These vegan chocolate orange crinkle cookies will satisfy any sweet tooth. They're soft and fudgy and full of festive dark chocolate and orange flavor. They're so delicious that no one will ever guess that they're dairy free!
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This is my favorite vegan Christmas cookie recipe, and once you try them I'm sure they'll become your go-to Christmas cookie too.
I don't know about you, but the only cookies I bake are one's that are easy to prepare and don't require hours and hours of chilling. When I'm baking cookies, it means that I want a cookie now!
Most chocolate crinkle cookies require at least two hours chilling time - many require four or more. That's why I made this no chill recipe. It's just as good (dare I say, better) than the chilled version.
Top Tip: If you love the combination of chocolate and orange (and who doesn't?), you'll love this vegan chocolate orange fudge.
Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
✅Looking for the perfect vegan Christmas cookie? Vegan chocolate crinkle cookies and these vegan Christmas cookies are my two faves.
✅This recipe is easy enough to bake with kids, and perfect for Christmas bake sales.
✅Homemade baked goods make thoughtful gifts. Put them in a pretty cookie tin and make a homemade label. You could also scatter some chocolate covered pecans for that extra holiday touch.
Ingredients And Substitutions
- Flour: All you need is an all purpose flour. If you'd like to make your cookies gluten free, you can substitute with your favorite gluten free flour.
- Vegetable Oil: Choose a neutral vegetable oil like canola or sunflower oil.
- Cocoa Powder: Choose Dutch processed cocoa powder for this recipe. It has a darker color than natural cocoa powder and is naturally more acidic.
- Vegan Yogurt: We'll be using vegan yogurt as our egg replacer in this recipe. You can use soy or coconut yogurt.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is what we're using here. If you live in an area where sugar is potentially processed with bone char, you'll need to use a vegan brand. This article covers all the brands of sugar that are guaranteed to be vegan.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is the primary leavening agent in this recipe.
- Baking Soda: The right combination of baking powder and baking soda is one of the secrets to getting perfect crinkles in your crinkle cookies.
- Salt: In cookies recipes, salt balances out sweetness . It also enhances all the other flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Without vanilla cookies taste flat. Choose the best quality vanilla you can afford. It really makes a difference!
- Orange Extract: Orange extract is obviously what gives these cookies their festive chocolate and orange flavor. And is there any better combination than chocolate and orange?
How To Make Perfect Chocolate Orange Crinkle Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 325 F (165 F). Line your baking tray with parchment paper to prevent your cookies from sticking.
- In a medium sized bowl sift together your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. If you don't have a sifter, simply use a sieve.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your vegan yogurt, vegetable oil, orange extract, vanilla extract and one and a half cups of granulated sugar. Using a stand or hand mixer, mix until everything is well combined.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a stiff dough forms. No need to chill the dough.
- Roll the dough into golf ball size balls.
- Put your sugar toppings in two separate bowls. Roll the cookie dough balls in the granulated sugar first, and in the powdered sugar last.
- Transfer your cookies to the baking tray, leaving ample space between them.
- Gently press down on each cookie. Don't squash them all the way down...they will naturally spread in the oven. Just give them a gentle push with your fingers.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes. They may appear not to not be fully cooked, but they will harden as they cool.
- Serve with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If so, I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thisdailydish. Or, leave me a comment below. It makes my day, and your feedback helps other readers.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for up to 7 days.
Yes, you can! First of all, let them cool completely. Freeze them on a parchment lined baking tray for several hours. Then transfer them to a reusable freezer bag. They'll stay fresh for up to three months.
You can make powdered sugar by combining 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Put the mixture in a high speed blender and blend until you achieve a powdery consistency. This might take a few minutes, depending on how powerful your blender is.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Orange Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1½ cups granulated vegan sugar
- ¾ cup Dutch process cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup soy or coconut yogurt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sugar Topping
- ½ cup vegan granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325° F (165° C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together vegan yogurt, vegetable oil, vanilla, and orange extract and one and a half cups of granulated sugar. Using a stand or hand mixer, mix until everything is well combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the yogurt mixture and stir until just combined.
- Roll the bowl into golf ball sized balls.
- In two separate small bowls add your granulated sugar and powdered sugar.
- Roll first in the then granulated sugar, and then in the powdered sugar.
- Transfer to the baking tray, and gently press on each cookie dough ball with your finger, flattening the ball slightly. Do not squash them into a cookie shape. Bake for 12-13 minutes.
Notes
- Store chocolate vegan crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for up to 7 days.
- To freeze these cookies, let them cool completely. Freeze them on a parchment lined baking tray for several hours. Then transfer them to a reusable freezer bag. They'll stay fresh for up to three months.
Beth
Delicious. Way too sticky this last time to roll so stored in frig for a bit. Also anyone tru without oil? I made it as listed, but really, really, really want a version of this recipe without oil!
Beth
Would give a 5 if there wasn’t so much oil.
Keri Bevan
Hi Beth, I haven't tried it, but if I were to test this recipe without oil, I would replace the oil with 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce. That should give you the moisture you need without the oil. However, I haven't tried it, so do let me know it you try it!
Elizabeth
Looks so good! Can't wait to try for the holidays - thanks for the recipe!
Karen
Loved these! The flavor is spot on and the hint of orange is just enough for a nice flavor surprise but not overpowering. Love that they are vegan, too! Will make again soon.
Gloria
Chocolate and orange are a must for the holidays. These crinkle cookies are perfect for the treat trays. I bet you can't eat just one.
Maria
Orange and chocolate are a perfect combination for sweets! A must try for Halloween since it's colors are perfect too!
Keri Bevan
I love this combination too! They'll make great Halloween treats!
Biana
These cookies look great! Chocolate and orange is the perfect combination.
Caitlyn Erhardt
This is one of my favorite combos! I am so excited to make this and already know it won't last long.
Andrea
Wow! Chocolate and orange is such a great flavor combination. I need to make these ASAP!
Keri Bevan
Definitely one of my favorite flavor combos!
Suzy
We love this classic cookie but that orange flavor really takes it to another level! Delish!
Keri Bevan
Hi Suzy, I'm happy you liked the recipe. Thank you for letting me know. We love it over here!
Denay DeGuzman
What a fabulous recipe! The cookies just came out of the oven right now. My husband grabbed a warm one. He said: "Wow! These are so good."
Keri Bevan
Hi Denay, So pleased you all liked them! Thank you for your feedback!