Okay. So it's a little late for Christmas. I was planning on releasing all of my recipes in a book or "zine," but life has gotten in the way, and it just isn't possible for me right now.

That is good for you, my readers! I'm releasing all of my tester recipes on my blog. I'll get them up as soon as I can.

As for these cookies, they really are rather good. My testers flipped for them, so I'm fairly certain the recipe works as written. They aren't just for the holidays, either. Enjoy these little gems of chocolate anytime in the year! If you don't like raisins, dried blueberries, cherries, or cranberries would work, too!


Lump Of Coal In Your Stocking Cookies
~ Makes 36 Cookies

1/2 C Earth Balance Margarine (or other vegan margarine that is good enough for baking), softened
1 1/3 C organic brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp espresso powder
1 TB vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C of water mixed with 4 TB of soymilk powder (I use Soya Powder in a yellow can.... I imagine that 1/2 C of soymilk would be fine, too)
2/3 C Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
2 very heaping TB black cocoa powder
1.5 C unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C chopped pecans or walnuts
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet (or two!) with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream Earth Balance, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt until fluffy and completely mixed.

Add water/soy mixture, and mix well. Sift in cocoa powders, and mix until smooth.

Add flour, and mix well. The mixture will be hard to work with, but if you keep mashing it together with a fork, it will all mix eventually. Add raisins, nuts, and chocolate chips.

Using a tablespoon or a 1-TB cookie scoop (VERY recommended!!!) drop by tablespoonfuls onto the parchment paper, about 15 cookies per sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (when you can smell the cookies in the kitchen, they'll be almost done!).

Remove from oven, and let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool on racks.

Serve!