Vegan Gingerbread Cookies With Icing Recipe - Plantiful Bakery (2024)

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These Vegan Gingerbread Cookies are perfectly spiced with ginger and cinnamon and flavored with molasses. They are crispy and delicate. This recipe for Homemade Gingerbread Cookies decorated with easy white icing is the best for Christmas baking.

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies With Icing Recipe - Plantiful Bakery (1)

THESE GINGERBREAD COOKIES ARE:

  • vegan
  • egg-free
  • dairy-free
  • crispy
  • spicy
  • warm
  • flavorful
  • tasty
  • best Christmas cookies

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies With Icing Recipe - Plantiful Bakery (2)

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE VEGAN GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH ICING:

You need the following ingredients to make these Gingerbread Cookies:

  • Vegan butter – Use vegan butter that has around 75-80% fat. Don’t forget to let it soften at room temperature before making the dough.
  • Brown sugar – You can use coconut sugar instead.
  • Unsulphured molasses – Adds that characteristic gingerbread flavor.
  • Unsweetened almond milk – Use any unsweetened plant-based milk of your choice.
  • All-purpose flour – I don’t recommend using any other type of flour for this recipe.
  • Cocoa powder – adds color to the cookies. Use unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Gingerbread spices – The recipe calls for ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. You can always adjust the spices.
  • Baking powder – Helps to raise the dough.
  • Sea salt – to bring out all those flavors.
  • Icing sugar – for the gingerbread icing.
  • Cornstarch

Equipment you need:

  • Mixing bowl – for mixing the gingerbread dough
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Sifter
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Plastic wrapper
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking tray – I recommend using one with a lighter surface, so the cookies won’t get brown too much on the bottom
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium-size bowl – for the icing
  • Piping bag

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HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VEGAN GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH ICING:

You will find the instructions and ingredients list in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Step: Make the gingerbread dough

To the mixing bowl, add soft vegan butter, brown sugar, and molasses. Cream together with a hand mixer (or use a stand mixer) for about 1 minute. Add unsweetened almond milk. Mix until combine. Next, sift all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and baking soda. Add a pinch of sea salt. Mix everything with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined.

2. Step: Let the dough chill

Wrap the gingerbread dough in a plastic wrapper and put it in the fridge to let it chill overnight (or at least for about 3 hours). It will help to combine the flavors and firm the dough, so it will be easier to work with it.

3. Step: Let the dough thaw and preheat the oven

The next day, take the dough off the fridge and let it thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 170°C.

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4. Step: Roll out the dough and cut out cookies

Unwrap the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Always try to use as little flour as possible. (However, the dough should never stick to the surface or rolling pin.) Lightly flour the dough as well.

Roll out the dough evenly using a rolling pin to around 0,5 cm (1/5 in) thick. Use any shape of the cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Dip the cookie cutter into flour every time you cut a new cookie, so the dough doesn’t stick to it.

Gather the scraps of dough, form into a ball, and roll out again. Cut more cookies. Repeat this process until there is no more dough.

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5. Step: Bake the gingerbread cookies

Carefully transfer the cookies onto a baking tray with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven for about 6-7 minutes. Baking time depends on how large and thick your cookies are, so make sure to keep your eyes on them. If you want softer cookies, bake them for a shorter time.

After cookies are baked, transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before decorating.

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6. Step: Make icing and decorate cookies

To a medium-size bowl, sift icing sugar and cornstarch. Then add almond milk and whisk until combined into thick icing (it should hold shape). You can add more milk if it’s too thick.

After the cookies are cooled, transfer the icing to a piping bag and decorate your cookies.

Make sure to let the icing harden.

Store your gingerbread cookies in an airtight container.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

HOW LONG WILL THE GINGERBREAD DOUGH LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

You can make the dough ahead a few days and keep it in the fridge. It will last up to one week.

HOW TO STORE VEGAN GINGERBREAD COOKIES?

