Crisp Vegan Dark Chocolate Cookies

1. Prepare the Oat Slurry

Begin by combining the rolled oats and water in a tall, narrow container. Use an immersion blender to blend until you have a thick and smooth purée. This oat slurry will help bind the ingredients and maintain the cookies' consistency. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer using a flexible spatula to ensure it’s perfectly smooth.

2. Preheat the Oven

Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). This ensures an even bake for your cookies.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the solid yet creamy refined coconut oil, light brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, and grated nutmeg. Beat the mixture on medium speed for about 5 minutes, until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it aerates the mixture, giving your cookies the perfect texture.

4. Incorporate the Oat Slurry

Add the prepared oat slurry to the mixture and continue to mix until smooth. The oat slurry adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.

5. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and dry malt extract. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients and prevents clumps.

6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in the roughly chopped dark chocolate until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. Portion the Dough

Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined aluminum baking sheet. Compress and slightly flatten each scoop of dough to ensure even baking.

8. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies at 350°F (180°C) for about 12 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden. This baking time allows the cookies to set and develop a crisp texture. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.