January Bliss Cinnamon Drift Vegan (Print Version)

Soft spiced vegan treats with orange zest and cinnamon for winter warmth.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - ½ tsp baking soda
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - 2 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - ¾ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
08 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
10 - 2 tbsp oat milk
11 - 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
12 - Zest of 1 orange

→ Optional Add-ins

13 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
14 - ½ cup vegan dark chocolate chips

# Step-by-step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
03 - In a large bowl, mix the melted coconut oil and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the applesauce, oat milk, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. If using, fold in the nuts or chocolate chips.
05 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
06 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will look slightly soft.
07 - Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have hiding in your pantry.
  • The texture is that perfect soft-chewy thing that keeps you coming back, and nobody can tell they're vegan unless you tell them.
  • The orange zest is the secret weapon that makes people pause mid-bite and ask what's different.
02 -
  • If you bake these all the way until they feel completely firm, they'll turn out too dry—that soft center is the whole point.
  • Orange zest is non-negotiable; extract just won't give you the same brightness and complexity that makes people ask for the recipe.
  • These cookies will continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet even after you pull them from the oven, so resist the urge to leave them in longer.
03 -
  • If your coconut oil is solid, melt it gently and let it cool to room temperature before mixing—this prevents your dough from becoming greasy.
  • Measure your brown sugar by packing it firmly into the measuring cup; loose brown sugar will throw off your ratios and make the cookies cake-like instead of chewy.

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