If you’re looking for a festive and irresistibly fun cookie to brighten up your holiday baking, the Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe is a total showstopper. These soft, fudgy cookies bring together the classic crinkle texture with a playful pop of green that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a little merry magic in your kitchen. Better yet, they’re completely vegan, using wholesome ingredients that create a rich, chocolaty flavor with a delightful hint of peppermint crunch, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a personal favorite of mine to share around the season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe is its simplicity—each ingredient plays a starring role in creating the perfect balance of fudgy softness, chocolate intensity, and festive green sparkle. From creamy coconut oil to smooth cocoa powder, these basics come together with a handful of goodies to make holiday magic in every bite.
- 1 cup coconut oil, solid (not melted): This adds moisture and richness while keeping the recipe vegan-friendly.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: For a deep caramel sweetness and chewy texture.
- 1/4 cup almond milk: A smooth, plant-based liquid that binds everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, fragrant notes.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the cookies structure.
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds beautiful color.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise perfectly while staying soft.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Assists in achieving the classic crinkle texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the chocolate.
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the cookies): Gives the signature crackled surface and that snowy holiday look.
- 1/2 cup green sprinkles or chopped green peppermint candies: Adds festive color and a fresh, minty surprise.
How to Make Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready and Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Having these ready means you can bake your cookies as soon as the dough is shaped—no waiting around!
Step 2: Cream Coconut Oil and Brown Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the solid coconut oil and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. This step creates a creamy, luscious base that’s essential for that soft, chewy texture you want in your cookies.
Step 3: Mix in Almond Milk and Vanilla Extract
Pour the almond milk and vanilla into the bowl with your creamed mixture, then keep mixing until everything is smooth and velvety. This blend ensures every bite bursts with flavor and moisture.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl to evenly distribute all the rising agents and chocolate goodness.
Step 5: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet one, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so stir gently until the dough just comes together.
Step 6: Fold in the Festive Green Touch
Gently fold in the green sprinkles or chopped peppermint candies, which add a burst of color and that delightful holiday crunch. It’s what makes these cookies visually and flavorfully special.
Step 7: Chill the Dough
Place the dough in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to chill. This step makes scooping easier and helps the cookies keep their shape as they bake.
Step 8: Form and Coat the Dough Balls
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then, roll each ball in powdered sugar until it’s fully coated—this is the magic touch that creates the iconic crinkle cookie look.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Place the coated cookies on the baking sheet with some space between them, since they will spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes, looking out for set edges while the centers remain slightly soft—this is the perfect balance for chewy goodness.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without losing that tender bite.
How to Serve Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an added festive flourish, sprinkle a few more green candies or drizzle some vegan white chocolate over the cooled cookies. This not only amps up the presentation but adds an extra layer of sweetness that makes these cookies feel truly special.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of almond milk hot chocolate or a refreshing peppermint tea. Together, they create an unforgettable holiday treat combo that’s perfect for cozy afternoons or cheerful gift-giving occasions.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a fun holiday-themed platter with some pine branches or cranberries for color contrast. You could also stack them in a clear jar and tie a red ribbon around it for a charming gift idea. Presentation makes these Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe even more memorable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week, making it easy to enjoy a festive treat whenever you want.
Freezing
If you’re making these cookies in advance, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
To revive the soft texture after chilling or freezing, pop the cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-6 minutes. This helps bring back that freshly-baked feel, perfect for when you want a warm holiday snack.
FAQs
Can I substitute coconut oil with another vegan fat?
Absolutely! Vegan butter or margarine can be used instead of coconut oil. Just make sure it’s solid and cold to maintain the right cookie texture.
What if I don’t have green sprinkles or peppermint candies?
No worries! You can replace them with vegan-friendly colored sugars, chopped nuts, or even omit them altogether for a simpler version.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Not as written. This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. For a gluten-free twist, try blending a gluten-free flour mix, but results may vary slightly.
Can I make the dough ahead and freeze it?
Yes! Freeze the dough balls before rolling in powdered sugar, then thaw in the fridge before baking. It’s a great way to prep for holiday baking marathons.
Will these cookies be too sweet with the powdered sugar coating?
They have a perfect sweet balance—the brown sugar brings depth, the powdered sugar adds festive flair, and the cocoa tempers the sweetness. You can adjust the rolling sugar amount based on your taste.
Final Thoughts
These Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe bring such joy to my kitchen every year, and I hope they’ll bring the same magic to yours. Soft, chocolatey, with just the right amount of festive fun and minty surprise, they’re a truly special treat worth making again and again. So grab your ingredients, get baking, and let these cookies spread some happy holiday cheer!
Print
Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 25m
- Cook Time: 0h 12m
- Total Time: 0h 37m
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Grinch Crinkle Cookies are a festive and delicious holiday treat featuring a rich cocoa base, packed with green sprinkles or peppermint candies for a cheerful twist. Made with solid coconut oil and almond milk, these cookies are perfectly chewy in the center with a delicate crackled sugar exterior, making them the ultimate plant-based Christmas cookie.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut oil, solid (not melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating and Mix-ins
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the cookies)
- 1/2 cup green sprinkles or chopped green peppermint candies
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Coconut Oil and Brown Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the solid coconut oil and brown sugar until creamy and well combined using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add Almond Milk and Vanilla: Mix in the almond milk and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and cocoa.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Add Green Sprinkles or Peppermint: Fold in the green sprinkles or chopped green peppermint candies for a festive touch and flavor.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for 20 to 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to shape.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball with your hands.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but centers remain slightly soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For firmer cookies, chill the dough longer before baking.
- Use solid coconut oil for better texture; melted coconut oil will alter consistency.
- Green sprinkles add color, while chopped peppermint candies add a minty flavor—choose based on your preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- These cookies are vegan and dairy-free, perfect for holiday gatherings with dietary restrictions.
