May I tempt you?
The combination of a master’s degree workload and the kooky oven in our little flat means that I have not been baking nearly as much in recent months as I used to. The oven is so overenthusiastic about doing its job that it hits the preheat temperature and just keeps on going. We don’t roast or bake things so much as strategically burn them. Thank goodness we don’t have a sensitive smoke alarm. Although I will redact that statement if I die in a fiery death.
I was sorely missing freshly baked banana bread, muffins, and most of all COOKIES, so I decided it was time to face the oven. I thought I’d make something to share with a friend from school, who can’t have dairy, so I did a little recipe tweaking that led to the happiest accident I’ve had in a long time.
I have discovered the secret to super fudgy cookies, and it’s too good to keep to myself. Get ready for the money shots.
And guess what? It’s this guy:
Apparently, avocado makes a great substitute for butter in baking. Just mash it up pretty well with a fork, and use the exact same amount as you would have used of butter.
I based my recipe off of this one for inside-out chocolate chip cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction, but made a few alterations. Instead of the original ingredient list, I used:
– 1/2 cup of mashed avocado instead of 1/2 cup butter
– 3 tbsp rice milk instead of 2 tbsp regular milk
The milk (dairy or not) just keeps the dough a little bit runnier but is probably negligible. The avocado is the big deal here. It makes this beautiful shiny mess that’s more like brownie batter than cookie dough. These cookies were better than regular cookies. Butter be gone (haha no).
The results were REALLY squidgy and soft – baked all the way through, just not set up too stiffly. I’ve made one batch with butterscotch chips, and one batch with chopped up mint & Oreo chocolate bars (I KNOW).
If you dive in when they’re hot from the oven, they’re super melty and delicious.
If you wait a bit til they cool, or just have a crazy oven that bakes certain trays way more than others, they hold their shape better.
You can’t taste the avocado at all, but it makes the cookies really moist and soft and keeps them from getting dry or cakey.
I’m officially converted to the avocado baking camp (that’s not a camp? I’m going to form it). These cookies were so moist and dense and fudgy, it was almost like a slightly underbaked brownie instead of a cookie.
My friend actually told me I could sell these. I must share the compliment at least equally with the majestic avocado.
I like them best when they’re piping hot and falling apart, with a cold glass of milk on the side. But it’s up to you.
HEY! WE’RE TWINS! (Wearing the same internet outfit, yay!) Hehehe.
ANYWAY, oh my gosh, I love avocados! That’s probably what I miss most about living in California (well, besides my mom and friends!). Avocados everywhere. But oddly enough, I have never heard of this BUTTER substitution! We will definitely have to try it because this seems AWESOME!
Love it! Your blog’s looking mighty fine, if I do say so 🙂 I’ve been trying on different themes for a few weeks trying to find one to stick with! Can’t make up my mind haha.
Let me know if you try the recipe, I swear you’ll love it! A healthy substitution that actually tastes BETTER than the original is sort of a miracle in my book – wish it was always like that!
WHAT?! There’s avocados in that ooey gooey yumminess?! I swear I had 2 avocados TODAY, another vehicle to eat more AND chocolate, I’m in!
I know! I couldn’t believe how good they were. Better than butter! 🙂
Oh. My. Gosh. Send me some of those ASAP! Who knew avocado in cookies would be so delicious.
I was so surprised! Maybe I’ll whip some up for our London get together 🙂
I found you 🙂
Bustedddd!
Oh my gosh! These look incredible!! I will have to try this recipe, I live for avocado!! Marie x
titchytombie.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks, Marie! Glad you stopped by 🙂 Let me know how they turn out for you!
This is a nice surprise ! Is avocado “butter” than we think ? 😉 Your cookies seems to be so tasty and soft, I will try it as soon as possible.
A+ on that pun – butter, indeed! 😀 Let me know if you try this – hope it works well for you! xx
Indeed I tried your recipe this summer while my niece was visiting me, and I can tell you she was disgusted by the avocado, she didn’t want I prepare the cookies with it… but once she accepted to taste the first one, she was convinced the avocado was a good idea !!!
That’s so great, thank you for telling me, Sandrine! I’m on your niece’s side – it definitely looks a bit weird to blend a big bowl of green mush into cookie batter, but the taste is so worth it in the end! I’m so happy you tried it and liked it!