Vegan sugar cookies that are dairy-free, gluten-free and grain-free!
An amazing and versatile cookie that is Paleo-friendly where no oil or eggs are required!
Plus, it makes a super easy and scrumptious cut-out cookie recipe! Perfect for holidays, celebrations or every day!
Be sure to read the full post for lots of decorating ideas for holidays and more!
Christmas Gluten-Free Cookies:
How To Make Vegan Sugar Cookies:
Step 1 – Gather the ingredients.
Step 2 – Add the ingredients for the dough to a mixing bowl. The icing will get mixed in another bowl.
Ingredients in mixing bowl. Tip: sometimes the best tool for this job is clean hands!
So simple – in a medium-sized mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well.
Step 3 – Mix until well combined and dough forms a ball.
Prepared cookie dough ready to roll.
Step 4 – Roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper (no need to refrigerate).
Rolled out dough ready for cookie cutters.
The number of cookies will depend on the size of your cookie cutters.
Use any size cookie cutter to cut out cookie shapes and place on a prepared baking pan with parchment paper.
Use the leftover dough to make more cookies. Simply gather into a ball and roll out the dough again. Continue this process until all the dough is used.
You may end up with a small bit of leftover. I usually throw that onto the cookie sheet as my “tester”. Keep an eye on that cookie, since it is smaller, it will bake faster. Do not burn the tester cookie. 🙂
Step 5 – Bake at 350 degrees F. for 5-10 minutes depending on cookie size.
Step 6 – Let cool on a rack.
Step 7 – Make the icing and decorate cookies as desired.
Occasions You Might Use Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Sugar Cookies:
- Any holiday
- Baby Shower
- Wedding Shower
- Birthday Party
- Cookout
- Dinner Party
- Brunch
- Luncheon
…this list goes on and on!
Snowman Cookies:
Vegan Icing Recipe:
- In a bowl, 1 1/2 cups of confectioners sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-2 tablespoons dairy-free milk (start off with a tablespoon and add as needed). Can substitute water for dairy-free milk. Mix well with a small whisk or spoon until you get the right consistency.
- Add liquid until you get the desired consistency of icing for decorating the cookies. You’ll need a bowl of icing for each color.
- Or make a big batch of icing and add to the individual bowls.
- For colors, use all-natural colors, Whole Foods has a 365 brand.
Icing Tips:
- If you do not want to use dyes for the coloring, I’ve used one tablespoon of cooked orange sweet potato to the icing to create the color for the pumpkin below.
- The green for the stem is a teaspoon of frozen chopped spinach. I added to the mini-food processor with the icing to get a smooth consistency.
How do you make icing harden?
- Place the cookies in the refrigerator for a few hours and the icing will set and harden.
What to use for decorating cookies?
- small bowls
- cookie cutters
- natural food coloring for icings
- squeeze bottles or piping bags
- sprinkles, and other natural decorations
Halloween Cookies:
Football Cookies:
Valentine’s Day Cookies:
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies:
Flower Cookies:
Can you freeze gluten-free sugar cookies:
- Yes, these cookies can be frozen for several weeks. Try to put something like parchment paper or wax paper between cookies so they don’t stick. However, I have stacked them on top of each other and just let them thaw to pull apart and then decorate.
How do you make gluten-free cookies less crumbly?
- If you find the dough crumbly, first try mixing to combine the dough more thoroughly, and then if needed, add a bit more maple syrup.
Do you need xantham gum in gluten-free cookies?
- Some cookies will need xantham gum, but this recipe does not.
Do sugar cookies puff up?
- Depending on the cookie recipe, some will puff up. This sugar cookie recipe does not puff up very much.
What can I use in place of eggs in sugar cookies?
- In some recipes, flax eggs or chia eggs will work very well in place of eggs.
How do you get sugar cookies to hold their shape?
- For this recipe, rolling the dough to a good thickness (not too thin) will help the cookies hold their shape as you move them to the baking sheet and as they bake.
Can I rebake undercooked sugar cookies?
- It’s better to remove the cookies a little bit underdone than to have them be overcooked and burnt. You can return the cookies to the oven for a few more minutes if needed.
Vegan Cookie Recipes:
- Coconut Flour Cut-Out Cookies
- Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
- Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Vegan Cookie Dough (Edible)
Vegan Recipes:
- Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
- Vegan Donuts
- Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache
- Find additional vegan recipes.
Gluten-Free Cookies:
- Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Fudge Cookies
- Almond Butter Cookies
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chips Cookie Recipe
Vegan sugar cookies with just a few ingredients! Gluten-free sugar cookies! Paleo-friendly, grain-free! Lots of tips and an easy vegan icing recipe!
