Try these simple recipes for vegan Christmas cookies to put together a cookie tray that everyone at your gathering can enjoy together this year!
Baked goods are definitely the way to my heart. If you feel the same way, hopefully these bakery worthy cookie recipes will help you share the love with everyone at your gathering or cookie exchange this holiday season. Some of these recipes are even gluten-free on their own, and most of the other ones can easily be made gluten-free just by substituting a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Everyone deserves delightful cookies at Christmas time, no matter what their particular dietary needs are, and if you’re the kind person who brings the cookies that everyone can enjoy, you’ll definitely be very much appreciated. Here are some of my favorite vegan Christmas cookies that all your plant-based friends and family can enjoy along with everyone else.
Easy Vegan Christmas Cookies: Ginger Molasses Cookies
These ginger molasses cookies were my favorite cookie I made last year. They really just turn out to be picture-perfect every time and are a great substitute if you’re looking for a plant-based version of your favorite ginger molasses cookie recipe from Starbucks with their cinnamon and gingerbread flavored goodness.
Get the recipe: Ginger Molasses Cookies
Classic Vegan Shortbread Cookies
This basic plant-based shortbread recipe can be used to make an endless number of buttery shortbread variations, but it’s also perfect just as-is, and I would say it’s almost mandatory to make a simple, classic shortbread cookie cut out with cookie cutters a part of your Christmas cookie tray.
Get the recipe for these holiday cookies: Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Vegan Christmas Cookies: Pistachio Shortbread Variation
This pistachio shortbread is a lovely variation on the same shortbread cookie dough above. These cookies have a really elevated feel to them and are the best cookies for anyone who loves pistachios and nutty treats.
Get the recipe: Pistachio Shortbread Leaves
Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
Salted chocolate chip cookies are a bit of a sophisticated take on a yummy classic and they’re the best chocolate chip cookies for an extra fancy cookie tray. The pink Himalayan salt that I used for these is so pretty.
Get the recipe: Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ritz Cracker Bark
This Ritz cracker bark is a quick and easy addition that you can make to add to cookie trays or dessert buffets. No one can resist picking up just a little shard of this brown-sugar goodness when it’s put out in front of them.
Get the recipe: Ritz Cracker Bark (aka Crookies)
Cranberry Orange Shortbread
An oldie but a goodie, this cranberry orange shortbread is so pretty and festive looking and the bright flavours are such a nice break from other heavier festive treats.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Orange Shortbread
Chocolate-Dipped Candy Cane Shortbread
I’m a huge fan of candy-cane-flavoured anything so this chocolate-dipped shortbread is one of my personal favorites.
Get the recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
Healthy Vegan Christmas Cookies: 3 Ingredient Date Fudge
This healthy, 3-Ingredient fudge is a Creek Line neighborhood staple. Perfect any time of year, but why not at Christmas too?
Get the recipe: 3 Ingredient Date Fudge
Classic No-Bake Cookies
Just realized that I have not made these healthy no-bake cookies in forever! Such a quick and easy recipe and fun to make with kids! These are just the best chocolate cookies and you could definitely add some kind of holiday garnish before chilling them to make them extra Christmassy.
Get the recipe: Classic No-Bake Cookies
Cozy Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
We make pumpkin pie at Christmas time, so why not pumpkin cookies? These pumpkin snickerdoodles were a dairy-free favorite in our house this fall and would make a perfect addition to your Christmas cookie line-up.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Another comforting chocolate chip cookie variation that would fit right in on a beautiful plate of cookies if you want something a little different this year.
Get the recipe: Cakey Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies With Roasted Almonds
These are a truly gooey, indulgent addition to your cookie-baking plans and a necessity if you have any chocolate lovers who will be at your family gatherings this holiday season.
Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies With Roasted Almonds
Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies
This elevated take on a classic is absolutely delicious paired with a cup of “Christmas in Paris” tea, which has flavors of chocolate, mint, and lavender. Try it if you’re feeling a little extra fancy this year.
Get the recipe: Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Cardamom Fig Thumbrint Cookies
Try something a little more interesting with your traditional thumbprint cookies this year with these spiced cardamom fig thumbprints.
Get the recipe: Cardamom Fig Thumbprint Cookies
Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Don’t leave out the classics! It’s important to include the old favorites like these peanut butter cookies, which have been absolutely perfected in this recipe.
Get the recipe: Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Plant-Based Pecan Snowball Cookies
These vegan Christmas cookies are a plant-based version of traditional Mexican wedding cookies and they happen to look just like little snowballs. So pretty on a Christmas cookie plate.
Get the recipe: Vegan Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe
Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies
This is the ultimate shortbread variation if you love the flavor of peppermint. Crushed candy cane is sprinkled throughout these fun and festive biscuits.
Get the recipe: Candy Cane Shortbread
Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Make the perfect oatmeal cookie for all the plain cookie lovers in your life. These cookies have the perfect soft and chewy texture and a comforting, nostalgic flavor that they’ll go for.
Get the recipe: Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
The Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Of course you have to have a basic chocolate chip cookie on your holiday cookie tray this year. This one is plant-based, but it might also be the best you’ve ever tried.
Get the recipe: The Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and Chewy Sprinkle Vegan Christmas Cookies
These sprinkle cookies are a light-hearted and colorful sugar cookie addition to your dessert table. Decorate with a sprinkle color to match your decor, or go with classic red and green.
Get the recipe: Soft and Chewy Sprinkle Cookie Recipe
Most Popular Christmas Decorating Ideas of All Time
It can be fun to draw inspiration from past Christmas decorating ideas, whether they’re traditional ideas from long ago, or your own ideas from past years. Read on for some of our favorites that we’ve tested out over the years.
Get the ideas: Most Popular Christmas Decorating Ideas
12-Month Christmas Plan for a Stress-Free Christmas Next Year
This 12 month Christmas plan really works, and it works even if you do it completely imperfectly. By the end of the season last year, I was feeling fed-up and tired of always being unprepared when Christmas season arrived. I felt like I was getting a little better at the whole thing every year, but I was still feeling really behind, rushed, and overwhelmed by the whole Christmas season and every little detail that needed to be taken care of to make sure that everyone in the family has a magical season and creates happy memories. You too?
Get the plan: 12 Month Christmas Plan to Prepare for Next Year
Make Cooking Easier this Year with Slow Cooker Recipes for Christmas
Your Crock Pot can be your best friend when it comes to preparing for holiday meals. From mains to sides to desserts, there’s a way for you to make your life easier and more delicious with the help of your trusty slow cooker.
Get the recipes: Slow Cooker Recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Christmas Tree Decorations: Tricks for an Immediate Boost to Your Decor
I’m definitely no expert when it comes to Christmas tree decorations, but I’ve learned a few tips over the last few years that have really helped me to make my tree look a little more like those over-the-top, professionally decorated trees. The funny thing is that getting your tree to look really polished and thoughtfully decorated doesn’t need to be expensive at all. In fact, you can probably upgrade your Christmas tree game by reusing things that you already have but just using them in a different way.
Learn the tricks: Christmas Tree Decoration Tricks for an Immediate Boost to Your Decor
Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.