Vegan Christmas Cookies You Will Absolutely Love

The season of enjoying delicious treats that warm the heart and spread holiday cheer has started. And what better way to celebrate Christmas than with a plate of mouthwatering vegan Christmas cookies? 

At times, searching for the best vegan treats can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, fear not because we have the solution to make your quest for delectable vegan delights a breeze. So, grab your apron and get ready to bake your way into everyone’s heart with our irresistible vegan Christmas cookies that you will absolutely love.

Are Vegan Cookies Healthy?

Yes, vegan cookies can be a healthier alternative as they are often made with nutrient-rich ingredients, lower cholesterol and saturated fats, and with natural sweeteners. However, the ingredients you use will heavily influence how nutritious they are. Although they are usually on the healthier side, they can be just as unhealthy as regular cookies if you don’t use the right ingredients.

It’s not a secret that almost all cookie recipes rely on butter, eggs, and refined sugars. These ingredients are the primary sources of calories, cholesterol, and saturated fats in traditional cookies, which label them unhealthy.

However, vegan cooking will always have plant-based counterparts, making vegan Christmas cookies much more suitable for a healthy lifestyle. Substitute butter with coconut oil and eggs with flaxseed or applesauce, and opt for unrefined sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar. The result? A guilt-free dessert that combines healthy choices with deliciousness.

Best Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipes

When it comes to finding the best vegan Christmas cookie recipes, the main objective is finding perfect balance of taste, texture, and ethical ingredients. Having said that, these recipes are exactly what you’re looking for.

Milky Way vegan Christmas cookies

This delightful vegan treat captures the heart of the classic Milky Way candy bar and transforms it into a plant-based cookie. It has an almond and coconut flour base, a vegan caramel filling, and a drizzle of melted chocolate. Here are the ingredients needed for this Christmas dessert:

• one cup of vegan chocolate chips;
• a quarter cup of coconut oil;
• one cup all-purpose flour;
• a quarter cup cocoa powder;
• half a cup granulated sugar;
• a quarter cup almond milk;
• one teaspoon vanilla extract;
• vegan chocolate kisses (store-bought or homemade).

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Melt the delicious vegan chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl (make sure it’s microwave-safe). Stir until smooth. Next, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, and sugar in a separate bowl. Add the melted chocolate mixture, almond milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. 

Mix until well combined. Scoop portions of the dough using a tablespoon and shape them into balls. Place them on the baking sheet. Bake for eight to ten minutes. Once out of the oven, gently press a vegan chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool before serving.

Gingerbread vegan Christmas cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a true Christmas classic, and their plant-based counterpart will evoke nostalgia with every bite. These vegan Christmas cookies do require a bit more effort, but trust us – once you taste them, you’ll know it was absolutely worth it.

Ingredients:

• three cups all-purpose flour;
• one teaspoon baking powder;
• three-quarters of a teaspoon of baking soda;
• a quarter teaspoon salt;
• one tablespoon of ground ginger;
• one tablespoon of ground cinnamon;
• half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg;
• half a teaspoon of ground cloves;
• half a cup of vegan butter, softened;
• half a cup of molasses;
• half a cup of brown sugar, packed;
• one flax egg (one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water);
• one teaspoon vanilla extract.

Form the flax egg by combining the ground flaxseeds with water in a small bowl. Allow it to sit for five to ten minutes until it thickens to an egg-like consistency. Mix the dry ingredients by whisking together the: 

• flour;
• baking soda;
• baking powder;
• salt;
• ginger; 
• cinnamon;
• nutmeg;
• cloves.

Proceed by creaming together the softened vegan butter, brown sugar, and molasses until smooth. Add the prepared flax egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and blend until well combined.

Now, it’s time to combine the dry and wet ingredients. However, add them gradually and mix well after each addition until a soft dough forms. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for at least one to two hours or until it becomes firm.

Next, proceed by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to achieve your preferred thickness. Then, let your creativity shine by using festive cookie cutters to create delightful shapes that embody the holiday spirit.

Once carefully cut out your cookies, set them on the baking sheets and bake for around ten minutes or until the edges turn a delightful golden hue. After baking them, let the cookies cool off on the baking sheets for a few minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, you can let your creativity shine by decorating them with vegan icing or simply savoring their deliciousness as they are.

Chocolate chip vegan Christmas cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are the world’s most popular cookies, and as such, they had to find their way into our vegan treats list. With a perfect balance of chewiness and a hint of crispness, these cookies are a testament to the joy of vegan baking. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:

• one cup of vegan butter, softened;
• one cup brown sugar, packed;
• half a cup granulated sugar;
• two flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tablespoons water);
• one teaspoon vanilla extract;
• three cups all-purpose flour;
• one teaspoon baking soda;
• half a teaspoon of baking powder;
• half a teaspoon of salt;
• two cups of vegan chocolate chips.

Preheat your oven, once again, to 350°F (175°C). Proceed by Preparing the baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Next, in a small bowl, create flax eggs by combining two tablespoons of ground flaxseed with five tablespoons of water and letting it sit for five to ten minutes until it thickens to an egg-like consistency. Use a mixer to cream the softened vegan brown sugar, butter, and granulated sugar in a separate large mixing bowl. Keep mixing until the mixture becomes smooth.

After creaming the mixture:

1. Combine the flax eggs and vanilla extract and mix thoroughly until fully merged.
2. Grab another bowl where you’ll whisk together the dry ingredients.
3. Slowly add those dry ingredients to the wet mixture, making sure to mix well after each addition. This will ensure a uniform and well-blended cookie dough.

To ensure the vegan chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough, gently fold them in. Then, using a cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of the cookie dough onto the baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie for even baking and spreading.

Bake the cookies until you notice the edges turning golden brown, which usually takes around ten minutes. Keep in mind that the cookies will continue to set as they cool. Hence, allow them to keep cooling on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Lastly, move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for a Successful Vegan Baking Experience

Making vegan Christmas cookies and other recipes can be very rewarding, but it can also get challenging at times. Luckily, you can make it easier with these simple strategies to master vegan baking.

1. Understand plant-based substitutes:

The most important ingredients you must find substitutes for are eggs, dairy, and butter. Ingredients like flax eggs, applesauce, coconut oil, and plant-based milk can perfectly replace their non-vegan counterparts.

2. Choose the right flour:

Different flour types have their distinct textures and tastes. You can experiment with all-purpose, whole wheat, almond, or out flour to find the best option for your preferences. You can also opt for gluten-free options if you have dietary restrictions.

3. Balance moisture with vegan nutter:

You can achieve the right balance of moisture and flavor by using softened vegan butter. It will give you that richness and tenderness of traditional baked goods and drastically improve how you prepare food.

4. Natural sweeteners:

Substitute refined sugars with natural sweeteners. You can switch to maple syrup, coconut sugar, or agave nectar for a healthier alternative. These impart a distinct flavor profile to your treats.

5. Enhance flavors with plant-based milk:

There are various plant-based milks to choose from, like almond, soy, or oat milk, to add richness and depth to your recipes. Experiment to find the milk that complements your baked goods best.

Final thoughts

These vegan Christmas cookies can be a wonderful addition to your recipe book when organizing your holiday feast. These vegan cookies are the best proof that plant-based desserts can be both compassionate and delicious.

May your festive season be filled with the joy of cruelty-free indulgence, and may the spirit of kindness accompany every sweet moment. Happy baking.