Vegan Gingerbread Cookies | Easy Recipe (2024)

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This Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Recipe is the perfect holiday treat and makes a delicious homemade Christmas gift for kids and adults alike! They’re soft and chewy on the inside, crisp on the outside and perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses.

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Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

I‘m so excited to finally share this gingerbread cookie recipe because they’re perfect for the holidays! They’re crunchy from the outside and soft from the inside, perfectly spiced, including ginger and cinnamon, and so delicious! Since the cookie dough recipe is very versatile you can use it for your favorite shapes and sizes!

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies | Easy Recipe (3) Vegan Gingerbread Cookies | Easy Recipe (4)

Easy Vegan Christmas Cookies

I think, there is really nothing better to celebrate the holidaysthan baking Christmas treats. Especially, the smell in your house while these gingerbread cookies baking in the oven is just amazing! I don’t know about you but I always get in a festive mood when cutting out the dough while smelling these warming fall and winter spices!

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Ingredients for Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Since these gingerbread cookies are vegan, there are no eggs or any dairy ingredients required for this recipe! You need just a few simple ingredients:

  • Flour:I prefer using all-purpose flour or spelt flour for this recipe, but a gluten-free flour blend will also work.
  • Baking soda and pinch of salt:These are actual “basic” ingredients for any baked goods. Baking soda is stronger than baking powder but both help the dough rises, and salt is just for the taste.
  • Spices:I use ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, but you can taste and adjust the flavors to your wish!Also, spices like ground cloves, vanilla, or a gingerbread spice blend are great!
  • Molasses:This is a thick, dark syrup made of sugar cane or sugar beets. I typically use the original ulsulphured molasses.
  • Coconut sugar:To sweeten in a “healthier” way. However, you can also use brown sugar or raw cane sugar if you prefer.
  • Flaxseed eggs: To substitute the regular eggs. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of hot water, then set aside to thicken. Feel free to use chia instead of flax. However, you can also substitute unsweetened Apple sauce for the flax eggs.
  • Vegan Butter:Make sure it is softened to room temperature. Alternatively, substitute melted or soft coconut oil.

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How to make Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

The dough of this gingerbread cookie recipe comes together easily! Here’s what you have to do:

Start to whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, and spices). In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients (vegan butter, flax eggs, molasses) and coconut sugar.

Next, combine the wet and dry ingredients until a slightly sticky dough forms. You can either use your hands to mix the ingredients or process them in a stand mixer.

Divide the dough into two equal portions, and form each into a ball. Then gently use your hands to flatten each ballslightly into a disk. Finally, wrap each disc of dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 1 hour or until firm enough to work with.

Why does cookie dough have to be chilled?

Chilling sticky cookie dough before baking solidifies the fat, resulting in a firmer dough. This makes it easier to work with. Also, the disc shape will make it easier to roll the cookie dough out later. Furthermore, the dough chills faster when there is less volume so I prefer to divide it into two portions.

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Once the dough is thoroughly chilled, unwrap one of the discs and place it on a lightly floured surface.Use a rolling pin to roll the dough evenly until it is about 1/5-inch thick. Then use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Re-roll remaining dough out to cut out more cookies. Finally, use a spatula to gently transfer the cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the other disc of dough.

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Then simply bake the cookies at 350°Ffor about 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are crisp and slightly browned around the edges. However, you can actually bake them up to be as soft or as crispy as you’d like.So if you’re a fan of crispier cookies, you can increase the baking time for a few minutes. Then, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Use your favorite decoration!

Oncethe vegan gingerbread cookies cool toroom temperature, feel free to decorate them as desired. I like to leave them plain as they are and just dust with powdered sugar before serving. However, you can also make a simple icing or frosting or decorate them with sprinkles, candies or whatever you like!

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Homemade Christmas Gift Idea

You can store these vegan gingerbread men covered at room temperature for several days or freeze for later. So these vegan cookies would also make a lovely Christmas gift for someone special! You can bake a whole batch using different designs, then decorate as desired and bag them individually or prepare a whole cookie gift box!

