Irresistible Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies: Your Top 8 Allergy-Friendly Holiday Treat!

Soft, chewy cookies loaded with rich chocolate chips and bursting with vibrant orange flavor are the ultimate addition your holiday cookie plates need this season. This easy one-bowl recipe for Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies is consciously crafted to be free of wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making it a delicious and safe choice for those with Top 8 allergies!

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The Magic of Chocolate Orange: A Nostalgic Holiday Flavor

For as long as I can remember, receiving a classic Chocolate Orange in my stocking has been one of my most cherished holiday traditions. That delightful combination of rich chocolate and bright, zesty orange is pure culinary bliss! It’s a flavor profile that instantly transports me back to childhood Christmases, full of wonder and sweet anticipation. To this day, it remains a favorite treat.

However, as a parent with a child who has a dairy allergy, I often felt a pang of sadness knowing he couldn’t experience the same joy from that iconic treat. The thought of him missing out on such a fundamental holiday pleasure was genuinely disappointing. But just because he couldn’t have the traditional chocolate orange, didn’t mean he had to miss out on the incredible flavor combination!

This realization sparked a mission: to create a Christmas chocolate orange goodie that was safe and utterly delicious for him, and for anyone with similar dietary restrictions. And what better way to share holiday cheer than with cookies? After all, who doesn’t need more delightful Christmas cookie recipes? It’s a universal truth – everyone loves a good cookie!

Crafting the Perfect Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Orange Cookie

I knew I had a secret weapon in my baking arsenal: a truly phenomenal, no-fail double chocolate cookie recipe. This recipe consistently delivers rich, tender cookies, and I was confident it would make a fantastic base for these festive treats. All it needed was a little tweaking to infuse that unmistakable chocolate orange magic. The goal was to transform a beloved classic into something inclusive and equally, if not more, amazing.

When it comes to the chocolate orange combination, I’m quite particular. For me, the orange flavor must be distinct and pronounced. If it’s merely a hint, I feel it falls short. If you’re going to highlight “orange” in the title, it absolutely needs to *shine* through every bite. To achieve this, I didn’t just rely on fresh orange zest, which provides a lovely, aromatic citrus note. I also boosted the flavor with a touch of orange extract. This dual approach ensures a bold, authentic orange presence that perfectly complements the rich chocolate.

Why Zest and Extract Make All the Difference

Orange zest carries the natural oils and bright aromatics of the fruit, offering a fresh, vibrant kick. Orange extract, on the other hand, provides a concentrated, consistent burst of flavor that ensures the orange isn’t lost amidst the cocoa. Together, they create a harmonious and impactful orange presence that has consistently earned rave reviews from everyone who has tried these cookies. They often exclaim, “The orange flavor is just right!” – and that’s exactly what we aimed for!

A Delight for Everyone: Perfect for Your Holiday Spread

These Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to inclusive joy. They make a fantastic addition to any holiday goodie plate. They have a wonderfully deceptive appearance, looking like simple, classic chocolate cookies. But the moment someone takes their first bite, they’ll be met with an unexpected burst of orange, turning a familiar treat into a thrilling discovery. It’s a delightful surprise that brings smiles to faces and ensures everyone, regardless of dietary needs, feels celebrated.

Seriously, these cookies are so good, we might just have to leave them out for Santa this year. I’m convinced Mrs. Claus would choose these over a tired old sugar cookie any day! Their tender texture and unique flavor profile stand out, offering a fresh and exciting alternative to traditional holiday bakes.

My sincerest hope is that these Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies empower you and your loved ones with allergies or dietary restrictions to enjoy baking and sharing treats this holiday season. Just because you need to avoid many typical baking ingredients doesn’t mean you should ever have to miss out on the fun, warmth, and delicious aromas that fill kitchens during this special time of year! Every person deserves a safe and tasty treat, and these cookies are designed to deliver exactly that.

Frequently Asked Questions About These Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Orange Cookies:

• Can I use a different gluten-free flour blend than yours? My recipe has been thoroughly tested using my specific gluten-free flour blend. Different commercial flour blends can vary significantly in their composition and absorption properties. If you’re in a pinch, you can try commercial blends like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour, Cup4Cup, or Better Batter, but results may vary. For best results, I always recommend sticking to the flour blend specified or understanding how your chosen blend typically behaves.
• I can’t consume xanthan gum. Is there an alternative? Yes, if xanthan gum is an issue for you, you can substitute it with guar gum in the same quantity. Both act as binders and thickeners, crucial for gluten-free baking.
• I noticed there’s no egg replacer in the recipe. Is that correct, or a mistake? That’s absolutely correct, and it’s one of the wonderful aspects of these cookies! This recipe is so robust and well-formulated that it doesn’t require any type of egg replacer to achieve its amazing texture. Pretty cool, right?!
• Can I just use my hands to roll the cookies instead of a cookie scoop? While technically possible, I strongly advise against it. This dough is intentionally quite sticky before chilling to achieve that perfectly soft, tender cookie. Using a cookie scoop will make the process much cleaner and easier, preventing the dough from sticking to your hands and ensuring uniform cookie size.
• Can I use a different oil? I specifically chose canola oil because it remains liquid at a wider temperature range than coconut oil, and many readers also have coconut allergies. Additionally, canola oil is generally affordable and widely available. If you need to substitute, any other neutral-flavored cooking oil should work well.
• What if I can’t find vanilla rice milk? You can certainly use regular, unflavored rice milk. You could *probably* also substitute it with another non-dairy milk of your choice, such as almond milk (if not avoiding nuts) or oat milk. I’ve only personally tested this recipe with rice milk, so while I can’t guarantee identical results, I anticipate it would likely be fine.

Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies (Top 8 Free too!)

Yield:
24 cookies

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
8 minutes

Additional Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
48 minutes

Soft cookies loaded with chocolate chips and bursting with orange flavor are what your cookie plates need this holiday season. This one bowl recipe for Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies is free of: wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts & tree nuts making this top-8-free too!

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/4 cups gluten-free flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup Vanilla Rice Milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• Zest of one large navel orange
• 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, cocoa, xanthan, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix thoroughly, being sure to work out any lumps of cocoa powder with a whisk.
3. Next, add the wet ingredients: oil, rice milk, vanilla, orange extract, orange zest.
4. Mix until everything is combined.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Chill covered for 30 minutes. (Otherwise, the dough is too sticky to roll effectively.)
7. Once chilled, remove from the fridge and using a cookie scoop place 12 on a baking sheet, evenly spaced.
8. Bake ONLY 8-9 minutes. You do not want to over bake these, otherwise you’ll lose their amazingly tender quality. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for another five minutes.
10. Carefully remove them from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack until they are completely cooled.
11. Eat. Keep covered at room temperature.

Notes

Adapted from my Double Choco Cookies

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! BE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST RECIPES!

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Conclusion: Sweet & Safe Holiday Joy

In a world where dietary restrictions can often feel limiting, these Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies stand as a testament to the fact that everyone deserves a delicious and safe holiday treat. Combining the nostalgic joy of chocolate and orange with a recipe free from the top 8 allergens, these cookies are a perfect blend of flavor, texture, and inclusivity. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, these cookies promise to bring warmth, comfort, and a burst of festive flavor to your holiday season. Get ready to bake, share, and delight in every allergy-friendly bite!