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    Home » Dessert

    The New York Times’ Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

    May 29, 2017 · by Katie Koteen · Modified: Aug 7, 2024

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 8 reviews

    Last week I set out to make a vegan adaptation of the New York Times' perfect chocolate chip cookie. Made with bittersweet chocolate and flake sea salt, it's the essential cookie, vegan or not.

    I made these NYT vegan chocolate chip cookies hot off a detox week. In need of something indulgent to completely negate my week of clean living. Mission accomplished.

    chocolate chip cookies on a plate. this recipe

    My first go around was entirely experimental. I just added vegan substitutes on the fly… until the moisture and texture was about right.

    The hard part is you have to wait a full 24 hours before baking these beauties. And by the time I made it to the bake and confirmed I had it, I forgot. I FORGOT to write it all down.

    They were divine. My husband declared they were some of the best cookies he had ever had and insisted they must not be vegan.

    close up of a small pile of chocolate chip cookies.

    Now these won’t be the easiest cookies you’ve ever made. Mostly it’s the waiting and the wanting.

    I’m not exactly sure what happens to the dough as it chills for so long, but it’s entirely worth it. Don’t skip it. Maybe it's the melting points of vegan vs. real butter? I'm really not sure.

    To get the texture just right, I used a combination of vegan butter and coconut oil in place of the traditional butter in the recipe.

    Just know in 24 hours you’ll have a sublime vegan cookie to enjoy with a little afternoon coffee or tea.

    Tips

    Buy good vegan chocolate and salt

    Chocolate and salt are the cornerstones of this cookie recipe. Don't skimp. These are our favorites:

    • Scharffen Berger 70% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Chunks
    • Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
    Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chunks.

    Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chunks

    Buy Now →
    box of flake sea salt.

    Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

    Buy Now →

    Freeze for later

    Since this dough does require chilling, make extra and keep in the freezer for later. It should keep nicely for up to three months in an airtight container. Then you can enjoy a perfectly warm cookie any time you like!

    Optional add-ins

    Once you have the basic recipe down, it lends itself to all sorts of variations. I would keep it simple though and not add-in anything that will take away from that wonderful dark chocolate.

    • Walnuts
    • Pecans (I prefer pecans in a cookie over walnuts!)
    • Orange zest
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    vegan chocolate chip cookies on a plate.

    New York Times’ Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 8 reviews
    • Author: Well Vegan
    • Prep Time: 24 hours
    • Cook Time: 14 mins
    • Total Time: 24 hours 14 minutes
    • Yield: 24 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Baking
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    A vegan adaptation of the New York Times' perfect chocolate chip cookie. Made with bittersweet chocolate and flake sea salt, it's the essential cookie.

    This dough does require chilling, so plan ahead. Or better yet, double the recipe and keep some in the freezer for later. 


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 3 ⅔ cup all purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ tsp. baking soda
    • 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
    • 1 ½ tsp. coarse sea salt
    • 1 cup vegan butter (I used Earth Balance)
    • ¼ cup coconut oil
    • 1 ¼ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 cup + 2 tablespoon. granulated sugar
    • ½ cup applesauce
    • 2 tsp. vanilla
    • 1 pound bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks
    • flake sea salt

    Instructions

    1. Combine dry ingredients: Combine dry flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
    2. Combine wet ingredients: In the large bowl of a mixer with the paddle attachment in place, add the butter, coconut oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream on medium speed until it’s nice and fluffy. This might take 3+ minutes. Then add the applesauce and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
    3. Mix it all together and chill: With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Mix until just incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and mix in. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 24 hours.
    4. Prepare the dough for baking: Remove dough from the refrigerator and let it soften a bit. Line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350 F. Using a ice cream scoop, scoop about ⅓ cup of dough and form into a ball. Place on the parchment paper and flatten with your fingers or the back of a measuring cup. Sprinkle lightly with flake salt.
    5. Bake: Bake cookies for 12-14 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your cookies. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

    Notes

    • If you want to make smaller cookies, reduce the bake time by 2-3 minutes.
    • Dough keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container. 

    Looking for more delicious dessert recipes?

    • 20 Vegan Strawberry Dessert Recipes
    • Salted Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
    • 10+ Berry-licious Vegan Blueberry Dessert Recipes 

    Reader Interactions

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    1. CMW515

      December 23, 2022 at 7:33 pm

      Made this exactly as written and they are too crunchy and puffy. I’ve tried making it several times thinking it was a mistake on my part. This recipe calls for too much flour which causes it t be a puffy extra crunchy cookie.

      I don’t recommend this recipe.

      Reply
    2. Sydney

      May 08, 2021 at 11:25 am

      I make this recipe for every special occasion ! Thank you for this magic.