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This Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Recipe is:

  • Egg-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Can be made gluten-free
  • Easy to make
  • Perfectly spiced
  • Flavorful
  • Soft
  • Chewy
  • Crisp on the edges
  • So delicious!
  • The perfect cookie dessert for the holidays!

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Looking for more easy vegan holiday treat to try? Make sure to check out the following recipes:

  • Best Vegan Pumpkin Pie
  • Pumpkin Streusel Cheesecake Bars
  • Easy Vegan Apple Pie
  • Mini Apple Pies
  • Apple Hand Pies
  • Vegan Apple Blondies
  • Chocolate Pumpkin Marble Loaf
  • Cranberry Loaf
  • Cranberry Crumb Cake

If you do try this Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Recipe, I would love to read your feedback in the comments below. And if you take a photo of your delicious vegan Christmas cookies and share it on Instagram, please don’t forget to tag me @biancazapatka to make sure I won’t miss your post. Happy baking!

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Author: Bianca Zapatka

This Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Recipe is the perfect holiday treat and makes a delicious homemade Christmas gift for kids and adults alike! They’re soft and chewy on the inside, crisp on the outside and perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses.

Print Pin Review

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Cookies, Dessert, Snack, Snacks

Servings 12 - 24 Cookies

Calories 79.4 kcal

You do not have a fitting cake pan at hand right now? Try my Cake Pan Conversion Calculator!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose​ flour or sub gluten-free flour blend
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ cup (45 g) vegan butter softened (or sub coconut oil)
  • ½ cup (100 g) coconut sugar or sub brown sugar
  • cup (80 g) molasses
  • 1 flax-egg *see instructions (or sub 4 tbsp applesauce)
  • powdered sugar optional for dusting

Instructions

*Note: Feel free to watch the recipe video above!

  • Make the flax-egg: In a small cup, mix 1 tbsp ground flax seeds and 3 tbsp hot water. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

  • In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the soft vegan butter and coconut sugar until combined. Add in the molasses and the prepared flax-egg (or applesauce), continue to beat until completely combined.

  • In batches add the all-purpose flour and stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. (If the dough is very sticky, you might add a little more flour). Divide the dough into two portions. Form each portion into a disc, wrap tightly in foil and chill for at least one hour.

  • Once chilled, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Dust your work surface generously with flour.

  • Use a dusted rolling pin, carefully roll out one portion of the dough to be about ⅕-inch thick. Dip your favorite cookie cutter in flour and cut out cookies. Then use a spatula to gently transfer the cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2-inches between the cookies. Re-roll remaining dough out to cut out more cookies. Then repeat this process with the other portion of dough.

  • Bake the gingerbread cookies for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are crisp and slightly browned on the edges.

  • Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the sheet while they continue firming up. Then transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

  • Dust with powdered sugar or decorate as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Spices can be adjusted to taste. Also, ground cloves, vanilla, or a gingerbread spice blend are great!
  • The Prep Time: does not include the chill time of the dough.
  • Serving Size: This recipe makes about 12 large cookies or 24 smaller cookies.
  • Nutrition facts: These should be for 1 of 24 cookies.
  • Storage: Serve fresh, or store covered at room temperature for several days or freeze for later.

Nutritions

Serving: 1Cookie | Calories: 79.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.7g | Protein: 1.2g | Fat: 1.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 93.7mg | Potassium: 86.7mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 5.7g | Vitamin A: 90.5IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 14.1mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition is calculated automatically and should be used as estimate.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @biancazapatka or tag #biancazapatka!

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Vegan Gingerbread Cookies | Easy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? ›

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? Soft gingerbread biscuits are ideal. They ought to be flexible. However, they should still be somewhat elastic, and if you hold them too firmly because you're so excited to eat them, you might even be able to leave your fingerprints on the cookie!

