For a long time I thought that cookies were boring as far as the realm of sweets went, however Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar changed my mind. This winter I have baked my way through quite a bit of Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hoper Romero’s cookbook. Every batch has had what I hope for in a cookie, a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy center. Cookies not only take minimal effort but they are so quick (and who doesn’t like instant gratification). I also love all the flavor creativity in their work!

For the citrus glitters, I used lemon and lime zest and added a squirt of fresh lemon juice to the dough as well. Next time I might add a few drops of lime extract, simply because I have a bottle lying around that I have never used, and I don’t think these cookies could be too citrusy for me.

The mocha mamas were also a hit. I replaced all the vanilla extract for coffee extract in both the dough and the glaze. In the future, I might even add a bit of espresso or instant coffee to make the flavor a little less subtle.

However, I think my favorite cookie from VCIYCJ are the chocolate crinkle cookies. There are a few extra steps because you roll the dough in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar before baking, but it is worth the extra time! The cookies not only look beautiful, but have a fudge-like quality that is out of this world.

I have also made the lazy samoas and the peanut butter chocolate pillows from this cookbook. Both were successes. The only recipe I haven’t been wowed by was the chocolate chip cookie. Maybe it’s just me, but the recipe on the back of the Ghiradelli chocolate chip bag is just unbeatable when you replace the butter and eggs with Earth Balance and Ener-G egg replacer.

Has anyone else used this cookbook as much as I have? Do you have a favorite that I forgot to mention? And if you haven’t baked from VCIYCJ already, I highly suggest that you run to Nest and pick up a copy now! There’s a cookie in there for everyone.

Shannon Roche is a 23 year old vegan living in DC. She became vegan three years ago when she was still living in Tennessee. “There weren’t many options for sweets in the town, so I taught myself how to make what I wanted (DIY for life!).” Aside from baking, she is currently working on her phD in marine environmental science and researching harmful algal blooms. Check out her blog ‘leaves and flowers.’