Enjoy all the decadence with these Triple Chocolate Pistachio Cookies without compromising on health. These cookies are made with Orgain Creamy Chocolate Fudge Protein Powder for a protein-packed, better-for-you holiday treat.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
I'll be the first to admit that during the holiday season I am not the healthiest person.
Starting on Thanksgiving Day until New Year's Day, I like to indulge. During the rest of the year, I stick to a mostly whole foods diet limiting gluten, processed sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. But then as soon as Thanksgiving hits, I have that little voice screaming, "Indulge!" and that is exactly what I do. It's Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread Bundt Cakes from here on out.
However, as I get older and healthier the holiday season begins to take a toll on me. Too much decadence and I begin to feel sluggish. My pants start fitting tighter, I get winded with my normal yoga routine, and I feel constantly dehydrated. Usually, by the time that New Year's Eve rolls around, I cannot wait to begin my 30 day cleanse. To prevent that from happening this year I'm trying a new concept: moderation while finding healthier ways to indulge in some of my favorite foods.
Enter these Triple Chocolate Pistachio Cookies.
Recommended Ingredients & Equipment
I took a classic chocolate fudge cookie and made a few alterations to make these cookies a delicious AND beneficial snack this holiday season. The ingredients in these cookies are simple and straight-forward.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- All-Purpose Flour - I have also made these cookies with 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour Baking Blend with great success. (<<affiliate link)
- Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder - Read more about my protein powder of choice below.
- Cocoa Powder - I prefer Dutch as it is a bit smoother and less acidic but regular cocoa powder works as well.
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Applesauce - The applesauce acts as the binder for these cookies. You can’t taste the applesauce but if you would prefer a different kind of egg replacer, check out my complete guide on replacing eggs to get a few more ideas.
- Oil - I recommend coconut oil because it is one of the healthier oils. However, any neutral flavored oil will do. If you would like to make these cookies oil free, simply swap out the oil for an additional ¼ cup of applesauce.
- Maple Syrup
- Vanilla Extract
- Vegan Chocolate Chips - I recommend Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (<<affiliate link)
- Shelled Pistachios
Recommended Equipment
For all my cookie recipes, I recommend a stand-up mixer. These make whipping, beating, and blending so much easier. However, they are pricy and if they are not in your budget, you can make cookies with by hand or with a handheld mixer.
In addition, you will need basic cooking equipment including baking sheets, silicone baking mats, and a wire cooling rack. (<<affiliate links)
Check out the full list of my recommended kitchen tools and gadgets.
Best Protein Powder
Orgain is a company committed to making wholesome protein snacks, drinks, and powders that are high in natural proteins, and lower in sugar.
Committed to using the highest quality ingredients, all Orgain products are gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and free of all artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Their plant-based protein powder is one of my favorites on the market because it doesn't have the gritty, artificially sweetened aftertaste is deliciously flavored, and contains 21 grams of protein per serving!
By adding ½ cup of Creamy Chocolate Fudge Protein Powder into these cookies, they become the perfect midday pick-me-up snack with a boost of energy that can carry you through the rest of your day.
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Cookies
These vegan chocolate fudge cookies are a mix between my Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies. They have a similar texture to that of the chocolate chip cookie with a little of the crinkle’s fudgy chewiness. Then packed with chocolate chips and pistachios, there is a burst of chocolate in every bite.
Step One – Make the Dough
In a small bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, salt, and baking powder. In a separate bowl stir together coconut oil, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extracts until well blended. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix or the dough will become gummy and dense.
Pro Tip: The applesauce acts as the binder (egg replacer). You can’t taste the applesauce but if you would prefer a different kind of egg replacer, check out my complete guide on replacing eggs to get a few more ideas.
Fold in the pistachios and chocolate chips.
Step Two – Bake the Cookies
I prefer using a small cookie scoop for this part. Cookie scoops allow all the cookies to be even with minimal mess. Scoop the cookies onto the tray, about a dozen per tray, and press down slightly before placing them in the oven.
Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven when the edges have just started to set and the centers are still slightly underdone. This is key for the chewiness of these vegan chocolate cookies. Once they have cooled about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, they can be transferred to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Serving and Storing
Store Cookies: Once cookies are completely cool, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Raw dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Freeze Cookie Dough: If you only want to make only a few at a time, you can store the remaining dough in the freezer. To do this, roll all the dough into balls. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer to freeze all the way through. Once frozen, transfer your cookie dough into a large ziplock bag and return to the freezer. You can store the cookies this way for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, remove from freezer and bake!
Tips and Tricks
- The most accurate way to measure flour is to spoon it into your measuring cup, leveling it off with the back of a knife.
- Do not overmix the dough. Overmixing encourages the gluten to develop making your cookies gummy and dense.
- Pull cookies out when they are slightly underdone. I found 10 minutes to be the perfect baking time. They will continue to harden as they cool, giving you a crispy outside with a deliciously fudgy and chewy center.
More Vegan Christmas Cookies
- Vegan Eggnog Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate-Dipped Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
- Classic Gingerbread People Cookies
Triple Chocolate Pistachio Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Orgain Chocolate Fudge Protein Powder
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup apple sauce
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
- ½ cup shelled pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl stir together flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a second bowl combine apple sauce, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir together. The dough should be thick and a bit sticky. Fold in chocolate chips and pistachios.
- Chill for 20 minutes to allow dough to harden.
- Roll about 2 tablespoon of cookie dough and place it on a baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or the palm of your hand, flatten cookie so that cookie is about ½" thick. Repeat with all the dough until dough is gone. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until slightly underdone. The cookies will continue to harden as they cool but this allows them to have a fudge-y center.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- The most accurate way to measure flour is to spoon it into your measuring cup, leveling it off with the back of a knife.
- Do not overmix the dough. Overmixing encourages the gluten to develop making your cookies gummy and dense.
- Pull cookies out when they are slightly underdone. I found 10 minutes to be the perfect baking time. They will continue to harden as they cool, giving you a crispy outside with a deliciously fudgy and chewy center.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
Jasmine says
Chocolate AND pistachio? YES PLEASE!
Kristen Wood says
Yum! These look so healthy, delicious, and beautiful!!
Sarah says
Thank you, Kristen!
Cassidy says
I do love pistachios, I bet they go deliciously well with the rich chocolate flavour of these cookies!
Sarah says
They do! My favorite combination.
Anna says
My goodness! Triple chocolate and pistachio! The ultimate Christmas cookie!
Becky Striepe says
These look so good! And I love that they have protein powder in them. I bet that keeps you from having the sugar crash that comes with conventional white flour cookies.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I love pistachios! These cookies look really delicious!
Jennifer Bliss says
Pretty sure I need these in my life RIGHT AWAY!