Cold December afternoons always feel softer when I bake vegan sugar cookies. The kitchen warms up, and the sweet aroma fills the air like a little holiday reminder that simple things still matter. These cookies feel cozy, gentle, and festive, and they always bring me back to quiet moments where I slow down and enjoy the season.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Sugar Cookies
These vegan sugar cookies taste soft in the center and lightly crisp around the edges. They hold their shape beautifully, so decorating feels fun and stress free. They mix quickly, and the dough chills cleanly. Also, the recipe stays fully dairy free and egg free. You can even make it gluten free with no trouble.
Key Ingredients and Tips for Success
Essential Ingredients
Vegan butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and tender crumb. I choose stick style butter since it stays firm and blends predictably. Cornstarch steps in as the egg replacer, and it helps create a soft bite. Vanilla adds warmth, while almond extract adds a gentle holiday note if you enjoy it. Flour builds structure, and baking powder gives the dough a tiny lift.
Pro Baking Tips
Chill the rolled dough, because it keeps the cookies from spreading. Also, spoon and level your flour so the dough stays soft. If it feels crumbly, add a splash of milk. If it feels sticky, sprinkle in a little flour. I use vegan butter sticks since they create consistent texture during mixing and baking.
Step by Step: How to Make Vegan Sugar Cookies
Make the Dough
First, cream the vegan butter until it feels smooth. Then mix in the sugar until fluffy. Next, add the plant milk, cornstarch, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir in one cup of flour with the baking powder and salt. Also, add the remaining flour gradually until the dough feels like soft play dough.
Roll, Chill and Cut
Divide the dough into two balls. Then roll each one between floured parchment to a quarter inch thick. Place both sheets in the fridge to chill for at least one hour. Once firm, cut into shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.
Bake Perfectly
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Transfer the shapes to lined sheets, and bake for eight to ten minutes until the edges look pale golden. Let them rest for five minutes on the sheet. Then cool them fully on a wire rack.
How to Make Easy Vegan Icing
I whisk powdered sugar with plant milk, vanilla, and sometimes a touch of corn syrup for shine. Add extra sugar for a thicker outline icing, and add extra milk for a thinner flood icing. Also, choose vegan sprinkles or colorings when you decorate.
Decorating and Presentation Ideas
You can pipe outlines, fill with color, or keep things simple with a smooth spread of icing. I often use a piping bag for neat designs. Sometimes I choose a spatula for a casual look. Color your icing gently for holiday tones, and sprinkle on bright accents for extra fun. For more inspiration, try adding these cookies to a cookie platter with Chocolate Crinkle Cookies for a fudgy holiday treat at https://kairecipes.com/chocolate-crinkle-cookies-recipe/. They look beautiful together.
Storage, Freezing and Make Ahead Tips
Store the cookies at room temperature for two to three days. They stay fresh in the fridge for five days. Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to three months. Also, freeze the dough for up to four months. If the dough feels firm after freezing, let it rest at room temperature until it softens slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling helps the cookies keep their shape. It also makes rolling and cutting easier.
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes, use a quality 1:1 gluten free blend. I find this works well and tastes very close to the original.
What’s the best vegan butter for cookies?
Stick style vegan butter works best. I often reach for brands with a firm texture since they hold shape during baking.
The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies
Print
Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe | Simple and Amazing Treat
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus chilling
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Soft, sweet, and perfect for decorating, these vegan sugar cookies hold their shape and bring cozy holiday charm to any cookie tray.
Ingredients
3/4 cup vegan butter, slightly softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened plant milk
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
2 to 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour, divided
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Icing:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
1 tbsp light corn syrup (optional)
1–2 tbsp unsweetened plant milk
Instructions
1. Beat vegan butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until fluffy.
2. Mix in milk, cornstarch, vanilla, and almond extract.
3. Add 1 cup flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low until combined.
4. Add remaining flour until dough resembles soft play dough.
5. Divide dough into 2 balls and roll between floured parchment to 1/4 inch thick.
6. Chill rolled dough for at least 1 hour.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut shapes with cookie cutters.
8. Place on lined baking sheets and bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden.
9. Cool 5 minutes on sheet, then cool fully on rack.
10. Whisk icing ingredients until smooth. Adjust milk or sugar to thin or thicken.
11. Decorate as desired and let set for several hours.
Notes
Chilling the dough keeps the cookies from spreading.
Use stick style vegan butter for best results.
Spoon and level flour for accuracy.
Dough stores in fridge 2 to 3 days or freezer up to 4 months.
Unfrosted cookies freeze well for 3 months.
Use vegan friendly food coloring.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 149
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
More Such Recipes
If you want colorful summer treats, you can try Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars perfect for summer celebrations at https://kairecipes.com/patriotic-sugar-cookie-bars/.
If you want soft green treats, check out Soft and chewy Pistachio Pudding Cookies at https://kairecipes.com/pistachio-pudding-cookies/.
If you need a fast dessert, visit Easy No-Bake Cookies when you’re short on time at https://kairecipes.com/no-bake-cookies-easy-recipes/.
For festive bars, try Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Bars for festive flavor at https://kairecipes.com/red-white-and-blue-cheesecake-bars/.
Or for a cheerful cookie platter, enjoy 4th of July Sprinkle Cookies for a colorful cookie platter at https://kairecipes.com/4th-of-july-sprinkle-cookies/.
Final Thoughts
These vegan sugar cookies bring calm joy to a busy season. They feel easy, tender, and fun to decorate. Also, they travel well and freeze well, so you can prepare them ahead for any holiday moment. If you share your decorated cookies online, I would love to see them. You can find me on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/kai_recipes/ or on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/kairecipe/. And if you want more sweet ideas, feel free to browse my other vegan treats.