Chocolate chip cookies are one of my all-time favorite cookie comforts.
I love home baked anything and everything, real butter, whole milk, flour and sugar. But lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about alternative ingredients and how I can incorporate some of these into my own baking. Not because I’m completely done with white flour and refined sugar. I’m not. Not by any stretch. I’ve just been on a health kick lately and it’s been fun and interesting experimenting with agave nectar, raw honey and quinoa and coconut flours.
I’m no stranger to the vegan cookie. I’ve had my share of the occasional vegan chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie along with my afternoon pick me up cup of coffee. Although, it is a perfectly adequate sugar fix that does the job, I have always felt something was lacking in texture or flavor of the vegan cookies I have consumed. So, while searching for an amazing “alternative” chocolate chip cookie, I came across this recipe on Dreena’s Vegan Recipes blog from her book titled, “Vive le Vegan!”. I had all the ingredients and it was simple enough so I gave it a go. My thoughts? Let me just say that this cookie does not lack anything in texture, flavor or sweetness. It is true that my favorite chocolate chip cookies have forever been the super thin, crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside variation. Something like these. Well, Dreena’s cookie is not thin, nor is it super chunky. It’s a perfect balance between the two. The best part? They’re a little better for you. No refined sugar or dairy. You can even use wheat, spelt or barley flour to make these. I added some toasted pecans into the batter just for some extra crunch. Trust me, you should try these!
I think you’ll love them.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
The picture of you cookies here is enough to get me to TRY vegan cookies. TRY I said!
Also, I’ve been using agave much more lately in place of granulated sugars – saying I’ve been doing it for heath reasons would make me a liar – but I have been nothing but pleased with the results thus far. I feel like unless you need the molecular structure of sugar granules (READ: meringue &c.) there is no reason not to make the sub.
those cookies look scrumptious. I’ve been using agave nectar a lot lately. It really brings a nice flavor and sweetness to desserts.
Chocolate chip cookies….yummie, even better with pecans…yummie. Great pictures!
I am thinking about the same. I use real butter,milk, etc.But I been thinking in cook healthier and tasty .
I love the recipe, and the addition of toasted pecans, I certainly will do the same
Thanks Blond Duck!
Deeba,
These cookies have great texture. I love using alternate ingredients…thanks!
Helene,
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m with you, I can’t pass a CCC. Those looks great. Nice pictures.
I’m amazed Lisa…never seen vegan cookies look this good. Never made vegan cookies but I think these take the cake, ooops, I mean cookie! I have no reservations about using ingredients, but am always game for alternate options; never know what you might find!! Love them & your pictures!
I simply think these look delectable!
Maris,
Would love to say working on a recipe free of calories!
Hannah,
It is a good one…and thanks for the reply re: lighting!
Adrienne,
Yeah, I don’t have any hardcore dietary restrictions, I just like trying out different types of recipes. Do let me know what you think of these. Have a great plane trip!
Chocolate Chip Cookies are my favorite type of cookie and I love trying new recipes. I have a mild egg allergy, which I usually ignore much to stomach’s chagrin, so I am looking forward to trying this recipe. I’m on a long plane trip later this week and wanted to make some cookies for the ride so I’m going to try these.
This is a great recipe- I’ve used it a number of times with great success.
Mmmm, I love any kind of chocolate chip cookie! Next, can you make some free of calories?
Thanks for your comments everyone!
My Year Without,
I totally understand your feelings about unrefined granular sugars. I’m not vegan nor have I made the decision to go completely without sugar. As an avid baker, I am just curious about what the best alternatives are to white refined sugar. I bake often and at some point I would like to offer alternative treats to my friends and family members that do have dietary restrictions. I’m still learning and educating myself about the differences in all of these sweeteners and why some are better than others. I’m glad you found me because now I have access to your blog. You have such great information and I will definitely learn a thing or two from visiting.
I have experimented quite a bit with this particular recipe already. I would like to try replacing the 1/4 cup of unrefined sugar with date or beet sugar. What are your thoughts on those sugars?
yumm yumm!! lisa these pics are excellent.. these cookies are totally drool worthy.. m sure my kids gonna hug me for making this yummy cookie. gonna try this for the weekends
thanx for the round up of yummies!!
cheers!!
I love experimenting with different flours and natural sweeteners, and I’ve tried variations on muffins but not cookies. Your cookies look great! Can’t wait to try this.
Lovely indeed!
I love to use agave!!
I love pecans in my cc cookies!!! MMMMMMMMMMM…
I took a look at this cookie recipe-it looks great…except many of the “unrefined” sugars are really no better for us than the white stuff. In my quest to try and be sugar-free, I’ve actually stayed away from the granular sugars because even they have been refined. I don’t mean to sound preachy–I definitely still need to satisfy my sweet tooth! I use honey and I’ve used agave and fruit juice concentrate and molasses….it just seems from my research that the granulated sugars are still high in glycemic index and are able to spike our blood sugar much more than other natural sweeteners. Your thoughts?
Thanks for sharing the recipe. It looks like its received a lot of excellent feedback! I love playing around with new, exciting recipes!
Those cookies look so good! Pecans work really well in ccc’s.
these look amazing!
Totally fans of agave. We’ve made pancakes with quinoa flour, but that’s it. It’s great to see what the alternatives are out there. We’re not vegan, but we like cookies, so it’s all good!
Alright, these look to be delicious and guilt free (well practically) my kind of cookies!
Chocolate chips are one of my favorite cookies. These cookies look devine!
Very scrumptious looking cookies!
WOWZA those look great!!