15 Of The Best Vegan Cookie Recipes for Christmas

I have literally made every one of these vegan cookie recipes for one Christmas or another – with huge success. And that’s why I’ve chosen to share these with you!

By Chere Di Boscio

Christmas baking should feel magical — the kitchen warm, the house fragrant, and the treats plentiful enough to share. But if you’re vegan (or baking for someone who is), finding festive cookies that taste just as nostalgic as the classics can feel like a challenge.

The good news? It’s never been easier. Whether you’re after the perfect vegan Christmas cookie recipe or hoping to find a gluten free Christmas cookie recipe the whole family will love, this roundup brings together 15 delicious, test-kitchen-approved favourites.

These vegan cookie recipes for Christmas not only make for delicious snacks, but they make great gifts, too! Just buy a lovely basket or tin to present them in. And of course, Santa would love a handful, too!

I’ve added links to some of the key ingredients to make shopping and sourcing easier for you.

Given all the chemicals, dyes, artificial flavourings and other toxins in most commercial cookies and cookie mixes, the best thing you can do for you and your family this season is make your own.

So go grab your mixing bowl — Christmas is going plant-based this year!

1. Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Soft in the centre with crisp edges, these gingery delights use molasses and warming spices. Decorate with vegan royal icing for a classic holiday look.

Suggested products:
• Organic molasses
• Gingerbread cookie cutters

2. Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sure, these are a year-round staple. But they’re made festive with dark chocolate chunks and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Optional: add orange zest or top with crushed candy canes for some Christmas sparkle!

Suggested products:
• Semi sweet chocolate chips
• Coconut sugar

3. Gluten-Free, Paleo Almond Snowballs

This is a delicious gluten free Christmas cookie recipe that melts in your mouth! Ground almonds, powdered sugar and a hint of vanilla create the dreamiest snow-dusted bite.

Suggested products:
• Organic vegan chocolate

4. Vegan Linzer Cookies

Yummy and European, these are delicate almond shortbreads sandwiched with raspberry jam. Use a star-shaped cutter for the most magical presentation.

Suggested products:
• Raspberry jam with no refined sugar
• Round + star Linzer cookie cutter set

5. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rich, flavourful and coated in snowy icing sugar. Peppermint extract adds that unmistakable Christmas coolness.

Suggested products:
• Peppermint extract
• Organic cocoa powder
• Powdered sugar

6. Gluten Free Vegan Shortbreads

Buttery without butter! These crumbly shortbread bars use plant based butter for the perfect melt-in-the-mouth texture. Get the kids to decorate them!

Suggested products:
• Vegan butter sticks
• Natural sprinkles and cookie decorations.

7. Gluten-Free Ginger Molasses Cookies

A soft-baked, fragrant gluten free Christmas cookie recipe that tastes just like the classic. Ideal for dunking in a hot cup of tea, coffee or chocolate!

Suggested products:
• Flax seed
• Blackstrap molasses
• Hand blender

8. Vegan Sugar Cookies

This dessert classic is perfect for decorating with kids! These roll-out sugar cookies hold their shape beautifully and pair well with colourful vegan icing.

Suggested products:
• Natural vegan food colouring
• Vegan sprinkles (no gelatin, no beeswax)
• Reusable piping bags

9. Vegan Chocolate-Dipped Orange Biscotti

Crisp, fragrant and perfect with coffee. Twice-baked biscotti made with olive oil and dipped in dark chocolate gives pure Italian-holiday energy.

Suggested products:
• Cold-pressed olive oil
• Dark vegan baking chocolate
• Organic oranges

10. Vegan Snickerdoodles

Who doesn’t love these soft, tangy, cinnamon-coated clouds? Cream of tartar gives them that signature chewy bite.

Suggested products:
• Cream of tartar
• Organic cinnamon

11. Gluten-Free Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

These are naturally studded with red and green for built-in Christmas cheer. Almond flour and pistachios keep them naturally gluten-free.

Suggested products:
• Dried cranberries (unsweetened)
• Shelled pistachios
• Almond flour

12. Vegan Thumbprint Cookies

Another Christmas classic! These are soft shortbread rounds filled with raspberry, apricot or blackberry jam. Kids love making the thumbprints!

Suggested products:
• Apricot, raspberry, or blackberry jam
• Vegan butter sticks
• Fine-ground almond meal

13. Chocolate Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies

Wondering how some of these vegan cookie recipes for Christmas will taste? Well, this one is just like Nutella between two buttery cookies. Tip: A little espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavour.

Suggested products:
• Vegan chocolate
• Coconut cream

14. Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies

Chewy, lightly spiced, and a nostalgic bakery favourite. My tip? Add chopped walnuts for extra crunch and a Christmas feel.

Suggested products:
• Gluten-free rolled oats
• Organic raisins

15. Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

One of the easiest gluten free Christmas cookie recipes! This features a chocolate-almond flour base topped with crushed candy canes and a drizzle of melted dark chocolate.

Suggested products:
• Vegan white chocolate
• Crushable vegan candy canes

FAQs About Vegan Christmas Cookies

Q: What are the best vegan Christmas cookie recipes?

A: The best vegan Christmas cookie recipes are those that use dairy-free butter, plant-based milks, and natural egg substitutes (like flax meal) without compromising flavour. Popular options include vegan gingerbread, vegan Linzer cookies, snickerdoodles, crunchy biscotti, and almond snowballs.

Q: Can vegan Christmas cookies be gluten-free?

A: Yes. Many festive cookies naturally adapt to gluten-free baking by using almond flour, oat flour, or a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Almond snowballs, pistachio cranberry cookies, and chocolate peppermint bark cookies are all easy gluten free Christmas cookie recipe options.

Q: What can I use instead of eggs in vegan cookie recipes for Christmas?

A: Common egg substitutes include flax eggs, chia eggs, mashed banana, applesauce, and commercial vegan egg replacers. For crisp cookies, flax eggs are most reliable; for soft cookies, applesauce adds moisture.

Q: How do I make vegan cookies taste buttery?

A: Use a high-quality vegan block butter (not margarine) designed for baking. Brands like Miyoko’s, Flora Plant, Naturli and Violife create a rich, buttery flavour and help cookies spread correctly.

Q: Why do gluten-free vegan cookies crumble?

A: Gluten-free cookies can crumble if the flour blend lacks binding agents. Adding almond flour, a touch of tapioca starch, or using xanthan gum (if not already in your blend) helps improve texture.

Q: Can I freeze these vegan cookie recipes for Christmas?

A: Absolutely. Most vegan cookies freeze beautifully for up to three months. Store them in airtight containers, thaw at room temperature, and refresh in a low oven if needed.

Q: What ingredients should I avoid to keep cookies fully vegan?

A: Skip butter, milk, eggs, honey, whey, casein, confectioner’s glaze, and non-vegan sprinkles. Always double-check chocolate chips, as many contain dairy.

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Chere Di Boscio

Chere has always loved writing, fashion and languages, and holds degrees in Psychology and Art, and postgraduate degree in Applied Linguistics and Education. Her long career in journalism spans several continents: she’s edited and written for prestigious fashion magazines in Toronto, Dubai, Paris, London and Buenos Aires, and also taught at the prestigious School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London for over a decade. Learn more about Chere’s extensive career on LinkedIn.

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