Whether you're baking simply for the family or for a large get together, these tasty, irresistible vegan Christmas cookie recipes are sure to bring joy this holiday season!
It's that time of year again, when holiday baking is in full effect!
If you're baking up batches of holiday cookies, it never hurts to include a batch of vegan cookies. From vegan gingerbread cookies to chocolate peppermint cookies, there is something for everyone in this collection of 32 vegan Christmas cookies!
[feast_advanced_jump_to]Christmas cookies
Let's face it: what's Christmas without cookies? The smell of cookies from the oven, filing the house, is one of the best reminders that it's Christmastime. A Christmas cookie box is always a good idea to help spread holiday cheer, too.
Every year, the family and We bake up large batches of chewy cookies and cutout cookies for a cookie exchange or two. We love baking Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies, Soft Gingerbread Men Cutout Cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Blossom Peanut Butter Cookies, and Snowflake Cookies.
Because We'm dairy free, and because we have a lot of vegan friends and family, we also end up baking a lot of vegan Christmas cookies as well.
This collection of vegan cookies is full of tasty cookies that are simple to make, dairy-free, and egg-free. Plus, most of these vegan holiday cookie recipes can easily be made gluten-free too.
What makes a cookie vegan?
Traditional cookie recipes often call for similar key ingredients. Sugar, flour, baking soda and/or baking powder, and vanilla extract are a must. Butter, eggs, and milk are usually called for, too. But since butter, eggs and milk are animal-derived products, they are not included (or are substituted) in a vegan cookie.
A vegan cookie is a type of cookie that is made without any animal products or products derived from animals. This means that the cookie does not contain any components that come from animals or are produced by animals.
Vegan substitutions in baking
Here are some key ingredient substitutions to make for a vegan cookie:
- Egg replacements – Instead of using eggs, which are a common binding agent in traditional cookies, vegan recipes often use substitutes like flax eggs (a mixture of ground flaxseeds and water) or applesauce to provide moisture and binding.
- Dairy alternatives – Like in all of our dairy-free recipes, you can replace traditional dairy ingredients like milk and butter with plant-based alternatives. Use non-dairy milk such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk instead. And use plant-based oils like coconut oil or vegetable oil, or a vegan butter, instead of traditional butter. Luckily, it's super simple to find tasty dairy alternatives in most local grocery stores these days.
- Sweeteners – Because honey is produced by bees, it is not considered vegan. Instead of honey, you can use plant-based sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, or vegan cane sugar.
If you're new to dairy-free cooking and baking, be sure to check out the Dairy Free Baking and Cooking Guide. It explains some common food labels and We share the favorite dairy-free products to use in the recipes.
Essential baking tools
Ready to bake cookies the whole family will love? Here are a few essential kitchen tools to help you bake the best vegan Christmas cookies ever!
- Baking sheet – To bake cookies, you'll need at least one baking sheet.
- Stand mixer– An electric mixer or hand mixer isn't required for most cookie recipes. However, either one does make mixing cookie dough much easier and faster. And it helps incorporate the ingredients more smoothly, so baked goods end up with an even distribution of ingredients.
- Mixing bowl– You'll need at least one large bowl for mixing ingredients. A set of mixing bowls is often the best way to go here.
- Whisk – A sturdy whisk is essential for whisking dry ingredients together, and for wet ingredients too.
- Silicone spatula– A silicone spatula makes it simple to scrape down the sides of a mixing bowl.
- Cooling rack – A cooling rack is essential to allowing the baked cookies
- Cookie scoop – Different sizes of cookie scoops help give you uniform cookies that are of similar size. This also helps them bake evenly.
- Cookie cutters – Depending on which cookies you bake, you can use regular round cutters or Christmas cookie cutters.
- Parchment paper and plastic wrap
You can shop the favorite baking tools online! And, be sure to check out the cookbook, The Super Simple Teen Baking Cookbook for more baking recipes.
Shop baking essentials:
32 Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipes
Photo Credit: delightfuladventures.comVegan Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Soft and chewy on the inside with crisp outer edges, these fudgy vegan chocolate peppermint cookies are filled with chocolate chips and peppermint flavor, one of the best festive mixes for the holidays.
These double chocolate cookies are topped with crushed candy canes and also happen to be gluten-free
Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.comVegan White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
The perfect holiday cookie recipe that tastes simply like Christmas! These Vegan White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are gluten-free, allergy-free, and full of dairy-free white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies!
Simple and tasty, they're a fun addition to your seasonal cookie swap and dessert platters!
Photo Credit: xoxobella.comVegan Gluten Free Pistachio Cookies
These little nuts are many people's favourite and they have a wonderful flavor all of their own. Pistachios are actually a member of the cashew family, although the taste and texture are quite different.
These vegan gluten-free pistachio cookies are going to be a staple Christmas cookie for all your Christmas baking lists.
