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If you’re looking for a delicious and easy vegan cookie recipe, these cut-out cookies with quick-drying vegan royal icing are perfect for you! 

Soft, chewy, and ideal for decorating, making them great for any occasion. 

Vegan Cut-Out Cookies decorated as winter mittens

I love making these with kids or as pretty gifts, they are always a hit.

Full of wholesome vegan ingredients, these vegan cut-out cookies will become your go-to.

Why you’ll love these Vegan Cookies

  • Versatile: You can create a variety of shapes and designs with cookie cutters and decorate them with different colors of vegan royal icing, making them perfect for any occasion.
  • Fun to make: Baking and decorating cookies can be a fun activity for both adults and kids. You can involve your family or friends in the process and make it a group activity.
  • Delicious: Vegan cut-out cookies are just as delicious as traditional cookies, and the addition of vegan royal icing adds a sweet and creamy touch.
  • Customizable: You can customize the flavor of the cookie dough by adding different extracts or zest. You can also adjust the sweetness and consistency of the icing to your liking.
  • Perfect for gifting: Vegan cut-out cookies with vegan royal icing make a great gift for any occasion, and they can be packaged in cute boxes or bags to make them extra special.
  • Healthier option: Vegan cut-out cookies can be made with wholesome ingredients that give this recipe an edge over conventional butter cookies.
  • Low waste: Making your own cookies and icing reduces packaging waste and allows you to use up any leftover ingredients you may have in your pantry.

Ingredients and substitution notes

Cookie Ingredients

  • Margarine. Be sure to use a vegan margarine to keep the recipe vegan-friendly.
  • Vegan yogurt. I recommend Kite Hill plain unsweetened yogurt, but you can use any plain vegan yogurt.
  • Sugar. I use cane sugar in this recipe.
  • Vanilla extract. Adds dreamy vanilla notes to the recipe.
  • Almond extract. This adds a nutty flavor to the cookies.
  • Lemon zest. Brightens up the balance in the flavors.
  • Flour. Use all-purpose flour for this recipe
  • Baking powder. Acts as a raising agent – ensure your batch is fresh.
  • Salt. This enhances the flavor of cookies.

Royal Icing Ingredients

  • Aquafaba. Aka chickpea brine – this is used as a vegan substitute for egg whites.
  • Powdered sugar. Sweetens and thickens up the icing.
  • Lemon extract. Gives the royal icing a little flavor and freshness.

Recipe variations and add-ins

These vegan cut-out cookies are customizable to your liking. You can add in different extracts like coconut or orange, or even sprinkles for some extra flair.

Top tips

  • If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
  • Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent it from sticking to the surface or rolling pin.
  • Use sharp and clean cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them with vegan royal icing.

Make ahead of instructions and storage

The cookie dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If storing in the freezer, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in a ziplock bag to prevent freezer burn.

The baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If storing in the freezer, place a layer of parchment paper between the cookies to prevent them from sticking together.

Serving suggestions 

  • Serve the cookies as a sweet treat on their own or with a cup of tea or my favorite Hot Lemonade.
  • Decorate them with vegan royal icing and use them as edible gifts or party favors.
  • Use cookie cutters to create shapes that match the theme of a special occasion, such as hearts for Valentine’s Day or pumpkins for Thanksgiving.

FAQs

How can I color vegan royal icing?

Use natural food coloring, which is made from plant-based ingredients such as beetroot, turmeric, or spirulina. 

Alternatively, use regular food coloring as it will work just as well.

How long does vegan royal icing take to dry?

It depends on the thickness of the icing and the humidity in the room. In general, it takes about 2-3  hours for royal icing to dry completely. To speed up the process, place the decorated cookies in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. 

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Vegan Cut-Out Cookies decorated as winter mittens

Vegan Cut-Out Cookies with Vegan Royal Icing

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  • Author: Chef Ani
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Description

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy vegan cookie recipe, these cut-out cookies with quick-drying vegan royal icing are perfect for you!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup margarine (4oz) (Earth Balance)
  • (1 oz) vegan yogurt (Kite Hill, plain unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. With an electric mixer mix together the margarine, vegan yogurt, and sugar on medium to high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  2. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest.  Mix for 1-2 more minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture until combined.
  4. Roll dough out between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper.  Chill in Freezer or Fridge until firm.
  5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  6. Cut out your cookies and place on a lined baking sheet tray.  Bake for around 10 minutes or until your cookies are just slightly golden brown on the edges.
  7. Decorate with your favorite icing!  Or my Vegan Royal Icing below.

Vegan Royal Icing

  • 6 tablespoons aquafaba (chickpea brine)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
  1. In a clean bowl of electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the aquafaba until foamy in consistency.
  2. In a separate bowl sift the powdered sugar. Add all the powdered sugar to the aquafaba and whisk on high speed for 5 minutes scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed.
  3. Add the lemon extract and mix for 1 more minute.
  4. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge. Adjust the consistency of the icing by adding a few drops of water at a time.

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