Easy Vegan Easter Cookies: Egg-Free Apricot Jam Cut-Outs for a Delicious Spring Celebration
This spring, the Easter Bunny has a delightful surprise for every-bunny! If you’re searching for the perfect treat that’s both festive and inclusive, look no further. This incredibly easy recipe for Vegan Easter Cookies is eggs-actly what you’re craving this holiday season! These charming cut-out cookies are not only bursting with vibrant flavors but are also completely egg-free and dairy-free, making them ideal for all your celebrations.
Springtime ushers in a multitude of delightful reasons to celebrate, with Easter often being at the top of the list. It’s a season filled with cherished traditions, family gatherings, and, of course, an abundance of sweet treats. But what if you’re looking to enjoy all the holiday baking fun without eggs or butter? This recipe is your answer! Our Egg-Free Easter Cookies bring all the joy and deliciousness of traditional holiday cookies, adapted for a plant-based diet without compromising on taste or texture.
You’ll fall head over tail for the exquisite fruity and nutty flavors packed into these cookies. The rich aroma of ground almonds combined with the sweet and tart apricot jam creates a truly irresistible treat. So, hop on into the kitchen and let’s bake up a batch of these beautiful Vegan Easter Cut-Out Cookies, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying all by yourself!
🥘 Key Ingredients for Your Vegan Easter Cookies
Creating these delicious Dairy-Free Easter Cookies requires a few simple, plant-based ingredients that come together to form a perfectly tender and flavorful dough. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness. To ensure your cookies are truly vegan, opt for granulated cane sugar, as some conventional sugars are processed with bone char.
- Vanilla Sugar: My homemade vanilla sugar elevates the flavor profile, imparting a deep, aromatic sweetness that sets these cookies apart. It gives them a subtle hint of classic vanilla crescent cookies, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
- Kosher Salt: A small dash of fine-grain kosher salt is crucial. It perfectly balances and enhances the sweet flavors, preventing the cookies from tasting one-dimensional.
- Ground Almonds: These are a star ingredient, contributing a fantastic nutty flavor and a wonderfully delicate texture to the cookies. You can purchase pre-ground almonds or easily make your own by pulsing blanched almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Be careful not to over-process, or you’ll end up with almond butter!
- Vegan Margarine: This plant-based alternative provides the rich, satisfying texture typically found in traditional butter cookies. It has a similar consistency to shortening but with a more delicious, buttery flavor that’s perfect for baking. Ensure it’s cold and cut into pieces for easy incorporation.
- Water: A touch of cold water is used to bring the crumbly dough together, ensuring it’s soft, moldable, and easy to roll out without becoming sticky.
- Apricot Jam: This jam is the quintessential filling for fruity cut-out cookies. Its delightful balance of sweet and tart fruit flavors pairs exquisitely with the nutty almond dough. The bright color also adds to the festive Easter aesthetic.
- Powdered Sugar: A simple yet elegant dusting of powdered sugar is the perfect finishing touch for these beautiful cookies, adding a delicate sweetness and a lovely visual appeal.
For exact quantities and detailed measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card at the end of this post.
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Perfect Vegan Easter Cookies
Baking these delightful Vegan Apricot Jam Cookies is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these detailed steps to create a batch of perfectly tender and flavorful Easter treats:
Preparing the Dough:
Step One: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, kosher salt, and ground almonds. Use your hands or a spoon to create a well in the center of these dry ingredients. This ensures the fat and liquid can be easily incorporated.
Step Two: Incorporate Margarine. Cut the cold vegan margarine into small pieces and add them into the well you created in the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, gently mix the margarine into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This technique, similar to making pie crust, helps create a tender cookie.
Step Three: Add Water and Knead. Gradually add the cold water to the mixture. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, or by hand, knead the dough until it just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step Four: Adjust Consistency. Pay close attention to the dough’s texture during kneading. It should be soft and pliable, easily moldable without being too sticky or crumbly. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more water (½ teaspoon at a time). If it’s too wet, sprinkle in a small amount of flour. The goal is a smooth, cohesive dough.
