Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Wow, I am really embarrassed with how much I have let my blog go these past few months! But rather than feed you some lengthy and quite frankly boring excuse, I'm just going to jump right back in there as if no time has passed at all....

So this recipe comes from the vegan kick I was on a few months back. I have to admit I was surprised at how moist and delicious these cookies turned out to be. Unfortunately vegan foods have seemed to have acquired a bad rep amongst the average consumer. And, I'm ashamed to admit, I too was expecting lifeless bland cookies from a vegan recipe. How could it be rich and moist without butter, eggs, or milk? Oh boy was I wrong! These cookies were a wonderful surprise.

The only sidebar I can make to this recipe is: if you're expecting the classic taste of a chocolate chip cookie, you'll probably be disappointed. For those of you who have not had carob chips before (a chocolate substitute that I used for my chocolate chips), you'll realize quickly that they don't have the same flavor as a classic, full dairy chocolate chip. With that said; these cookies are still a sweet treat that can stand in as a great vegan friendly (and/or friendly to those with egg or dairy allergies) chocolate chip cookie. And regardless of their unique taste, I still think they're damn delicious!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
4 1/2 teaspoons egg replacer
6 tablespoons water
1 cup nondairy butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-2 cups nondairy semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick cookie sheet.

In a food processor or blender, whip the egg replacer and water together, until it's thick and creamy.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add the egg replacer mixture to the wet mixture and thoroughly combine. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the wet mixture until it begins to form a dough. When it's almost thoroughly combined, stir in the chips.

Bake on the prepared cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.