Photo Credit: theveganlarder.comVegan Lebkuchen Gingerbread Cookies
these Vegan Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) are not only one of the favorites to make during Christmas but to eat too!
They make the house smell glorious when they're being baked, which is always a bonus and can be decorated in a variety of ways too!
Photo Credit: mypureplants.comSimple Vegan Snowball Cookies
These nutty, buttery, meltaway cookies are tasty little shortbread balls double-rolled in powdered sugar.
You can call them Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, or classic Christmas cookies, but these vegan snowball cookies are heavenly.
Photo Credit: theallnaturalvegan.comGluten-Free Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
These Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies are the perfect healthy Holiday treat. They're simple to make and made with whole foods plant-based ingredients.
They're perfectly soft and chewy, nobody would even know they're healthy, or vegan. This recipe is oil-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and of course, vegan.
Photo Credit: www.savorthespoonful.comThumbprint Cookies With Icing | Savor The Spoonful
Take your classic thumbprint cookies to the next level by making thumbprint cookies with icing! These are egg-free, gluten-free cookies filled with a tasty two-ingredient vegan icing.
They have a soft, buttery texture that melts in your mouth. Natural food coloring makes the icing festive for any holiday, and adding sprinkles on top is the perfect finishing touch.
Photo Credit: bakedbyclo.comVegan Sugar Cookies
These vegan sugar cookies are sweet and soft with simply the right amount of crunch. Perfect for Christmas, Easter or any other special occasion.
Decorate them with eggless royal icing for a super cute edible treat!
Photo Credit: earthly-provisions.comVegan Holiday Cookies Recipe
This Vegan Holiday Cookies Recipe is simple, only requires 7 ingredients and the cookies are so fun to decorate.
This Vegan Holiday Cookie recipe is a blank canvas to decorate however you like.
Photo Credit: www.healingtomato.comVegan Shortbread Cookies
Buttery, flaky, crumbly vegan shortbread cookies made with simply 3 ingredients. These cookies are fun to make and enjoy all year round.
If you are not a shortbread cookie lover, these cookies will change your mind!
Shortbread cookies need only 3 ingredients to make the base. After that, go nuts with the icing and toppings.
Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.comClassic Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies (Vegan)
The holiday season is not complete without Gingerbread Cookies! These classic gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free gingerbread men (and friends) are such a fun sweet treat for all to have this Christmas.
Food allergies don't have to get in the way with this dessert recipe!
Photo Credit: www.sweetfixbaker.comVegan Ginger Cookies
These giant vegan ginger cookies are soft and chewy in the inside and crispier on the sides, and super simple to make!
To make them vegan, substitute the butter with vegan butter, and used flax egg instead of a regular egg; the results will be so good!
Photo Credit: delightfuladventures.comVegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Simple cut-out vegan gluten-free gingerbread cookies that can be made either crisp or soft. They're egg-free, dairy-free, and filled with the warm, classic gingerbread spices you associate with the holidays!
They can also be cut out into any shape and decorated exactly how you like them.
Photo Credit: www.veggieinspired.comChewy Gluten Free Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Crispy on the outside, perfectly chewy on the inside, and bursting with holiday flavor.
These chewy gluten-free Chocolate Molasses Cookies are sure to be a holiday favorite! Go ahead, eat more than one!
Photo Credit: veganinthefreezer.comVegan Christmas Sugar Cookies
These Cut Out Vegan Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, fluffy, and oh-so-yummy, plus they're made entirely with plant-based ingredients.
In addition to being tasty, these sweet treats are also festive and colorful, making them the ideal cookies for welcoming the holidays. Perfect for serving as Christmas nibbles or giving as gifts!
Photo Credit: foodsharingvegan.comVegan Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
These vegan oatmeal cookies with raisins (or vegan chocolate chips) are the same chewy, sweet, soft cookies from your childhood but made vegan with simple ingredient swaps!
Simply 12 simple pantry ingredients and 30 minutes + refined sugar-free and gluten-free options included!
Photo Credit: theallnaturalvegan.comGluten-Free Vegan Pistachio Cookies
These Vegan Pistachio Cookies are the ultimate treat. They're soft and chewy and made with simple and clean ingredients- yet they're so good nobody would even know they're healthy!
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and essentially oil-free!
Photo Credit: www.savorthespoonful.comMatcha White Chocolate Cookies
These gluten-free and vegan matcha white chocolate cookies are soft, chewy, and tasty.
They are made with almond butter and they're rolled in sugar before baking which gives them a tasty sugar cookie taste! You only need one bowl to make the recipe and the cookies are done in simply 20 minutes. You are bound to love them!
Photo Credit: www.asweetalternative.comGluten-Free Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
These gluten-free, vegan gingerbread cookies are crisp around the edges and chewy on the inside.
