40 Best Vegan Cookies For The Holidays

No matter what you celebrate this time of the year, what better way to spend the holiday season than by baking and sharing some vegan holiday cookies with friends and family! Cookies of varying textures, flavors, and ingredients…there’s something for everyone in this roundup of 40 Best Vegan Cookies for the holidays!

Have you ever wondered why cookies are such a big part of the winter holidays?  Do you love rolling, cutting, and decorating sugar cookies with friends and family? Are you looking for a new fun vegan cookie recipe to make?

If your answer is YES to any of the questions above, then I have you covered in this post with 40 Best Vegan Cookies to bake for the holidays, plus some fun cookie facts!

If you’re shaking your head and saying NO, then surely you at least enjoy EATING cookies! So for you folks, you can simply drool at the mouthwatering photographs, find your favorite, and convince your spouse, neighbor, or friend to bake them for you… haha!

Simply put… cookies are delicious!! There’s something for everyone with the many flavors and textures. Everyone has their own favorite cookie, and the holidays are just one more reason to bake and/or eat them (as if you need an excuse to eat cookies, right?!?).

To get you in the mood for these 40 best vegan cookies, here are some fun cookie facts!

Fun Facts About Cookies

• How many cookies do Americans consume every year? Over 2 billion! (that’s about 300 cookies per person…wow!).
• Which cookie is the most popular in America? Over half of the cookies baked in American homes each year are CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (no surprise there!).
• How did spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger first get incorporated into holiday baking? In Europe in the 1500s, these spices and dried fruit became available around the same time when Holiday cookies started becoming really popular. So during holidays and special occasions, families would splurge on these spices, sugar, and butter to create cookies!
• When did cookies first come to America? In the 1600s, through the Dutch.
• What is the maximum number of chocolate chips that can be held by a standard round tablespoon of cookie dough? 50!!!
• How did festive cookies REALLY become popular in America? With the invention and import of cookie cutters and decorative molds (in the late 1800s). Instead of squares and circles, cookies had fun holiday shapes!
• True or False: Chocolate Chips were first invented for use in the chocolate chip cookie recipe? TRUE!! And now I can’t live without them!
• What was the first historic record of cookies? According to the culinary historians, cookies were first made to test the temperature of an oven. Cooks would take a small amount of cake batter and bake it to test the oven temperature.
• What is the Biggest recorded cookie? It was baked in 2003 by the Immaculate Baking Company in Flat Rock, North Carolina and clocked in at 102 feet wide and weighed over 40,000 pounds! (that’s one big cookie!)
• What was the best selling cookie of the 20th century?? Yep… the OREO! Americans spend about $550 million on Oreos each year!
• How did the term “cookie” come about? It originally came from the Dutch word “koekje”, meaning “little cake”.
• What was the first commercial cookie made in the US? The Animal Cracker (introduced in 1902)!
• Who invented gingerbread men? Queen Elizabeth I! She had biscuits cut into the shape of men from ginger dough. These gingerbread cookies were made to resemble dignitaries visiting her court in order to honor them.

Really?? 50 chocolate chips into one tablespoon of cookie dough? I foresee an experiment coming around in my kitchen, because I’ve seriously been missing out!

What’s my favorite part of baking holiday cookies? Just about everything!

• The festive warm sugary-spice smell it creates in your kitchen.
• The mess my kids make while trying to roll out the dough.
• All the fun shapes, ridiculous decorating, and holiday music blasting in the background.
• Passing them out to friends in the neighborhood and teachers at school
• Cuddling up on the couch with my family, watching some holiday favorites while enjoying the cookies!

Whether you’re looking to bake some new vegan holiday cookies, or to simply drool at the mouthwatering photographs, hoping someone else will bake them for you, this list of 40 Best Vegan Cookies is for you! I’ve tried to group the recipes into these categories of my personal favorite flavors and spices around this time of year:

Peppermint
Chocolate
Sugar
Ginger
Almond
Fruit
Peanut Butter
Lemon
Oatmeal

There’s all sorts of shapes, sizes, and textures. All of these holiday cookie recipes are vegan, and many are also gluten-free and free of refined-sugar. So there’s hopefully something for everyone in this list of 40 Best Vegan Cookies for the holidays.

