Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Vegan gingerbread cookies are a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holiday season. With their warm spices and sweet aroma, these cookies are perfect for decorating, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea. They can be made to your desired texture—soft or crunchy—making them a versatile choice for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: This recipe comes together quickly, perfect for beginner bakers.
• Customizable: You can adjust spices and shapes to suit your taste and festive themes.
• Perfect for Gifting: Pack them in a cute box or jar for a lovely homemade gift.
• Great for Decorating: Use icing to create fun designs that kids will love to help with.
• Deliciously Vegan: Enjoy the classic gingerbread flavor without any animal products.

Tools and Preparation

To make these vegan gingerbread cookies, you’ll need some essential tools to ensure success in your baking.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Wire rack
• Piping bag (optional)

Importance of Each Tool

• Baking sheets: They provide an even surface for baking, ensuring cookies cook uniformly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Mixing bowls: Allows you to combine ingredients thoroughly without mess.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out dough to the perfect thickness for cutting shapes.

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Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 150 g (1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp) vegan block butter (I use Naturli Vegan Block)
• 120 g (2/3 cup) light brown soft sugar
• 100 g (3 ½ oz) golden syrup
• 50 g (1 ¾ oz) black treacle (or molasses)
• 3 ½ tsp ground ginger
• 3 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 380 g (3 cups + 2 Tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour (plus extra for dusting)

For the Icing

• 300 g (2 ½ cups) icing (powdered) sugar (sifted)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice (plus extra as needed)
• 2 Tbsp aquafaba (or use extra lemon juice or water instead)

How to Make Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Step 1: Melt the Ingredients

Place the butter, sugar, golden syrup, and treacle in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir until melted. Remove from heat once combined.

Step 2: Add Spices and Soda

Add ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and bicarbonate of soda. Whisk until smooth. Expect some foaming.

Step 3: Combine with Flour

Stir in the flour using a wooden spoon until no dry patches remain. Wrap the dough in clingfilm or an eco-friendly alternative. Refrigerate for about two hours until firm enough to roll out.

Step 4: Roll Out Dough

Roll out on a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of baking parchment to about 3-5mm thick based on your preference.

Step 5: Cut Out Shapes

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Gather scraps into a ball, re-roll, and cut more shapes.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Place cookie shapes on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Ensure they are spaced apart as they will spread slightly during baking.

Step 7: Chill Before Baking

Freeze trays for about 15 minutes until firm while preheating the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4.

Step 8: Bake Cookies

Bake cookies for about 8–12 minutes based on size and desired texture. Smaller cookies will bake faster. They will firm up as they cool.

Step 9: Cool Cookies

Allow cookies to cool on trays for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack until completely cool.

Step 10: Prepare Royal Icing

In a bowl, mix sifted icing sugar with lemon juice and aquafaba until thick yet pourable. Adjust consistency as needed with more lemon juice or icing sugar.

Step 11: Decorate Cookies

Transfer icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle. Decorate cookies as desired.

Step 12: Dry Before Storing

Let decorated cookies dry flat for several hours before storing them in an airtight container.

How to Serve Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Vegan gingerbread cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you’re serving them at a festive gathering or gifting them to friends, here are some delightful serving suggestions.

As a Festive Snack

• Enjoy these cookies plain or with a cup of tea for a cozy snack during the holiday season.

Decorated as Holiday Gifts

• Wrap decorated cookies in cellophane bags with ribbons for charming and personal gifts.

Cookie Decoration Station

• Set up a decorating station where guests can add their own icing and toppings, making it an interactive experience.

Holiday Dessert Platter

• Arrange vegan gingerbread cookies on a festive platter alongside other vegan treats for an eye-catching dessert spread.

With Dairy-Free Dips

• Serve with dips like vegan chocolate sauce or fruit puree for an exciting flavor combination.

In a Cookie Exchange

• Bring your vegan gingerbread cookies to cookie exchanges, showcasing your delicious plant-based treat among traditional options.

How to Perfect Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Making the perfect vegan gingerbread cookies is simple when you follow these tips. Here are some key points to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time.

• Use Fresh Spices: Ensure your ground spices are fresh for the best flavor. Stale spices can dull the cookies’ taste.

• Chill the Dough: After mixing, refrigerate the dough until firm. This helps achieve better shapes when rolling and cutting.

• Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Watch your cookies closely as they bake. They should be just starting to brown around the edges but still soft in the center.

• Experiment with Shapes: Use various cookie cutters to create fun shapes that will appeal to both kids and adults alike.

• Adjust Icing Consistency: Depending on your decoration style, adjust the icing consistency by adding more lemon juice or powdered sugar as needed.

Best Side Dishes for Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Vegan gingerbread cookies pair wonderfully with several side dishes that enhance their delightful flavors. Here are some great options to consider:

1. Coconut Whipped Cream: Light and airy, this topping complements the spices of gingerbread perfectly.

2. Fruit Compote: A warm berry or apple compote adds a sweet and tangy contrast to the spiced cookies.

3. Chai Latte: The warm spices in chai make it a perfect beverage pairing with your vegan gingerbread cookies.

4. Almond Milk Hot Chocolate: Rich and creamy hot chocolate made with almond milk offers a comforting drink alongside your treats.

5. Vegan Ice Cream: A scoop of dairy-free ice cream adds an indulgent touch, especially if served warm.

6. Spiced Tea: A pot of cinnamon or chai tea brings out the flavors of your cookies while keeping everything cozy.

7. Nut Butter Dip: Almond or cashew butter offers a protein-packed option that pairs nicely with the sweetness of gingerbread.

8. Candied Citrus Slices: These add an aromatic touch and provide a refreshing palate cleanser after indulging in sweet treats.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making vegan gingerbread cookies can be simple, but there are common pitfalls to watch for.

• Bold phrase: Not chilling the dough
  Chilling the dough is crucial for easy rolling and cutting. If you skip this step, your cookies may spread too much while baking.

• Bold phrase: Incorrect oven temperature
  Always preheat your oven properly. An incorrect temperature can lead to cookies that are either undercooked or too hard.

• Bold phrase: Overmixing the dough
  Mixing too much can make your cookies tough. Stir until just combined to keep them soft and chewy.

• Bold phrase: Using stale spices
  Fresh spices enhance flavor. Make sure your ground ginger, cinnamon, and other spices are fresh for the best taste.

• Bold phrase: Ignoring thickness of dough
  Rolling the dough too thick or thin affects baking time and texture. Aim for a consistent thickness of about 3-5mm.

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Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
• Keep cookies separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap or place in a freezer-safe bag.
• They will last up to three months in the freezer.

Reheating Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

• Oven: Preheat to 180°C (350°F) and warm for about 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave: Heat each cookie for about 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate.
• Stovetop: Place in a pan over low heat for a few minutes while covered with a lid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about vegan gingerbread cookies.

Can I make Vegan Gingerbread Cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for baking.

How do I decorate my Vegan Gingerbread Cookies?

Use royal icing made from icing sugar, lemon juice, and aquafaba as described in the recipe, or use vegan-friendly edible decorations.

What if I don’t have aquafaba?

You can substitute aquafaba with extra lemon juice or water in equal amounts without compromising the texture of the icing.

How long do Vegan Gingerbread Cookies last?

When stored properly, these cookies can last up to a week in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.

Final Thoughts

These vegan gingerbread cookies are not only delicious but also versatile. Perfect for holiday decorating or gifting, they allow room for creativity. Customize them with your favorite spices or decorations and enjoy the festive spirit!