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Holiday baking doesn’t have to be stressful it should be cozy, festive, and fun.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Holiday Desserts?
If you love Christmas sweets but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, you’re in the right place. These easy vegan Christmas cookies and desserts are simple, use everyday ingredients, and taste just like the classics—without any dairy or eggs.
From soft gingerbread cookies to indulgent sticky toffee pudding, there’s a treat here for every craving and skill level.
For even more make-ahead holiday ideas, check out my Easy Vegan Thanksgiving & Christmas Cookbook, featuring 55+ festive recipes that are ready in 30 minutes or less, with 10 ingredients or fewer, plus practical prep-ahead tips to keep your holidays stress-free.
1. Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
Soft, spiced, and perfect for decorating with the family — nothing smells more like Christmas than these classic cookies.
Prep: 15 min | Chill: 30 min | Bake: 10 min | Yields: ~20 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 3 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and spices in a bowl.
- Mix coconut oil, sugar, molasses, milk, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients; chill 30 minutes.
- Roll dough, cut shapes, place on parchment-lined sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–10 min; cool before decorating.
2. Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Rich, creamy, and perfectly minty, these truffles are festive and simple.
Prep: 15 min | Chill: 30 min | Yields: 15–20 truffles
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup canned coconut cream
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
- Heat coconut cream until hot. Pour over chocolate; let sit 1–2 min.
- Stir until smooth; mix in peppermint extract.
- Chill 30 min, scoop, roll into balls, coat in crushed candy canes.
- Store in fridge up to 1 week.
3. Coconut Snowball Cookies
Soft, sweet, and snowy — perfect for quick festive baking.
Prep: 10 min | Chill: 20 min | Yields: ~18 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups shredded coconut
- ½ cup almond flour
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients until sticky.
- Roll into balls; chill 20 min.
- No baking required!
4. Shortbread Bars with Cranberry Swirl
Buttery, tart, and perfect for a colorful holiday tray.
Prep: 10 min | Bake: 20–22 min | Yields: 12–16 bars
Ingredients:
Base:
- 1 cup vegan butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- Pinch of salt
Swirl: - ½ cup cranberry sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar; mix in flour and salt.
- Press into parchment-lined 8×8 pan; swirl cranberry sauce on top.
- Bake 20–22 min; cool before slicing.
5. Sticky Toffee Pudding
Warm, sweet, and irresistibly sticky — a vegan holiday classic.
Prep: 15 min | Bake: 30 min | Serves: 6
Ingredients:
Pudding:
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted vegan butter
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch salt
Sauce: - ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup vegan butter
- ¼ cup coconut milk
Instructions:
- Soak dates in boiling water with baking soda 10 min; mash.
- Stir in sugar, butter, flour, baking powder, salt; pour into greased 8×8 pan.
- Bake 350°F (175°C) for 30 min.
- Melt sauce ingredients; pour over pudding.
6. Vegan Chocolate Yule Log
A show-stopping dessert that’s easier than it looks.
Prep: 20 min | Bake: 15 min | Yields: 8–10 slices
Ingredients:
Cake:
- ¾ cup flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¾ cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup plant milk, ¼ cup oil, 1 tsp vanilla
Filling: 1 cup coconut whipped cream
Ganache: 1 cup vegan chocolate chips, ½ cup coconut cream
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line jelly-roll pan.
- Mix cake ingredients; bake 12–15 min.
- Roll warm cake on towel; unroll, spread cream, re-roll.
- Melt ganache; spread over log. Chill, dust with powdered sugar.
7. Vegan Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating.
Prep: 15 min | Chill: 30 min | Bake: 10–12 min | Yields: ~24 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour, ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¾ cup vegan butter, ¾ cup sugar, 1 tbsp plant milk, 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar; add milk and vanilla.
- Mix in flour, baking powder, salt. Chill 30 min.
- Roll, cut shapes, bake 350°F (175°C) 10–12 min.
8. Maple Pecan Cookies
Chewy, nutty, and sweetly spiced.
Prep: 10 min | Bake: 12 min | Yields: 16 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups flour, ½ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup vegan butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup maple syrup, ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Cream butter, sugar, syrup; add flour, soda, salt.
- Fold in pecans; scoop onto tray.
- Bake 350°F (175°C) 11–12 min.
9. Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Delicate, crumbly, and perfect for jam or chocolate centers.
Prep: 10 min | Bake: 12–14 min | Yields: 20 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup vegan butter, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, ½ cup jam or chocolate
Instructions:
- Mix dough (except filling). Roll into balls; press thumbprint.
- Bake 350°F (175°C) 12–14 min. Cool, fill centers.
10. Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Fudgy, snowy, and decadent.
Prep: 10 min | Chill: 30 min | Bake: 10–11 min | Yields: 18 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour, ½ cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup oil, ¼ cup plant milk, ½ tsp vanilla, ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Mix ingredients except powdered sugar. Chill 30 min.
- Roll into balls; coat in powdered sugar.
- Bake 350°F (175°C) 10–11 min.
