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Vegan Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies

Vegan Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies – The Cutest Christmas Treat for Kids

vicky schulte
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 18 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • Dry Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp matcha powder (for natural green color)

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegan butter (Earth Balance)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tbsp plant-based milk (almond, oat or soy)
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Decorations

  • Small Red Sprinkles or Candies

Instructions
 

  • Preheat Your Oven
    Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
  • Mix the Dry Ingredients
    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and matcha or spinach powder. Adjust the green tone to your liking — 1 teaspoon for pale green, 2 teaspoons for bold Grinch green.
  • Cream the Butter and Sugar
    In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key to getting that soft sugar-cookie texture. A hand mixer or stand mixer makes this easy.
  • Add the Wet Ingredients
    Mix in applesauce, plant-based milk, vanilla, and almond extract. The applesauce keeps the cookies moist without using oil.
    mix wet an dry ingredients
  • Combine the Mixtures
    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until a soft dough forms — not too sticky, not too dry.If it feels crumbly, add 1–2 teaspoons of extra plant milk. If too wet, sprinkle in a bit more flour.
    combine the mixture
  • Chill the Dough
    Wrap the dough in parchment paper or cover the bowl. Chill for 30–45 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and keeps them from spreading too much during baking.
    Chill the dough
  • Roll & Cut
    Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use a round or heart-shaped cutter, or even a tree cutter for fun variations.
    Roll and cut cookies
  • Add the Grinch’s Heart
    Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and gently press a small red heart sprinkle into the center of each one.
  • Bake
    Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges just begin to set. The centers should still look slightly soft — they’ll firm up as they cool.
    Grinch Cookies on cookie sheet
  • Cool & Enjoy
    Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle with vegan royal icing or coconut butter if desired