Given how many people are going dairy-free these days, you might want to bookmark this list of vegan Christmas cookies.
After all, the holidays are a time for giving. So why not whip up a batch of dairy-free treats for your friends and family?
30 Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipes
The last thing you’ll want is for someone to feel left out because they can’t enjoy any of your delicious treats!
The best thing about these cookies is that they’re super-inclusive. And I’ll bet most people won’t even know they’re dairy-free.
A few are also gluten-free, so you won’t need to worry about making different cookies for each dietary restriction.
Happy Holidays!
1. Fun & Easy Vegan Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Gingerbread cookies are quintessential Christmas cookies. They’re dark, tender, and wonderfully spiced.
And since they’ll get most of that color and texture from molasses, making them vegan is pretty easy.
2. Vegan Christmas Cookies with Pistachio and Cranberries
Many Christmas treats are dark and spicy, with lots of intense flavors. But I often prefer something a more colorful.
And it doesn’t get more colorful than these tender vegan shortbread cookies!
They’re loaded with chewy red cranberries and buttery pistachios. And they’re ideal for holiday parties.
3. Vegan Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are a must for every Christmas cookie box. They’re delicate, sweet, and bursting with tangy raspberry goodness.
Like any good shortbread recipe, all you need are a few ingredients and a soft touch.
Be gentle with the dough, and these babies will come out crazy-tender.
4. Vegan Christmas Cookies
As much as I love making new and fun cookies during the festive season, you really can’t beat a thick and chewy chocolate chip cookie.
This vegan recipe takes it a step further, adding lots of red and green M&Ms to achieve that wow factor.
5. Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double chocolate chip cookies are indulgent, fudgy, and bursting with ooey-gooey chocolate chunks.
Believe it or not, they’re also crazy-easy to make dairy-free. The key is to use vegan butter (or coconut oil) and ensure the chocolate is vegan-approved.
Most dark chocolate is, but milk chocolate is obviously off-limits.
6. Vegan Cranberry Orange Pinwheel Cookies
Pinwheels are so fun! Yes, they take a bit of extra time to make, but come on! They’re more than worth it, right?
These bad boys use jam for the color, so you only need to make one batch of dough.
Just be sure to let the log chill before slicing and baking.
7. Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
Meltaway cookies are, by design, ridiculously crumbly and sweet. One bite and the cookie softens in your mouth, leaving nothing but buttery goodness.
And, in this case, fresh peppermint, too.
The candy canes are optional, but they’ll boost the flavor and add a pop of fun color.
8. Vegan Sugar Cookies
I love decorating sugar cookies. It’s such a terrific activity to keep the kids busy while you get dinner ready.
This dairy-free recipe is every bit as sweet as standard sugar cookie dough.
Bake until the edges are golden and the center is pale. They’ll firm up as they cool, so you can decorate without worrying about any breakages.
9. Cinnamon Stars
These cinnamon stars are super popular in Germany, and for good reason. They’re crisp, naturally gluten-free, and effortless to decorate.
Between the ground hazelnuts and almonds, these are pleasantly nutty with just a hint of cinnamon spice. Yum!
10. Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Sugar cookies are great, but I much prefer the richness of shortbread. Plus, it only needs three ingredients and is (almost) always egg-free.
With all the new vegan butters available these days, you won’t have any trouble whipping up a batch of these vegan shortbread cookies.
11. Vanilla Crescent Cookies
Here’s another traditional German holiday cookie, and it’s just as nutty and scrumptious as the ones above.
They’ll take a little more time to roll and shape, but it’s more than worth it. Dust the whole plate with powdered sugar and get ready to dig in.
12. Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are ideal for the holidays. Not only are they straightforward, but you can make them into a variety of flavors.
Use everything from raspberry jam and vegan lemon curd to caramel and chocolate ganache.
One batch of dough can give you a whole slew of colorful and tasty treats.
13. Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
If you want cookies that will stand out in a crowd, these chocolate hazelnut cookies are for you.
They’re so thick and chewy, you’ll have a hard time stopping at just one.
And with all those crunchy nuts on top, I’ll bet your family and friends will feel the same way.
Did I mention they’re sugar-free? I won’t tell if you don’t!
14. Vegan No-Bake Cookies
I know these don’t look especially festive, but they’re quick, easy, and always a hit.
Better yet, they’re insanely versatile.
Add some vegan sprinkles and fun Christmassy extras, and they’re ready for any holiday party.