11. Chocolate Orange Mousse Cups
This smooth, rich mousse tastes fancy but takes 5 minutes to blend. It’s perfect for when you want a quick vegan holiday dessert that still feels elegant.
Prep time: 5 min
Chill time: 20 min
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp plant milk
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Chill 20 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with extra zest or shaved chocolate.
12. Apple Cranberry Crisp
A cozy fruit dessert that’s warm, tart, and sweet — and the oat topping turns perfectly golden. Serve with vegan ice cream for holiday comfort.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 35 min
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup oats
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix apples, cranberries, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, mix oats, flour, sugar, and oil.
- Spread fruit in a baking dish; top with crumble.
- Bake 35 minutes until bubbly.
13. Vegan Bread Pudding
Soft on the inside, golden on top — this bread pudding is the perfect way to use leftover bread. It’s comfort food at its best.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 35 min
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 6 cups cubed bread
- 2 cups plant milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Whisk milk, syrup, flaxseed, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour over bread and let soak 10 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes.
14. Peppermint Bark
Crisp, minty, and chocolatey — this no-bake dessert screams Christmas. It makes the best edible gift too.
Prep time: 10 min
Chill time: 20 min
Makes: about 12 pieces
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark vegan chocolate chips
- 1 cup vegan white chocolate chips
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
- Melt dark chocolate and spread thin on parchment.
- Chill 10 minutes.
- Melt white chocolate with peppermint extract; spread on top.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes. Chill and break into pieces.
15. No-Bake Peanut Butter Fudge
Creamy, rich, and only five ingredients. It’s one of the easiest vegan desserts you’ll ever make.
Prep time: 10 min
Chill time: 30 min
Makes: 16 squares
Ingredients:
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Melt all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat.
- Pour into a parchment-lined pan.
- Chill until firm, then cut into squares.
16. Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chewy, cinnamon-spiced, and sweet — these cookies taste like home. A holiday favorite that’s simple and wholesome.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 12 min
Makes: 18 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions:
- Cream butter, sugar, and syrup together.
- Add dry ingredients and stir.
- Fold in raisins.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 minutes.
17. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
Classic shortbread meets rich dark chocolate. These cookies are beautiful on a platter and great for gifting.
Prep time: 15 min
Bake time: 15 min
Makes: 20 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vegan butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (for dipping)
Instructions:
- Mix butter, sugar, flour, and salt into dough.
- Roll into a log, slice, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Cool and dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate.
18. Vegan Snickerdoodles
Soft, cinnamon-coated, and buttery — these are holiday classics made vegan.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 10 min
Makes: 20 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp plant milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Cream butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients and mix.
- Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
19. Vegan Double Chocolate Cookies
Rich, chewy, and extra chocolatey — these are perfect for serious chocolate lovers.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 11 min
Makes: 16 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup plant milk
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugars. Add milk.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 11 minutes.
20. Vegan Molasses Cookies
Soft, chewy, and full of warm spice. These taste just like classic holiday cookies, without the eggs or dairy.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 10–11 min
Makes: 20 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Cream butter, sugar, and molasses.
- Add dry ingredients and mix.
- Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
21. Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Bark
Sweet, salty, and crunchy — the perfect last-minute dessert.
Prep time: 10 min
Chill time: 20 min
Makes: 12 pieces
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark vegan chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- ¼ cup peanuts or almonds (optional)
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate and spread on parchment.
- Sprinkle with pretzels and nuts.
- Chill and break into shards.
22. Cranberry Oat Bars
Sweet-tart cranberry filling and a crumbly oat base make this the perfect make-ahead holiday treat.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 25 min
Makes: 12 bars
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups oats
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
Instructions:
- Mix oats, flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
- Press half into a pan, spread cranberry sauce, top with remaining mixture.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.
23. Vegan Brownie Bites
Fudgy, rich, and portion-controlled — ideal for parties or lunchboxes.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 15 min
Makes: 12 bites
Ingredients:
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- ¼ cup plant milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Mix everything in a bowl.
- Scoop into mini muffin tins.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
24. Vegan Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Crisp, buttery, and bright — these bring a little sunshine to winter days.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 12 min
Makes: 18 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup vegan butter
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Cream butter, sugar, zest, and juice.
- Add flour and mix until dough forms.
- Roll out, cut, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 minutes.
25. Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons
Chewy centers, crisp edges, and a glossy chocolate base — the perfect finish to your vegan dessert lineup.
Prep time: 10 min
Bake time: 15 min
Makes: 18 macaroons
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ cup vegan dark chocolate chips (for dipping)
Instructions:
- Mix coconut, syrup, oil, and vanilla.
- Scoop onto baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Cool, then dip bottoms in melted chocolate.

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FAQs
1. Can I freeze vegan cookies?
Yes. Let them cool completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to two months.
2. What’s the best vegan butter for baking?
Try Earth Balance, Country Crock Plant Butter, or Miyoko’s for rich flavor and great texture.
3. Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend works well in most of these recipes.
4. Do these cookies taste like regular ones?
Absolutely. With the right ingredients, you’d never guess they’re vegan.
5. How long do vegan cookies last?
Most stay fresh 4–5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
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