Vegan Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Have you guys heard of that website Tasty? Well, it was there that I discovered a recipe for a cookie I wanted to try to make vegan. It was titled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and it looked glorious. It took me several tries but I kept my head down through multiple ill fated attempts. Eventually, these Vegan Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies were born!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.

Ingredients for Vegan Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the Toffee

• Vegan Butter: Vegan butter is a plant-based substitute for dairy butter in vegan recipes. In vegan toffee, it provides richness, flavor, and a smooth texture. The vegan butter melts and combines with the other ingredients to create a creamy base for the toffee.
• Light Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is a key ingredient in vegan toffee as it provides sweetness and a distinct caramel flavor. The natural molasses content in brown sugar contributes to the rich, deep flavor of the toffee.
• Sea Salt: Sea salt is necessary in vegan toffee to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor. It adds a subtle saltiness that cuts through the richness of the toffee, providing a satisfying contrast. The sea salt also helps to bring out the complexities of the caramel flavor and prevents the toffee from being overly sweet.
• Water: The small amount of water helps dissolve the sugar and combine all the ingredients together. It aids in the melting process of the sugar and vegan butter, forming a cohesive mixture. The water evaporates during cooking, leaving behind a concentrated and smooth toffee texture.

For the Vegan Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Wet Ingredients

• Vegan Butter: Vegan butter is a key ingredient in vegan chocolate chip cookies as it provides richness, moisture, and a buttery flavor. The vegan butter helps bind the ingredients together, adds tenderness to the texture, and contributes to the overall taste of the cookies.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the vegan chocolate chip cookies. The molasses content in dark brown sugar enhances the flavor profile, providing a deep, caramel-like taste. The packed measurement ensures that the cookies have the right amount of sweetness and a soft texture.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar helps provide sweetness and a crispness to the cookies. It also aids in browning and caramelization during baking, resulting in a desirable golden color and flavor. The combination of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar creates a balanced sweetness in the cookies.
• Water helps bring the cookie dough together by hydrating the ingredients. It assists in the mixing process and ensures that the dough is cohesive. The water also contributes to the moisture content of the cookies, resulting in a soft and tender texture.
• Vanilla extract adds a pleasant aroma and flavor to the cookies. It enhances the overall taste profile and complements the chocolate and other ingredients. The vanilla extract brings a touch of sweetness and depth to the cookies.

Dry Ingredients

• Instant espresso powder is an optional ingredient that enhances the flavor of the chocolate in the cookies. It adds a subtle hint of coffee and intensifies the richness of the chocolate. The espresso powder complements the dark chocolate and elevates the overall taste profile of the cookies.
• Baking soda acts as a leavening agent in the cookie dough, helping the cookies rise during baking. It creates a light and tender texture in the cookies, and it also aids in browning. The baking soda reacts with the acidic ingredients in the dough, such as the brown sugar, helping the cookies achieve the desired texture.
• Cornstarch contributes to the soft and chewy texture of the cookies. It helps bind the ingredients together and adds tenderness. Cornstarch also aids in moisture retention, resulting in cookies that stay fresh and soft for a longer period.
• Sea salt enhances the flavors in the cookies and balances the sweetness. It adds depth and complexity to the overall taste profile. The sea salt also helps cut through the richness of the butter and chocolate, providing a pleasing contrast.
• All-purpose flour serves as the main dry ingredient in the cookie dough, providing structure and stability. It binds the wet ingredients together and gives the cookies their desired texture. All-purpose flour ensures that the cookies have a proper crumb and hold their shape during baking.
• Dark chocolate chunks or chips are a crucial component of vegan chocolate chip cookies. They add rich chocolate flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Using 50%-70% dark chocolate ensures a good balance between sweetness and intense chocolate taste. The roughly chopped chocolate adds delightful bursts of melted chocolate throughout the cookies.

Tips for Making Vegan Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. To get ahead you can make the toffee in advance! Prepare it as described in the recipe card below and leave in the freezer until you are ready to prepare the cookie dough. You can also prepare the cookie dough completely and leave it in the freezer until you are ready for baking. The dough can stay in the fridge for up to 2 days.
2. Choose the right vegan butter: Use a high-quality vegan butter that is specifically formulated for baking. Look for brands that have a good fat content and mimic the texture and flavor of dairy butter. This will ensure the right consistency and taste in your cookies.
3. Don't skip the cornstarch: Cornstarch helps create a soft and chewy texture in the cookies. It also helps to bind the ingredients together and improves the overall tenderness. Make sure to whisk the cornstarch with the flour before incorporating it into the dough to avoid clumps.
4. Use a cookie scoop or spoon for consistent sizes: To ensure even baking, use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough. This helps create uniform-sized cookies, ensuring they bake evenly and have a consistent texture.
5. Don't overbake: Keep a close eye on the cookies while they are in the oven, as they can quickly go from perfectly baked to overdone. Remove them from the oven when the edges are golden brown but the centers still appear slightly underbaked. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of sugar instead of dark brown sugar?

While dark brown sugar provides a rich flavor and moist texture to the cookies, you can use other sugars as a substitute. Light brown sugar can be used instead of dark brown sugar, although the flavor may be slightly milder. You can also use coconut sugar or a combination of granulated sugar and molasses to mimic the flavor of dark brown sugar.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes, you can make the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it for later use. Shape the dough into balls or freeze it in a log shape, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. When you're ready to bake the cookies, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator and proceed with the baking instructions.

How can I make my cookies gluten-free?

To make vegan toffee chocolate chip cookies gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute for regular all-purpose flour. Ensure that the flour blend is specifically labeled as gluten-free and contains binders like xanthan gum or guar gum. You may need to adjust the amount of flour or add additional liquid to achieve the desired dough consistency.

How to Serve/Store Vegan Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegan chocolate chip cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

1. Freshly baked: Serve the cookies warm and fresh from the oven. The aroma and gooey texture of the melted chocolate chips are especially tempting when the cookies are still warm. Pair them with a glass of plant-based milk or a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy treat.
2. With a glass of milk: Dunking cookies in milk is a classic and satisfying combination. Serve your vegan chocolate chip cookies with a glass of your favorite plant-based milk, such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk. The milk adds a creamy and refreshing element that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
3. Ice cream sandwich: Create a scrumptious dessert by making vegan ice cream sandwiches with your chocolate chip cookies. Place a scoop of your preferred vegan ice cream between two cookies and gently press them together. You can even roll the edges in crushed nuts or shredded coconut for added flavor and texture.
4. Cookie crumbles: Crush a few cookies and sprinkle them over vegan yogurt, oatmeal, or a smoothie bowl. The cookie crumbles add a delightful crunch and a burst of chocolatey goodness to your favorite breakfast or dessert.

Storing

Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes or until they reach room temperature. This step is essential to prevent moisture buildup in the storage container. Place the cooled cookies in an airtight container, such as a cookie jar or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure the container is clean and dry before adding the cookies. Airtight containers help prevent air exposure and moisture absorption, which can lead to stale or soft cookies.

Vegan toffee chocolate chip cookies are best stored at room temperature. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, heat sources, or high humidity, as these can affect the texture and taste of the cookies. If you want to store the cookies for an extended period, you can freeze them. Ensure they are completely cooled, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bags. Frozen cookies can last for up to 1 month.

Please remember if you make this recipe to snap a pic and share with @censoredbaker on instagram!

Print

More Vegan Cookie Recipes

• Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
• Vegan Double Chocolate Cookies
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Vegan Orange Chocolate Cookies