Vegan and Bright: Holiday Cookies Every Grinch Will Love
The holidays bring classic movies like Elf, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and The Holiday back into the rotation, but do you know the most important thing they bring??? A sweet treat! Cookies are a staple this holiday season, and who’s to say that Santa hasn’t adopted a plant-based diet? It's the time to enjoy this season of giving, so why not give plant-based cookies a try? I assure you, they’ll be just as festive and taste just as good. You can even bring them to the Grinch in your life and watch as their heart grows three sizes with just one bite!
The Essentials of Plant-Based Cookie Baking
Egg Replacements
Eggs are often used as a binder in cookie recipes, but many plant-based alternatives work just as well. Flaxseed meal or chia seeds mixed with water create a gel-like consistency perfect for chewy cookies. Unsweetened applesauce and mashed bananas also serve as excellent binders while adding natural sweetness.
Butter Substitutes
Butter provides richness and structure. Plant-based options like coconut oil, vegan butter, or even nut butter can replicate these qualities just as deliciously. Coconut oil, for instance, adds a subtle nuttiness that complements holiday spices, while almond butter can bring a delightful depth to cookies like thumbprints or chocolate chip.
Milk Alternatives
Almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can easily replace dairy milk in cookie recipes. They maintain the same consistency while allowing for flavor customization—oat milk’s creaminess, for example, pairs wonderfully with chocolate.
Holiday Favorites Made Plant-Based
1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies
Nothing says holidays like the spicy warmth of gingerbread cookies. Use a mix of molasses, brown sugar, and coconut oil for a rich dough. Replace eggs with a flaxseed egg and ensure your spices: ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are the stars of the show. These cookies are perfect for cutting into festive shapes and decorating with plant-based royal icing made with aquafaba (chickpea water).
2. Thumbprint Cookies
These bite-sized delights are as easy as they are beautiful. A simple dough made from almond flour, coconut oil, and maple syrup serves as the base. Press your thumb into the center of each cookie and fill it with a dollop of fruit preserves for a yummalicious finish.
3. Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
Rich and fudgy, these cookies bring together the classic holiday combo of chocolate and peppermint. Use cocoa powder, vegan chocolate chips, and a hint of peppermint extract. A dusting of powdered sugar before baking creates a snow-dusted look.
Tips for Success
Chill Your Dough: Many plant-based cookie doughs benefit from chilling, which helps them hold their shape during baking. This can also help them from spreading too much in the oven.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can make cookies tough. Stir the ingredients until just combined for tender results.
Experiment with Flavors: Add spices, zests, or extracts to elevate your cookies. Orange zest in shortbread or almond extract in sugar cookies can make all the difference.
Share the Joy
The holidays are all about sharing, and plant-based cookies are a wonderful way to spread joy and inclusivity. Whether you're serving them at a party or gifting a tin to a friend, these treats are guaranteed to bring smiles—and maybe even inspire others to embrace plant-based baking.
So, preheat that oven, grab your favorite apron, and let the aroma of freshly baked cookies fill your home. Happy holidays and happy baking!