Vegan Gluten Free Sugar Cookies For Cut Outs Recipes

FLUFFY 1-BOWL SUGAR COOKIES (VEGAN + GF)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Add softened vegan butter (make sure it's softened - not melted or cold) to a large mixing bowl and beat or whisk until creamy and smooth - about 1 minute.
• Add sugar and mix on medium speed until fluffy and light - about 1 minute. Then add chickpea brine (or other egg substitute*) and vanilla and mix again, scraping down sides as needed.
• Add baking powder and sea salt and blend or whisk to combine. Then add gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, and cornstarch and mix on low until the ingredients are combined. I had to switch to a wooden spoon toward the end. Add almond milk and stir once more.
• The dough should be thick, moldable and a little difficult to mix at this point (see photo). If too soft, continue adding a mixture of gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, and cornstarch until a thick, moldable dough is formed. If too thick, thin with a bit more almond milk.
• Transfer dough to the refrigerator and chill for 15 minutes*. Once chilled, use a cookie scooper (I like this one) or a Tablespoon to measure out 1 1/2 Tbsp amounts of dough and gently roll into balls - the dough will still be soft so be gentle. Arrange on the parchment-lined baking sheets with 1 inch room between each and press down gently with the palm of your hand to smash slightly.
• Alternatively, roll out the dough on a well-floured surface until about 1/4-inch thick and dip cookie cutters in gluten-free flour before pressing into the dough. Use a floured spatula to gently scoop onto baking sheets. This recipe works well with both cut outs and traditional circles!
• Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies appear fluffy and the edges are slightly beginning to dry out. Let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a plate to cool completely.
• To make frosting (optional), add softened vegan butter to a mixing bowl and whisk or beat until soft and fluffy - about 1 minute. Then sift in powdered sugar in small amounts and mix. Around the 1-cup mark, add the vanilla extract and whisk. Continue adding powdered sugar until you have spreadable frosting (I used about 2 cups powdered sugar // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). If you prefer a thinner frosting, add a little almond milk to thin. If it becomes too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it becomes too thick, add more almond milk. Add natural food coloring at this time (optional).
• Frost cookies or leave plain! I decorated with some naturally-dyed sugar sprinkles like these. Organic cane sugar as a base should ensure vegan friendliness.
• Storage: Once cooled, store leftover cookies covered at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the freezer up to 1 month.

VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE SUGAR CUT-OUT COOKIES {REFINED SUGAR FREE OPTION}

Steps:

• Place the coconut oil or softened vegan butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and almond extract in a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to combine on medium low speed until light and fluffy.
• Add the dry ingredients (almond flour, oat flour arrowroot powder and salt) and mix on low speed until combined.
• Divide the dough into two balls and wrap in plastic wrap, then flatten into a disc. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour or overnight.
• When you are ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two half sheet baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Place one disc of dough on a piece of parchment paper. Place another piece of parchment paper overtop the dough.
• Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it is 1/2-inch thick. Do not roll too thin or they will not be soft when baked and are difficult to handle when raw.
• Cut the dough into desired shapes. Or if you don't have cookie cutters you can roll into small circles about 2 inches in diameter.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes. Be careful not to over-bake smaller shapes or the cookies will be too dry. I like to do 8 minutes for a softer cookie. If you use very large cookie cutters or the dough is thicker than 1/2 inch, the baking time may vary. Check on the cookies toward the end as they can burn easily. You want them to look just slightly golden brown around the edges.
• Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for a few minutes (this allows them to harden a bit before handling them). I sometimes stick the entire cookie sheet in my freezer on a silicone heat pad.
• Carefully move cookies to a cooling rack to cool fully (they will harden once fully cooled).
• Repeat with the other disc of dough.
• Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate using my vegan and paleo vanilla icing OR melted coconut manna OR Vegan Vanilla Frosting. Add natural vegan sprinkles if desired before the frosting sets.

VEGAN GLUTEN FREE SUGAR COOKIES FOR CUT OUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or reusable silicone baking mats.
• In a large bowl, using either a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer, beat together your butter, sugar, and light brown sugar until well blended.
• Combine your baking soda and a Tablespoon of hot water in a small bowl or cup. Stir until the baking soda is dissolved.
• To your butter and sugar mixture, add in your baking soda and water mixture, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract. Continue to mix until well blended.
• In a large bowl, whisk together your gluten free flour blend, baking powder, cornstarch (or arrowroot powder), and fine sea salt until well blended.
• Gradually mix in your flour mixture a little at a time until just mixed.
• Add in almond milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together and forms a silky smooth dough.
• Place one of your balls of dough on a lightly floured surface, using additional flour as needed to avoid sticking.
• Lightly flour the top of your dough.
• Roll out to ¼" thick between two pieces of parchment paper.
• Cut out cookies using your favorite festive cookie cutters.
• Carefully place your cookies spaced 1" apart on the lined baking sheets.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes (depending on thickness of cookies).
• Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 20 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
• Allow cookies to completely cool before decorating them with your favorite icing designs!