      Reply
    3. Jasmine

      December 13, 2020 at 3:26 am

      The best vegan cookies i’ve ever made! Will be using this recipe forever ❤️

      Reply
    4. Rebecca

      November 07, 2019 at 9:25 pm

      Hey there, do these make chewy or light and crispy cookies?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        November 14, 2019 at 4:29 pm

        Chewy is you bake them lightly, crispy if you let them go a little longer 🙂

        Reply
    5. Nakia

      September 18, 2019 at 9:01 am

      The BEST cookies I have ever made! Thank you so so so much for this recipe! Waiting the whole 24 hours is crucial to get the most out of this recipe as hard as it may be. I don’t make very big cookies so for me this make a lot more than two dozen, but I’m not complaining. If you’re debating this recipe like I did after trying out so many and being disappointed, try this one! Tastes like a good ol’ fashioned chocolate chip cookie

      Reply
    6. Stacey E.

      May 01, 2019 at 6:58 am

      These were great. I didn't refrigerate the dough before baking, so they made very flat, very large cookies. Doesn't matter to me. The addition of salt to the tops really makes a nice difference. Typical chocolate chip cookies are sort of annoyingly sweet and the salt on top does a good job of remedying that. My mom left behind one of those pepper grinder type things with chunks of salt in it, so that's what I used. I used homemade applesauce, so they have a very mild taste of apple, but that also works. I think the refrigeration insures that you don't end up with super huge cookies, because everything doesn't heat up to the point of flattening out.

      Reply
    7. Linda Koire

      January 26, 2019 at 12:54 pm

      Thanks for the reply and clarification. Not being vegan myself, I wasn't sure what I was looking for (or not) on the label so I went with packaging clearly marked V. I will try the recipe with Scharffen Berger next time. I made it with Nestle vegan semi-sweet chips and they tasted fantastic. I should say the batter tasted a little funny after the 24 hr refrigeration process, but the baked cookies were fantastic. This recipe makes quite a bit so I made one dozen full-sized cookies and froze the rest of the batter and have used it three times since for easy, ready-to-go, freshly-baked cookies. I experimented and used a 1/2 TBSP rounded measuring spoon to make a bunch of quarter sized dainty cookies for entertaining and my guests loved it. You're right that the flattening process is important. The flaked sea salt really makes the recipe in terms of taste and presentation! THANKS! PS- my vegan friend raved and went back for seconds!

      Reply
    8. LInda

      January 12, 2019 at 3:26 pm

      I went to buy the Scharffen Berger bittersweet chocolate chunks you recommend for this recipe but the bag was not marked Vegan. The product details (on the bag and online) clearly state gluten free and kosher, but not vegan. Are you sure this product is vegan and why wouldn't it be marked as such? I made the recipe with Nestle's "simply delicious" dark chocolate morsels since the packaging is marked Vegan, so I'll hope for the best and report back how that turned out. I preferred the idea of bittersweet chocolate paired with the sea salt and chunks instead of morsels, but hopefully this is good too...

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        January 17, 2019 at 9:10 am

        Hey Linda! Hope the Nestle's worked out. I double checked the Scharffen Berger and it's still vegan. Here are the ingredients - CHOCOLATE; SUGAR; COCOA BUTTER*; NON-GMO SOY LECITHIN; WHOLE VANILLA BEANS. I'm not sure why they don't label it vegan, but probably because it's not a a certification process like Kosher or Gluten-free. There are loads of vegan products like that. Let us know how the cookies turn out! I'm sure they were great.

        Reply
    9. Jillian

      October 09, 2018 at 8:56 pm

      How many cookies does this recipe make?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        October 10, 2018 at 8:57 am

        Varies a little based on how big you make them, but typically 2 dozen 🙂

        Reply
    10. Cassia

      June 16, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      Not a fan of coconut oil; how does it enhance the cookie?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        June 19, 2018 at 9:54 am

        Hey Cassia - For me, it improved the texture. But if you go all vegan butter, they will still work.

        Reply
    11. karen

      June 14, 2018 at 1:26 pm

      katya, i'm extremely impressed you converted this recipe. high fives!! i must try it and look forward to hosting a staunch vegan soon so i can try it out! 🙂

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        June 14, 2018 at 2:28 pm

        Hahhaha - No staunch vegan necessary. Your whole crew will love it!

        Reply
    12. christiane

      May 25, 2018 at 12:11 am

      Hi,
      I don’t think I can wait 24hours. Do I really need to do this step!

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        May 25, 2018 at 10:39 am

        Highly recommended 🙂 You got this.

        Reply
    13. Patricia Cotter

      May 20, 2018 at 9:12 pm

      These turned out fantastic!

