Walnutty Chocolate Chip Cookies

The trick here is the roasting of the walnuts ahead of time to bring out the great flavor. Adapted from Nuts: Sweet and Savory Recipes.

2 cups walnuts
2-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup Earth Balance butter
1-1/2 cups evaporated cane juice sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 teaspoons egg replacer
4 tablespoons water
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet or shallow pan and bake about 10 minutes, being careful not to burn. Remove from oven and let cool; chop. Lightly grease two cookie sheets. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and egg replacer. In a mixing bowl, combine butter, sugars and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until combined; add water and continue beating until light and fluffy. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Then by hand stir in walnuts and chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets and bake about 12 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for about 2 minutes before transfering to wire racks to cool completely.