The Best Soft Vegan Sugar Cookies You’ll Love to Bake and Decorate
If you’ve been searching for the perfect vegan sugar cookie recipe that’s soft, buttery, and holds its shape for decorating, you’re in the right place. These cookies combine melt-in-your-mouth texture with easy-to-make vegan royal icing that lets you get creative with festive colors and sprinkles.
Whether you’re baking for holidays or anytime you want a sweet treat, this recipe has you covered with tips, tricks, and plenty of ways to customize your cookies for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Sugar Cookies
These aren’t just any vegan sugar cookies—they’re the kind that stay soft and hold their shape, making them perfect for rolling and cutting into all your favorite holiday shapes. The dough is easy to work with, thanks to a balanced blend of vegan butter, cornstarch, and just the right amount of flour, so you won’t end up with dry or crumbly cookies.
Topped with a homemade vegan royal icing that’s shiny and smooth, these cookies turn into little canvases for your decorating creativity. Plus, with over 200 five-star reviews, this recipe has proven it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Key Ingredients That Make These Cookies Perfect
- Vegan Butter: Using vegan butter sticks (like Miyoko’s) adds the rich, creamy texture crucial for soft cookies. Salted is preferred, but adjust your salt if you use unsalted.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient is a secret weapon that adds tenderness and creates that soft, almost shortbread-like crumb. You can substitute with tapioca starch or potato starch if you need to avoid corn.
- Flour: Proper measuring is key—spoon and level for the right dough consistency. The dough will be a little crumbly but soft to the touch, similar to play dough.
- Plant Milk: Soy, almond, or oat milk all work well; avoid water as it can affect texture.
- Extracts: Vanilla is classic, and a touch of almond extract adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- Baking Powder and Salt: Essential for a little lift and balanced flavor.
How to Make Vegan Sugar Cookies
Making these cookies is simple when you follow clear steps.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat the vegan butter until creamy and smooth using a mixer. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add plant milk, cornstarch, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing until fully incorporated. Scrape the bowl sides to mix evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle 1 cup flour, baking powder, and salt over the wet mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Add the remaining flour gradually until the dough is soft but firm enough to roll. If it feels too wet, add a bit more flour.
- Chill and Roll Out: Divide dough in half, roll each into a ball. On parchment paper lightly dusted with flour, roll dough to about 1/4 inch thickness between two sheets of parchment. Chill the rolled dough for at least 1 hour.
- Cut and Bake: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes, placing them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until edges start turning golden. Let cool completely before decorating.
Tips for Decorating Your Vegan Sugar Cookies
The vegan royal icing recipe in this guide mimics traditional royal icing’s look and shine without eggs, a technique that baking experts at King Arthur Baking have perfected using aquafaba. For best results, make the icing thick enough to outline cookies first, then thin it slightly to flood the center.
Color with vegan-friendly gels like Watkins or Chefmaster to get bright, bold festive hues. Use piping bags with fine tips for detailed designs and add sprinkles before the icing sets for easy decoration.
Don’t worry if you’re new to decorating—have fun and experiment with different colors and textures!
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Vegan Sugar Cookies
- Dough too sticky? Chill it longer or add a tablespoon of flour at a time until manageable.
- Cookies spreading too much? Make sure the dough is well chilled and don’t over-flour; also, avoid using too soft or melted vegan butter.
- Cookies too dry or crumbly? Check flour measurement techniques—too much flour causes dryness. Consider adding a bit more plant milk or reducing flour slightly.
- Icing too runny or thick? Adjust plant milk or powdered sugar incrementally until you reach the right consistency.
Having these tricks in your back pocket guarantees baking success and saves you stress, a process that many baking resources help demystify!
Flavor Variations to Try
Want to switch things up? Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a bright citrus twist, or a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for cozy spice notes.
Try substituting almond extract with peppermint extract for a festive flavor. For chocolate lovers, add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dough or dip finished cookies in vegan dark chocolate.
The possibilities are endless to tailor these cookies to your taste!
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Sugar Cookies
- Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling firms the dough for easier cutting and prevents spreading during baking. - Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Using a quality measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend works beautifully. - Are all food colorings vegan?
Not all. Look for vegan-certified brands like Watkins and Chefmaster gel colors. Always check labels. - Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?
Yes, you can freeze dough for up to 4 months and baked cookies for 3 months. Thaw dough in fridge overnight before rolling. - What if I don’t have cornstarch?
You can substitute tapioca or potato starch to maintain the tender texture.
More Delicious Vegan Cookie Recipes to Try
If you love these vegan sugar cookies, check out these other favorites for your holiday or anytime baking:
- Vegan Lofthouse Cookies with soft frosting layers
- Chocolate Peppermint Vegan Cookies for a winter treat
- Vegan Ginger Crinkle Cookies with a spicy kick
- Easy One-Bowl Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies that everyone loves
Each recipe offers unique textures, flavors, and decorating options to keep your vegan baking adventures exciting!
Conclusion
Soft, beautiful, and easy to personalize, these vegan sugar cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. With clear steps, helpful tips, and a shiny vegan royal icing, you have everything you need to delight friends and family this holiday season or whenever a sweet moment calls for a touch of joy.
Bake a batch, decorate with heart, and enjoy every bite!
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