Vegan Choc-spiced Winter Cookies

Now that the nights are drawing in, the days are colder and the fire is constantly on, how about indulging in these spicy festive cookies?

They are a real Winter favourite in our household, especially for ‘Christmas in July’ They are rich and decadent, and with the added spices they have a gorgeous warming flavour and scent, giving you that Christmassy feeling inside!

Makes: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1.5 tsp ground ginger
• 1.5 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup softened spread (Nuttlex)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1 tbsp milk (Organic Vitasoy)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2/3 cup dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 tbsp sugar (for decorating)

Method:

• Heat the oven to 160ºc (fan-forced). Line baking trays
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.
• In a large bowl cream together the spread and sugars. Add the molasses, milk and vanilla.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet in batches until well mixed. Add the chopped chocolate.
• Scoop out the dough as large tablespoons-sized balls, roll in the remaining sugar, and place on the baking sheets a few cm’s apart, flatten slightly.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cookies have spread and the sugar coating has cracked slightly.
• Cool for 10 minutes on the baking tray, then transfer to a cooling rack
• Enjoy!