Christmas is a time of joy, warmth, and, of course, delicious cookies! Who says you can’t indulge in these festive treats while sticking to a vegan or alpha-gal friendly diet? Not me! These vegan Christmas cookies deliver delicious dairy-free holiday cheer.
The information provided on this site is based on my personal experience living with alpha-gal syndrome. I consistently cite and link to expert sources, but nothing published on this site should be perceived as medical advice.
Alpha-gal sensitivities vary by person. You should understand your dietary restrictions, making any adjustments needed, and directing any questions to your physician.
The holiday season is synonymous with the sweet aroma of baking and the joy of sharing treats with loved ones. But if you have alpha-gal syndrome or follow a vegan diet, you may be looking for new Christmas cookie recipes. Fortunately, I have a long list of tasty vegan Christmas cookies for you to enjoy. So, grab your apron, and let’s get ready to bake some holiday magic!
In This Article
What is a Vegan Christmas Cookie?
When the holiday season rolls around, nothing puts me in the holiday spirit quite like freshly baked cookies. But what if you’re new to a vegan diet? Thankfully, there are vegan Christmas cookies, a delightful twist on traditional holiday treats. These cookies swap out animal-based ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk for plant-based alternatives like coconut oil, chia seeds, and almond milk.
The result? Cookies that are just as scrumptious and festive as ever but without the potential of a reaction from dairy products. Whether a gingerbread man or a delightfully decorated shortbread, vegan Christmas cookies bring festive cheer to alpha gals who avoid dairy and anyone who follows a vegan lifestyle. So, preheat your oven and let’s get baking!
What Food Coloring is Vegan?
It may not surprise you to learn that not all food colorings are vegan-friendly and that many traditional food dyes contain animal-derived ingredients. So what’s a vegan baker to do when visions of sugar plums and festively frosted cookies dance in her head?
The good news is that there are plenty of vegan food coloring options! If you have alpha-gal syndrome, you already know to read labels carefully, so look for options that specifically mention being vegan or plant-based. If you want the typical collection of four food coloring tubes in red, yellow, green, and blue, Whole Foods offers this affordable plant-based option. You can also use blue spirulina powder, purple sweet potato powder, dragon fruit powder, and other natural alternatives to add a pop of color to your vegan Christmas cookies.
What Types of Cookie Decorations are Vegan?
Decking out your vegan Christmas cookies in holiday style doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your dietary choices. When it comes to sprinkles, icing, and other embellishments, the key is to look for vegan-friendly labels.
Traditional sprinkles often contain shellac (derived from insects) or confectioner’s glaze, which isn’t vegan but is alpha-gal friendly. However, many brands offer vegan sprinkles that are just as sparkly and festive. For vegan icing, avoid those with egg whites and opt for versions using plant-based ingredients like aquafaba. Also known as chickpea water, aquafaba is a fantastic vegan alternative that whips up just like egg whites.
And don’t overlook natural toppings like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. These ingredients add a delightful crunch and flavor and keep your cookies 100% plant-based. With these vegan decoration options, your Christmas cookies will look dazzling and fit your vegan or alpha-gal diet.
An Important Note for Alpha Gals
Following a vegan diet for ecological, philosophical, or other personal reasons is quite different than living with the alpha-gal allergy. While it goes against their dietary restrictions, vegans who bite into a cookie topped with real buttercream frosting or sprinkled with decorations made with confectioner’s glaze are unlikely to have a physical reaction to those ingredients. However, alpha gals do need to be mindful of the ingredients they use to make Christmas cookies. While eggs are an alpha-gal friendly ingredient, this curated list features vegan cookie recipes that are both egg-less and dairy-free.
Alpha gals should always read the ingredients list carefully, especially when it comes to cookie decorations that may include gelatin, sugar processed with bone char, or any other items that may trigger a reaction based on their sensitivity level.
Best Vegan Christmas Cookies
These delicious vegan Chriastms cookies are not only delicious but also cater to a variety of tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or looking for something new and exciting, there’s a cookie here for you. So, preheat your oven and prepare to fill your home with the sweet scent of holiday baking.
1
Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
2
Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms
3
Easy Christmas Oreos
4
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
5
Slice & Bake Sugar Cookies
6
Hojarascas (Mexican Shortbread Cookies)
7
Gluten Free Thumbprint Cookies
8
Vegan Shortbread Cookies
9
Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
10
Coconut Sugar Cookies
11
Vegan Cranberry Cookies With Almond Extract - Hassle Free Vegan
12
Almond Lemon Cookies
13
Vegan Chocolate Cookies
14
Snowball Cookies
15
Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
16
Vegan Lebkuchen
17
Vegan Coconut Chai Cookies
18
Vegan Molasses Cookies
19
Vegan Linzer Cookies
20
Vegan Cranberry Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
21
Moravian Christmas Cookies
22
Brownie Cookies
23
Vegan Red Velvet Cookies
24
Spiced Tahini Oatmeal Cookies
25
Vegan Gingersnaps
26
Easy Chocolate Haystacks Recipe
27
Mexican Wedding Cookies
28
Vegan Austrian Christmas Cookies
29
Black Sesame Cookies
30
Vegan Blondies
31
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
32
Vegan Pignoli Cookies
Do You Have a Favorite Vegan Christmas Cookie?
Have you tried one of these recipes? Do you have another vegan Christmas cookie recipe to add to this list? I’d love to hear about your baking adventures and any tips or tricks you’ve discovered along the way. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. Let’s spread some cheer and inspire each other with our vegan holiday cookies!
I love your christmas cookie recipes, I tried the almond flour sugar cookie and it was so easy to make, most importantly they satisfied my sweet tooth cravings 🙂 Light and crispy, so delicious!
I was looking for healthy cookies to make this coming Christmas and as I came across these recipes, I thought they were perfect! I tried the chocolate peppermint cookies and I love it! Chewy and soft, but crisp on the edges, really delightful cookies. I’ll give the others a try next 🙂
There’s nothing quite like the pairing of chocolate and peppermint at the holidays, right?!?
Thanks a bunch for putting together this Vegan Cookie List.
The variety and simplicity is just what I needed. I have already tried the Gingernaps recipe, they were easy and delicious. Cant wait to try all of them.
I want to try so many of these! I tried these Linzer cookies already and they came out perfectly. I think I’ll try the gingersnaps next. Thanks for putting together this great list. I want to bake my way through it this month. 😀
This list gives you a cookie a day for December and one for January!
I made the almond lemon cookies over the weekend and they turned out great! Thanks for all of the tips for making vegan cookies. My new DIL is vegan and I need to learn a new way of cooking some of her favs.
She’s so lucky to have a thoughtful mother-in-law like you!
Wow! There are so many great recipes on this list. I am so glad you made a list of the best vegan cookies. I want to try all the cookies from this list. Also appreciate all the information about vegan ingredients.
My best friend is vegan and I made her the Snowball Cookies. They were delicious and she loved them. I’ll be working my way through this list throughout the year so I can make her new cookies every month. I can’t wait!
That’s one of my all-time favorite cookies, too!