Fudgy Monster Chocolate Cookies (Vegan Gluten-Free)

These Fudgy Monster Chocolate Cookies are perfect for Halloween baking (or all year round) as they are fun to make and so simple. They are rich, chocolatey and super fudgy with a crisp outside – plus they are naturally vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.

With a week to go to Halloween, I am trying to get all the spooky recipes out and these cookies are one of the first. They are deliciously chocolatey, so fun to make with little ones and you can decorate them however you please. Go all out with the sprinkles or leave them plain for delicious chocolate fudge cookies all year long.

What are these Fudgy Monster Chocolate Cookies like?

These cookies are:

• Rich and chocolatey
• Fudgy in the middle with a crispy outside
• A cross between a brownie and a cookie, aka a “brookie”
• Slightly chewy
• Naturally vegan, gluten-free and nut-free
• Easy to make in a few steps
• Ready in 20 minutes
• Great for Halloween baking
• Also delicious all year long

There is nothing that a chocolate cookie cannot solve so skip ahead to the recipe card to make these right now or let’s see what goes into these cookies.

What ingredients are needed for these Fudgy Monster Chocolate Cookies?

• Dark chocolate: I used a salted dark chocolate for a delicious sweet but salty flavour but any chocolate will be great here. I like dark rather than dairy-free milk chocolate for a more intense flavour. The chocolate is melted for these fudgy cookies which are similar to brownie cookies.
• Vegan butter: a block of butter is best rather than margarine spread which contains more water. I have not tried these with coconut oil so would recommend sticking to butter.
• Caster sugar: the white sugar lends itself to the lovely shiny and crackly top but you could use coconut or light brown sugar if you needed to.
• Water: this combines with the sugar to make a syrup that creates the shiny top.
• Plain or GF plain flour: this makes sure the cookies are light and airy enough with a chewy middle still. If using a gluten-free flour, make sure to use one that you love to bake with and that contains xanthan gum.
• Cocoa powder: this adds a lot of the richness to the cookies and you can also use cacao powder. Just watch out for ones with added sugars.
• Cornstarch: I love adding this to my cookies for the chewy texture. This is best to use but arrowroot powder will also behave similarly.
• Baking powder: for a little rise.
• Salt: for the flavour.

As far as the method goes, it is very similar to my brownie cookies which involve melting the chocolate and butter together and then melting the sugar and water together before stirring together with all of the dry ingredients. Then scoop the brownie cookie dough into balls and bake.

How do I decorate these Halloween cookies?

It is best to add the sprinkles and edible eyes just after they have baked so that the sprinkles don’t leak and the eyes stay perfect. As the cookies are still soft as they come out, work quickly to press in all the sprinkles and as they cool, the sprinkles and eyes will stay put.

Are there are tricks to perfect cookies?

These cookies are pretty fail-proof and so easy to make, but just follow the instructions carefully.

• Melt the chocolate and butter: until just melted and leave for 1-2 minutes.
• Melt the sugar and water: until just dissolved but do not let it boil.
• Work quickly: once the cookie dough is ready, scoop out the dough and bake.

Are these cookies gluten-free and nut-free?

Yes, these are easily gluten-free if you use your favourite GF flour blend for baking. All blends will vary so use your favourite and one that contains xanthan gum. Thus recipe contains no nuts – just check your chocolate.

How long will these Fudgy Monster Chocolate Cookies last?

These cookies taste great even a few days after being made, they keep in a sealed container for 3-5 days or you can freeze them for 1 month. The cookie dough is best to use straight away rather than chilling or freezing the dough.

If you love these cookies and are looking to make some other Halloween and delicious bakes, how about my:

• Chocolate Covered Mummy Sugar Cookies
• Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake Balls
• Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
• Vegan Monster Cookies
• Dark Chocolate Vegan Brownie Cookies

I look forward to hearing what you think of these delicious Fudgy Monster Chocolate Cookies so please let me know in the comments below. If you do make these cookies, I’d love to see them so please tag me in your creations – I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With Halloween cookie love x