Vegan Cookies and Bars

If you like to bake, you’ll love The Vegetarian Family Cookbook

I’ve always been more of a cook than a baker, but since the appreciation level for homemade baked goods in my family is high, I try to accommodate. Baking at home is a good opportunity to create treats that are lower in fat and sugar than those you would buy in a store or a bakery. It’s a great way to get some whole-grain goodness into kids’ growing bodies, if you use whole wheat pastry flour in place of white flour, as in the recipes that follow.


JAM BARS
Yield: 12 bars

Richly sweetened with all-fruit preserves, these bars are a fun treat for kids and adults alike. Try them with almond tea, or as an after school snack or, if you bake them in the evening, they can serve as a quick breakfast with a fruit smoothie.
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup applesauce
  • 1 tablespoon light vegetable oil
  • 3/4 to 1 cup all-fruit preserves
Streusel topping:
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 2 tablespoons natural granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 tablespoon light vegetable oil
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the applesauce and oil. Stir together until the wet and dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Spread the batter into a lightly oiled 9- by 9-inch baking pan with the help of a baking spatula. Carefully spread the preserves evenly over the batter, also using the spatula.

In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the streusel topping and stir together until evenly coated with the oil. Sprinkle evenly over the preserves, and pat down gently.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the topping is golden. Allow to cool until just warm, then cut into four sections in one direction, and 3 sections in the other to make 12 pieces. Cool until just warm, then cut into four sections in one direction, and 3 sections in the other to make 12 pieces.


CHOCOLATE CHIP-APRICOT BLONDIES
Makes 12 squares

Here’s a fruity variation on brownies that my family likes just as much as the all-chocolate version.
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds, optional
  • 3/4 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt or soy yogurt
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or rice syrup
  • 2 tablespoons safflower oil
  • 1/4 cup rice milk or soymilk, or as needed
  • 3/4 cup finely diced dried apricots
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, preferably cane juice sweetened
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine the first four (dry) ingredients plus the optional flaxseeds and stir together.

Make a well in the center and pour in the yogurt, syrup, oil, and enough rice milk to make a smooth and slightly stiff batter. Stir until completely mixed. Stir in the apricots, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts.

Transfer the mixture to a lightly oiled 9- by 9-inch baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center tests clean (with the exception melted chocolate chips). Allow to cool in the pan until just warm, then cut into squares to serve.


SESAME CRISPIES
Makes about 30

If you like sesame seeds, this crunchy cookie is sure to please.
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup unhulled sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup crispy brown rice cereal
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds or wheat germ, optional
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 3 tablespoons sesame tahini
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup or brown rice syrup
  • 1/2 cup currants, optional
  • Whole toasted almonds or tamari almonds
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the first 6 (dry) ingredients plus the optional flaxseeds in a mixing bowl and stir together.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the applesauce, tahini, and syrup. Stir together until the wet and dry ingredients are completely mixed, then stir in the optional currants.

Drop by slightly rounded tablespoons onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Press an almond into the center of each.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Let stand for a minute or two, then carefully remove with a spatula to plates to cool.


DOUBLE CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES
Makes about 3 dozen
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup natural granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds, optional
  • 1 cup applesauce (or a bit more as needed to make a smooth and slightly stiff batter)
  • 2 tablespoons safflower oil
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, preferably cane juice sweetened
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional (see Note)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the first 6 (dry) ingredient in a mixing bowl plus the optional flaxseeds and stir together.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the applesauce and oil. Stir together until the wet and dry ingredients are completely mixed.

Stir in the chocolate chips and optional walnuts. Drop the batter onto lightly oiled baking sheets in slightly rounded tablespoonfuls. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly browned. Let stand for a minute or two, then carefully remove with a spatula to plates to cool.

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