Place the cookies in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry place. Make sure that the icing is completely dry first.

HOW LONG GINGERBREAD COOKIES LAST?

Gingerbread cookies will last for about 4 weeks in a cool, dry place.

CAN YOU FREEZE GINGERBREAD COOKIES?

Yes, you can freeze gingerbread cookies. Place them into a covered container and keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies With Icing Recipe - Plantiful Bakery (8)

IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE, MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING:

  • Vegan Gingerbread Sheet Cake With Molasses Frosting
  • Walnut Crescent Cookies
  • Vegan Hot Chocolate With Rum
  • Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
  • Homemade Vegan Nutella

If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment below. Or share your photo on Instagram and tag @plantifulbakery.

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies With Icing Recipe - Plantiful Bakery (9)

VEGAN GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH ICING

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These Vegan Gingerbread Cookies are perfectly spiced with ginger and cinnamon and flavored with molasses. They are crispy and delicate. This recipe for Homemade Gingerbread Cookies decorated with easy white icing is the best for Christmas baking.

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Course: Cookie, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Czech

Diet: Vegan

Yield: 35 cookies (approx.)

Calories: 48kcal

Author: Plantiful Bakery

Ingredients

For the gingerbread cookies:

  • 70 g vegan butter, soft, (around 75-80% fat)
  • 90 g brown sugar
  • 40 g unsulphured molasses
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 200 g all-purpose flour, + extra for flouring
  • 1/2 tbsp (3 g) cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • pinch sea salt

For the icing:

  • 80 g icing sugar
  • 8 g (1 tbsp) corn starch
  • 20 ml (1 tbsp + 1 tsp) unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

Make the gingerbread cookies:

  • To the mixing bowl, add soft vegan butter, brown sugar, and molasses. Cream together with a hand mixer for about 1 minute. Add unsweetened almond milk. Mix until combine. Next, sift all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and baking soda. Add a pinch of sea salt. Mix everything with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined.

  • Wrap the gingerbread dough in a plastic wrapper and put it in the fridge to let it chill overnight (or at least for about 3 hours).

  • The next day, take the dough off the fridge and let it thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.

  • Preheat the oven to 170°C.

  • Unwrap the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Lightly flour the dough.

  • Roll out the dough evenly using a rolling pin to around 0,5 cm (1/5 in) thick. Use any shape of the cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Dip the cookie cutter into flour every time you cut a new cookie.

  • Gather the scraps of dough, form into a ball, and roll out again. Cut more cookies. Repeat this process until there is no more dough.

  • Carefully transfer the cookies onto a baking tray with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven for about 6-7 minutes. Baking time depends on how large and thick your cookies are, so make sure to keep your eyes on them.

  • After cookies are baked, transfer them to a cooling rack and let cool completely before decorating.

Make the icing:

  • To a medium-size bowl, sift icing sugar and cornstarch. Then add almond milk and whisk until combined into thick icing (it should hold shape).

  • After the cookies are cooled, transfer the icing to a piping bag and decorate your cookies.

  • Make sure to let the icing harden before storing it in an airtight container.

Notes

The prep time does not include the chilling time of the dough.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 cookie (aprox. 12g) / Calories: 48kcal / Total Fat: 1,7g / Saturated Fat: 0,8g / Cholesterol: 0mg / Sodium: 8,6mg / Total Carbohydrate: 7,7g / Fiber: 0,2g / Sugar: 3,1g / Protein: 0,7g / Calcium: 13,4mg / Iron: 0,3mg / Potassium: 35mg

*The nutrition facts are for guidance only and are counted without the icing.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal

Did you make this recipe?Tag @plantifulbakery on Instagram and hashtag it #plantifulbakery!

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Vegan Gingerbread Cookies With Icing Recipe - Plantiful Bakery (2024)

FAQs

Why are my ginger cookies so hard? ›

“There are some gingerbread recipes that are hard right after baking and need to sit for a few days to soften. Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.”