Step Five: Chill the Dough. Once the dough has reached the perfect consistency, gently form it into a disk. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is a crucial step that helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and makes it much easier to handle and cut out precise shapes.
Cutting and Baking the Cookies:
Step Six: Prepare for Baking. While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 170°C / 338°F (fan-assisted). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step Seven: Roll Out the Dough. Lightly flour a clean work surface to prevent sticking. Take about one-third of the chilled dough and roll it out evenly using a rolling pin to a thickness of approximately 3 mm or ⅛ inch. Keep the remaining dough in the fridge until you’re ready to work with it.
Step Eight: Cut Out Cookies. Use your favorite Easter-themed cookie cutters (bunnies, eggs, flowers, chicks) to cut out shapes from the rolled dough. For the top layer of the Linzer-style cookies, use a smaller Easter cutter to remove the center of half of the cut-out cookies. Remember to create an equal number of full-centered cookies and cut-out-centered cookies for easy assembly later. Carefully transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheets.
Step Nine: Bake to Perfection. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven and cookie thickness, so keep a close eye on them. Once baked, remove the sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will be delicate when warm.
Assembling and Serving:
Step Ten: Assemble and Enjoy! Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time for assembly. Spread a small amount of apricot jam evenly over the flat side of the cookies with full centers. Then, gently place a cookie with an Easter cut-out on top, pressing them together lightly to create a sandwich. Arrange the filled cookies on a platter, dust generously with powdered sugar, and serve! These beautiful Vegan Holiday Cookies are now ready to delight.
🍓 Creative Substitutions for Your Vegan Easter Treats
While apricot jam offers a classic and delicious pairing with the almond cookies, don’t hesitate to get creative with substitutions to customize your Vegan Easter Cookies!
- Apricot Jam Alternatives: You can truly have a lot of fun mixing up the flavor and color of these cookies by substituting the apricot jam with other delicious spreads.
- Fruity Flavors: Try black currant jam for a rich, deep berry flavor, sweet orange marmalade for a zesty citrus kick, or raspberry jam for a bright and tangy contrast. Strawberry or cherry jam would also be delightful.
- Nutty Spreads: For a different kind of richness, opt for a sweet vegan spread like Biscoff spread or a creamy almond or cashew butter. Ensure they are smooth and spreadable.
- Chocolate & Other Flavors: A vegan chocolate hazelnut spread could be an indulgent option, or even a homemade pistachio ganache (as mentioned in a related recipe) for a sophisticated twist.
- Flour Alternatives: While all-purpose flour works best for texture, you could experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for a gluten-free version, though results may vary.
- Margarine Alternatives: A solid vegan shortening could also work, though it might lack the buttery flavor of margarine. Coconut oil (solid at room temperature) can be used, but it will impart a coconut flavor.
🍽 Essential Equipment for Baking Vegan Cut-Out Cookies
Having the right tools will make baking these Easy Vegan Cookies a breeze. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lined Baking Sheets and Cooling Rack: Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking. Also, set up a wire cooling rack for when the delicate cookies come out of the oven.
- Mixer and Bowl: A large mixing bowl is essential for combining your ingredients. You can use either a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to bring the rich, tasty dough together efficiently.
- Plastic Wrap: A key to this easy recipe is wrapping and chilling the dough. Plastic wrap (or a reusable food wrap) is vital for this step, preventing the dough from drying out in the refrigerator.
- Rolling Pin: For rolling out the dough evenly to the ideal thickness. If you don’t have a rolling pin, an old-school trick is to use a clean, straight-sided wine bottle or a sturdy, smooth glass bottle instead.
