Description
Soft, buttery, and completely dairy-free, these vegan sugar cookies are perfect for Christmas. Easy to roll, cut, and decorate with creamy icing.
Ingredients
3/4 cup vegan butter, slightly softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk (soy, almond, or oat)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 to 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional, for shine)
1–2 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk
Instructions
1. Beat vegan butter until creamy, then 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 until just combined.
4. Add another cup of flour and mix again; dough should resemble play dough but may look crumbly.
5. If needed, add remaining 1/4 cup flour to prevent stickiness.
6. Form dough into two balls. Roll each ball between parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Chill dough for at least 1 hour.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F.
9. Cut chilled dough into shapes and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
10. Re-roll scraps as needed.
11. Bake for 8–10 minutes until slightly golden.
12. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
13. For icing, mix all ingredients until smooth and glossy.
14. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.
15. Decorate cookies and let icing harden for several hours.
Notes
Use vegan butter sticks for better baking results; salted butter is preferred, or add a pinch of salt if using unsalted.
Almond extract enhances flavor but is optional.
Measure flour by spooning and leveling to avoid dry dough.
Corn syrup in icing is optional but improves shine.
Baked cookies and raw dough can be frozen.
Icing thickens when using less milk and thins with more; outline cookies with thicker icing, then flood with thinned icing.
Cookies remain soft for up to 5 days at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (includes chilling)
- Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Dessert Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 149
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg