Irresistible Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies: Your Top 8 Allergy-Friendly Holiday Treat

Get ready to elevate your holiday cookie plates with these incredibly soft, richly flavored cookies. Bursting with decadent chocolate chips and vibrant orange notes, this one-bowl recipe for Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies is meticulously crafted to be free from wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making them a safe and delightful option for those with the top 8 common allergens. This festive treat proves that dietary restrictions don’t have to limit your holiday baking joy!

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Embracing the Holiday Spirit with Allergy-Friendly Treats

There’s something truly magical about the combination of chocolate and orange, especially during the festive season. As a child, unwrapping a chocolate orange from my stocking was a moment of pure bliss—a tradition I’ve cherished through the years. However, as a parent with a child who has dairy allergies, I’ve long yearned for him to experience that same delightful flavor pairing without any worry.

The challenge of navigating food allergies, particularly during holidays filled with traditional treats, can often feel daunting. Many classic recipes are laden with common allergens, leaving those with dietary restrictions feeling left out. My mission was clear: create a delicious, safe, and utterly satisfying Christmas goodie that everyone could enjoy, capturing the essence of that beloved chocolate orange experience.

Crafting the Perfect Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookie

Cookies seemed like the obvious choice for this festive endeavor. Who can resist a freshly baked batch of Christmas cookies? Building upon a tried-and-true “double chocolate cookie” recipe that has never failed me, I knew I had a solid foundation. With a few thoughtful adjustments, I was confident I could transform it into the ultimate allergy-friendly chocolate orange masterpiece.

When it comes to the chocolate and orange combination, I have high standards. The orange flavor isn’t just an afterthought; it needs to be prominent, vibrant, and undeniably present. To achieve this perfect balance, I didn’t just rely on orange zest, which provides a lovely aromatic touch. I boosted it with a hint of orange extract, ensuring that every bite delivers a distinct and delightful citrus punch that truly shines. Those who have had the pleasure of tasting these cookies consistently affirm that the flavor is “just right”—a testament to the careful consideration given to its intensity.

Why These Cookies Are a Must-Have for Your Holiday Spread

Beyond their incredible taste, these gluten-free vegan chocolate orange cookies offer a wonderful surprise. At first glance, they might appear to be classic chocolate cookies. But the moment someone takes their first bite and the zesty orange flavor awakens their palate, it’s an instant thrill and delight. This makes them a fantastic addition to any Christmas goodie plate, sparking joyful reactions and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their dietary needs, can partake in the holiday treats.

Forget the tired sugar cookies! These decadent chocolate orange cookies are so good, we might just have to leave them out for Santa this year (and a few extra for Mrs. Claus, who will surely appreciate an allergy-friendly option!). They embody the spirit of inclusive holiday baking, allowing everyone to savor delicious moments together. Just because you or your loved ones navigate dietary restrictions doesn’t mean you should miss out on the fun, the aroma, and the joy that fills kitchens this time of year.

Baking Tips for Perfect Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies

Achieving the perfect soft, chewy texture with gluten-free and vegan baking often comes down to a few key techniques. This recipe is designed to be straightforward with its one-bowl approach, minimizing cleanup and making the baking process even more enjoyable. However, there are a couple of crucial steps to ensure your cookies turn out beautifully every time.

First, chilling the dough for 30 minutes is non-negotiable. This step helps the flour absorb the liquids more fully, resulting in a less sticky dough that’s easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Second, be mindful of baking time. Overbaking is the enemy of soft, tender cookies, especially with gluten-free flour. Aim for just 8-9 minutes in the oven. The cookies might look slightly underdone when you pull them out, but they will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, retaining their amazing tenderness.

Remember, successful gluten-free and vegan baking isn’t about sacrificing flavor or texture; it’s about understanding the unique properties of alternative ingredients and adapting techniques accordingly. This recipe is a testament to how delicious and satisfying allergy-friendly treats can be!