Why are my ginger cookies so hard? ›

“There are some gingerbread recipes that are hard right after baking and need to sit for a few days to soften. Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.”

Why do my gingerbread cookies fall apart? ›

From doubling up on molasses to using too much flour, there is a lot that can go wrong. Forgetting the molasses resulted in a crumbly cookie that was light in color. Combining all ingredients at once created lumps in the finished product.

What is the difference between gingerbread and ginger cookies? ›

Both are spiced cookies. The main differences are that gingersnaps are typically rolled into balls, while gingerbread is rolled out and cut into shapes. Gingersnaps are also baked slightly longer, which is where they get their snappy crispiness. Gingerbread is typically a little chewier.

What happens if you don't chill gingerbread dough? ›

Forgetting to chill the dough.

It's tempting to want to roll out the dough as soon as it comes together, but let it have a little time to rest. Chilling it for at least two hours or overnight gives the ingredients a chance to absorb one another, making it a whole lot easier to roll out the dough without it cracking.

What is a good substitute for molasses in gingerbread? ›

The Best Molasses Substitutes

Honey, dark corn syrup, and maple syrup can also be used to replace molasses in recipes.

What ingredient makes cookies harder? ›

Baking powder

Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and acidic salts. The reaction of these two ingredients results in a cookie that is soft and thick, but slightly harder.

What is the trick to soften hard cookies? ›

Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

What happens if you add too much butter to gingerbread cookies? ›

An excessive amount of butter makes it where the flour is unable to absorb the combined fat, which causes the cookie to spread too widely and the sugar to carbonize more easily because it's surrounded by too buttery a dough.

Why refrigerate gingerbread cookie dough? ›

Firm dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much, which is why chilling the dough is a crucial step for cut-out and rolled cookies. "The colder and more solid the fat is, the less the cookie will spread," says food stylist and recipe developer Caitlin Haught Brown.

Why do you put molasses in gingerbread? ›

The deep, caramel-like sweetness of molasses pairs perfectly with the warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, creating the iconic flavor profile of these classic treats. The choice of molasses over other sweeteners adds a depth and complexity that elevates gingerbread to a cherished holiday tradition.

What is Victorian gingerbread? ›

gingerbread, in architecture and design, elaborately detailed embellishment, either lavish or superfluous. Although the term is occasionally applied to highly detailed and decorative styles, it is more often applied specifically to the work of American designers of the late 1860s and '70s.

What are gingerbread men called now? ›

Some bakeries are now calling gingerbread men by the gender neutral term “gingerbread people.” Do you agree with the change? I couldn't care less if they called them “gingerbread cookies.” Originally Answered: Some Bakeries are now calling Gingerbread men by the gender fluid title Gingerbread people.

Why do people eat gingerbread cookies? ›

Although the core ingredients of gingerbread had become more affordable to a wider proportion of society, it was still considered a treat to be eaten on special occasions. Gingerbread was particularly associated with fairs. It was considered good luck to eat a piece of gingerbread bought at a fair.

Should cookies be hard or soft? ›

You can take a bite or break off a piece. Either way, when you taste it, you'll know for certain if it's done. A cookie that's fully done shouldn't be doughy, nor should it be overly crunchy (unless you're making a really crunchy type of cookie). It should be soft, crumbly, and perfect when freshly baked.

Do gingerbread cookies harden as they cool? ›

Gingerbread Cookies are done when they are set and begin to brown slightly at the edges. They will harden further as they cool, so avoid overbaking so you don't end up with hard, crunchy gingerbread! Underbake slightly to achieve soft, slightly chewy gingerbread cookies.

Are cookies better hard or soft? ›

While some prefer soft, chewy cookies, others look for a cookie with snap and crispy, lacy edges. This also varies greatly based on the type of cookie you're baking; we may look for a soft, gooey center in our chocolate chip cookies, but want a crunchy, crispy gingersnap.

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