“Self Portrait” by Katie McDowell (18), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts "An Old Man in Military Costume" by Simone Wuttke (18), Dartmouth College (recent Benjamin Franklin High School graduate) "This oil on canvas painting is inspired by Rembrandt's 'An Old...
A good chocolate chip cookie is one of those texturally perfect joys: crispy, caramelized edges giving way to gooey-chewy centers. Despite its relatively short and humble ingredient list, different versions of “the best” chocolate chip cookie abound on the internet. I’ve baked and eaten enough cookies to know that there’s not really the ultimate cookie—they are all beautiful—but there is one recipe that has earned a place in my regular rotation.
This recipe, from a New York-based bakery named Ovenly, is my holy grail. Practically, it’s a cinch to whip up, with no need for softened butter or an electric mixer. Got two bowls, a spoon, and a whisk? You’re set. It also happens to be vegan, which is great news for cookie lovers who avoid animal products, and it means that you can snack on the raw dough safely (though you should still microwave the raw flour for about 1 minute to play it safe). Most of all, it’s my favorite cookie to eat!
Secretly Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, inspired by Ovenly:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 ¼ cups mix-ins, like dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, rolled oats, or your favorite combination (check the ingredients of your mix-ins if you want to keep things vegan)
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar (break up any clumps before using)
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon canola, vegetable, or olive oil
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon water
- Flaky sea salt or sprinkles for garnish (optional)
This recipe asks you to chill the dough overnight to nail the texture, but rest easy, the sky will not come crashing down if you skip that step.
Alright, Let’s Get Baking!
1.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add your mix-ins and toss to coat.
2.
In a separate large bowl, whisk the sugars with the oil and water for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is incorporated and relatively smooth.
3.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until all the flour is incorporated.
4.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. (If you can bear waiting, this step allows the flour to absorb the wet ingredients, giving you a better texture in the end.)
5.
Preheat the oven to 350 ° F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and scoop the dough into 2-inch mounds. If you have time, stick the dough in the freezer for 10 minutes to help the cookies retain their shape in the oven.
6.
To garnish the cookies with sea salt (this gives them a more balanced flavor), just sprinkle a pinch over the tops. If you’d prefer sprinkles, add some to a bowl and roll the dough in it to coat.
7,
Transfer the dough balls to the lined baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are golden. They’ll still be pretty soft but will firm up a bit as they cool. Don’t overbake!
TIP:
Pre-scoop and freeze the dough to enjoy a freshly baked homemade cookie anytime. Just toss one (or two, or six) frozen dough balls in the oven whenever the cookie mood strikes.
Rémy Robert
(it rhymes with Amy Snowbear) is a born and raised New Orleanian who was thrilled to move home after a few years of living in New York and New England. Like most New Orleanians, she is food-obsessed and always thinking about her next meal. She works at NOCHI, New Orleans’ first culinary institute, and is also a professional recipe tester for cookbooks. You’ll find her feeding loved ones or marching with the Krewe of Wonder Women at Mardi Gras.