Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Many vegan chefs try to make vegan recipes distinctly different from non-vegan ones and uniquely vegan, and while this effort is appreciated by the vegetarian community, sometimes you just want the classics. The Joy of Vegan Baking by: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has many classic dessert recipes, my favorite being the Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are your true classic chocolate chip cookies, minus the eggs, milk, and butter, and adding simple replacements such as egg substitute, soy milk, and soy-based margarine instead. Here's to the holidays with this delicious classic!

Ingredients
the equivalent of 3 eggs in egg replacement of your choice (for this recipe, I usually use Bob's Red Mill All Natural Egg Replacer)
6 tablespoons of water
1 cup non-dairy butter/margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 to 2 cups nondairy semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional - I using opt out)

Preheat the overn to 375 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick cookie/baking sheet.

In a food processor or blender, whip the egg replacer and water together, untils its thick and creamy. Blending it in a food processor or blender results in a better consistency than what you could get if you did it by hand.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add the egg replacer mixture to this wet mixture, and thoroughly combine. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the wet mixture until it begins to form a dough. When it is almost thoroughly combined, stir in the chips and nuts, if using.

Bake on the cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 1 dozen cookies

This cookies are perfect for parties and gatherings, as they will shock vegans and non-vegetarianis alike! They taste just like their non-veg counterparts and are definite crowd-pleasers! Enjoy!