The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies
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Soft, vegan sugar cookies with crispy edges, for all your holiday needs. Have fun with different cookie cutters, easy icing and sprinkles of course!
After much trial and error, I finally have the perfect recipe for soft cut-out vegan sugar cookies. Seriously, these are the cookies of my dreams, and I think you will LOVE them!
They are easy to make and roll out. A little trick I learned is to roll the dough onto parchment paper before chilling in the refrigerator. This way, the cookie dough only needs to chill for about an hour before you can cut and bake! And you don’t have to roll out cookie dough that is crumbling everywhere. Easy peasy.
How to make perfect vegan sugar cookies:
First, make the dough, using just 1 bowl and either a standing mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer. Your cookie dough should be similar to the texture of play dough. It will be rather crumbly in the bowl, but not dry, and it should stick together when you use your hands to roll it into a ball. Once the dough is made, break it into two balls. Place one of the doughs onto parchment paper, on a hard surface.
Roll the dough out, about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle a little flour on top so the dough doesn’t stick to your rolling pin.
Place another piece of parchment paper on top of the first rolled dough.
Repeat with the second ball of dough (I usually do this right on top of the first rolled dough). Place another piece of parchment paper on top and carefully transfer the rolled dough to the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
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Remove the dough from the fridge, cut into desired shapes and bake for 8-10 minutes. They will look underdone, but firm up considerably as they cool. This is the key to soft sugar cookies. If you want them crispy, you could roll the dough thinner and cook them a bit longer, but I prefer them softer.
They will look like this when they come out of the oven. See how they don’t puff up a bunch or spread like some sugar cookie recipes do? Cookie perfection.
What’s the best way to decorate vegan sugar cookies?
So, let me tell you a little secret. I am not a natural decorator of sweets! I can bake, but the actual decorating of cookies or cakes is not really my thing, so I watched several videos and almost had a panic attack while decorating the cookies for these photos. 🙂 For real, it took me HOURS…
This video was incredibly helpful. So if you want to make really pretty sugar cookies, I recommend it! The trick is to outline the cookies first with a thicker icing, then flood the inside with a thinner icing, and carefully spread it to all the corners of the cookie.
I used Wilton Bags and decorating tips for this, which I highly recommend for all your cookie and cake decorating needs.
After icing, simply grab some food coloring, if desired, sprinkles of choice and have fun! My family has a tradition of making these cookies, and we usually just slap on some icing and have fun decorating. They don’t usually look quite so pretty, but they always taste amazing!
What food coloring is vegan?
Well this is quite a complicated topic. I’ve done A LOT of research on this online. Watkins brand is for sure vegan. From what I can tell, several of Wilton brand are vegan, such as the gel based color. I found a few at my local craft store, and carefully read the ingredients before buying. If you don’t want to use food coloring, you can also make your own, or just go with white frosting.
Want more Christmas Cookies?
Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Perfect Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies
- 3/4 cup vegan butter (earth balance preferred), slightly softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but so good)
- 2-2 1/4 cups all purpose flour, divided (correctly measured)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Easy Icing
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup (can omit, but it makes the icing very shiny)
- 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
Sugar Cookies
- In a large bowl either using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the vegan butter for about 1 minute until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and light.
- Now add in the almond milk, cornstarch, vanilla and almond extract (if using). Beat on high until it is all fully combined, about 1 minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add 1 cup of the flour to the wet mixture. Sprinkle the baking powder and salt on top of the flour. Mix on low speed, until just combined. Now add 1 more cup of the flour and continue to mix on low until just combined; don't over mix. The dough should feel similar to play dough when you work it in your hands, but it will look crumbly in the bowl. If it seems too wet for rolling, add another 1/4 cup of flour. You want the dough to be thick, but not dry. I always use the full 2 1/4 cups of flour. If the dough is too wet, your cookies will spread.
