Are you a vegan struggling to satisfy your sweet tooth? Or maybe you’re just looking for some tasty, healthier alternatives to traditional cookies? Either way, we’ve got you covered with a collection of delicious vegan cookie recipes. From classic chocolate chip to more unique flavor combinations, these vegan treats are sure to satisfy any craving. So get your baking gear ready and let’s whip up some delicious cookies!
What are Vegan Cookies?
Vegan cookies are a type of cookie that is made without any animal products. This means that they do not contain any dairy, eggs, or any other animal-derived ingredients. Instead, they are made with plant-based ingredients such as nut milk, nut butter, coconut oil, and various types of flour.
People choose to make vegan cookies for a variety of reasons. Some people follow a vegan diet for ethical reasons, where they choose not to consume any animal products or by-products. Others may have dietary restrictions, such as a dairy or egg allergy, and choose to make vegan cookies as a way to indulge in a sweet treat without causing any adverse reactions.
Another reason people opt for vegan cookies is for health reasons. Plant-based ingredients tend to be lower in saturated fats and cholesterol than animal-derived ingredients, making vegan cookies a healthier alternative to traditional cookies.
When it comes to taste, vegan cookies can differ from traditional cookies. Since they are made with different ingredients, the texture and flavor can vary. Some vegan cookies may be denser or have a distinct nutty flavor. However, with the right ingredients and recipe, vegan cookies can be just as delicious and satisfying as traditional cookies.
Popular Types of Vegan Cookies
Being vegan doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to give up on your favorite cookies. In fact, there are several vegan cookie recipes that taste just as delicious as the non-vegan alternatives. Here are some of the most popular types of vegan cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth:
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of the most loved cookie flavors of all times- chocolate chip cookies are easy to turn vegan. Replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil and use any vegan chocolate chips available in the market. The recipe consists of simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, maple syrup, vanilla essence, and chocolate chips. Bake them and enjoy a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie in no time!
2. Peanut Butter Cookies
If you’re a fan of Reese’s peanut butter cups, you won’t be disappointed with these vegan peanut butter cookies. The star ingredient is peanut butter of course- creamy, chunky- whichever you prefer, plus sugar, flour, vegan butter, vanilla essence, and non-dairy milk to adjust the consistency. Make sure to refrigerate the dough before baking for 20-30 minutes as it makes the cookies crispier and chewier.
3. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies can be a healthy treat option as they contain oats which are a great source of fiber. To make vegan oatmeal raisin cookies, replace the egg with flax eggs or mashed ripe bananas, and use vegan butter. Add some raisins, cinnamon, and vanilla essence for extra flavor. They’re easy, tasty, and perfect for breakfast or snack time.
4. Sugar Cookies
These simple, sweet, and delicious sugar cookies can be made vegan-friendly by substituting eggs with applesauce or flax eggs, and use vegan butter instead of dairy butter. The recipe calls for flour, powdered sugar, vanilla essence, salt, and almond milk. Cut them into different shapes using cookie cutters and decorate them with colored sugar or sprinkles. These are perfect for any occasion- birthdays, Christmas, or Valentine’s day.
5. Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are buttery, crumbly, and irresistible. To make them vegan, all you need is vegan butter, flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla essence. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and cutting them into shapes. These are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients for Vegan Cookies
If you’re interested in baking vegan cookies, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with a few key ingredients that substitute for traditional baking ingredients like butter, milk, and eggs. Here are a few essential ingredients you’ll want to have in your pantry before you embark on your vegan cookie-baking journey:
Non-dairy milk
Many vegan cookie recipes call for non-dairy milk as a substitute for regular cow’s milk. Some popular non-dairy milk options include almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. When you’re choosing a non-dairy milk to use in your recipe, make sure to select an unsweetened variety. Also, keep in mind that different types of non-dairy milk can have different flavors and consistencies, so it’s a good idea to experiment a bit and find the one that works best for your recipe.
Vegan margarine
Vegan margarine is a great substitute for butter in vegan cookies. There are several brands of vegan margarine available at most grocery stores, and they’re typically labeled as such. When you’re choosing a vegan margarine to use in your recipe, make sure to select a variety that has a high fat content, as this will help ensure that your cookies come out rich and delicious.
Egg substitutes
There are several vegan egg substitutes available that work well in vegan cookie recipes. Some popular options include applesauce, mashed bananas, silken tofu, and ground flaxseed mixed with water. When you’re choosing an egg substitute to use in your recipe, it’s important to keep in mind that different substitutes can have different effects on the texture and consistency of your cookies. For example, if you use applesauce as a substitute, your cookies may come out a bit softer than if you use mashed bananas. Experiment with different egg substitutes to find the one that works best for your recipe.
| Non-dairy milk | Vegan Margarine | Egg substitutes |
|---|---|---|
| Almond milk | Vegan buttery sticks | Applesauce |
| Soy milk | Melt Organic | Mashed bananas |
| Oat milk | Earth Balance | Silken Tofu |
| Coconut milk | Miyoko’s Creamery | Ground flaxseed mixed with water |
Having these ingredients in your pantry will ensure that you’re well-prepared to tackle any vegan cookie recipe that comes your way. Remember to have fun and experiment with different ingredients and flavors to find the combinations that you love the most. Happy baking!
Baking Tips for Vegan Cookies
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, baking vegan cookies can be a breeze. With a few tips and tricks, you can avoid the pitfalls that come with baking vegan and create delicious, chewy cookies that are sure to impress.