- Easter Linzer Cookie Cutters: These cutters are perfect for creating the classic sandwich cookie look with a scalloped edge and a smaller cut-out for the top layer. However, any set of Easter-themed cookie cutters (bunnies, eggs, flowers) will work beautifully. You’ll just need two sizes – one for the main cookie and a smaller one for the center cut-out on half of them.
💭 Top Tips for Perfect Vegan Easter Cookies
Achieve cookie perfection with these helpful tips:
- Even Baking is Key: If you’re baking two trays of cookies at once, remember to rotate them halfway through the baking time (after about 5-6 minutes). This ensures all cookies bake evenly and prevents one tray from being over or undercooked.
- Count Your Cut-Outs: Before baking, always double-check that you have an equal number of full-centered cookies and cookies with the center cut-out. This simple check will save you any surprises or frantic last-minute baking during assembly!
- Optimal Dough Temperature: If your dough becomes too warm and sticky while rolling, simply pop it back into the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up. This will make it much easier to handle and achieve clean cuts.
- Don’t Overbake: Vegan cookies can brown quickly. Keep a close eye on them, removing them from the oven as soon as the edges turn a light golden brown. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- The Perfect Spring Treat: These versatile cookies are perfect for any sunny spring day or Easter celebration. Pair them with your favorite coffee, a soothing cup of tea, or an easy spring cocktail for a truly delightful experience.
🙋🏻 FAQ: Your Questions About Vegan Easter Cookies Answered
These sweet and tender cookies are super easy to store, ensuring you can enjoy them for days! Place leftover assembled cookies in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag. Store them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat, for up to five days. For best freshness, consider placing parchment paper between layers of cookies.
If you’d like them to last even longer, try freezing the baked cookies! Wrap each finished cookie individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours. A light re-dusting of powdered sugar might be desired after thawing.
Absolutely not! While they are perfect for Easter with their festive cut-outs, you can enjoy these yummy Vegan Cut-Out Cookies at any time of the year! The base recipe is incredibly versatile. Just swap out the Easter-themed cookie cutters for shapes appropriate to any holiday or special occasion – stars for Christmas, hearts for Valentine’s Day, leaves for autumn, or simple circles for everyday treats. The delicious almond-apricot combination is always a winner!
These sweet treats are completely plant-based, meaning they contain no eggs or dairy, making them suitable for vegan diets and those with egg or dairy allergies. However, it’s important to note that they do contain wheat flour (gluten) and ground almonds (tree nuts). If you have other allergies, please review the ingredient list carefully and consider substitutions if needed (e.g., a certified gluten-free flour blend if avoiding wheat).
While this recipe uses all-purpose wheat flour, you can experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly different, but many commercially available blends perform well in cut-out cookie recipes. Always follow the specific instructions for your chosen gluten-free flour blend, as some may require slight adjustments to liquid content.
Yes, absolutely! The dough for these vegan cut-out cookies is excellent for making ahead of time. You can prepare the dough as instructed, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before rolling it out. This makes it a fantastic option for holiday meal prep!
Other Delicious Vegan & Sweet Recipes to Try
If you loved these Vegan Easter Cookies, you’ll surely enjoy exploring more delightful recipes:
- Egg-less cut-out Easter Cookies with Pistachio Ganache (coming soon!)
- Elderflower Fritters {Air Fryer}
- Cookies n Cream Blossom Cookies
- Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Sugar Cookies with Chocolate Chips
- Linzer Cookies with Egg Liqueur (Note: this specific recipe isn’t vegan, but the technique is similar to our vegan cut-outs!)
- Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- M&M Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream (made with leftover chocolate Easter bunnies)
- Best Way to Make Iced Coffee
- Boozy Milkshake {with Cointreau}
- Unstirred Vanilla Iced Coffee
- Apricot Compote
- Thin Pancakes with Apricot Jam
If you make this scrumptious Vegan Easter Cookies recipe, please let me know how you liked it by giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below. Your feedback is truly awesome and helps others discover these delicious treats! You can also sign up for our Newsletter for weekly homemade recipe inspiration or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram. Don’t forget to share your amazing creations with me by tagging @combinegoodflavors and using the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don’t miss them!