- Using a spatula, scoop all of the dough out of the bowl; use your hands if needed to push it all together. Divide the dough in half and roll into two balls.
- On a flat surface, add a sheet of parchment paper. Sprinkle a little flour on it, then add half the dough. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough, and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top. Repeat for the second ball of dough, and then stack them with parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Once the dough has been chilled, set it on the counter for 10 minutes while the oven is preheating to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Continue re-rolling the dough until it is all used.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, in the middle rack of the oven, until very lightly colored on top and around the edges. They will appear underdone, but they will firm up considerably as they cool. Let them cool for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely before icing.
Easy Icing
- Whisk all icing ingredients in a bowl. If it seems too thick, add a little more almond milk. It should be smooth, glossy and not runny. If too runny, add more powdered sugar. You can dip the cookies in the icing, or use brushes, spoons or a squeeze bottle. See this helpful video on how to decorate sugar cookies with icing.
- *If you want really pretty cookies, first make the icing thicker, by using only 1 tablespoon of almond milk. Using a decorating tip, outline the cookies with the thicker icing. Then add a little more milk to thin it and flood the inside with icing. This way the icing doesn't spill over the cookie edges.
- Decorate with sprinkles as desired. The icing will take several hours to harden completely. The cookies will stay soft for about 5 days at room temperature.
Notes
- Try to get the earth balance sticks if you can; they are easier to bake with. Results will vary with other brands of vegan butter.
- Almond extract is optional but it adds a very good flavor to both the cookies and the icing, so use it if you can.
- To correctly measure flour, make sure to spoon and level by scooping the flour into the measuring cup with a spoon and level it off with the back of a knife. If you don't correctly measure the flour, you can end up with way too much flour and the dough will be dry!
- If you aren't comfortable using corn syrup, you may omit it. I rarely use it, but it makes cookie icing pretty and shiny and it's just 1 tablespoon.
- Baked sugar cookies freeze well, but don't freeze them once frosted.
Nutrition
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516 Comments on “The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies”
Hi
Can I sub almond milk for soy in the recipe? Thank you
Yes, that works.
How would these keep if I shipped them in a well- padded package? Would they stay moist and be ok at room temperature for a few days?
Yes, they ship quite well!
These are delicious!! I used them to make mini fruit pizzas. Such a great recipe!
What a great idea! I’m so glad you loved the cookies! Thank you for sharing your review and ideas!
Amazing!!!! You must try. I did put them in the oven for a few more minutes than it said, but it was worth it. The cookies turned out soft and fluffy, and it had an amazing flavor.
Thanks for sharing your review and comments! I’m glad you loved the sugar cookies!
I believe I successfully substituted unrefined coconut oil for the vegan butter. The cookies were delicious with a shortbread texture. Had to add about 5-8 minutes to the cook time. Super impressed with the end product considering they’re vegan. I don’t think my meat-and-potatoes spouse would have noticed had I not told him.
Thanks for sharing your comments, Laurie! I’m glad you liked the cookies!
I made them with the earth balance butter but next time could I substitute the butter with coconut oil? Other than that, this is a very good recipe. My friends ate them all up when I served them at a party.
I haven’t tried them with coconut oil but I don’t think it would work well. Coconut oil will be less stable and make the cookies flat I’m afraid.
Made these yesterday and are they ever good. Ate a few before I even decorated them so now to make them again and refrain from eating most of them. Thank you for the recipe. Did it exactly as written YUMMY
Thank you for sharing your comments, Irene! Glad you love the cookies! They are so good plain!
I really like ur sugar cookies Nora, and I was wondering if u had a vegan chocolate sugar cookies too, if not try and make one? (please)
Thanks so much! I have had several requests for chocolate sugar cookies, I will add it to my list. I don’t think it would be too hard to adjust this recipe, perhaps adding 1/2 cup cocoa for 1/2 cup of flour? I’m not sure, but I’ll test it out!