Use the Right Ingredients
When it comes to baking vegan cookies, it’s essential to use the right ingredients. Make sure to use high-quality flour that’s suitable for baking. Wheat flour is a great option but can be substituted for other gluten-free flours such as almond flour. You can also use vegan substitutes for eggs such as chia seeds or flaxseed, mashed bananas, or applesauce. Make sure to read the recipe carefully and use the recommended substitute for the eggs called for.
Another important ingredient to use is a vegan butter substitute. Vegan butter can have a significant impact on the taste and texture of your cookies. Coconut oil or shortening can be used as a butter substitute. However, they tend to melt faster than vegan butter. If you’re using coconut oil, make sure to chill your dough to prevent it from spreading too much while baking.
Measure Ingredients Properly
Precision is key when measuring ingredients for your vegan cookie recipes. Make sure to use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements. When measuring dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, spoon the ingredients into the measuring cup and level off with a knife for accuracy. For liquid ingredients, use a measuring cup with markings to ensure the right amount is used.
Mix the Dough Properly
The consistency of your dough is crucial when it comes to baking vegan cookies. Make sure to mix the dough until all the ingredients are combined thoroughly. Overmixing can lead to a tough cookie, while undermixing can result in a crumbly cookie. Adding too much flour can also result in a dry cookie. For chewier cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before baking. Chilling the dough can prevent it from spreading too much during baking.
Adjust Recipes as Needed
Every recipe may be different, and every baker has unique preferences. If you find that the recipe you’re using is too sweet or salty, feel free to adjust the recipe accordingly. You can add less of a sweetener such as sugar or maple syrup or add more to taste. You can also adjust the amount of salt in the recipe to suit your taste.
Baking vegan cookies can be fun and easy with these simple tips. Remember to use the right ingredients, measure ingredients accurately, mix the dough properly, and adjust recipes as needed to achieve the perfect vegan cookies every time. By following these simple tips, you can bake the perfect vegan cookies every time, sure to impress your friends and loved ones.
Vegan Cookie Recipes to Try
If you’re tired of the same old chocolate chip cookies, give these mouth-watering vegan cookie recipes a try! These treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while sticking to a plant-based diet.
1. Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat vegan butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until creamy. Add flax eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in raisins.
- Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before serving.
2. Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat vegan butter, peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract together until creamy.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten with a fork to create a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before serving.
3. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat vegan butter, white sugar, brown sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract together until creamy.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in vegan chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before serving.
4. Vegan Almond Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy almond butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat vegan butter, almond butter, white sugar, brown sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract together until creamy.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten with a fork to create a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before serving.
5. Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat vegan butter, white sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest together until creamy. Add flax egg and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in poppy seeds.
- Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before serving.
Vegan Cookies for Special Occasions
Going vegan doesn’t mean giving up tasty treats, especially when it comes to cookies. Whether it’s for a holiday gathering, a birthday celebration, or any other special occasion, there are plenty of vegan cookie recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are some must-try recipes:
Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are a classic treat for any occasion, and this vegan version is just as delicious as the traditional recipe. To make vegan sugar cookies, you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat the vegan butter and sugar together until creamy. Mix in the almond milk and vanilla extract. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until combined. Roll the dough into balls and place them on the baking sheet. Flatten the balls with your fingers. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat that can easily be made vegan. To make vegan gingerbread cookies, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, cream together the vegan butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses and almond milk. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until combined. Roll the dough out on a flour-dusted surface and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the shapes on the baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Pumpkin spice isn’t just for lattes – it’s also a delicious flavor for cookies. To make vegan pumpkin spice cookies, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, cream together the vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until combined. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and flatten with your fingers. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Vegan Cookies FAQs
Vegan cookies are a delicious alternative to traditional cookies. They are egg-free and dairy-free and use plant-based ingredients. Here are some frequently asked questions about vegan cookies.
Vegan cookies can last up to a week if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to extend the shelf life, you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to three months.
The best way to store vegan cookies is by keeping them in an airtight container. This helps prevent air and moisture from getting in, which can cause the cookies to go stale quickly. You can also layer the cookies with wax or parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Veganizing traditional cookie recipes is easier than you might think. There are many substitutes that you can use in place of butter, eggs, and milk, such as coconut oil, applesauce, and nut milk. You can also use things like aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) or flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water) to replace eggs in recipes.
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Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies: Make a vegan version of the classic chocolate chip cookie using vegan butter, non-dairy milk, and vegan chocolate chips.
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Peanut Butter Cookies: These peanut butter cookies are made with just six ingredients and are vegan-friendly.
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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: These vegan oatmeal raisin cookies are chewy and delicious, and they use applesauce and non-dairy milk to replace the usual ingredients.
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Snickerdoodles: These vegan snickerdoodles are soft and cinnamon-y and use vegan butter and non-dairy milk instead of the traditional ingredients.
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Ginger Snaps: Make a vegan version of the classic ginger snap cookie using vegan butter and molasses.
Yes, you can make vegan cookies that are also gluten-free. Just replace any flour in the recipe with a gluten-free flour blend, such as almond flour, coconut flour, or rice flour.
Vegan cookies are different from regular cookies because they do not contain animal products like eggs and butter. Instead, they use plant-based substitutes, which can change the texture and flavor slightly. However, they can still be just as delicious and satisfying as regular cookies!
Thanks for Stopping By!
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