Description
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies combine rich cocoa and warm spices to create soft yet slightly crisp cookies with a deep chocolate flavor enhanced by ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This plant-based recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plant-based butter
- 3/4 cup natural brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup plant-based chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
Instructions
- Preparing the Dough: Sift together all-purpose flour, natural cocoa powder, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and natural gelling agent into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, cream plant-based butter with natural brown sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in molasses (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), and vanilla extract (natural) until well combined.
- Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and keep cookies tender. Fold in any chosen optional extras like plant-based chocolate chips, nuts, or orange zest.
- Shaping and Chilling: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up the dough and enhance flavors.
- Rolling Out and Cutting: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking trays with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough onto a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes and transfer carefully to the prepared trays.
- Baking the Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are set but centers remain soft. Allow cookies to cool on the trays for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Measure flour properly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cookies.
- Refrigerate the dough to help retain cookie shape and deepen flavor.
- Use high-quality natural cocoa powder for richer chocolate flavor.
- Watch baking time closely; remove cookies when edges firm as they continue cooking slightly while cooling.
- Add optional extras like nuts or zest sparingly to maintain original cookie texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: chocolate gingerbread cookies, plant-based cookies, holiday cookies, vegan gingerbread, spiced chocolate cookies