Definitely the best vegan roll out cookies I ever made. They looked and tasted delicious.
Thanks Joanne, for sharing your wonderful review! I’m glad you love the sugar cookies!
These cookies came out perfect. They have a smooth surface, held their shape, were crunch on the outside and soft and buttery in the center! They were antastic for making my vegan daughter in law’s baby shower decorated cookies. Thank you for your recipe sharing!
How fun these were made for a baby shower! I love it! Thank you for sharing your comments, Tammy! I’m glad the sugar cookies were perfect for you!
Hello!
Can you use oat milk?
Yes. Enjoy!
These are so good! I make them big, about 3 inch circles and get 15 big cookies. They get rave reviews from everyone who tries them. Great recipe!
Those sound like wonderful and fun cookies, Kristin! Thank you for taking time to share your review!
I’m so sad. This is the first recipe of yours that didn’t work for me (and I’ve tried and loved many). I took my rolled dough out of the fridge and when I tried to separate the layers, both cracked and crumbled.
Hi Sarah! I’m sorry to hear they cookies gave you trouble. It sounds like the dough was possibly too dry. I don’t do this, but if it was sticking to the parchment paper, you could try spraying oil in between the layers. But like I said, it never sticks very much for me. Cracking and crumbling dough usually means too dry, so measure the flour carefully next time and if it seems too dry, add just a touch of almond/soy milk.
Can you use soy milk instead of almond milk?
Yes, that’s fine to do.
4 year old loves them, thanks! We used almond flour & coconut sugar, & melted butter instead of softened (only bc I didn’t read directions properly) and worked great. 🙂
I’m so glad they worked out well for you, thank you!
Would these work for spiral cookies? I want to make matcha swirl sugar cookies; could I reduce the flour by a tablespoon or two in half the dough and supplement with matcha?
I’ve never tried it, but I bet it would work yes!
So in everything I have read, refined sugar, (granulated and powdered) are not vegan. I’m not vegan but making cookies for vegans. How is this a vegan recipe?
Some white sugar is processed with animal bones, but plenty of sugar brands are perfectly vegan friendly and vegans can absolutely eat sugar. It depends on where you live in the world, but in the U.S. as long as you buy organic sugar it’s not processed with animal bones and is therefore vegan. So I just buy organic to make things easy. 🙂 You can see this article here for more information.
Can I use real butter
I believe it would work the same, yes.
These turned out very well and very tasty. I didn’t bother icing them. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks a lot for sharing your review, Jessica! Glad the cookies are delicious for you!
I made these today. Are use 2 1/4 cups of flour and it’s dry. I added two more tablespoons of almond milk. It’s still dry. What can I do?
It sounds like you scooped too much flour to begin with. You have to make sure and measure correctly to avoid this problem. I spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off with a knife. But for now, you can add more almond milk until it is rollable. But don’t make it too wet or the cookies will be flat when they bake.
I’ve made these over and over. They are absolutely perfect! I have a tough question – if one wanted to make these chocolate sugar cookies, how might one do that? I wish I had the expertise to figure this out myself!
I haven’t tried it, so I’m not sure, but you might be able to sub 1/4 cup of the flour with cocoa powder. But I’d have to test it to know for sure! Thank you so much.
I tried it out replacing 1/4 cup of flour with cocoa powder, and it worked like a charm! Thank you for the help!
Great to know, thank you!
Making these today! After baking how long do they stay good for?
Hope you love them! They stay good at room temperature for up to 5 days. I would keep them in a covered container though, once the icing hardens that is.
I made these cookies and my family and I all decorated them as a Valentines Day activity during this pandemic. It was so delicious!! The only substitution I made was using soy milk instead of almond milk, and it came out perfectly fine 🙂 The entire family loves these cookies and I’m definitely making them again for my sisters birthday <3
Hi Flo. What a fun activity for the family! I’m glad they turned out delicious! I appreciate you taking your time to share your kind review. Thank you!