Try a few yourself, or host a Cookie Exchange party where friends get together with homemade holiday cookies and exchange them with ones that others have made. It’s a super fun theme for a holiday party and you get to sample cookies that are baked by your friends!

No matter what you celebrate this time of the year, what better way to spend the holiday season than by baking and sharing sweet treats with friends and family. I’d love to know what your favorite vegan cookie is or if you have a traditional recipe you make around this time of the year! Let me know in the comments below, or tag me on Instagram with your sweet holiday favorites!

40 Best Vegan Cookies For The Holidays

PEPPERMINT COOKIES – There’s nothing like that unique, minty, fresh flavor that awakens the senses and warms the soul.

Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies (gf) – Crisp edges, soft chocolate center, and refreshing peppermint. (Allergy Awesomeness)

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies – This recipe uses both peppermint extract and crushed candies. They have an amazing peppermint-y flavor with a nice little crunch in between fudgy chocolate-y bites. (My Darling Vegan)

Candy Cane Brownie Bites – These brownie bites are little pillows of soft, chocolatey peppermint perfection. (Veggies Don’t Bite)

White Peppermint Cookies – Crushed candy canes against that white soft cookie. I could devour the entire stack! (The Misfit Baker)

GINGER COOKIES – The holidays just aren’t complete without some ginger flavored cookies! Who can resist that warm spice, holiday smell, and delicious flavor.

Ginger Gogi Cookies – Ginger and Gogi berries combine to form the perfect holiday cookies! (Elephantastic Vegan)

Chewy Molasses Spelt Cookies with Candied Ginger – That warm spice combined with molasses makes for a chewy, yet soft irresistible cookie! (Oh She Glows)

Soft Pumpkin Ginger Cookies – Pumpkin and ginger combine to give the perfect crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside cookie! (The Veg Life)

Fudgy Chocolate Cookies with Candied Ginger (gf) – These cookies have no added oil, and no added sugar! They make the perfect brownie-like holiday bites! (Vegan Richa)

1-Bowl Ginger Cookies – Only 1 bowl to make these ginger cookies! They’re infused with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and molasses. Perfect for the holidays and decorating. (Minimalist Baker)

Gingerbread Cookies – The perfect not-too-sweet gingerbread cut-out cookies made with coconut oil and perfect for decorating! (Yummy Mummy Kitchen)

Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies (gf) – These healthy cookies are crispy on the outside, perfectly chewy on the inside! (Veggie Inspired)

Gingerbread Men (gf) – The holidays aren’t complete without decorating your favorite gingerbread men shape! (Minimalist Baker)

SUGAR COOKIES – They’re the perfect cookies to bake with your kids over the holidays! Get those cookie cutters out and make it a fun activity, especially when you get to eat the final product!

Vegan Sugar Cookies (gf) – Soft, chewy, perfectly sweet, gluten-free, and made with no oil or butter! (The Vegan 8)

Vegan Sugar Cookies (Soft & No Chill) – These sugar cookies are really soft, easy to make, and require no chilling! (Salt and Lavender)

1-Bowl Vegan Sugar Cookies – Classic sugar cookies just waiting to be frosted and shared during the holidays. (Minimalist Baker)

CHOCOLATE COOKIES – The holidays aren’t complete without some chocolate. Well I’ve got you covered with chocolate chip, double chocolate, chocolate paired with marshmallows, and chocolate macaroons!

Best Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (gf) – Gluten-free, oil-free, and only 8 ingredients for these chocolate chip cookies! (The Vegan 8)

Smores Cookies (gf) – What’s better than traditional smores? Smores COOKIES of course! These melt-in-your mouth and are the perfect baked holiday treat! (Keepin It Kind)

Chewy Double Chocolate Vegan Cookies (gf) – The more chocolate the better! These are made with wholesome ingredients! (What She Ate)

Vanilla Bean Chocolate Chip Cookies (gf) – Chocolate chip cookies infused with vanilla bean! (Plant Powered Families)

Cocoa Coconut Macaroons (gf) – Baked macaroons are my favorite! Check out these delicious treats using aquafaba! (The Hungry Herbivores)

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES – This is my husbands favorite flavor cookie, so of course I had to include a few delicious peanut butter cookies in this roundup!

Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies (gf) – These are healthy, grain and gluten-free, and made using coconut flour! (Occasionally Eggs)

Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookie Pie (gf) – Why make a dozen cookie when you can make one gigantic PIE! This peanut butter cookie pie is made with chickpeas! (Vegan Richa)

ALMOND COOKIES – I grew up eating simple almond cookies that my mom used to make (recipe coming soon), so it’s become a tradition over the holidays for my family. Here are some great ways to incorporate almonds into your cookies for a healthier, gluten-free, delicious option!

Almond and Cinnamon Cookies (gf) – Only 5 ingredients, gluten-free, easy to make, and much healthier than the traditional version! Green Evi

Alfajores (Caramel Sandwich cookies) (gf) – A vegan, gluten-free soft, sweet, melt-in-your mouth cookie, filled with dulce de leche, and dusted with powdered white sugar! (Unconventional Baker)

Almond Butter Blossom Cookies (gf) – These allergen friendly cookies are doughy and soft! (Joy Food Sunshine)

Vegan Chocolate Almond Cookies – Rich and fudgy chocolate cookies with chopped almonds and chocolate chips. (Two Peas And Their Pod)

Vegan Flour-less Pistachio Cookies (gf) – These easy pistachio flour-less cookies are easy to make, and a great addition to any holiday cookie platter. (Lazy Cat Kitchen)

LEMON COOKIES – The combination of lemon and sugar just melts my soul everytime! It’s the perfect flavor for the holidays, especially if you aren’t a fan of ginger or chocolate.

Vegan Lemon Cookies with Chia Seeds (gf) – Lemony and made with chia seeds to give an awesome twist to a classic sugar cookie! (Vegan Richa)

Soft, Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies – Anyone else a huge fan of poppy seed lemon muffins?? Well these are even better in COOKIE FORM! (Where You Get Your Protein)

COOKIES WITH FRUIT – Who doesn’t love incorporating fruit into cookies?? This assortment of fruit-based cookies are festive and perfect for the holidays!

Sparkly Apricot Rosemary Jewels (gf) – My kids would LOVE these fruity center sparkly cookies! (Spabettie)

Vegan Gluten-Free Banana Pecan Shortbread (Butter-Free) (gf) – Perfect for a mid-afternoon or morning bite with some hot tea. (Minimalist Baker)

Cranberry Pistachio Cookies (gf) – Cranberries and pistachios make an awesome combination in these oil-free cookies! (Veggie Inspired)

Holiday Thumbprint Cookies (gf) – Fruit in the middle of these holiday thumbprint cookies! (Blissful Basil)

Vegan Apple Pie Protein Cookies (gf) – Apple pie in the form of one sweet delicious protein-filled bite! (One Clever Chef)

Chocolate Cranberry Coconut Macaroons (gf) – Chocolate chips, cranberries, AND coconut?? These are the perfect festive baked treat to take for a cookie exchange! (Veganosity)

No-Bake Chewy Chocolate Date Cookies (gf) – These are the perfect quick and easy allergen friendly  healthy treats to have around over the holidays!

OATMEAL COOKIES – A cookie roundup wouldn’t be complete without a few old fashion oatmeal cookie recipes.

Chunky Vegan Oatmeal Gingersnap Cookies (gf) – Crispy edges, chewy oat center, and that perfect sweet-spice balance. (Feasting On Fruit)

Maple Oat Biscotti – Maple is combined with oats for this perfect vegan biscotti to serve with afternoon tea! (Cupcakes And Kale)

Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies (gf) – Gluten-free, only 8 ingredients, and the perfect iced oatmeal cookies to serve during the holidays! (The Vegan 8)

So there you have it!! 40 Best Vegan Cookies to serve over the holidays! One of these is bound to become a holiday favorite in your home this season. I’d love to know what your favorite vegan cookie is or if you have a traditional recipe you make around this time of the year! Let me know in the comments below, or tag me on Instagram with your sweet holiday favorites!