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        May 21, 2018 at 9:10 am

        SO glad you liked them! I just made them again last week and they never disappoint!

        Reply
    14. Allegra Edelnant

      May 09, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      Have you tried making them gluten free? If I just use an all purpose gf flour it should work, right?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        May 09, 2018 at 4:52 pm

        @Allegra - You're in uncharted territory 🙂 PLEASE let us know how it goes - a gluten-free option would be amazing!!!

        Reply
    15. Cheryl

      April 06, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      Balled these today and patiently waited thec 24 hours. I found them a little thick and dry. I wonder if I didn't press them enough. I also used coconut oil in shortening form, melting it to oil. I wonder if that's the problem?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        April 09, 2018 at 1:55 pm

        That's probably it. Shortenings are usually primarily palm oils with just a little coconut oil added. I think that would be the culprit before the pressing 🙂

        Reply
    16. Sharon

      March 16, 2018 at 8:00 pm

      Do I have to chill 24 hours , is 15 hours ok?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        March 16, 2018 at 8:16 pm

        The longer the better, but I’m sure 15 hours is good!

        Reply
    17. Ophelia

      March 15, 2018 at 3:21 pm

      Can you use “Nina’s vegan butter” in place of store bought vegan butter?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        March 15, 2018 at 4:40 pm

        Ohh I'm not sure! From most accounts, sounds like Nina's is good for baking, but we haven't tried it. Good luck and report back!

        Reply
    18. Madeline

      March 13, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      Is there a reason why not to use the bread flour and cake flour called for in the original recipe? I have those ingredients from making the cookies the original way and want to try your recipe for visiting vegan friends. Did you just use what you had on hand or is it important to your version to switch to regular flour? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        March 13, 2018 at 3:25 pm

        If you have those on-hand, absolutely use them! It works either way, but the texture is slightly better when you have the mix of flours.

        Reply
    19. Liliane

      January 30, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      I just made them today! They are very good. The chilling period is very important: it lets the sugars all mend together, creating a more toffee-like taste. It also helps maintain the shape!

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        January 31, 2018 at 9:44 am

        So good to know! I wondered what the chill was all about. It definitely makes a difference!

        Reply
    20. Diana

      November 05, 2017 at 1:41 pm

      Oh my lord! I used 1/2 flour and a mix of almond arrowroot garbanzo bean flour as I’m removing wheat slowly from the children’s diet, and its amazing! Thank you my son added it to our family cook book.

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        November 05, 2017 at 5:31 pm

        Love your adaptation! I can't wait to try it 🙂 So good to know it works with different flour combinations.

        Reply
    21. Yesenia

      October 26, 2017 at 5:02 pm

      One questions, would they atill be GOOD if i used all coconut oil instead of vegan butter?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        October 27, 2017 at 8:09 am

        Yes, I'm sure they'll be fine. But the texture might be different from the original. If you give it a try, report back and let us know how it turns out!

        Reply
    22. Elle

      October 12, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      These were amazing!!! Mind if I share them on my blog? Definitely saving this recipe!!

      Reply
    23. PL

      August 09, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      I had to write back to say these are awesome. Thank you! I'm new to vegan baking and am amazed how much difference a day makes in this version, as does flattening the ball of dough before baking. The ones I baked immediately had a weird gingerbread sort of flavor, not sure why? But a day later they tasted much more like the original recipe. I notice you don't give measurements by wieght. Is that less important in vegan baking?

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        August 10, 2017 at 8:45 am

        Hi PL! I'm so glad the recipes worked out so well for you! I agree - I have no idea what happens when the dough chills, but it improves the flavor and texture tremendously. I even freeze half the dough and when I defrost it later, they still come out beautifully. In regards to weight, I definitely should have done them both ways, but was afraid most home bakers wouldn't have a scale to measure out the ingredients. If I have a some time next week I'll add the weights in! Great suggestions 🙂

        Reply
    24. Lalo

      August 08, 2017 at 9:17 pm

      This looks so yummy! 2 questions: 1) I have a hand held mixer not a standing one. Will that work as well? 2) Unrefined or refined cooking oil? Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        August 10, 2017 at 8:50 am

        Hi Lalo - Yes, a hand mixer will work as well! For the coconut oil, I just used Trader Joes's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil — cold pressed, unrefined. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    25. PL

      August 07, 2017 at 7:54 am

      Can't wait to try this, I love the regular recipe and was sad to miss it now that my son is dairy -free.
      I'm not sure I've noticed a difference by waiting that long. Although some waiting was necessary for the dough to firm up before baking
      It's easier to form balls, freeze them and just take out a few at a time as needed.

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        August 07, 2017 at 8:05 am

        Love that suggestion! Hope you enjoy the cookies 🙂

        Reply

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