These cookies are amazing! I’ve been racking my brain for months about how to make a cookie without refined fats. I’ve had plenty of good peanut butter cookies, so I don’t know why it took me so long to think of coconut BUTTER chocolate chip cookies. When the idea to use coconut butter popped into my head I immediately scoured the internet, and while I did find two cookie recipes that utilized coconut butter, both of them were pretty aggressively not-vegan, and didn’t use coconut butter as the only fat source. So, I was on my own.
Luckily, after some experimentation I was able to crack the code. Just how good are these? Um, I told my coworkers I was making cookies for them, but the cookies never made it to work. It’s funny because the last time I promised them cookies, they turned out so awful that I couldn’t possibly feed them to people. This time, I nailed the cookies but my coworkers still didn’t get any! They just can’t win. Fingers crossed that I make some decidedly medium-good cookies soon…
I kind of flipped out when I bit into these for the first time because they’re that perfect combination of crunchy-chewy, and they’re made with ZERO oil or refined sugar. Yes, you heard me, chewy vegan cookies. Chewy cookies are what I’m all about =] The dough is a kind of crazy texture but it all sorts out in the oven. I need to stress that parchment paper or Silpat-type baking liners are NOT optional for these cookies. If you try them on a greased baking sheet… well, you will be enjoying some nice cookie crumbles on your ice cream. Hey, that might not be such a bad idea…
To answer the most likely question – coconut butter cookies DO taste like coconut. With all of that coconut butter, that can’t be avoided. It is surprisingly subtle, though. I think it is a level of coconut that will satisfy coconut lovers, but also coconut skeptics. Pretty much anyone except full-on coconut haters. But otherwise, these are a great coconut butter dessert recipe, in a time when this ingredient mostly seems to be used in breakfast and “snack balls”.
Seriously, these might be the cookies that convince someone they can live without eggs or dairy. Alas, despite the coconutty title these cookies are not paleo or keto or anything like that, but they’re still rockin’. And I have a strong suspicion that they would work with whole wheat pastry flour or even gluten-free. (Don’t even try coconut flour, though). Next time I make them (and you better believe there will be a next time) I’m going to try that out and I will, of course, report back here with my findings =]
Coconut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dairy-free coconut butter chocolate chip cookies. No butter, margarine or oil here - these are cookies made with coconut butter! Naturally-sweetened too, these cookies are crispy on the edges and ultra chewy in the middle. A crowd-pleasing recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp molasses (optional)
- 1/4 cup brown rice syrup (see notes for substitutions)
- 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut butter (see notes for how to make your own)
- 1/4 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 4 tsp tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or additional AP flour; do not use regular whole wheat)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (or a few more, to your taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat or other sillicone liner.
- In a nonreactive bowl, combine the coconut sugar, (optional) molasses, brown rice syrup, coconut butter, milk, tapioca flour, cornstarch, and vanilla. Use a fork and mix aggressively until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Continue stirring for another 90-120 seconds (and be ready for sore arms).
- In a separate, smaller bowl, sift together the flours, baking soda, and salt. Add them to the wet mixture and stir until completely combined. This dough is rather stiff and sticky, so this will be somewhat difficult, but it will work - don't be tempted to add more liquid.
- Fold the chocolate chips into the dough. Form the dough into balls about two tablespoons in size and place them at least an inch apart on the baking sheet. Flatten them slightly.
- Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges feel firm and a little crisp or you see any browning. The centers will still be very soft at this point.
- (Optional step for chewier cookies) at the 10-minute mark, remove the baking sheet from the oven and, working quickly, press down gently on the cookies with a spatula or your fingers to give them a flat shape. Return to the oven.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes (they will continue to get chewier until they reach room temperature). Gently remove with a spatula and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
You can use store-bought coconut butter, but it's a bit of a rip-off! Make your own by putting unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut in your food processor and running until a smooth, almost liquidy butter forms, about 10 minutes (a quick Google will get you step-by-step instructions/pictures if needed).
I recommend coconut sugar and brown rice syrup as sweeteners because they are less refined and not terribly expensive. But I of course don't want you to buy a whole container just for one recipe. You can try substituting brown sugar for the coconut sugar (omit the optional molasses) and agave nectar or honey (not suitable for vegans) for the brown rice syrup. Brown rice syrup is not as sweet as these other sweeteners, but these cookies aren't incredibly sweet to begin with, so the substitution should work. If you try these subs, let me know how it goes!
