These Soft & Chewy Chocolate Brownie Vegan Cookies are so delicious, no one will know that they’re vegan cookies (I promise)!
I have created so many cookie recipes (hello The Cookie Book!) and I have two requirements no matter what the type or flavor of the cookie: it must taste absolutely delicious *AND* it must be pretty.
This vegan chocolate cookie delivers on both fronts!
Although I’m not vegan, I would definitely say that vegan eats and treats are a part of our meals over here.
I love these vegan peppermint brownies (so delicious and fun) and these vegan oatmeal chocolate cookies (that are also gluten free!) that are a knock-of Erewhon’s cookie.
This chocolate vegan cookie is the second post, in a two-part series with California Prunes to showcase/highlight the magic of baking with prunes.
Last month we made vegan brownies (that are so delicious) and this month, we jump into cookies (one of my favorite topics!).
Prunes are loaded with moisture, natural sweetness, vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants all of which make a wonderful addition to anything you’re throwing on the table.
I’ve been having a heap of fun futzing with vegan baking as of late, so alas, here we are with this vegan cookie recipe.
That Chocolate Brownie Vegan Cookie TASTE
These cookies is the epitome of a brownie cookie. The center is soft, chewy, fudgy and, well, frankly, very brownie-like. I added in chocolate chips for more chocolate jazz hands, but feel free to omit.
The chocolate flavor is deep and rich and no prune taste to be found.
I should note that my family loves prunes, so this isn’t a slight. But when I’m biting into a fudgy, brownie-like chocolate cookie, it’s not the flavor I’m looking for…so we get all of the delicious healthy attributes and sweetness and not much else!
The Baker’s Guide to Measuring Flour
One of the biggest (and most common) mistakes in baking is how we measure flour. If you find yourself without a scale, see my top tips on how to properly measure flour for the perfect amount every time!
Chocolate Prune Puree, Details, Trivia, Etc, Etc
The prune puree is the moisture base for this recipe. Using either a high-speed blender or food processor add in California prunes, unsweetened cocoa powder, flaxseeds and hot water and blitz until smooth. It won’t be perfectly smooth, but get it as smooth as possible.
This prune puree makes enough for two batches of these vegan cookies or these vegan peppermint brownies. If you have no desire for two batches of sweets (I get it!), reserve half of the puree for your next sweet treat.
The prune puree will last for several days, wrapped tightly, in the fridge or stashed in the freezer (again, wrapped tightly) for about a month-ish.
The combination of prunes and flaxseeds do away with the need for butter or eggs. I do add in some oil for extra fat.
For more info on healthy baking with prunes, click here (this links to CA Grown’s website)!
That Chocolate Brownie Vegan Cookie TEXTURE
The texture of the cookie dough is a little funky as we’re using non-traditional ingredients. So prepare yourself for a very thick, kinda oily cookie dough.
And when I say thick, I mean you’re going to be blending in the dry ingredients thinking, I’m never getting this combined. But you will and you shouldn’t have to work your flour too hard in the process.
The texture of the final chocolate vegan cookie is quite heavenly. Very soft, not a crispy bite in sight.
Cocoa Powder Details
Use unsweetened cocoa powder, ideally one that is dark or Dutch-processed. If you don’t have that handy, by all means use whatever unsweetened cocoa powder you have.
Melting Chocolate
Melting chocolate is tricky business. For the absolute best results, go for a chocolate around the 60% cocoa range and make sure it’s chocolate that’s meant for baking and melting. This chocolate tend to melt the nicest.
Melting chocolate chips most often doesn’t yield the best results so I would steer clear of them.
Make sure that the water beneath the bowl of chocolate doesn’t get too hot. If your chocolate gets too hot it can wreck the whole process.
Best Baking Oils for the Cookie
I love a flavorless sunflower seed oil and I wouldn’t be opposed to a nice, mild California olive oil. I’ve had so many people as of late ask me about avocado oil that I’m going to have to bake some cookies and give it a try. Stay tuned!
A Note for Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Vegan Cookies
One of my favorite GF flours is Thomas Keller’s Cup4Cup. Whatever gf all-purpose flour you use, be sure to rest your dough, ideally overnight.
Gluten free flours have a harder time absorbing moisture, and the fridge time will give it the time to do that.
Chocolate Brownie Vegan Cookie Variations
These would be utterly delicious with more espresso added. If I was going to amp them up, I’d add 2 teaspoons of finely ground espresso (I like to use real coffee and not instant).
However, if you have the instant handy, use that.
Since I am forever a sucker for chocolate and mint together, these would be fab with ½ to 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.
What about orange zest + orange blossom water?
My Favorite Cookie Equipment
My trusty Vitamix to help blend up that prune cookie base; you can also use your Cusinart Food Processor
My favorite extra-large Cookie Sheets
These will let you bake more cookies at a time (make sure they’ll fit in your oven). These are restaurant grade and I love them for everything from cookies to roasting veggies and sheet-pan dinners!