Do you decorate gingerbread cookies before after baking? ›

One of our favorite aspects about making gingerbread cookies from scratch is being able to decorate them after they cool. Sprinkles, icing, gum drops, mints, chocolates—you can use all these edible items and more to give your cookies their own unique personalities.

What makes gingerbread cookies crack on top? ›

You have a few things that can go wrong: The oven isn't hot enough. (it needs to set the top before the middle's fully risen) Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set)

Why do gingerbread cookies spread? ›

Cookies spread because the fat in the cookie dough melts in the oven. If there isn't enough flour to hold that melted fat, the cookies will over-spread. Spoon and level that flour or, better yet, weigh your flour. If your cookies are still spreading, add an extra 2 Tablespoons of flour to the cookie dough.

What happens if you don't chill gingerbread dough? ›

Forgetting to chill the dough.

It's tempting to want to roll out the dough as soon as it comes together, but let it have a little time to rest. Chilling it for at least two hours or overnight gives the ingredients a chance to absorb one another, making it a whole lot easier to roll out the dough without it cracking.

Should I use parchment paper for gingerbread cookies? ›

Silicone mats are a great reusable alternative, as well! But parchment paper is always reliable. Our Gingerbread Men here at Muddy's Bake Shop were baked on parchment, and they give parchment two thumbs up!

How long should you chill gingerbread dough? ›

Divide the dough into two thick disks and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours. (The dough can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.) To roll out the cookies, work with one disk at a time, keeping the other disk refrigerated.

Should gingerbread cookies be soft or crunchy? ›

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? Soft gingerbread biscuits are ideal. They ought to be flexible. However, they should still be somewhat elastic, and if you hold them too firmly because you're so excited to eat them, you might even be able to leave your fingerprints on the cookie!

What happens if you add too much butter to gingerbread cookies? ›

An excessive amount of butter makes it where the flour is unable to absorb the combined fat, which causes the cookie to spread too widely and the sugar to carbonize more easily because it's surrounded by too buttery a dough.

Why do you put molasses in gingerbread? ›

The deep, caramel-like sweetness of molasses pairs perfectly with the warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, creating the iconic flavor profile of these classic treats. The choice of molasses over other sweeteners adds a depth and complexity that elevates gingerbread to a cherished holiday tradition.

Why are my gingerbread cookies bland? ›

Mistake #1: Underseasoning your dough

Something has definitely gone wrong if your gingerbread is bland and doesn't have a distinct ginger flavor. To prevent this from happening, Lomas recommends using several different types of ginger: dried ground ginger, fresh ginger and candied ginger.

How long will homemade gingerbread keep? ›

It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to five days and you can freeze it too, so you can make it ahead of time. Preheat oven to 180°C / 160°C fan-forced. Line two baking trays with baking paper. Once cooled, decorate your gingerbread with icing, lollies and Christmas decorations.

How long will gingerbread cookies stay fresh? ›

If you like, decorate as desired with royal icing, and dry completely before storage (this can take 12-24 hours depending on thickness of design, ambient humidity, and air flow). With or without frosting, the gingerbread cookies will last up to 3 weeks at cool room temperature in an airtight container.

How do you know when gingerbread is done? ›

Timing is the key to achieving the crispy edges and chewy centers of a perfect gingerbread cookie. Due to gingerbread's dark color, it can be tricky to tell when they're done baking—look for puffed up, just-set centers. Gingerbread cookies will collapse as they cool, delivering that chewy cookie texture.

Are ginger cookies supposed to be hard? ›

What they should not be is hard. I won't even make a joke about hard gingerbread men (other than this one), but if your gingerbread cookies are hard, then you are doing things wrong.

What causes homemade cookies to be hard? ›

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.

Why are my cookies hard instead of chewy? ›

Hard cookies: you are over mixing, baking too long, baking at too high a temperature, or some combination of these. Cakey cookies: not enough brown sugar, too much or too little egg, too much flour, maybe you used baking powder instead of baking soda?

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