The holidays are here, and that means it’s time for all the cozy traditions—decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, and, of course, baking Christmas cookies!
These vegan Christmas sugar cookies are the perfect sweet treat to bring a little extra holiday magic to your kitchen. Drop-style cookies are the ultimate holiday hack: quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious. Whether you’re baking solo or making it a family affair, these cookies are guaranteed to spread cheer with every bite. So grab your mixing bowl, preheat the oven, and let the smell of freshly baked cookies fill your home.
Why You’ll Love Drop-Style Cookies
- They’re for Everyone: Whether your guests are vegan or just love a good cookie, these sugar cookies are a crowd-pleaser that everyone can enjoy. Share the love (and the cookies) with friends, family, and neighbors!
- Stress-Free Baking: No rolling, no cutting—just scoop, bake, and enjoy. The drop-style method makes these cookies super simple and fun, even for beginner bakers or kids who want to help out.
- Totally Customizable: Festive sprinkles? Edible glitter? A dusting of powdered sugar? Get creative and make these cookies as festive as you want.
While cut-out cookies may get all the attention, there’s something special about the simplicity of drop-style sugar cookies. They’re quick to make, endlessly customizable, and just as festive. So whip up a batch, pour yourself a cup of cocoa, and let the holiday vibes roll in. Happy baking! 🎄🍪
Ingredients for Vegan Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of any great cookie! Make sure to measure correctly for the perfect texture. Too much can make your cookies dry, while too little can leave them too soft.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be soft and fluffy without losing that classic sugar cookie chew.
- Fine Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in your cookies.
- Softened Vegan Butter: Go for a good-quality vegan butter for the richest flavor. Let it soften at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated Sugar: Classic white sugar gives these cookies their signature sweetness and slight crunch.
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce: The perfect vegan egg substitute! It adds moisture while helping bind the dough together. Plus, it’s a subtle way to sneak in a touch of natural sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Paste: Both vanilla extract and vanilla paste bring a warm, sweet flavor to these cookies, but if you want to take it up a notch, try using vanilla paste. It’s made with real vanilla bean seeds, giving your cookies a richer, more aromatic flavor. Plus, those little flecks of vanilla bean will make your cookies look extra delicious!
- Christmas Sprinkles: The more, the merrier! Festive sprinkles add a pop of holiday cheer and can be used both in the dough and as a finishing touch. Save a few extra to top each cookie before baking for a picture-perfect look.
How to make Drop-Style Christmas Sugar Cookies:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy (a couple of minutes on low speed).
- Add Wet Ingredients: Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go. Add the apple sauce and vanilla to the butter mixture and continue to mix until fully combined.
- Combine Everything: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Fold in Christmas sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Add extra sprinkles on top of each piece of cookie dough.
- Drop-Style Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake on the center rack for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool Down: Allow the cookies to completely cool down on the baking sheet. They’ll be very soft when you take them out of the oven and will continue to cook on the sheet as they cool.
- Enjoy: Leave a few out for Santa and eat the rest with your family and friends!
How to Store Extra Cookie Dough
If you have extra sugar cookie dough and want to save it for later, the key is keeping it fresh and preventing it from drying out. Here are a few easy ways to store it:
- Wrap it up: For short-term storage, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a zip-top bag, squeezing out as much air as possible to keep it from drying out.
- Label and Date: Be sure to label the package with the type of dough and the date you made it. This will help you track how long it’s been stored and ensure you use it at its freshest.
- Refrigerate for Short-Term Storage: If you plan to bake the cookies within a few days, simply pop the dough in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for 2-3 days.
- Freeze for Long-Term Storage: For longer storage, freeze the dough! It can last up to a few months in the freezer. When you’re ready to bake, just transfer it to the fridge overnight to thaw.
Once the dough has thawed, you’re ready to bake your delicious sugar cookies as if they were freshly made!h. However, it’s a great time-saving strategy for busy schedules or when you want to plan ahead for baking.
Vegan Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies
Drop-style cookies are seriously the best. No rolling pins, no cookie cutters—just a simple spoonful of dough dropped onto a baking sheet. And the result? Soft, chewy cookies that are pure holiday magic. Plus, the easy, no-fuss method is a total lifesaver when you’re in the middle of a holiday baking spree. No need for perfect shapes or fancy decorations—just make batch after batch and have more time to enjoy all the festive fun with your loved ones.
Want to share the love? Give out these cookies in cute Christmas boxes—they make a heartfelt gift, wrapped in sweetness and holiday cheer.
More Christmas Recipes to Check Out:
- Mistletoe Mimosas – Deck the Halls with these Mistletoe Mimosas! They’re more than just a drink, it’s a celebration in a glass. As the ice begins to melt, it releases the essence of cranberry and rosemary, infusing your drink with a subtle and refreshing flavor that captures the spirit of the season.
- Grinch Cookies (Matcha Crinkle Cookies) – These Grinch Cookies are sure to bring Christmas cheer to everyone! They boast a vibrant green hue courtesy of matcha powder, capturing the essence of the infamous Grinch. Coated in a dusting of powdered sugar and adorned with heart-shaped sprinkles, these cookies are the ideal addition to cookie plates and dessert tables. Embrace the festive whimsy and treat your taste buds to a delightful burst of Grinch-inspired sweetness!
- Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies (Vegan) – Celebrate the festive season with the delightful indulgence of Hot Chocolate Cookies! Dive into the goodness of crushed candy canes, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. A perfect choice for your holiday gatherings, these vegan Christmas cookies are a must-bake treat for parties or cookie exchanges. Get ready to experience the joy of the season with every soft and chewy bite!
Get into the holiday spirit with these delicious Christmas sugar cookies—perfect for spreading festive cheer while decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, and leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookies (Drop Style / Vegan)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 Cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The holidays are here, and that means it’s time for all the cozy traditions—decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, and, of course, baking Christmas cookies!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Vegan Butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (or Vanilla Paste)
- 3 tablespoons Christmas Sprinkles, plus more for topping
Utensils:
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Scooper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy (a couple of minutes on low speed).
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go. Add the apple sauce and vanilla to the butter mixture and continue to mix until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in Christmas sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie. ***See notes for extra cookie dough storage.
- Add extra sprinkles on top of each piece of cookie dough.
- Bake on the center rack for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to completely cool down on the baking sheet. They’ll be very soft when you take them out of the oven and will continue to cook on the sheet as they cool.
- Leave a few out for Santa and enjoy the rest!
Notes
Storage: Wrap leftover cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap or store it in a zip-top bag. If you plan to use it within a few days, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, freeze the dough, where it can last for a few months. When you’re ready to use it, just transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight before baking.
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
⭐️ RATE THE RECIPE ⭐️ and share any suggestions or feedback in the comments below. Have questions? I will post your question and respond quickly. Your feedback is valuable because it helps me fine-tune the recipe to help others!
Better than store bought!! My family loved them on Christmas Day❤️😁🎄