Common Questions About These Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies

Here are some detailed answers to frequently asked questions to help you bake these delightful cookies with confidence:

• Can I use a different gluten-free flour blend? While my recipes are meticulously tested with a specific homemade gluten-free flour blend for optimal results, I understand that commercially available blends are often more convenient. Each blend can vary drastically in its composition and absorption properties, so results may differ. If you need to substitute, I recommend using a high-quality, reputable commercial blend designed for baking, such as Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour, Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Flour, or Better Batter Gluten-Free Flour Blend. Be prepared for potential slight adjustments in liquid or baking time.
• I can’t use xanthan gum. Is there an alternative? Absolutely! Xanthan gum acts as a binder and helps with the texture in gluten-free baking, mimicking the elasticity of gluten. If you have an intolerance or prefer not to use it, guar gum can be used as a direct substitute. The quantity remains the same, as they perform similar functions in thickening and stabilizing the dough.
• There’s no egg replacer listed. Is that correct? Yes, that’s absolutely right! One of the fantastic aspects of this cookie recipe is that it naturally achieves a wonderful texture and structure without the need for any dedicated egg replacers. The combination of ingredients works perfectly to create soft, chewy cookies without eggs, which is a huge bonus for those with egg allergies or following a vegan diet.
• Can I just use my hands to roll the cookies instead of a scoop? While it might seem intuitive, I strongly advise against rolling this particular dough by hand. This dough is intentionally soft and quite sticky, which contributes to the cookies’ final tender texture. Using a cookie scoop ensures consistent sizing, which is key for even baking, and keeps your hands clean and mess-free. If you don’t have a scoop, lightly floured hands or two spoons could work, but the scoop is truly the easiest method.
• What kind of oil should I use? Can I use another oil besides canola? I chose canola oil for several reasons. It has a neutral flavor that won’t interfere with the chocolate and orange, it’s widely available and budget-friendly, and importantly, it remains liquid at a wider range of temperatures compared to oils like coconut oil. This makes the dough easier to work with. Additionally, many readers have coconut allergies, so canola provides a safe alternative. If you need to swap, any other neutral-flavored cooking oil that stays liquid at room temperature, such as vegetable oil or grapeseed oil, would be suitable.
• What if I can’t find vanilla rice milk? If vanilla rice milk isn’t available, plain unsweetened rice milk will work perfectly fine. The vanilla flavor contribution from the milk is minor compared to the vanilla extract in the recipe. You could *probably* substitute with another non-dairy milk of your choice, such as almond milk or oat milk, but I have only personally tested the recipe with rice milk. Other plant-based milks might slightly alter the flavor profile or texture, so proceed with caution if experimenting.

Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies (Top 8 Free too!)

Yield:
24 cookies

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
8 minutes

Additional Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
48 minutes

Soft cookies loaded with chocolate chips and bursting with orange flavor are what your cookie plates need this holiday season. This one bowl recipe for Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies is free of: wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts & tree nuts making this top-8-free too!

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/4 cups gluten-free flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup Vanilla Rice Milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract 
• Zest of one large navel orange
• 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, cocoa, xanthan, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix thoroughly, being sure to work out any lumps of cocoa powder with a whisk.
3. Next, add the wet ingredients: oil, rice milk, vanilla, orange extract, orange zest.
4. Mix until everything is combined.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Chill covered for 30 minutes. (Otherwise, the dough is too sticky to roll effectively.)
7. Once chilled, remove from the fridge and using a cookie scoop place 12 on a baking sheet, evenly spaced.
8. Bake ONLY 8-9 minutes. You do not want to over bake these, otherwise you’ll lose their amazingly tender quality. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for another five minutes.
10. Carefully remove them from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack until they are completely cooled.
11. Eat. Keep covered at room temperature.

Notes

Adapted from my Double Choco Cookies

Don’t forget to save this recipe! Pin it now so you don’t lose it. Be sure to also explore my other allergy-friendly Pinterest recipes for more delicious ideas!

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