I used the PPK’s recipe as a baseline for this one.
P.S. I made another version of these with candied ginger and macadamia nuts, and talked a bit more about why the coconut butter works. And I also have a classic recipe for vegan chocolate chip cookies on my site too, if you’re interested in something more traditional!
I'm Shannon, the writer and photographer of Yup, it's Vegan! I'm a morning person based in Baltimore, USA. My mission is to create healthy plant-based recipes that anyone would enjoy, using seasonal produce with inspiration from global flavors.
Candace says
How much molasses please?
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Sorry for the oversight. I have updated the recipe. It should be 1 tsp of molasses.
k says
What is the amount recommended for the optional molasses? Maybe I’m overlooking it but I don’t see a measurement in this recipe or the ginger & macadamia version
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Hi there. Sorry for the oversight. I think the molasses got lost somehow when I was switching over to my newer recipe plugin. It would be 1/2 teaspoon!
Gabi says
Hi! These look yummy. I take it you avent tried a gluten free version? 😊
Gabi says
*haven’t! 😊
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Hi Gabi – I haven’t tried a GF version of these yet. But I will be re-testing and re-photographing these cookies in December so I will definitely try them gluten-free and let you know!
Tandy says
Thank you! After I wrote my comment I thought, wow, I probably should have clarified that by softening it in warm water I meant submerging the jar in warm water, not adding water to the butter! 🙂 I will give it a try, thanks again!
Tandy says
When I use coconut butter, I usually soften it a bit in warm water to make it easier to deal with. Do you think that would make it easier to mix the batter, and would it affect the texture of the cookies? I know that if I use softened butter in cookies, they flatten out and get crispy, so I’m a little worried about softening the coconut butter…
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Hey Tandy, I often mix this batter when my coconut butter is still warm. But I caution against mixing extra water into it, submerging the container in a water bath would be ok though. It won’t behave quite the same way as dairy butter – coconut butter has fiber in it so these cookies don’t spread much! Thanks for your Q!
Deb says
These are one of my favorites. They taste like they should be unhealthy. Thanks for the recipe.
Anthony says
I’m guessing the use of cornstarch and tapioca flour/starch is for binding and thickening of the batter, correct? In which case, I would imagine we could substitute both with a flax egg (and-a-half or perhaps two)? I’m going to try this substitution out I think only because I don’t have tapioca starch and I try to reserve cornstarch for vegan custards and vegan cheese sauces. Thanks so much for the amazing recipe! Should the subs work out well, I will credit and link on my Instagram: antsayscook!
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Anthony, if you can manage to use cornstarch (just sub more cornstarch in place of the tapioca flour), I think that will give you the best result. I’m not quite as pleased with the texture when using flax egg in these. I haven’t gotten around to trying them with aquafaba (bean cooking liquid) yet but I think using aquafaba in place of the water when creating the flax egg, might help. I totally understand your desire to limit cornstarch, I try to do the same. I like tapioca starch as an alternative because it comes originally from a vegetable rather than a grain, and is a little bit less processed. Anyway, I’m interested in hearing how it goes for you! Do tag me on Instagram if you end up sharing a photo!
Lauren Brennan says
Are there any substitutions for the tapioca flour? I don’t have any and wouldn’t use it for anything else so I don;t want to go buy a bag when it will go to waste.
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
You should be able to substitute it with additional cornstarch! 🙂
katie says
I think this might be my new favorite cookie recipe. I made some coconut butter a while ago and i’m glad to finally have put it to use! These cookies are so lovely – their texture actually reminds me somewhat of the chewy chips ahoy cookies i loved as a kid. I really like that they aren’t overly sweet!
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
I’m so happy to hear that you like them :). They did kind of remind me of packaged cookies as well, but without the soybean oil and what not!
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says
Oh my! I need to get my hands on some coconut butter
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
If you do, I insist that you make these!!
Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill says
Oh oh oh wow. I wish so much that you were my next door neighbor right now. These sound epic and I think I must made chocolate chip cookies today. Maybe before my run even!
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Haha, thanks. I don’t know if I could handle cookies before a run! I guess it is your taper week, though!