If you have been searching for a delightful and festive treat that’s not only delicious but also plant-based, you have landed in the perfect spot. This Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe is my absolute favorite for creating those beautiful shaped cookies that are buttery soft, lightly sweet, and perfect for decorating. Whether you are new to vegan baking or a seasoned pro, these cookies will quickly become your go-to recipe for every holiday or special occasion. They combine simple, wholesome ingredients and an effortless process to give you the best tasting vegan sugar cookies that hold their shape, offer tenderness, and invite your creativity to shine in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward list of ingredients that each play a crucial role. From the rich vegan butter providing that classic buttery flavor to the cornstarch ensuring a tender texture, every element comes together to make cookie perfection achievable for everyone.
- 150 g vegan block butter (room temperature): Provides richness and helps the dough roll smoothly for perfect cut-outs.
- 150 g granulated sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness and helps create that slightly crisp edge.
- 30 g Greek-style vegan yogurt: Keeps cookies moist and tender; thick coconut yogurt works beautifully too.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste: Infuses the cookies with warm, aromatic vanilla flavor.
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a lovely subtle nutty depth, but feel free to skip if you prefer.
- 250 g plain flour: The base that gives the cookies their structure and allows for clean, sharp cut-outs.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Ensures lightness and softness by reducing gluten formation.
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a soft texture.
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Vegan royal icing: For decorating and giving your cookies that festive, polished finish.
- Vegan dark chocolate (optional): Great for creating decorative accents or drizzles.
- Gold leaf sheets (optional): Adds an elegant touch and sparkle for special occasions.
How to Make Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Start by combining the vegan butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Use an electric whisk or stand mixer to beat them together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and airy. This step is essential because it ensures a smooth texture and helps the cookies develop that delicate crumb.
Step 2: Add Vegan Yogurt and Extracts
Next, incorporate the Greek-style vegan yogurt into the fluffy butter and sugar mixture. Whisk it well to combine thoroughly. Then, add the vanilla bean paste and almond extract if you’re using it. These ingredients enrich the dough with extra moisture and aromatic flavor that make every bite so comforting.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough
Sift together the plain flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and sea salt, then gradually add them into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently bring everything together into a cohesive dough ball. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, flatten it into a disk, and chill it for 2 hours in the freezer or overnight in the refrigerator. Chilling solidifies the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut without sticking or losing shape.
Step 4: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookies
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly flour your countertop to prevent sticking and roll the chilled dough to roughly ½ cm thickness. Keep a small bowl of flour handy to dust your cookie cutters each time you use them; this simple trick helps with clean cuts and prevents dough sticking. Lay your cut shapes on parchment-lined baking trays, spacing them comfortably apart.
Step 5: Bake Until Just Slightly Browned
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, aiming for just a touch of browning around the edges. They will look a bit underbaked in the center but this is exactly what you want for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. After baking, let the cookies rest on the tray for 5 minutes before carefully transferring the entire sheet of parchment paper with cookies onto a cooling rack. Allow cooling completely, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 6: Decorate with Vegan Royal Icing
Create a batch of vegan royal icing and tint it with your favorite colors. Fill a piping bag and snip off the tip to start outlining your cookies. For a glossy and polished look, flood the inside of your outlines with a slightly thinned icing. If you like, melt vegan dark chocolate to drizzle over or use gold leaf sheets to add an elegant sparkle. Let your creativity run wild to make stunning, festive cookies!
Step 7: Dry and Store
Allow your decorated cookies to dry on a cooling rack for at least 1-2 hours, so the icing sets fully. Once dry, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They remain fresh and tasty for about two weeks, perfect for gifting or enjoying over time.
How to Serve Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your cookies is where the fun truly begins. Classic options include vibrant vegan royal icing in festive colors, sprinkles, or edible gold leaf for an extra touch of elegance. A drizzle of melted vegan dark chocolate adds a luscious contrast and makes each cookie look like a miniature work of art.
Side Dishes
Pair these delightful sugar cookies with robust plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy for a cozy combo. They also go wonderfully alongside a hot cup of spiced tea or a frothy vegan hot chocolate, making your cookie experience warm and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a decorative platter lined with fresh herbs like rosemary or edible flowers to add natural color and charm. For parties, create a cookie decorating station with different colors of vegan royal icing and toppings so guests can personalize their treats. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with twine makes for heartwarming gifts that celebrate the joy of baking and sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the icing has thoroughly dried, place your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, they keep their freshness and soft texture for up to two weeks. Avoid stacking while still wet to preserve your beautiful decorations.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough wrapped tightly for up to three months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting. Cookies that are already baked and iced can be frozen, but store them in a single layer with parchment paper separators to protect the icing. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. However, if you prefer a warm cookie, gently heat for 5-10 seconds in the microwave, taking care not to melt the icing. This quick treatment refreshes the softness and highlights the luscious flavors.