15. Gluten-Free Spritz Cookies
If you need to make a massive batch of vegan Christmas cookies in a rush, these spritz cookies are ideal.
They’re mildly flavored, so you know everyone will enjoy them. And you can add whatever glaze you like to jazz them up.
With the right cookie press, you’ll have as many as 14 different shapes and sizes in minutes.
16. Vegan Snowball Cookies
You might also know these as Mexican wedding cookies, but either way, they’re buttery, crumbly, and extra festive.
Loaded with ground pecans, they’re also nutty and tender.
But unlike the crinkle cookies below, they won’t get rolled in powdered sugar until after they’re baked and cooled.
17. Raw Vegan Gingerbread Christmas Cookies
Cookie sandwiches take a little longer to make, and you need more dough (since you’ll sandwich two together to make one cookie).
But you can’t deny they look incredible!
The filling is a blend of cashews with nut milk. But you could easily change that up with dark chocolate and coconut milk ganache!
18. Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
As you might’ve guessed, these almond flour cookies are gluten-free as well as dairy-free.
Using almond flour is a terrific way to make gluten-free cookies because they add natural oils to the dough, keeping them nice and tender.
If you’re not a fan of matcha, try making a simple berry glaze using berry juice (from thawed frozen berries) mixed with powdered sugar and a dash of lemon juice.
19. Vegan Peppermint Bark Cookies
I’m a huge fan of peppermint bark. But it can get a little boring.
Not anymore! Thanks to these cookies, you get the best of both worlds. That’s creamy and crunchy all in one bite.
20. Vegan Snickerdoodles
Chewy, spiced, and super-rich, these cinnamon cookies are a thing of beauty.
They’re gluten-free, too, and loaded with nutty almonds. The only thing missing is a simple glaze.
21. Triple Chocolate Pistachio Cookies
I eat pistachios year-round, but their green hue makes them the best choice for Christmas baking.
Between the chocolate fudge protein powder and applesauce, these might just be the healthiest cookies on the list.
22. Amazing Chewy Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal cookies should be thick, fluffy, chewy, and loaded with raisins. These cookies are all that and then some.
You’ll use oat flour to make them gluten-free and flaxseed in place of any eggs.
Toss in some raisins (or dried cranberries), and they’re good to go.
23. Salted Caramel & Pecan Vegan Shortbread Bars
As far as vegan Christmas treats go, this takes the cake. Or should I say cookie?
They’re buttery, sweet, and oh-so-sweet. And let’s not forget the pecans and kick of salt from the caramel.
All that and they’re vegan? Don’t mind if I do.
24. Vegan Mint Chocolate Cookies
These incredible dairy-free cookies are like a cross between the classic Oreo and a Peppermint Pattie.
They’re richly chocolatey and crisp with a pleasant and refreshing mint cream in the middle.
25. Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies
If you want to make traditional thumbprint cookies but don’t feel like making them fruity, this recipe is the next best thing.
Nestled in the middle of a tender chocolate cookie base sits a dollop of melted chocolate and crunchy candy cane bits.
26. Vegan Molasses Ginger Cookies
Molasses is the crucial ingredient for dark and chewy ginger cookies, and mostly it’s vegan.
Still, be sure to double-check the ingredients, just in case.
You’ll need aquafaba for this, too, which can be used in other vegan baking recipes as well. And don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like chickpeas!
27. Vegan Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies are my usual go-to. But how could I not showcase these festive red velvet cookies for the holidays?
They’re just as thick and chewy, and you can always add some white chocolate chips for added creaminess.
28. Italian Rainbow Cookies
These festive cookies are a staple in New York each holiday season.
Yes, they’re available year-round, but I’ve never eaten them more than over Christmas.
They’ll need a little more time to make, bake, and assemble, but it’s so worth it when you slice into the slab to reveal the colors.
29. Vegan Pecan Sandies
Pecan sandies are an old fave in my house. And this dairy and egg-free recipe comes out multiple times per year.
They’re more or less pecan shortbread cookies, so the ingredient list is minimal.
Though you could add some dark chocolate chips if you like.
30. Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
These funky reindeer cookies will be a sure-fire hit at your next Christmas party. Plus, they’re so simple, you could even have the kids help you make them.
I used mashed bananas in place of flax because I prefer the flavor with the peanut butter, or you could also use applesauce.
Either way, double check the decorations so you know they’re all vegan.