Double Chocolate Almond Explosion Cookies

From Vive le Vegan! wheat-free option, soy-free
Critics of vegan cookies beware: this one will have you eating your words… and the cookies!

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see note for wheat-free option)
1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1⁄2 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp almond slivers, toasted or not
3 tbsp non-dairy chocolate chips
1⁄4 cup unrefined sugar
1⁄4 tsp sea salt
1⁄3 cup pure maple syrup (a little generous measure)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1⁄2 tsp almond extract (optional)
1⁄4 cup organic neutral flavored-oil (a little generous measure)
2 - 3 tbsp non-dairy chocolate bar, broken in small chunks,or chocolate chips (for topping)
3 tbsp almond slivers (toasted or not, for topping)

Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). In a bowl, sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the almonds, chocolate chips, sugar, and salt, and stir until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine the maple syrup with the vanilla and almond extracts, then stir in the oil until well combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry, and stir through until just well combined (do not overmix). Place large spoonfuls of the batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Take 1 or 2 chocolate chunks and a pinch or two of almonds and gently press into each cookie, flattening cookies a little. Bake for 11 minutes, until just golden (if you bake for much longer, they will dry out). Let cool for no more than 1 minute on the sheet (again, to prevent drying), then remove with a large spatula and transfer to a cooling rack.

Makes 8-10 large cookies, or 12 smaller ones.

Note:
1) For a wheat-free version, use spelt flour, but add another 3 1/2 - 4 tbsp of flour.