FAQs
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek-style vegan yogurt?
While you can try regular vegan yogurt, Greek-style or thick coconut yogurt works best because its consistency helps maintain the dough’s structure and yields a tender cookie crumb. Regular yogurt may make the dough too wet or soft.
Is vegan butter necessary, or can I substitute with oil?
Vegan butter is ideal because it provides the same richness and texture as traditional butter, essential for cut-out cookies that need to hold their shape. Oil tends to make dough too soft and can cause spreading during baking, so it’s best to stick with vegan butter for this recipe.
How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the cookie cutter?
Keep a small bowl of flour handy to dip your cookie cutters into before each cut. This light dusting prevents sticking and helps maintain crisp edges for your shapes. You can also chill the dough well before rolling for easier cutting.
Can I make these sugar cookies gluten-free?
To make these cookies gluten-free, you will need a reliable gluten-free plain flour blend and may want to adjust the amounts slightly. However, the texture and cutting properties might change. Experimenting with a blend designed for baking is the best approach.
How should I store decorated sugar cookies for the best taste?
Always allow the icing to dry completely before storing your cookies in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper if stacked. Room temperature storage is great for up to two weeks, ensuring your cookies stay soft and the icing beautiful.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe truly brings together the best of festive baking in a way that everyone can enjoy. The combination of simplicity, deliciousness, and versatility makes it a baking classic to keep on hand for birthdays, holidays, or just because. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy creating your own delicious, decorated masterpieces with friends and family. Happy baking and even happier cookie eating!
Print
Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Easy Cut-Out Vegan Sugar Cookies are delightfully soft, lightly sweetened, and perfect for decorating. Made with vegan butter, vegan yogurt, and a fragrant blend of vanilla and almond extracts, these cookies bake up tender and keep beautifully for up to two weeks. The dough is chilled for optimal rolling and shaping, making it perfect for festive cookie cutters. Finished with vegan royal icing and optional dark chocolate and gold leaf garnishes, these cookies are both visually stunning and deliciously dairy-free.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 150 g vegan block butter (room temperature)
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 30 g Greek-style vegan yogurt (or thick coconut yogurt, e.g., Alpro Greek-style)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 250 g plain flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (cornflour)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Icing & Garnish
- 1 batch vegan royal icing
- vegan dark chocolate (optional, for garnish)
- gold leaf sheets (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, whisk the vegan butter and sugar together using an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and airy. Add the vegan yogurt and continue whisking until well combined, then whisk in the vanilla bean paste and almond extract (if using) thoroughly.
- Combine dry ingredients and chill dough: Sift the plain flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and sea salt into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to combine until a dough ball forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, flatten into a disc, and chill in the freezer for 2 hours, or refrigerate overnight for best results.
- Roll out the dough: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough to approximately ½ cm thickness. Keep extra flour nearby to dust cookie cutters to prevent sticking. Cut out desired shapes and place them on baking trays lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Bake the cookies: Bake cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just beginning to brown but cookies still look slightly underbaked. Allow cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes, then transfer the parchment with cookies to a cooling rack. Let cool completely for 15-20 minutes to room temperature.
- Prepare and apply icing: Mix a batch of vegan royal icing and tint with your choice of colors. Transfer icing to a piping bag and pipe an outline around each cookie. For fully coated cookies, flood inside the outlines using a thinner consistency icing. Optionally, melt vegan dark chocolate to add decorative bark effects on cookies, and apply gold leaf sheets for a festive tinsel look.
- Allow icing to set and store: Place iced cookies on a cooling rack and let the icing dry completely for 1-2 hours. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for around 2 weeks.
Notes
- For best rolling and cutting, ensure the dough is well chilled before rolling out.
- Use vegan Greek-style yogurt or thick coconut yogurt to maintain the right dough consistency.
- Adjust icing consistency for outlining versus flooding to achieve professional decoration results.
- Gold leaf sheets add an elegant decoration but are optional and can be omitted without affecting flavor.
- Cookies look slightly underbaked when done; they will firm up as they cool to give a tender texture.
