If I had to pick my favorite flavor combination of all time, it would have to be chocolate… and chocolate. Seriously, there’s no such thing as too much chocolate, whether it’s in vegan chocolate muffins, vegan brownies, or double chocolate chip cookies. Made with only plant-based ingredients, these cookies are in a league of their own. Whether you’re a cookie pro or a baking newbie, you’ll have no trouble making these vegan chocolate cookies. 

Recipe highlights

Simple baking staples. Aside from the vegan butter, the rest of the ingredients are common pantry staples. No flax eggs needed this time! Perfect for chocolate lovers. Like my nutella stuffed cookies, these chocolate cookies are overloaded with rich chocolate flavor and an addictive fudgy texture.  Easily made gluten-free. These cookies are egg and dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free with one simple swap.  Bakes in under 15 minutes. These cookies bake up FAST. The hard part is waiting for them to cool down!

Ingredients needed

As I mentioned, the beauty of these cookies is how straightforward the ingredient list is. Here’s what you’ll need:

Flour. All-purpose flour that’s been sifted to ensure there are no clumps.  Cocoa powder. I used sifted, unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder. For a richer flavor, you can use black or dark cocoa powder.  Salt. Just a dash to elevate the other ingredients.  Baking soda. To help the cookies rise and spread. Dairy-free butter. Any unsalted vegan butter will work. If not strictly vegan, use regular unsalted butter.  Oil. I used vegetable oil, but you can use any neutral oil.  Sugar. I used granulated white sugar, but light brown sugar or coconut sugar can also work. Water. To help mix the batter. You can also use non-dairy milk, but I didn’t notice a stark texture difference. Chocolate. I highly suggest using chocolate chunks, NOT vegan chocolate chips. Chocolate chunks melt slowly, giving us a smooth, gooey chocolate bite. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make vegan double chocolate cookies

Step 1- Combine dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Step 2- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl or stand mixer, whisk together the softened butter, sugar, oil, and 1 tablespoon of water. Once smooth, add the rest of the water and mix well.  Step 3- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fold through the chopped chocolate. Step 4- Chill. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to an hour.  Step 5- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.  Step 6- Shape, bake, and cool. Remove the cookie dough from the fridge and form 12 small or 6 large cookie dough balls. Place evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the tops of the cookies look ‘just’ done. Remove the baked cookies from the oven and cool on the baking sheet.

Recipe tips and variations

Make them gluten-free. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum added. If there’s no xanthan gum in the flour blend, add ¼ teaspoon.  Avoid overbaking. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool down. Once they look set on top and are mostly firm around the edges, they’re done! Make them extra gooey. To get this same effect, place a square of chopped chocolate directly in the center of the cookie dough ball.  Switch up the chocolate. In addition to the chocolate chunks, fold in white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or caramel chips. Add nuts. Fold in walnuts or peanuts to add some crunch.  Don’t skip the chill. I know it may seem unnecessary, but I promise that chilling the dough makes it easier to scoop and makes for a chewier, softer cookie. 

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover double chocolate cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.  To freeze: To keep the cookies fresher for longer, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Let them thaw overnight before enjoying. 

Frequently asked questions

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