‘Tis the season for vegan Christmas cookies! We’ve rounded up our absolute favorite festive sweet treats for you to make this holiday season. You’re definitely going to want to indulge in these delicious cookies as you snuggle up by your fire. But first, just how, exactly, do you make a cookie vegan? And are they healthy?
What makes a cookie a vegan cookie?
Traditional cookie recipes often call for a few key ingredients. Sugar, for example, is usually a must and so are flour and baking soda. Butter, eggs, and milk are usually called for, too. But as these last three are animal-derived products, they can’t be included in vegan cookies. But there are plenty of alternatives out there.
Some recipes call for applesauce, for example, which helps to bind the ingredients together in the absence of eggs. Dairy butter can simply be swapped for one of the many vegan alternatives on the market, and the same goes for cow’s milk. For more advice on vegan baking ingredients, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to all of the best substitutes on the market!
Are vegan cookies healthy?
Swapping out certain animal products will usually make your cookie recipe slightly better for you. (Eggs, for example, are high in cholesterol.) But the nutritional content of vegan cookies can vary. Ultimately, it all depends on the ingredients you choose. If you want a healthier result (and if you don’t, fair enough!), coconut sugar is a good alternative to refined white sugar. Or you could leave the sugar out altogether and try adding agave nectar to sweeten up your cookies. You can also add extra ingredients, like fruits, oatmeal, and nuts, for a boost of vitamins and fiber. Plus, you could try an alternative flour, like oat, almond, or whole wheat.
9 vegan Christmas cookie recipes
Christmas is the perfect excuse to bake a batch of cookies for your loved ones (and yourself of course). So stick on some December classic tunes (Yes, it’s time for Mariah Carey), and get in the festive spirit with one of these nine delicious recipes. Happy Holidays!
Happy Healthy Life
1
Pfeffernüsse Cookies
A traditional holiday staple in Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands, Pfeffernüsse cookies are chewy and spicy, bringing a bit of pizazz to the cold, dark days of winter. This vegan version is dusted with powdered sugar and filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
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Delightful Adventures
2
Chewy Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread lovers, we’ve got you covered! These soft, chewy, gluten-free gingerbread cookies are totally vegan and a must-make on our Christmas cookie list.
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My Darling Vegan
3Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Get into the holiday spirit with these sweet and fudgy chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies. This super easy-to-make recipe pairs perfectly with a mug of rich hot cocoa and a warm fire.
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Sweet Simple Vegan
4 Peppermint Meltaway Christmas Cookies
This recipe for delicate peppermint cookies that melt in your mouth is a dream! Make the holidays a little bit sweeter with these delightfully decadent, bite-sized treats.
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It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
5 Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies
Get creative with these beautiful sugar cookies topped with colorful vegan icing. Invite your friends for a virtual festive cookie-decorating party or decorate them yourself to ship as edible handmade gifts!
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Vegan Huggs
6 Snowmen Meringue Cookies
Talk about adorable! These snowman meringue cookies use aquafaba (chickpea brine) instead of egg whites to keep your holiday cheer cruelty-free. We guarantee these will be the cutest Christmas cookies at your holiday party.
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Veggie Society
7 No Bake Coconut Snowballs
Not a baker? No worries! These little gluten-free and nut-free coconut snowballs don’t require an oven and will satisfy everybody’s sweet tooth this holiday season.
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Wallflower Kitchen
8
Vegan Danish Butter Cookies
Indulge your Christmas cravings with these beautiful Danish butter cookies. Nobody will believe you when you tell them that these gorgeous sweet and buttery treats are totally vegan!
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Unconventional Baker
9 Almond Crescent Cookies
These crescent, moon-shaped cookies are another European Christmas classic. This vegan version of the traditional recipe uses almonds in a buttery dough, topped with vanilla powdered sugar.
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