The classic vegan gingerbread cookie — perfectly spiced, sturdy enough to hold its shape, and endlessly decoratable. Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, July in bikinis — whenever the mood strikes. Includes a natural food coloring guide for the most beautiful icing.
Cook time: PT20M
Total time: PT100M
Rating
5 stars (6 reviews)
Keywords
vegan gingerbread cookies, easy vegan gingerbread people, vegan Christmas cookies, vegan gingerbread recipe, cut out vegan cookies, vegan gingerbread house
Ingredients
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light molasses
1/4 cup plain unsweetened vegan milk
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 cups confectioner’s sugar (sifted if clumpy)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons warm water
Categories
Baked Goods
Cookie
Dessert
Steps
In a large bowl whisk together oil and sugar for about 3 minutes. Add molasses and milk. The molasses and milk won’t really blend with the oil but that’s ok.
Sift in half the flour, all the baking powder, soda and salt and all the spices and mix until relatively smooth. Add the remaining flour. Mix until a stiff dough is formed.
Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for an hour or up to 3 days in advance. If you chill longer than an hour you may want to let it sit for 10 minutes to warm up a bit before proceeding.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray two parchment lined baking sheets with cooking oil.
On a lightly floured surface roll the dough out to a little less than 1/4 inch thick. Cut shapes with cookie cutters and use a thin spatula to gently place on cookie sheets. If you are using them to decorate a tree or something, remember to punch a hole in their heads (!) before baking. Bake for 8 minutes if they're small and up to 12 minutes if they're large, but be careful not to overbake. They should be lightly brown on the bottom but still soft.
Remove from oven and let them cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet then move to a cooling rack. Wait until they are completely cool before icing.
Meanwhile, make the glaze:
Mix everything together until there are no lumps. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so to set up a bit. If it is too stiff to pipe, add water a teaspoon at a time.
Decorate with a piping bag fit with a small, round tip. Be adorable. Look at Pinterest first for ideas :) Let set for at least 30 minutes.
Reviews
VUK on 2026-02-23 (5 stars): This recipe is fun and the results are delicious. It's easy too, which I like!
Dale Ball on 2026-02-20 (5 stars): I love this recipe! The cutouts don't spread out or puff up much at all. The use of oil rather stick marg or coconut oil is great. And the spicimg is perfect. I took a batch to a nonvegan group in December and they all loved them
Cheryl C on 2026-02-20 (5 stars): I literally have made these EVERY December for as long as I can remember, and they never disappoint! My kids and neighbors adore them!
Agnieszka Dawidowska on 2025-11-25 (5 stars): We use this recipe for years - it is always successful, delicious and most joyful time of the year.:) Thank you!!!!!!!
Isa Chandra on 2025-08-02 (5 stars): The cutest and most delicious people to know.