Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipe Ideas for Festive Baking

Updated On: October 3, 2025

The holiday season is the perfect time to fill your kitchen with the warm aromas of freshly baked cookies, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of delicious vegan Christmas cookies? Whether you’re vegan or simply looking to try something new and wholesome, this recipe offers a festive twist on classic holiday treats without any animal products.

These cookies are not only easy to make but also packed with flavor, texture, and the nostalgic spices that make Christmas baking so special. From the first bite, you’ll appreciate the soft, chewy texture paired with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, making them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie platter.

What’s more, these cookies are a hit with everyone — vegan or not — and can be customized with your favorite mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit. So, gather your ingredients, invite your loved ones to join, and get ready to create some holiday magic in your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan Christmas cookie recipe is a wonderful mix of tradition and plant-based goodness. Here’s why it stands out:

  • Simple and accessible ingredients: No exotic or hard-to-find items here, just pantry staples.
  • Perfect texture: Soft yet slightly chewy, just like your favorite holiday cookie should be.
  • Free from eggs and dairy: Ideal for vegans and those with allergies or intolerances.
  • Customizable: Easily adaptable with nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.
  • Festive flavors: Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bring that classic Christmas spirit.

Plus, these cookies freeze well, so you can bake ahead and enjoy them all season long!

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (acts as an egg replacer)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (medium and large)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
  • Cooling rack
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps distribute the spices evenly throughout the dough.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and applesauce. Use an electric mixer or whisk to beat these ingredients until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the vanilla extract to the wet ingredients and mix to combine.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
  6. Fold in the chopped nuts and/or vegan chocolate chips if using. These add texture and bursts of flavor but can be omitted for a simpler cookie.
  7. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Remember, the cookies will firm up as they cool.
  9. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. Enjoy your vegan Christmas cookies fresh or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Tips & Variations

“For extra festive flair, try decorating your cookies with vegan icing or a dusting of powdered sugar.”

  • Make them gluten-free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
  • Add dried fruit: Toss in ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins for a chewy, sweet addition.
  • Use maple syrup instead of sugar: For a natural sweetener twist, replace the sugars with ¾ cup maple syrup and reduce the coconut oil by 2 tablespoons.
  • Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger for a deeper holiday spice flavor.
  • Decorate: After cooling, drizzle with vegan white chocolate or spread a layer of your favorite vegan jam between two cookies for sandwich-style treats.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Cookie (approx. 24 cookies)
Calories 140 kcal
Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Carbohydrates 19 g
Fiber 1 g
Sugar 10 g
Protein 1 g
Sodium 90 mg

Serving Suggestions

These vegan Christmas cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of plant-based milk or your favorite holiday tea. For a festive touch, serve them on a decorative platter surrounded by fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, or sprigs of rosemary.

You can also place a few cookies in a cute holiday-themed tin or cellophane bag tied with a ribbon to give as thoughtful vegan gifts to friends, family, or colleagues.

For dessert, try pairing these cookies with a scoop of vegan soft serve or alongside a slice of Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious for a full festive experience.

Conclusion

Making the holidays bright and delicious doesn’t have to be complicated, and this vegan Christmas cookie recipe proves just that. Easy to prepare, loaded with festive spices, and completely free of animal products, these cookies are perfect for sharing joy with everyone around your table.

Whether you’re baking for a vegan friend or simply want to try a healthier twist on traditional treats, this recipe delivers on flavor and texture every time. Plus, with so many ways to customize and decorate, the creative possibilities are endless.

Don’t forget to explore more wholesome plant-based recipes to complement your holiday spread, like the savory delights found in Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals or the comforting breads you can make with the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Happy baking and happy holidays!

📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipe

Description: Delicious and festive vegan cookies perfect for the holiday season. Easy to make with simple plant-based ingredients.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT12M
Total Time: PT27M

Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegan butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, cream vegan butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
  3. Mix in applesauce and vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
  6. Fold in vegan chocolate chips.
  7. Scoop dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
  9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition: Calories: 150 kcal | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 7 g | Carbs: 22 g

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Marta K

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