Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of plant-based milk (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup of oil
Mix-ins & Toppings
- 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (chopped and reserved some for topping)
Icing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons of water or plant-based milk
- Red and pink food coloring
- Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Measure Ingredients: Use a kitchen scale or measuring cups to precisely measure all dry ingredients to ensure accurate results.
- Prepare Liquids: Use clear measuring cups at eye level to measure the liquid ingredients carefully, and set out the plant-based milk early to bring it to room temperature for optimal mixing.
- Prepare Chocolate Chips: Chop larger chocolate chips into smaller pieces for even distribution and set aside some to press on top of cookies before baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until uniformly mixed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the vanilla extract, plant-based milk, and oil and mix gently until the dough just comes together, careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the chopped chocolate chips into the dough ensuring even distribution.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out individual cookies.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cut cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, then press the reserved chocolate chips onto the tops of each cookie for an attractive finish.
- Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Icing: Mix the powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or plant-based milk to create a smooth icing. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with red and pink food coloring.
- Decorate: Use the colored icings to decorate the cooled cookies. Add Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles if desired for an extra festive touch.
- Set Icing: Let the icing set and harden before serving or packaging the cookies to preserve the decoration.
Notes
- For best results, bring plant-based milk to room temperature before mixing to prevent dough seizing.
- Chopping larger chocolate chips helps them melt evenly throughout the cookie for consistent chocolate flavor.
- Use parchment paper when baking to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Adjust the water or milk quantity in the icing to achieve your preferred consistency for decorating.
- Store baked and iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan