Love is in the air! And by love, I mean cookies. Ok, I guess it does happen to be Valentine's Day soon, so posting a red cookie recipe might have been on purpose, but do you even really need a holiday to make cookies? The answer is no. Every day should be a cookie kinda day.
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Valentine's makes an extra good cookie kinda day in my book. There are few things more seductive than the aroma of fresh baked cookies. Whether the targeted seducee goes for you or for the cookies is a toss up, but hey, at least there's cookies. Not just any cookies either, Vegan Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies! (In case you didn't notice the giant white words on the photo right above this paragraph).
These cookies are crisp on the outside with a chewy centre. That classic red velvet taste, all squished into one perfect little powdered sugar covered crinkled cookie.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
In another bowl cream vegan butter with the sugar. When it is fluffy and creamy looking, mix in the maple syrup, non-dairy milk, vanilla extract, and food colouring. It will probably look a little speckled like in the picture, and that's totally cool. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, and mix until a dough is formed.
*A note on food colouring: Make sure the brand of food dye you buy doesn't contain carmine. It's not vegan. What is it you ask? BEETLES!!!! Ew. Believe it or not, this red beetle is found in lots of processed foods that are red in colour. Pretty weird huh? Now I know some of you prefer more natural colours, so if you are looking for an alternative, try my Beet Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Scoop up a heaping tablespoon of the dough and lightly roll into a ball. Put the powdered sugar in a flat dish and roll the dough ball around.
Place the dough ball on a parchment covered baking tray, and lightly press the ball down a little. Sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top, because hey, sugar. Try not to lick your fingers.
Bake at 350F (180C) for about 12 minutes. They will come out looking all crinkley and fun.
They are best the day of, and will get harder by the next day. To keep them fresh I store any extras (ha!) in an air tight container in the freezer. Just pop a few out, let them thaw for a few minutes (if you are that patient), and they are good to go
Vegan Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Dry ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients:
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk, such as soy or almond
- 3 ½ teaspoons vegan red food colouring
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F (180C). Cover two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, cream the vegan butter and sugar together until creamy and fluffy. Mix in the maple syrup, non-dairy milk, food colouring, and vanilla extract until blended. (It's ok if you see little flecks of the vegan butter in the mixture). Pour wet into dry and mix until the dough comes together.
- Put the powdered sugar in a wide bowl or dish that has enough room so you can easily roll a dough ball in there. Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and gently roll into a ball. Roll the ball into the powdered sugar so that it is completely covered. Set on the baking tray and lightly press down so the ball is slightly flattened. Sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top. Repeat with the remainder of the dough to make 24 cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes on the trays.
Nutrition
Bon Appetegan
Sam.
Feature Ingredient: Red. Powdered Sugar. 132 Days, 59 Recipes to Go!
Tali says
As a forewarning, I added chocolate chip and did not powder the cookies before baking!
The cookies are AMAZING. A perfect consistency where the cookies are fully cooked and crisp, but very chewy at the same time. I made a vegan buttercream frosting to go with them, and I recommend it!
I’ll be using this recipe exclusively for my cookies from now on. 🙂
Blythe says
Made these tonight to trial run for a vegan valentines potluck and they are amazing! I shared with some friends and family and they loved them as well! Also they’re not a difficult cookie and turn out so pretty and festive looking. ❤️
Sam Turnbull says
Aww so happy you love them, Blythe 🙂
Lisa Bergman says
I made these for my holiday baking that I gave to friends and family and they were a hit! My son also loves them( he's not vegan) I made a double batch for this months treats for our lunches. Thanks again Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!!
Jenna says
Can i make these pink and add peppermint?
I used to make non vegan peppernint crinkle cookies but hoping to modify this if i can.
Shelby says
I’m curious - are the photos of your cookies taken after full cooking time? My cookies flattened (even with chilling the dough for several hours). What brand of vegan butter did you use? Did you let it soften? How long did you beat? The cookies are delicious but very dense (as opposed to cakey/fluffy).
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, the cookies are cooked in the photo. These are a firmer cookie, and I wouldn't describe them as cakey or fluffy. For a cakey cookie try my Vegan Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies. My go-to vegan butter is always Earth Balance and there is no need to soften it as it gets soften when beaten with the sugar. Hope that helps!
Shelby says
That’s so odd! I use earth balance as well. I did let it soften beforehand and maybe that was part of my issue. I’d be curious to see how long you beat in between each step. I have made these a few times now and have the same result each time. Delicious but don’t look like the photo!
Sam Turnbull says
That is weird. I just mixed until it combined. Sorry, yours didn't turn out the way you (or I) expected!
Shelby says
That’s ok! I am just curious to find out why!
Jenna says
I agree my cookies are completely flat. The non vegan ones I used to make looked like the ones in the photo but these ones are completely flat and very very crisp
Laura says
I worked with cold vegan butter and turned out great with recipe as written. I’m not vegan but cook and bake vegan for daughter. I don’t miss the butter or eggs in this recipe that I sometimes do in some vegan baked goods. Thank you for a great recipe.
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome!
Michele says
It may be because of where you live. If you live in a higher altitude area your cookies will be flat unless you adjust for high altitude baking.
cece says
can beets be used in lieu of food coloring, almond flour and coconut sugar? will those subs ruin it?
Sam Turnbull says
I haven't tried those substitutions myself so I can't predict the results. You could try this recipe to make your own beet food dye. Enjoy!
Nikolina says
Hello!I would like to know if I have to put the food coloring cuz I'd rather not to.
Sam Turnbull says
Nope, but the cookies won't be red without it.
Sarah says
Delicious! Excellent chewy texture. I messed up the order of wet ingredients a bit but they still turned out great. Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed them 🙂
Ashley says
Thank you for this recipe! My husband has made these for years. Every year since we found the recipe. We take them for Xmas gatherings with family. Everyone expects them so we make several batches. These are one of my favorite things about the Xmas. Thank you!!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's awesome! So flattered my recipe has become part of your family tradition 🙂
Elise says
Excellent recipe. I chilled in the freezer while preheating the oven And the shape turned out great. They also looked way better and more crinkly when I didn’t lightly press in the dough to flatten them.When I flattened them, the cracks didn’t go where I pressed and the powdered sugar looked less bright and yellowed. I used natural beet food dye, and the color wasn’t that vibrant.
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed!
Melissa says
Hi! This recipes looks good. I’m going to make a batch for a friend’s wedding. Do you think I can safely add chocolate chips at the end? Have you tried? Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
I haven't tried, but it should work fine. Enjoy!
Sarah says
Hi, Sam!
Can't find vegan butter here - do you think oil will work out? And maple syrup too, can I use honey instead? Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Sarah, I wouldn't recommend oil for a cookie recipe. Did you check the margarines in your area, if they are dairy free then they are good to go! I also wouldn't recommend honey as it isn't vegan.
Kelsey says
Hi! My cookies look awesome, but they turned out dry and crumbly. Any ideas on what may have gone wrong?
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed them, Kelsey! It sounds like might have been overcooked slightly. Try taking them out of the oven a couple of minutes earlier next time so they are nice and moist. EnjoY!
Lauren says
I just made these and they were perfect! I just added 2 extra tablespoons of cocoa for a little added chocolate flavor! The kids and hubby love them! I'm definitely making them for Christmas!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Thrilled they were a hit, Lauren 🙂
Tara says
Hi there! I'm wondering if this recipe would work with bob's red mill gluten free all-purpose flour?
Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Tara, I'm not gluten-free so I don't know. Sorry I can't be more help!
Elizabeth says
I am hoping to make these for an event next week, and do to timing would need to freeze them. Do you know if they freeze well?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Elizabeth, yes they do! 🙂
Beth says
Tried these cookies and they turned out as flat as paper, even after chilling the dough after the first batch. Pinterest fail!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. Did you by chance melt the butter first? That would make them flatter for sure.
Georgiana says
I baked these last night. They are delicious! I can't wait to share them with my oldest daughter, who is vegan. Red velvet had been her favorite!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww yay! That's great. I hope she loves them too 🙂
April Elis says
Hi these look great, but I was under the impression red food coloring is not vegan. Is that not true? And if it is, is vegan red dye easy to find?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi April, some brands are vegan and others are not. I used McCormick food coloring which from my research appears to be vegan. I have also heard that Wiltons food coloring are vegan, but their colors are a lot more concentrated, so if you use them, you will need a lot less. If you are unsure of the brand you are considering, a quick google search should help you out. What you want to avoid are the words: Carmine, which also goes by the names Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Carminic Acid, and Natural Red #4. Those red colours are made from beetles.
