Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Vegan Treat With a Caffeine Twist

Awaken your senses with these Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies, where the rich flavor of espresso meets the sweet goodness of chocolate in a soft, chewy cookie. Perfectly balanced to deliver a hit of caffeine and plenty of flavor, these vegan cookies are a delicious twist on a classic. Whether you're a coffee lover or simply looking for a new cookie experience, these treats are sure to impress with their deep, robust flavors.

Why you'll love it: Adding espresso powder not only enhances the chocolate flavor, but also adds a unique depth that coffee lovers will appreciate. The cookies are soft, chewy and filled with vegan chocolate chips, making them a guilt-free treat that doesn't compromise on taste or texture. They are quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear!

Perfect occasion: These cookies are ideal for coffee breaks, late night snacks or as a sophisticated dessert at dinner parties. Serve them at book clubs, casual get-togethers, or as a special gift to brighten up your work day. They're also perfect for gifting to friends and family who love coffee or vegan treats.

Decorating Tips: For an extra touch of elegance, you can drizzle melted vegan chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle a little more espresso powder on top. This not only enhances their visual appeal but also enhances the flavor of the coffee, making them irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) vegan butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon of espresso powder
• 1 flax egg (or preferred vegan egg substitute)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup vegan chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preparation:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the dough:
   • In a large bowl, beat together the sugars and vegan butter until smooth.
   • Add the flax egg, vanilla extract, salt and espresso powder, mixing until well combined.
   • Sift in the flour, baking soda and cinnamon and mix until well combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
3. Add the chocolate chips :
   • Gently fold in the vegan chocolate chips.

4. Cool the dough:
   • Cover the dough and let it cool in the refrigerator while the oven heats. This helps the flavors meld and keeps the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
5. Bake the cookies:
   • Form dough into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced (this should make about 11 cookies).
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 11 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the center is still soft.
6. Cool:
   • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy these decadent Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies, a perfect blend of coffee and chocolate that will surely become a new favorite in your vegan baking repertoire!