Pret A Manger has released the recipe for its dark chocolate vegan cookies

What better way to get through the day than by baking some comforting, guilt-free cookies?

People have been baking plenty of batches of homemade cookies in isolation. Getty Images 

Popular UK cafe chain Pret A Manger is getting into the spirit of staying at home by publishing recipes for some of its most popular dishes for people to recreate in their own kitchens.

When the company posted the instructions for its best-selling chocolate chip cookies on Instagram last week, it went viral.

Pret has also revealed the recipe for making banana bread, and even offered tips for making the perfect porridge. However, this week, Pret has raised the bar again by offering budding home bakers the chance to replicate its dark chocolate vegan cookies.

Vegans can sometimes be shortchanged when it comes to desserts, so when a kitchen offers a great recipe, it is quickly snapped up. Replacing animal fats with a dairy-free alternative can sometimes leave the cake tasting, well, disappointing, but when the chef gets the balance right, the results are delicious.

This cookie is one of Pret's successes. Made with intense dark chocolate, it is so rich and indulgent, no one will even realise its vegan.

Here is how to make them at home:

Ingredients:

43g caster sugar

112g soft light brown sugar

4g salt

40g almond pieces (for best results, use flaked almonds lightly smashed up, but whole almonds chopped into small pieces will also work)

112g dark chocolate pieces

205g flour

20g cocoa powder

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

65g coconut oil

72g almond butter

100g golden syrup

40g water

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180℃.

Pour the caster sugar, soft light brown sugar, flour, bicarbonate of soda, cocoa, almond pieces, salt and chocolate pieces into a large bowl. For best results sieve the cocoa, flour and bicarbonate of soda.

Mix the almond butter, oil and golden syrup together and add to the bowl, along with the water. Mix together with a wooden spoon and then bring the dough together using your hands.

Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Split your dough into eight golf ball-sized portions and flatten slightly with the palm of your hand.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (this will vary depending on thickness – if the edges of the cookie feels firm but centre is still soft, it should be ready to take out).

Leave to cool for 15 minutes. Enjoy.