Winter Spice Caramel Frost (Print Version)
Chewy vegan treats infused with warm spices and topped with a luscious caramel-style frosting.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking soda
03 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 tsp ground ginger
07 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
08 - 1/8 tsp ground cloves
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
10 - 1 cup brown sugar
11 - 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
12 - 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (almond, soy, or oat)
13 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Caramel Frosting
14 - 1/4 cup vegan butter
15 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
16 - 2 tbsp non-dairy milk
17 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
18 - Pinch of sea salt
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk melted coconut oil and brown sugar until well combined. Add applesauce, non-dairy milk, and vanilla; mix until smooth and creamy.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
05 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with your palm.
06 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are just golden. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Melt vegan butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and non-dairy milk; bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
08 - Remove from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar and sea salt until smooth and glossy. Let cool 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
09 - Spread or drizzle frosting over cooled cookies. Allow frosting to set before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cookies stay incredibly chewy for days thanks to coconut oil and applesauce
- That caramel frosting transforms them from everyday treats to something special enough for holiday platters
- The spice blend hits all the right notes without being overwhelming
02 -
- The dough will feel softer than traditional cookie dough, but that's exactly right
- Letting the frosting cool those 5 minutes is crucial or it will slide right off the cookies
- These actually taste better the next day as the spices develop and deepen
03 -
- Scoop your flour rather than packing it down for the most accurate measurement
- Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly, so take the coconut oil out early