They're warmly spiced and perfect for the holidays. They also make great homemade Christmas gifts.
Photo Credit: healyeatsreal.comSimple Chocolate Coconut Haystacks
This chocolate coconut haystacks recipe is such a fun and simple healthy dessert! With only 2 ingredients that are keto, paleo, and vegan, it's quick to whip up and sure to please friends and family.
These little candy-like treats combine creamy chocolate and shredded coconut to make a decadent, crunchy, and rich dessert.
Photo Credit: www.kitchentreaty.comVegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Fudgy, sweet, and gorgeously crinkled simply like their non-vegan twins, these chocolate cookies are perfect for Christmas cookie platters - or hoard them all for yourself.
The perfect holiday cookie, vegan style. But you don't have to be a vegan to love 'em – promise!
Photo Credit: homanathome.comSimple Christmas Oreos
An simple no-bake addition to your cookie swaps, Christmas Oreos require almost no decoration skills to make an adorably festive treat!
If you're looking for an simple way to make everyone think you slaved in the kitchen, this is your stop. Christmas Oreos are gorgeous, but they require quite little skill to make. They're a no-bake dessert.
Photo Credit: earthtoveg.comSimple Vegan Slice & Bake Cookies
These vegan slice-and-bake cookies are inspired by Pillsbury's classic cookie dough logs. They are the perfect prep-ahead cookie: simply pull them from your freezer whenever you want to bake up a fresh batch of cookies.
A cross between a shortbread and sugar cookie, they make a beautiful dessert for any holiday potluck and are sturdy enough for cookie boxes too. Best of all, you can customize them with your own colors and flavors!
Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.comGluten-Free Snickerdoodles
These soft and chewy Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles are unbelievably simple, vegan, dairy-free, and allergy-free! The best classic snickerdoodle cookies with a tender buttery bite, loaded with cinnamon, sweetness, and a subtle tang!
The holiday and Christmas season isn't complete without baking a batch of this simply perfected snickerdoodle recipe
Photo Credit: earthly-provisions.comVegan Gingerbread Cookies
Vegan Gingerbread Cookies are well-spiced, crispy, and simple to make. And they are fun to decorate with a bit of royal icing!
They are spicy, crisp and so flavorful. Plus, these Vegan Gingerbread Cookies are simple to make and the perfect snack with a cup of tea.
Photo Credit: daniscookings.comVegan Double Chocolate Cookies
These Vegan Double Chocolate Cookies will brighten your day! They are soft and chewy, with fudgy consistency and rich chocolate taste.
They are not only incredibly tasty and full of chocolate but also vegan, gluten-free and made with healthy ingredients!
Photo Credit: veganinthefreezer.comChristmas No-Bake Vegan Cornflake Wreath Cookies
These no-bake cookies resemble a Christmas wreath and take only 15 minutes to prepare. Vegan marshmallows, unsalted vegan butter, vegan cornflakes, green food coloring, and red cinnamon candies are all that are needed to make these five-ingredient Christmas cookies.
You won't be able to stop eating these Vegan Cornflake Wreath Cookies once you've tried them! They're tasty and festive, making them the ideal Christmas dessert or snack!
Photo Credit: www.easychickpeasy.comVegan Matcha Cookies
Soft and sweet with the mildly earthy flavor of matcha, these vegan matcha cookies are a tasty twist on a classic cookie. Their vibrant green color, balanced flavor, and chewy texture will make them an unexpected favorite wherever you share them.
Whether you are a matcha lover or simply looking for a natural way to make festive cookies, you will love these chewy matcha cookies.
Photo Credit: foodsharingvegan.comVegan Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies
These vegan peanut butter thumbprint cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with classic peanut butter & jelly flavor, with no eggs or dairy!
Simply 6 ingredients, one bowl, and 15 minutes of baking time + low-sugar/ sugar-free and gluten-free options available!
Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.com3-Ingredient Classic Gluten-Free Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Traditional Scottish shortbread couldn't be any easier! These soft 3-ingredient Classic Gluten-Free Vegan Shortbread Cookies are allergy-free and sugar-free!
A simple sweet biscuit for coffee or tea and an essential holiday recipe!
More holiday dessert ideas
- Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
- Mint Oreo Truffles
- Gingerbread Cake Roll
- Gingerbread Bundt Cakes
If you love these vegan Christmas cookies and you're hosting a holiday event, try out these Vegan Christmas desserts. Or consider making a dessert bar of vegan desserts and/or non-vegan treats.
Along with these gingerbread butterscotch biscotti, you could add Mini Gingerbread Bundt Cakes, Cranberry Holiday Bark, and Soft Gingerbread Christmas Cookies. If you want a stunning dessert centerpiece, make this simple yet impressive Gingerbread Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling.
Did you make any of these recipes? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment below letting us know which one you made and how it turned out. Thank you!