These dairy-free black & white cookies are an elegant dessert and are relatively easy to make. Two batches of frosting give them their two-toned color, and lemon in the cookie dough adds a nice tang.
10tablespoons(140g)vegan butternot unsalted, from the fridge, about ½ cup plus 2 tbsp
4tablespoonsaquafabachickpea brine
½cup(120ml)soymilk
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
1teaspoonlemon juicefresh or storebought (from ½ lemon)
½teaspoonlemon zestoptional
1¼cups(140g)cake flour
1¼cups(150g)unbleached all-purpose flourspooned and leveled
½teaspoonbaking powder
¼teaspoonsalt
White Icing:
2cups(220g)confectioners’ sugar
2teaspoonslight corn syrupor golden syrup
3tablespoonsboiling water
Chocolate Icing:
2cups(220g)confectioners’ sugar
2tablespoonsunsweetened natural cocoa powder
2teaspoonslight corn syrupor golden syrup, or to taste
4tablespoonsboiling water
Instructions
Set the oven rack to the middle level and preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream the vegan butter and sugar with a hand or stand mixer at medium to high speed until lighter in colour. About 3 minutes. Occasionally scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
10 tablespoons vegan butter, 1 cup granulated cane sugar
Add the aquafaba and mix on medium speed until combined
4 tablespoons aquafaba
Add the soymilk, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix on low speed to combine
½ cup soymilk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Sift the flours, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients in thirds, mixing on low in between each addition.
Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all the floury bits are moistened.
Use a cookie scoop to dive the dough into 12 even portions between the two trays. You may also use a spoon with about 3 tablespoons of batter per cookie.
Optional tip for a smoother, more even look: Fill a small bowl with water to moisten your fingers and gently pat the top and sides of the cookie portions to make them rounder.
Bake the first batch of cookies for 18-20 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned. Bake the second batch of cookies.
Cool the cookies completely on the baking trays before frosting.
Make the White Icing:
Combine the confectioners’ sugar with the corn syrup. Gradually add enough boiling water, stirring constantly until the frosting is smooth but thick and spreadable.
Frost the other half of the cookies and allow them to dry.
Notes
Be sure to use the vegan butter straight from the fridge when creaming with the sugar. It will soften while creaming.
Moving the cookies while the icing is still wet can cause the icing to crack.
You can also use melted vegan chocolate instead of chocolate icing however the chocolate might soften on the cookies in warmer environments.
Other plant-based types of milk can be substituted in this recipe. Be sure to keep the flavour neutral. Soymilk has more protein and is thicker than some other plant-based types of milk. For thinner plant-based milk, you will need to use less.
These cookies will keep for three days on the counter in an airtight container or stored in the fridge for a week. Keep them dry, as humidity can cause the icing to soften.
They may also be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in zip-top bags in the freezer for up to 3 months.