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (Recipe for homemade baking powder on this blog)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- pinch sea salt
- Icing:
- 2 cups organic powdered sugar (gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon almond milk (add enough milk to get the consistency of spreadable icing)
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add almond flour, tapioca starch/flour, and baking powder and mix well. (I usually whisk these ingredients well as almond flour can have lumps. Whisk all the lumps out.)
-
Next, add vanilla, maple syrup, and sea salt and mix well.
-
Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out. Cut out cookie shapes and place cookies on a prepared baking sheet. (Sprinkle a little almond flour if the dough is sticking).
-
Bake for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies. Edges should be just ever so slightly browning. Cool on a rack and wait until completely cool to decorate.
-
For the icing - place powdered sugar and almond milk in a bowl and stir until completely mixed and the consistency you want. If too runny, add a little more powdered sugar. If too thick, add a little almond milk.
-
You will yield one pan of cookies.
*Cook time will vary depending on the size of your cookies. Most will bake in 5-10 minutes. Check often so they do not burn.
*See notes in the post on how I created natural orange and green icing!
Vegan Icing Recipe:
- In a bowl, 1 1/2 cups of confectioners sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-2 tablespoons dairy-free milk (start off with a tablespoon and add as needed). Can substitute water for dairy-free milk. Mix well with a small whisk or spoon until you get the right consistency.
- Add liquid until you get the desired consistency of icing for decorating the cookies. You'll need a bowl of icing for each color.
- Or make a big batch of icing and add to the individual bowls.
- For colors, use all-natural colors, Whole Foods has a 365 brand.
Icing Tips:
- If you do not want to use dyes for the coloring, I've used one tablespoon of cooked orange sweet potato to the icing to create the color for the pumpkin below.
- The green for the stem is a teaspoon of frozen chopped spinach. I added to the mini-food processor with the icing to get a smooth consistency.
How do you make icing harden?
- Place the cookies in the refrigerator for a few hours and the icing will set and harden.
What to use for decorating cookies?
- small bowls
- cookie cutters
- natural food coloring for icings
- squeeze bottles or piping bags,
- sprinkles, and other natural decorations
Can you freeze gluten-free sugar cookies:
- Yes, these cookies can be frozen for several weeks. Try to put something like parchment paper or wax paper between cookies so they don't stick. However, I have stacked them on top of each other and just let them thaw to pull apart and then decorate.
How do you make gluten-free cookies less crumbly?
- If you find the dough crumbly, first try mixing to combine the dough more thoroughly, and then if needed, add a bit more maple syrup.
Do you need xantham gum in gluten-free cookies?
- Some cookies will need xantham gum, but this recipe does not.
Do sugar cookies puff up?
- Depending on the cookie recipe, some will puff up. This sugar cookie recipe does not puff up very much.
What can I use in place of eggs in sugar cookies?
- In some recipes, flax eggs or chia eggs will work very well in place of eggs.
How do you get sugar cookies to hold their shape?
- For this recipe, rolling the dough to a good thickness (not too thin) will help the cookies hold their shape as you move them to the baking sheet and as they bake.
Can I rebake undercooked sugar cookies?
- It's better to remove the cookies a little bit underdone than to have them be overcooked and burnt. You can return the cookies to the oven for a few more minutes if needed.
Resource: Guide to cookie decorating, How to Decorate Cookies; A Step by Step Guide,
This post was originally posted on December 23, 2015, and has been updated with new photos and content in December 2019.
Mandy
I am looking to make a vegan, gluten free, oil free press cookie do you think this recipe will work in a cookie press?
Christine Galvani
Hello Mandy,
I looked at a few recipes that use a cookie press and I’m not sure based on the texture of the dough. It might work, but I haven’t tried it.
Malini
Hello, can dough balls be made in advance?
Christine Galvani
Hi Malini: Yes, they can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to roll out the dough. Let the dough sit on the counter for about 5-10 minutes after you take out of the refrigerator so it’s easier to roll out (the dough will be hard from being in the fridge).
Carla Sokol
These look good. Unfortunately, I cannot have oil of any kind including nuts and seeds. Does it matter what flour I substitute for the almond flour? I’m not gluten free. Also, I don’t use refined sugar like powdered sugar. Do you have a substitute for that?
Christine Galvani
Hi Carla – I have not tried this recipe with substitutions as you have described so I am not sure what would work. I hope you find a good recipe. Happy Holidays!
Talar o
What do you recommend using if my son is allergic to almond? (And dairy and eggs and all nuts)? Thank you!
Christine Galvani
Would this recipe work? https://24carrotkitchen.com/coconut-flour-valentines-day-heart-cookies/