Plant-Based Christmas Holiday Cookies Recipe

A festive holiday image showcasing plant-based Christmas cookies, beautifully decorated and surrounded by cozy seasonal elements.

The holiday season isn't complete without a plate of cookies to celebrate the season. Giving up eggs and traditional butter doesn't mean you need to forgo the holiday treat. These festive, plant-based Christmas cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday flavor. They're perfect for sharing, decorating, or leaving out for Santa!

My house transforms into Christmas wonderland the day after Thanksgiving. The kids are up at 8 am, the tree is taken down (my mom is allergic to pine so real trees are a no-go for us), and the stockings are hung. These are non-negotiables according to my kiddos who LOVE Christmas.

My youngest is seven, and, of course, he's already asking about making Santa's cookies. I think it's a ploy for us to add more sugar to the pantry! But, of course, I love to bake, and I love time with my children, so we decided to have some fun (and a bit of a mess--he is 7!) by whipping up a bath of plant-based sugar cookies. We swap out the traditional dairy, skip the eggs and add a ton of fun. The following recipe was simple to make and was kiddo approved.

Ingredients

Yields: 24 cookies

For the Cookie Dough:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat)

Optional Add-Ins:

  • Vegan chocolate chips
  • Dried cranberries
  • Chopped nuts

For the Icing (Optional):

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons plant-based milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Natural food coloring or sprinkles for decorating


Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the vegan butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Mix in the applesauce and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Add the plant-based milk if the dough feels too dry.

2. Chill the Dough:

Cover the dough with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up (this helps the cookies hold their shape while baking).

3. Preheat and Shape:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
If you're making simple round cookies, scoop tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
For shaped cookies, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and use holiday-themed cookie cutters.

4. Bake the Cookies:

Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies may look slightly underbaked in the center, but they will firm up as they cool.

5. Cool Completely:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.


Optional: Decorate the Cookies

  1. To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar (for thicker icing) or more milk (for thinner icing).
  2. Divide the icing into small bowls and mix in natural food coloring if desired.
  3. Use a piping bag or small spoon to decorate the cookies. Add sprinkles for extra festivity!


Tips for Success

  • Make-Ahead: The cookie dough can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
  • Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: The cookie dough or baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.


Variations

  • Gingerbread Twist: Add ground ginger and molasses to the dough for gingerbread-inspired cookies.
  • Chocolate Lovers: Mix in cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips for double chocolate cookies.
  • Peppermint Joy: Add crushed candy canes to the dough or sprinkle them on top of the icing.


These plant-based Christmas cookies are not only delicious but also a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. Perfect for gifting, enjoying with family, or creating holiday traditions! ??

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