare the Cornstarch (Home Kitchen Version)

Preparing the cornstarch mixture is a crucial step for texture and structure. Combining cornstarch, vanilla, and water creates a binding agent that helps the cookies stay soft, chewy, and perfectly shaped.

• Measure and Combine:
  • In a small bowl, whisk together:
    • 3/16 teaspoon cornstarch (approximately a heaping pinch)
    • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract (a few drops)
    • 1/8–3/16 teaspoon water (a few drops, just enough to make it pourable)
• Mix Thoroughly:
  • Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. The consistency should be slightly thick but pourable.
• Incorporate into Wet Ingredients:
  • Add this mixture to the creamed wet ingredients (from Step Three) and mix on low speed until fully blended.

This small but mighty cornstarch mixture helps bind the ingredients and ensures your cookies have the soft, chewy texture that makes them so irresistible.

Step Five: Add Step One and Step Four to the Mixer

• Combine the Mixtures:
  • Add the prepared cornstarch mixture (from Step Four) and the flax egg mixture (from Step One) into the bowl with the wet ingredients in your mixer.
• Mix on Low Speed:
  • Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend everything together on low speed until fully incorporated.
• Scrape the Bowl:
  • Pause to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Combining the cornstarch, flax egg, and wet ingredients ensures the dough has the right texture and binding properties. This step helps create the structure and chewiness that make these cookies irresistible.

Step Six: Combine All Ingredients in Mixer

Combining all the ingredients in the mixer brings the dough together. Gradually mixing the wet and dry ingredients ensures a smooth, even dough that’s ready for shaping and baking into perfect cookies.

• Gradually Add Dry Ingredients:
  • Slowly add the dry ingredients (from Step Two) to the wet mixture (from Step Five) in small portions.
• Mix Until Combined:
  • Use a stand mixer or hand mixer on low speed to blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Continue until a smooth, uniform dough forms.
• Scrape Down the Bowl:
  • Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.

Combining the wet and dry ingredients gradually prevents clumps and ensures the dough has a consistent texture, making it perfect for shaping and baking.

Step Seven: Chill and Shape the Dough

Chilling and shaping the dough is key for perfect cookies. A 30-minute chill firms the dough, making it easy to roll into smooth, even balls that bake into beautifully round cookies.

• Chill the Dough:
  • Transfer the prepared dough into an airtight container or cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and enhances the flavor.
• Shape the Dough:
  • After chilling, use a kitchen scale to measure out 3-ounce portions of dough.
  • Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your hands.
  • Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 2–3 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Chilling the dough prevents overspreading, while shaping ensures even baking and picture-perfect cookies. Together, these steps set the foundation for thick, chewy cookies with a beautiful texture.

Step Eight: Bake the Cookies

Baking the cookies at 350°F for 15 minutes is where the magic happens. They rise, level off, and develop golden edges with soft, chewy centers for the perfect vegan treat.

• Preheat the Oven:
  • Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat for even baking.
• Bake the Cookies:
  • Place the baking sheet with the shaped cookie dough balls into the oven.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, keeping an eye on them as they bake. Around the 8-minute mark, the cookies will rise slightly. By the time they’re done, they will level off beautifully into perfect rounds.

Baking at the right temperature and for the right amount of time ensures the cookies have crispy edges, soft centers, and a perfect golden color. Watching for the rise and leveling off helps you know they’re baking just right.

Step Nine: Cool the Cookies

Cooling the cookies is essential for perfect texture. Let them rest on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack where they set into soft, chewy centers with crisp, golden edges.

• Let Them Rest:
  • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes. This helps them firm up slightly before transferring.
• Transfer to a Cooling Rack:
  • Carefully move the cookies to a wire cooling rack and let them cool completely. As they cool, they’ll further level off and set into their final shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might have some questions, especially if you’re new to vegan baking or trying flax eggs for the first time. Don’t worry—this section is here to help! From substitutions and techniques to troubleshooting tips, we’ve gathered answers to common questions so you can bake with confidence and create perfectly soft, chewy cookies every time. Let’s dive in!

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about making vegan chocolate chip cookies:

Q: What can I use instead of eggs in vegan chocolate chip cookies?
A: Flax eggs are the perfect substitute! Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it thickens into a gel-like consistency.

Q: Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of vegan ones?
A: If you’re making strictly vegan cookies, stick to dairy-free chocolate chips. Many dark chocolate chips are naturally vegan, but always check the label to ensure there are no milk products.

Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Ensure all other ingredients, like baking powder and chocolate chips, are also gluten-free.

Q: Do these cookies taste different from traditional ones?
A: Not at all! These vegan cookies are rich, chewy, and packed with gooey chocolate, making them just as delicious as traditional cookies—if not better!

Q: What type of vegan butter works best?
A: Stick-style vegan butter is ideal for baking because it has a similar fat content to traditional butter. Popular brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s work beautifully.

Q: Why did my cookies turn out flat?
A: This could be due to over-softened butter or not chilling the dough long enough. The combination of flax eggs and cornstarch in this recipe is key to preventing flat cookies. Ensure you follow the steps carefully, and don’t skip the chilling process!

Q: Can I freeze the dough for later?
A: Yes! Scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag, and bake directly from frozen—just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Q: How should I store baked cookies?
A: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them for up to 3 months.

More Dairy-Free & Egg Free Desserts

Can you say yum! 

• • Dairy-Free Peppermint Chocolate Mousse – Peppermint mousse parfaits are a delightful and indulgent dessert, combining the rich and creamy texture of chocolate mousse with the refreshing burst of peppermint, creating a truly wonderful and irresistible treat.
  • Ultimate Dairy-Free Cannolis – Vegan cannolis are a delightfully exquisite dessert, boasting a harmonious blend of crispy, flaky shells and lusciously creamy fillings that captivate the senses and offer a truly blissful indulgence.
  • Rustic Hand-Cut Sugar Cookies – These themed vegan sugar cookies are versatile and easy to make. They will please even the harshest baked goods critics!
  • Dairy-Free Greek Yogurt Dessert– This Vegan Greek Yogurt Dessert is fresh, healthy, and not too sweet. It’s a visually interesting and beautiful dessert and is one of my personal favorites!

If you decide to try any of these recipes, please let us know by leaving a comment below