📖 Recipe: Vegan Cut-Out Cookies with Apricot Jam
Vegan Cut-Out Cookies with Apricot Jam
Nora
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Equipment
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Baking sheet
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Parchment Paper
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Hand or stand mixer
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Cling film
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Bowl
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Rolling Pin
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Parchment paper/silicone mat
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Easter Linzer cookie cutter set (or any Easter cookie cutters)
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Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Ingredients Cookies
- 10.6 oz All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon Vanilla sugar
- 1 pinch Kosher salt
- 1 cup Ground almonds
- 8.82 oz Cold vegan margarine
- 3 tablespoon Cold water
- 5.3 oz Apricot jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Dough Preparation
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In a large bowl, combine 10.6 oz all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoon vanilla sugar, 1 pinch kosher salt, and 1 cup ground almonds. Form a well in the middle of the ingredients.10.6 oz Flour, ½ cup Granulated sugar, 2 tablespoon Vanilla sugar, 1 pinch Kosher salt, 1 cup Ground almonds
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Cut 8.82 oz cold vegan margarine into pieces and add them into the well.8.82 oz Margarine
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Mix lightly with your hands until it resembles coarse crumbs.
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Add 3 tablespoon cold water and knead into a cohesive dough using a stand mixer with a dough hook (or by hand). Adjust water or flour as needed until the dough is soft and moldable, but not crumbly or sticky.3 tablespoon Water
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Wrap the dough in cling film (plastic wrap) and place in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Baking the Cut-Outs
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Preheat the oven to 170°C / 338°F (fan-assisted) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
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Lightly flour your work surface and roll out about ⅓ of the chilled dough to an even thickness of 3 mm / ⅛ inch. Keep the remaining dough in the fridge until you are ready to roll it out.
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Use your Easter cookie cutters to cut out shapes. For the top cookies, use a smaller cutter to remove the center of half of the cut-outs. Ensure you have an equal number of full-centered and hole-centered cookies for assembly. Carefully transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheets.
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Bake the cut-out cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
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Once baked, immediately transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before handling.
Assembly
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Once cooled, spread a small amount of apricot jam onto the flat side of the cookies without the Easter motif cut-out.
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Gently place the cookies with the Easter motif cut-out on top, pressing them together lightly to form a sandwich.
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Arrange the filled cookies on a platter, dust generously with powdered sugar, and serve immediately. Enjoy your delightful Vegan Easter Cookies!
Notes
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety Guidelines for Home Baking
Ensuring food safety is paramount when baking at home. Follow these general guidelines to keep your kitchen and your delicious creations safe:
- Minimum Cooking Temperature: Always ensure baked goods are cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) if they contain ingredients like eggs (though not in this vegan recipe!) or other animal products. While these cookies are vegan, proper baking ensures optimal texture and flavor.
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate utensils, cutting boards, and dishes for raw ingredients (like raw flour, which can contain bacteria) and cooked food to prevent cross-contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any raw ingredients.
- Handwashing is Key: Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after preparing food.
- Temperature Control: Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. Perishable items should be refrigerated within two hours. While cookies are more stable, they still benefit from proper storage.
- Never Leave Cooking Unattended: Always keep an eye on food that is baking in the oven. This prevents overcooking or burning and reduces the risk of kitchen fires.
- Ingredient Storage: Store ingredients properly. For example, margarine should be kept refrigerated and brought out only when ready to use, and dry ingredients stored in airtight containers.
- Ventilation: Always ensure good ventilation in your kitchen, especially when using a gas stove or oven, to prevent the build-up of fumes.
For further comprehensive information on safe food handling practices, always refer to reputable sources such as the Safe Food Handling – FDA guidelines.