This is the 2-tablespoon Cookie Scoop I used for these cookies
You can also eyeball the size and use a spoon.
The Spatula that I use for literally EVERYTHING
The set of heat-safe Glass Bowls that I for mixing
My favorite Scale because cookies thrive with precision
More CA Grown Recipes
For more CA Prunes recipes, click here!
Let’s bake some delicious soft & chewy chocolate brownie vegan cookies, shall we?
More Yummy Cookie Fun
Grab My Favorite Cookies Tips for Perfect Cookies, make these Crinkly, Fudgy Brownie Cookies (they’re so good!), the best Shiny Crinkly Fudgy Brownies, try my favorite, small-batch (one bowl! no rest!) Mega Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies or browse through all of my cookie recipes here!
Soft & Chewy Chocolate Brownie Vegan Cookies
Equipment
- High-Speed Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 8 oz (227 g) California Prunes
- 1/2 cup (43 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (I prefer dark) sifted
- 2 tablespoons (20 g) raw flaxseeds
- 1/2 cup (112 g) hot water
- 1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup (112 g) sunflower seed oil or other neutral oil
- 1/2 cup (105 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) real vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) fresh-brewed espresso or strong coffee
- 13/4 cups (237 g) all-purpose flour (how to measure flour)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 g) sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate chips
To Roll
- ½ cup demerara sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
- To a high-speed blender add the prunes, cocoa powder, flaxseeds and hot water (in that order). Blend on low for several minutes or until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the blender to make sure that everything is well combined. Measure out about ½ cup (170 g) of the prune puree and reserve the remaining for your next batch (it freezes great!). Don’t clean your blender and set aside for the next step.
- To a large, heat-safe bowl set over simmering water, add the dark chocolate, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar and ½ cup (170 g) of prune puree from above. Make sure the water doesn’t boil or touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir frequently until the chocolate is melted and then pour the mixture back into the blender, add the vanilla and espresso/coffee and blend on low until quite smooth, no more than 1 minute.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking powder and baking soda. Scoop the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and fold until the dough is mixed, but you still see streaks of flour. It will be very thick. Add the chocolate chips and fold until evenly mixed throughout the dough. The dough will appear slightly glossy and quite thick, this is perfect.
- Gently roll 2 tablespoons (28 g) of dough into a ball and place it on the cookie sheets, allowing about 2 inches (5 cm) between each dough ball. Optional: If you want the cookies coated in sugar, add the demerara sugar to a shallow bowl and roll each dough ball in the sugar and set on the baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 10 minutes. You want to slightly underbake these. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 15 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.
Hi! Really like the look of this recipe, but wonder if it would work baked as brownies in a cake tin and cut into pieces after baking?
Thank you!
Hi! I think that would totally work!! Use a pan that’s is a similar size, with high sides. Have fun and let me know if you have any other questions! xo
I’m going to try these with dates!
Hey! I recently found your blog and am in love with your style! I just used two of your recipes for a sixty guest party and the desserts were a hit. Thank you! I’m super excited to try these cookies however, I don’t use coffee…at all. Not even decaf. Shocker, I know. It’s a secret weapon in many of the best recipes. Do you happen to know of a substitute that might add a similar depth to chocolate??
Hi Kellie! You can omit the coffee! I would honestly consider doubling the vanilla (I know, aggressive, but I think it would work) or just add a tbsp of water in place of the coffee. You will still love the cookies. They’re honestly so good I’ve been wanting to make a fresh batch! xo
So delicious! More of a brownie texture and they taste decadent even though they’re healthy!
You have no idea how much I love that you love this cookie!!!! It’s such a gem!! xo
Just made them. So delicious! I’m really going to have to restrain myself from eating too many at a time!
Hi Leslie!!! Aren’t they yummy!?! Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!! xox
I’m going share this recipe with everyone that I know this is really fantastic
Hi Rebecca
I emailed you about a week ago, I just purchased your cake book and I had a question about one of your recipes, since I did not get a response through your email, I decided to put the question up on your blog. The Banana Rum Cake on page 129. For the Brown Butter Rum Glaze, is there something nonalcholic I can use in place of the rum.
Hi Jackie! My apologies. You can use milk to replace the rum…or even water if you’d like. Have fun baking it! xo
I’m so excited….
Yay! Let me know if you have any questions!! xox
Hi what’s the substitute for prunes?
Hi! I can’t give a sub for the prunes as they’re the base of the cookie. Sorry!! xox
Can I use dried prunes?
Hi, yes! Dried prunes are perfect
Hi, I used dates Instead of prunes and the results was good
Thank you for letting us know!! xox
Delicious! I can’t wait to make these
Hope you love them! xo