Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 c. Brown Sugar
3/4 c. White Sugar
1 c. Margarine (I use Earth Balance)
1/4 c. Coconut Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 c. All Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
10 oz. Vegan Chocolate Chips (some semi-sweet are naturally vegan, just check the ingredients)

I know, I know, shoot me.  I don't use the whole 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips.  I actually like to taste a little bit of my cookie and not just bite into a blob of chocolate.  If I wanted that, I'd eat brownies or fudge or whatever... you get the idea.  Plus, I can never get them all fully incorporated. BUT if you want to use the whole bag, feel free :)

Start by preheating your oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, cream margarine (let it reach room temp. first) and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add in vanilla and coconut milk and cream again.  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet until just incorporated, don't over mix.  Fold in the chocolate chips.   Drop tablespoon size balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet,  2" apart, and bake for 9-10 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.  Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to a rack.  Or just dig in immediately and burn your mouth, but the taste will be oh so worth it ;)

Sinful Brownies

"Oh my God... did you write this down?  They're actually soft and moist, not oily and dry and disgusting like every other vegan brownie I've tried.  Remember this recipe.  I hate you."
-Phil

What are you waiting for...

1 c. All-Purpose Flour
1/2 c. White Sugar
1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1/2 c. Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 tbsp. Corn Starch
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Guar Gum
1/2 c. Applesauce
1/2 c. Canola Oil
1/2 c. Coconut Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 325.  Lightly "grease" and line a baking dish with parchment paper.  Sift together dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Whisk together wet ingredients in a separate bowl.  Stir wet ingredients into dry until combined.  Pour into prepared dish and bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool completely before slicing.

For an extra decadent dessert, serve with a scoop of vegan ice cream, whipped cream,  or chocolate sauce.... or just forget all your inhibitions and top it off with all of the above to make a brownie a la mode... (all vegan substitutions apply, of course)

Brownies!!!

So here's my first successful attempt at brownies (I'm not much of a baker...yet).  There will definitely be more coming, so try these out and let me know what you think!  They're more of a cakey brownie than fudgy.

2 c. All-Purpose Flour
1/2 c. Cocoa Powder
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/3 c. oil (veg/canola)
2 1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. water
chocolate chips (optional)

Pre-heat the oven to 325.  Line a 9x13" baking dish with aluminum foil  (this allows for easy removal of the brownies from the pan.  If you don't care, be sure to grease the baking dish so the brownies don't stick).

Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.  Slowly whisk in the water to combine.  Add the dry mixture to the wet, about a cup at a time, and stir until smooth and no lumps remain.

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Cool for about 5 minutes, then use the foil to lift out one GIANT brownie!  Cut into squares when completely cooled.

Banana Cupcakes w/ a Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

Winning over my co-workers love with lots of yummy cupcakes. Oh, and slowly converting them all to veganism ;)