Soft Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

By Kitchengrrrls @kitchengrrrls

Which do you prefer: a soft or crunchy cookie? Or maybe you like a little of both? Today we have a soft chocolate chip cookie for you. It almost reminds me of those Chips Ahoy soft and chewy cookies I used to eat as a child. Total nostalgia. I always remember those having a bit of a weird after-taste, which these absolutely do not. Only sweetness, chocolate, and vanilla. Nothing beats homemade cookies.
We've really been on a chocolate chip cookie kick lately. Well, when are we not baking up some cookies, to be honest. I can't say we've been particularly adventurous with our cookie selections. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the simplicity. When the unpredictability of life is screaming in your face, a simple chocolate chip cookie can be quite comforting.
These cookies would be a great school snack for your kiddos or for yourself! Cookies brighten my day and I hope they brighten yours.
You know what really makes a day brighter? Freezing dough so you can have some cookies in a jiffy when the craving comes over you. We have really been into freezing dough lately, it makes life a little sweeter and easier :)

I was just talking about the simplicity of these cookies, but we did try jazzing them up just a tad. We had leftover frosting from cupcakes so we thought we'd try making a cookie sandwich. Decadent but absolutely fun. Almost like a Little Debbie Chocolate Chip Creme Pie. What the heck, I'm really getting all the food flashbacks today. 

Whether you try these cookies on their own or as sandwiches, you're sure to be delighted by the softness and tenderness of these chocolate chip cookies.

Soft Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookiesadapted from Chloe Flavor
Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 tbsp cornstarch1 tsp baking soda3/4 tsp salt1/2 cup margarine1/2 cup applesauce1 cup brown sugar, packed1/4 cup maple syrup1 tbsp vanilla extract3/4 cup chocolate chipssea salt for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon pad.
Sift together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. 
With a hand mixer cream together the margarine, apple sauce, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. 
Slowing incorporate the dry ingredients until completely combined. 
Fold in the chocolate chips. 
Use a cookie or ice cream scoop or a 1/4 cup measure to scoop the dough onto the cookie sheet leaving 3-inch space between the cookies. Don't flatten the dough but do sprinkle with salt. 
Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are browned.
Remove from the oven, tap on the counter to flatten the cookies. 
Cool and enjoy!