Ladies and gentlemen, for those times that you just need a chocolate fix:

• 1 cup self rising flour
• 1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
• 6 tbsp non-dairy chocolate chips
• 1⁄4 cup unrefined sugar
• 1⁄4 tsp sea salt
• 1⁄3 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil 

Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a cookie pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl add flour, cocoa powder, 3 tbsps chocolate chips, sugar, and salt.  Mix well until all ingredients combined. In a separate bowl, combine the maple syrup, vanilla and oil mixing until well smooth. Combine the two mixtures in the large mixing bowl and stir with large spoon until smooth. Drop tablespoons of batter onto cookie pan treated with cooking spray. Press 2-3 chocolate chips onto each cookie. Bake for 11 minutes, until just golden.

This vegan cookie recipe is sure to be a favorite for family, friends and etc... This is a great treat for the annual Christmas cookie swap. No worries for children with peanut allergies as the cookies has no nuts, peanut butter or peanut oil added. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, or miniature marshmallows could certainly be added if desired.

To prevent cookies from drying out, do not over stir or over cook the cookies. The vegetable oil will add sufficient wet ingredients when following the instructions closely. I believe all will agree these are the BEST EVER CHOCOLATE COOKIES!

*Image courtesy Flickr creative commons.