Vegan Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Frosting
Our holiday cookies series continues with a classic that our 16 year old requested, sugar cookies with a vanilla frosting. There’s something timeless and comforting about sugar cookies, especially during the holiday season when kitchen feels warmer, calendars feel fuller, and baking becomes a way to slow down and connect. These vegan sugar cookies are my plant-based take on a classic recipe—soft in the center, lightly crisp around the edges, and sturdy enough for rolling, cutting, and decorating. Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering, a cozy weekend at home, or simply because you’re craving something sweet and nostalgic, this recipe is designed to feel both familiar and fresh.
This recipe is meant to be enjoyed, shared, and repeated year after year. It’s a reminder that plant-based baking can be joyful, approachable, and every bit as delicious as the classics we grew up loving.
Vegan Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Frosting
Vegan Sugar Cookies
Makes: about 20–24 cookies
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup vegan butter, softened (such as Miyoko’s or Earth Balance)
¾ cup organic granulated sugar
¼ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together plant-based milk and cornstarch. Set aside to thicken slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream vegan butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Mix in the cornstarch mixture and vanilla extract.
Gradually add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
Roll dough to about ¼-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but not browned.
Cool completely before frosting.
Vegan Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
¾ cup vegan butter, softened
3–3 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
2–3 tablespoons plant-based milk
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Natural food coloring (optional),
Vegan sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Beat vegan butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed.
Add vanilla, salt, and plant-based milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Tint with natural food coloring if using.
Spread or pipe onto cooled cookies.
Tips for Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies
Chill dough to prevent spreading.
For crisp edges and soft centers, avoid overbaking.
Frosting can be thickened for piping or thinned slightly for glazing.
One of the things I love most about sugar cookies is their versatility. They can be dressed up with intricate frosting designs or kept simple with a swipe of creamy vanilla icing and a sprinkle of sugar. This vegan version proves that you don’t need eggs or dairy to achieve that classic texture and flavor. Instead, a thoughtful combination of plant-based butter, vanilla, and a touch of cornstarch creates cookies that hold their shape beautifully while remaining tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
As someone who cooks and bakes plant-based often, I’m always looking for recipes that feel inclusive—treats that everyone at the table can enjoy without compromise. These cookies do exactly that. They’re ideal for sharing with friends and family who may not follow a vegan lifestyle but still appreciate a well-made dessert. In fact, these are the kinds of cookies that disappear quickly from the plate, long before anyone asks what’s in them.
The frosting is just as important as the cookie itself, and this dairy-free vanilla frosting is smooth, creamy, and easy to work with. It spreads effortlessly and pipes beautifully, making it perfect for decorating with kids or creating more polished designs for holiday cookie boxes. Best of all, it’s customizable—add natural food coloring, citrus zest, or a hint of almond extract to make it your own.
These vegan sugar cookies are a reminder that the simplest recipes are often the most meaningful. With their soft, tender centers and lightly crisp edges, they capture everything we love about a classic sugar cookie while staying entirely plant-based. They’re the kind of treat that feels right at home on a holiday table, tucked into a cookie tin for friends, or enjoyed quietly with a cup of tea on a winter afternoon.
What makes this recipe especially special is how approachable it is. The dough is easy to work with, forgiving, and perfect for rolling and cutting into festive shapes. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just getting started with vegan baking, these cookies offer a stress-free way to create something beautiful and delicious. They also invite creativity—decorate with simple swirls of frosting, intricate piping, or a scattering of sprinkles and sanding sugar to make them uniquely yours.
The vegan vanilla frosting ties everything together, adding just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the cookie itself. Smooth, creamy, and endlessly customizable, it’s ideal for both casual spreading and more detailed designs. It also holds up well, making these cookies a great option for gifting, entertaining, or preparing ahead during a busy holiday season.
Most importantly, this recipe is meant to be shared. It’s about gathering around the kitchen counter, dusting the table with flour, and enjoying the process as much as the final result. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or simply treating yourself, these vegan sugar cookies are a celebration of comfort, tradition, and the joy of plant-based baking.