April Elis says
Perfect, thank you for your help!!
CHRISTEN GENOVA says
These look great! I'm going to try. One word, I hope you don't mind me sharing....white sugar is not vegan.....it is processed through charred animal bones often. Other than that, your recipe hits the vegan notes. And thanks for info on red coloring. I knew about carmine but not in food dye. I'll post review later.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Christen,
In the US, sugar is often processed with bone char, but in Canada and other parts of the world, it is not. You can always double check with the company to make sure that the sugar you are purchasing is bone char free, Redpath is a common brand in Canada and both totally vegan. In the US all organic sugar is free of bone char. Hope that helps!
Josie says
Thanks for the recipe! Made these today, accidentally put in a bit too much soya milk and then had to add a bit more flour (this kind of thing usually happens to me in baking) and the colour went a bit paler than your pictures but other than that - delicious!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy they worked out even with your little bloopers. Haha. Cookies for the win!
river2sea72 says
Can you use beets in this recipe in place of the red food coloring? I wasn't sure if you were implying that you could by linking to your red chocolate chip cookie recipe or if you were saying that if you wanted to use the beets, then just make the chocolate chip cookies INSTEAD.
Sam says
I have never tried making the red velvet crinkle cookies with beets, but I am sure it would need some experimenting before it worked out. I don't think it would be a direct substitute. If you want to try using beets I recommend the chocolate chip cookie recipe instead. 🙂
river2sea72 says
Thanks! I have red food coloring, but I'm used to only using a few drops - this recipe calls for 3.5 t which is a LOT!! I'm going to try it tonight and will just experiment with the coloring and see how it comes out.
Sam says
Yeah, that's the nature of red velvet anything. You can use less if you prefer, but your cookies will be in the pink side. I hope you enjoy them!
Vanessa says
Hi! I really want to make this recipe tonight, the cookies look amazing! but we don't have vegan butter in my country 🙁 do you think I could use oil instead?
Sam says
You could try coconut oil. It might work ok, but since I haven't tried it myself I can't know for sure. Hope that helps!
Marie says
My daughter is vegan so I made these last night for our holiday spread, they are absolutely delicious! My cookies spread out quite thin though, do you suggest a bit more flour or did I do something wrong?
Sam says
So happy you enjoyed them! It could be that your dough just got a bit too warm, you could try chilling it before baking the cookies. Hope that helps!
Aimee B. says
Oh my gosh, these were soooooooo good! I only made a half batch because we're trying to watch our sweets intake, but they are most definitely a keeper! We didn't find them hard the next day at all, just as soft actually. My husband said they tasted even better on day 2. 🙂 The only thing I did differently was to freeze the dough for a short time before rolling it into balls. Thanks for such an amazing recipe. It's sure to be on our cookie plate every Christmas from now on. XOXO
Sam says
Yay!! So happy you loved the cookies Aimee, and that you found a new favourite. 😀
Andee says
These are cooling right now and I am almost dying in anticipation!
Sam says
Well don't dye! Then you won't get to eat your cookies, haha. I hope you enjoy them Andee!
Nettie Owens says
This recipe looks delicious! I will try it this weekend. Be sure to mindful of the powdered sugar as well to make sure it is vegan, it could be mixed with bone. http://www.ordinaryvegan.net/vegansugar/
Samantha Turnbull says
Yes that's true! Same goes for white granulated sugar. You can usually check out the brands online. I hope you enjoy the recipe Nettie!
JFC says
Delicious vegan food is one reason why the number of vegans has doubled in less than 3 years. Here's a video to help everyone understand why so many people are making this life affirming choice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKr4HZ7ukSE
Join the revolution! http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/step-by-step-guide-how-to-transition-to-vegan-diet/
Samantha Turnbull says
Hi JFC!
Yes! The more people see vegan food as delicious, scrumptious, familiar looking food to be devoured up and lick the plate, the more they will WANT to eat vegan. That's what I am trying to do by providing delicious vegan recipes. Break that barrier. Vegan food isn't as weird as it sounds, it's just food!
Great youtube video!! I agree with every single point. Thanks for stopping by 🙂