Vegan Gingerbread Cookies (Easy Recipe)

The holidays are synonymous with the aroma of warm spices, sweet molasses, and freshly baked cookies. But what if you want all the festive flavors without using eggs, butter, or milk? That’s where vegan gingerbread cookies shine.

These cookies capture the essence of Christmas—soft, chewy, and beautifully spiced—but are entirely plant-based. Perfect for anyone following a vegan diet or simply wanting a dairy-free alternative, they’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and sure to become a holiday favorite.

Beyond just taste, this recipe is forgiving and beginner-friendly. Even if you’ve never baked vegan cookies before, you can achieve perfectly shaped gingerbread cookies that stay soft and chewy for days.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, all the ingredients are plant-based and easy to find in most grocery stores:

Dry Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (or vegan butter)

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1/4 cup molasses

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Decorations

• Vegan royal icing

• Vegan chocolate chips

• Plant-based sprinkles

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

1. Prepare Your Ingredients

Before you start, measure out all your ingredients. Baking is all about precision, especially when it comes to spices and leavening agents.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Whisk them together until well blended. This ensures your cookies will have an even flavor and rise consistently.

3. Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix the melted coconut oil with the brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the applesauce, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, refrigerate it for 30 minutes—it will make rolling and cutting easier.

5. Roll Out the Dough

Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. For a more rustic texture, you can roll it slightly thicker.

6. Cut into Shapes

Use your favorite cookie cutters—gingerbread men, stars, trees, or hearts. Gently transfer the shapes to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them: they should look set but still soft in the center.

8. Cool and Decorate

Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate with vegan icing, chocolate, or sprinkles. Get creative!

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Tips for the Best Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

• Keep them soft: Avoid overbaking; these cookies are meant to be chewy.

• Spice it up: Adjust the ginger and cinnamon to taste for a stronger or milder flavor.

• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

• Molasses substitute: If you don’t have molasses, you can use maple syrup, but it will be slightly lighter in color and flavor.

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How to Make Vegan Royal Icing

Decorating your cookies is half the fun! Here’s a simple vegan royal icing recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Whip the aquafaba with an electric mixer until slightly frothy.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until smooth.

3. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar (for piping) or a few drops of water (for flooding).

4. Decorate cookies and let them dry for several hours.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Dough too sticky: Chill the dough if necessary to make cutting easier.

2. Cookies spreading too much: Make sure your baking soda is fresh and your dough isn’t too warm when baking.

3. Overbaking: Vegan cookies can dry out quickly, so remove them when they still feel slightly soft.

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Flavor Variations

You can customize this recipe in multiple ways without losing the classic gingerbread flavor:

• Chocolate Gingerbread: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.

• Orange Spice: Add 1 teaspoon orange zest for a citrusy note.

• Nutty Gingerbread: Fold in 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans.

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of black pepper or ground cardamom for extra warmth.

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Pairing Suggestions

Vegan gingerbread cookies pair beautifully with a variety of holiday drinks and treats:

• Plant-based hot chocolate with a hint of cinnamon

• Almond or oat milk lattes

• Vegan eggnog or spiced chai

• A cozy fruit and nut platter

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Why Vegan Baking Works for Everyone

Even if you’re not vegan, plant-based baking has benefits:

• Reduced saturated fat

• Lower cholesterol

• Often easier on digestion

• Eco-friendly

This recipe proves that you don’t need eggs or dairy to enjoy classic holiday flavors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. You may need to add 1–2 tablespoons of plant-based milk if the dough is too dry.

Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. Roll into a log or pre-cut shapes, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.

How long do they stay soft?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay soft for up to a week.

Can I use another sweetener instead of brown sugar?
You can use coconut sugar, date sugar, or even maple syrup, but the texture may change slightly.

Do these cookies taste like traditional gingerbread?
Yes! The combination of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg gives the classic gingerbread flavor. The texture is slightly chewier than traditional cookies but just as delicious.

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Fun Holiday Ideas

• Cookie decorating party: Gather friends or family and have a fun decorating session.

• Cookie swaps: Perfect for gifting during holiday cookie swaps.

• DIY gift jars: Layer dry ingredients for gingerbread cookies in a jar and give as a thoughtful gift.

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Featured Image Prompt

• Prompt for AI Image Generation: “A tray of soft vegan gingerbread cookies shaped like gingerbread men, stars, and Christmas trees, decorated with colorful vegan icing and sprinkles, with a cozy holiday background, warm lighting, and a rustic wooden table.”

• Alt Text: “Soft vegan gingerbread cookies decorated for Christmas with dairy-free icing and colorful sprinkles on a rustic wooden table.”

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Conclusion

Vegan gingerbread cookies are a delightful, plant-based twist on a beloved holiday classic. Soft, chewy, and full of warm spices, these cookies are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is approachable, festive, and versatile. Decorate them, gift them, or enjoy them straight from the oven—they’re sure to make your holidays a little sweeter.

Celebrate the season with cookies that are kind to animals, the planet, and your taste buds. Happy baking!