- Simple Ingredients: Crafted with pantry staples, these cookies are straightforward to make without the need for shortening.
- Customizable: Enhance them by adding walnuts, other nuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Ideal Texture: Enjoy a bakery-style treat that’s chewy inside and crisp outside.
- Diet-Friendly: Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free; can be adapted to be egg-free and vegan with suitable substitutes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Vegan buttery sticks (e.g., Earth Balance)
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs and egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour)
- Baking soda
- Arrowroot or cornstarch
- Sea salt
- Dairy-free chocolate chips (e.g., Enjoy Life Mini Morsels)
Directions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, arrowroot, and sea salt.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream vegan butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract; mix until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Scoop Dough: Use a small cookie scoop to portion out 18 equal-sized cookies.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place dough balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat liner.
- Bake: Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: Approximately 18 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Chilling Time: At least 2 hours
- Total Time: About 2 hours and 22 minutes
Variations
- Nutty Addition: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
- Sea Salt Finish: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty contrast.
- Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water; let sit for 15 minutes to thicken).
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to maintain moisture for up to a week.
- Freezing Dough: Freeze portioned dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes as needed.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Store baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
What brands of chocolate chips are dairy-free?
Brands like Enjoy Life and Nestlé Toll House’s Simply Delicious line offer dairy-free chocolate chips suitable for this recipe.
Why are my chocolate chip cookies flat?
Flat cookies can result from overly soft butter or insufficient chilling time. Ensure the dough is chilled for at least 2 hours before baking to prevent spreading.
How can I make these cookies vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water; let sit for 15 minutes to thicken) and use vegan butter.
What’s the best way to keep chocolate chip cookies fresh?
Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread at room temperature. The bread helps maintain the cookies’ moisture, keeping them soft and fresh.
Can I substitute coconut oil for vegan butter?
While coconut oil can be used, it may alter the flavor and texture, potentially leading to crumblier cookies. Vegan buttery sticks are recommended for the best results.
Do I need to flatten the cookie dough before baking?
No, these cookies do not require flattening before baking. They will spread appropriately during baking if the dough has been properly chilled.
Why are my cookies cakey instead of chewy?
Cakey cookies can result from too much flour or using baking powder instead of baking soda. Ensure accurate measurements and use baking soda as specified.
Can I add other mix-ins to this cookie recipe?
dairy-free chocolate chip cookies
- Total Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy these irresistible dairy-free chocolate chip cookies that rival the classic Nestle Tollhouse recipe. Perfectly chewy with crisp edges, these cookies are rich in chocolatey flavor, naturally gluten-free, and easily adaptable to vegan and egg-free diets.
Ingredients
- Vegan buttery sticks (e.g., Earth Balance)
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs and egg yolk (or flax eggs for vegan option)
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour)
- Baking soda
- Arrowroot or cornstarch
- Sea salt
- Dairy-free chocolate chips (e.g., Enjoy Life Mini Morsels)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, arrowroot, and sea salt in a large bowl.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer, cream vegan butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Scoop Dough: Portion dough into 18 equal-sized balls using a cookie scoop.
- Arrange and Bake: Place dough balls 2 inches apart on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For added crunch, mix in chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a gourmet touch.
- For a vegan option, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
