Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Totally Delicious: Vegan Sugar Cookies Done Right!

If you’re looking for the ultimate vegan sugar cookies that are buttery, soft, and just sweet enough, you’ve found them.

These cookies are ideal for rolling, cutting, and decorating, making them perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any time you’re craving a nostalgic treat.

Despite being completely plant-based, they don’t compromise on flavor or texture—crispy edges, tender centers, and a hint of vanilla make them absolutely irresistible.

I remember making these for the first time during a holiday baking session with friends. We had so much fun cutting out festive shapes and decorating them with colorful icing.

The best part? Everyone, vegan or not, loved them! The secret lies in using coconut oil or vegan butter for that classic sugar cookie richness and almond milk to keep the dough soft and pliable.

Pair these cookies with a chilled glass of creamy almond milk or festive eggnog for a delightful treat that’s as comforting as it is delicious.

Bake a batch and share the joy—let me know your favorite shapes and decoration ideas! These cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Why Will You Be Hooked?

Unbaked cookie shapes are neatly arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet resting on the white marble cooktop. The tray is ready to be transferred into a preheated oven for baking

  • Soft Yet Sturdy: Perfect for decorating while still melting in your mouth.
  • Deliciously Vegan: No eggs or dairy, but all the flavor of traditional sugar cookies.
  • Easy to Customize: Roll them thin for crispy cookies or thicker for softer ones.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: From holidays to everyday cravings, they fit every celebration.
Unbaked cookie shapes are neatly arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet resting on the white marble cooktop. The tray is ready to be transferred into a preheated oven for baking

Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe

These perfect vegan sugar cookies are soft, lightly sweetened, and easy to make. Customize their shapes for any occasion, and enjoy their buttery flavor without dairy or eggs!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30
Calories 71 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Sieve
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Rolling Pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheets

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup vegan margarine such as Earth Balance
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons coconut milk

Instructions
 

  • Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl.
    A large glass mixing bowl sits on a white marble cooktop. Flour, baking soda, and salt are being sifted into the bowl using a metal sifter, with a fine powder falling through and forming a light, airy pile inside the bowl.
  • In another bowl, beat sugar and vegan margarine with an electric mixer until creamy, about 2 minutes.
    A glass mixing bowl on a white marble cooktop contains white sugar and vegan margarine being creamed together with an electric mixer. The mixture has a light and creamy texture, indicating it’s well-blended
  • Mix in vanilla extract. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until incorporated, adding coconut milk 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms.
    The creamed sugar and margarine mixture is being gradually mixed with the sifted flour mixture in a glass bowl on the white marble cooktop. A spatula folds in coconut milk, blending the ingredients into a smooth, cohesive dough
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
    The prepared dough is wrapped neatly in plastic wrap and placed on the white marble cooktop. Nearby, a small dusting of flour and a rolling pin indicate the workspace is ready for the next step after chilling
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Roll the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to shape the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
    The chilled dough is rolled out evenly on a floured surface on the white marble cooktop, flattened to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Floured cookie cutters are actively being used to create various shapes from the dough.
  • Bake for about 10 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden.
    Unbaked cookie shapes are neatly arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet resting on the white marble cooktop. The tray is ready to be transferred into a preheated oven for baking
  • Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack.

Nutrition Info:

NutritionValue
Calories71 kcal
Carbohydrates11g
Sodium86mg
Fat4g
Protein1g
Sugar5g

Tips that Will Blow Your Mind!

Here are some expert-level tips to take your vegan cookies to the next level:

Dough Preparation Tips

  1. Chill for better texture: Extend the chilling time to an hour or overnight if you can. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and bake evenly.
  2. Flavor depth: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dry ingredients for a subtle flavor boost that complements the coconut milk and vanilla.
  3. Creaming technique: Beat the margarine and sugar longer (3–4 minutes) for a fluffier texture, especially if your margarine is very soft. It introduces air into the dough, improving the cookie’s structure.

Shaping and Rolling Tips

  1. Uniform thickness: Use rolling pin guide rings or stack rulers on either side of the dough to ensure even thickness for perfectly uniform cookies.
  2. Prevent sticking: Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper instead of flouring your surface. This avoids adding extra flour, which can make cookies tough.
  3. Quick chilling: If the dough becomes too soft while rolling or cutting, pop it back into the fridge for 10–15 minutes to firm up and make handling easier.

Baking Tips

  1. Bake evenly: Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure the cookies brown evenly, especially if your oven has hot spots.
  2. Golden perfection: Keep an eye on the edges rather than the centers of the cookies; the centers will continue to cook and firm up as they cool.
  3. Batch precision: Bake one test cookie first to fine-tune your baking time, particularly if your cookie cutter sizes vary.

Storage and Serving Tips

  1. Enhanced flavor: Let the cookies rest overnight in an airtight container. The flavors meld, and the texture improves over time.
  2. Decorating finesse: If decorating, ensure cookies are completely cool before adding icing or decorations to prevent melting or smudging.
  3. Storage trick: Place a slice of bread in the cookie container to maintain its softness. The cookies absorb moisture from the bread, staying fresh longer.

These tips will ensure your cookies are not just delicious but bakery-perfect, showcasing your expertise and attention to detail. Let me know if you’d like to explore vegan-friendly icing or topping ideas!

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Noah Baker

Hi! I’m Noah Baker

Noah Baker is a California-born food blogger behind "FreshmanCook," whose culinary journey began in his tiny apartment kitchen experimenting with recipes that blend innovative techniques and personal passion. After leaving his graphic design career, Noah transformed his love for cooking into a vibrant online platform that celebrates accessible, creative cuisine, capturing food lovers' attention with his stunning photography and approachable recipes. When he's not crafting mouthwatering dishes or styling food for his blog, Noah lives in a cozy apartment with his rescue dog, Basil.

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