The holidays are a wonderful time to introduce your children to the joys of baking, and cookie decorating is a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen. In honor of National Cookie Day on December 4, we teamed up with Sticky Fingers Cooking to bring your family a tasty holiday treat. There’s nothing quite like the sweet smell of cookies baking in the oven—not to mention the joy of licking frosting straight from the bowl. But cookie decorating isn’t just for kids; it’s a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. It’s a time your kids are sure to cherish and a childhood memory they”ll remember for years to come.
I have fond memories of baking holiday cookies with my mom—rolling out the dough and learning how to strategically use the cutter for optimal cookie placement—but the best part was always the hours of cookie decorating fun that followed. We”d turn up the holiday music and sing along as we adorned our cookies with festive (and yummy) toppings. It’s a tradition I treasure to this day, and one I will pass on to my children, someday. I welcome you to share this holiday tradition with your family and partake in this sugary celebration of the season.
These Holiday Vegan Vanilla Sugar Cookies, from Sticky Fingers Cooking, are kid tested and scrumdiddlyumptious to boot. You don’t need to be vegan to enjoy these cookies—in fact don’t let that word scare you away. These sugar cookies taste just as delicious with regular butter! Health conscious moms will be happy to know that the icing is colored using natural juices instead of artificial dyes, plus the recipe is kid-friendly and easy to follow. Your little bakers are sure to have fun with this one!
Holiday Vegan Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Courtesy of Sticky Fingers Cooking
Ingredients
1¼ cup flour
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp baking soda
½ cup vegan butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Assorted sprinkles and décor
Directions
1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking soda. Blend on low until just combined.
3. Add vegan butter, vanilla and 1 Tbsp water to the mixture. Blend on low until just combined—add additional 1 Tbsp water if dough ?seems dry.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
5. Divide the dough into two even pieces and roll each half between two pieces of parchment paper to a quarter-inch thick.
6. Cut dough into desired shapes (dipping your cutter in flour between cuts), re-roll scraps until you”ve used up all the dough.
7. Freeze for at least 10 minutes.
8. Remove parchment paper. Using a thin spatula, carefully transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
10. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.
11. When cookies are completely cooled, ice and decorate with your kids!
Vanilla Icing
Courtesy of Sticky Fingers Cooking
Ingredients
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup soy milk (plain or vanilla)
Carrot, pomegranate and green veggie juice for color
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk ingredients until smooth—if icing is too thick, add soy milk and the juice a teaspoon at a time.
2. Use immediately With sprinkles!
This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for 2016.
