If you think the holiday food frenzy is off-limits for those with dietary restrictions, think again. Vegan baking can be difficult because butter, eggs and some sugars are a no-go, but there are plenty of recipes that are both vegan-friendly and health-conscious! Plus, these recipes skip the preservatives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients found in many prepackaged treats and boxed mixes. So dig into our favorite vegan cookie recipes from some of the most festive food bloggers on the web. With cookies this good, you might not have any left to put out for Santa!
1.Healthy Sugar Cookies
Lower in sugar than your average cookie, this recipe still delivers everything you want in a holiday treat — and more. If you have crafty friends and family, let guests cut creative shapes out of the dough and then decorate their own treats. Several name-brand frostings — Duncan Hines and Pillsbury — are vegan, or try this healthy buttercream frosting from The Healthy Family and Home blog if you want to DIY.Photo and Recipe: Katie / Chocolate Covered Katie
2.Raspberry Linzer Cookies
These German sandwich cookies are a holiday staple in some families, and this gluten-free recipe has all of the flavor with none of the butter, eggs or grains. Make sure to freeze the dough before making cutouts, and use your favorite all-natural fruit preserves in the middle of the sandwiches. Photo and Recipe: Leanne Vogel / Healthful Pursuit
3.Graham Crackers
We’re of the belief that graham “crackers” count as cookies, because who wouldn’t want to nibble on some sweet cinnamon goodness when the temperatures drop? Low in sugar, this recipe is naturally sweet from honey, molasses and applesauce. If you’re craving chocolate, try substituting cocoa powder for some of the whole-wheat flour. Photo and Recipe: Jessica /Desserts With Benefits
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4.Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies
Packed with almond flour and crushed raw almonds, this guilt-free recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth but also leave you feeling fuller from the fiber and protein. Just double the recipe if you’re planning on entertaining a larger crowd. Photo and Recipe: Megan / Passports and Pancakes
5.Vegan Gingerbread Men (and Women!)
Get in the holiday spirit with these festive treats! Roll the dough to your desired thickness (thinner for crisp, cracker-like texture or thicker for moist, chewy cookies) and go crazy with cutting and decorating your gingerbread people. And hey, why not pets, too? Consume in moderation, though, because this recipe doesn’t skimp on the sugar. Photo and Recipe: Kimberly / Kimberly Dioszeghy
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6.3-Ingredient Thin Mints
Make the Girl Scout cookie bestseller yourself! All you need are Oreos, bittersweet chocolate and mint extract. Since these are so easy to whip up and look quite elegant, they’d make a great gift for the vegan sugar addict on your list.Photo and Recipe: Izy / Top With Cinnamon
7.Peanut Butter Gluten-Free Cookies
It’s the classic winter cookie without egg, dairy or gluten. Though the dough for these treats takes two hours to chill, the end result will be worth the wait! We suggest squeezing in your favorite at-home workout, like these bodyweight exercises from DailyBurn trainer Anja Garcia, to make the time pass… Photo and Recipe: Kelly / The Pretty Bee
8.Oatmeal Snickerdoodles
Soft on the inside, sugary on the outside, these cinnamon-y snickerdoodles are a holiday must-have without the guilt! Thanks to oat flour and a scant amount of sugar, these bites clock in at only 82 calories per cookie. Photo and Recipe: Lauren / Oatmeal With A Fork
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9.S’mores Cookies
Bring a summer campfire feel to the holidays with this creative recipe. Since these cookies have no added sugar, you can feel a bit better about indulging in a treat (or two!). Just make sure to buy vegan chocolate chips and marshmallows. Photo and Recipe: Kristy / Keepin’ It Kind
10.Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Avocado Cookies
Crazy-sounding but actually genius: The avocado in this recipe provides richness and moisture to these butter-free cookies. Perfect for those who prefer cakey cookies, these little bites are roughly 110 calories a pop. Photo and Recipe: Katie / Veggie and the Beast
11.Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles
Cocoa powder and cayenne pepper steal the show in this cookie with a kick! Bonus: Since there’s no need to wait for the dough to cool in the fridge, this recipe’s perfect for whipping up when you’re short on time. Photo and Recipe: Mimi / The Veggielogues
12.Oreo Cookie Cookies
“America’s Favorite Cookie” within a cookie? It’s a cookie inception! If you don’t have the egg substitute on hand, you can use one tablespoon of ground flaxseed soaked in three tablespoons water for every egg you need. Photo and Recipe: Celine / Have Cake Will Travel
Originally posted December 13, 2013.
