The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in festive treats, and what could be better than these vegan Grinch crinkle cookies? Inspired by the mischievous yet lovable character from Dr. Seuss’s classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, these cookies bring a vibrant pop of color to your holiday spread. Soft, chewy, and delicious, these cookies are not just vegan—they’re full of flavor and fun, making them perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a sweet treat after a long day of holiday preparations.
PrintGrinch Crinkle Cookies (Vegan)
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are the perfect holiday treat! Soft, chewy, and packed with festive cheer, they’re vegan-friendly and full of flavor! 🌲🍪💚 #VeganCookies #GrinchyGoodness #HolidayBaking #ChewyDelight #FestiveFlavors #ChristmasTreats #VeganDesserts #GreenGoodness #CookieCravings #BakingWithLove
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 200 g Self-raising flour
- 70 g Vegan Margarine
- 150 g Caster sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon extract (or another teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 2 Tablespoons Soy milk
- ½ Teaspoon Lime green food coloring (I recommend Colour Splash)
- 100 g Icing sugar
- 12 Red Skittles (or any other red vegan sweets)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Begin by placing the self-raising flour in a large mixing bowl. Add the vegan margarine and rub it into the flour with your fingertips. This step should resemble the texture of breadcrumbs or a coarse sand consistency. The margarine will help create a light, crumbly texture that’s essential for the soft, chewy quality of these cookies.
- Add the sugar: Stir in the caster sugar, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the flour-margarine mixture. The sugar will not only add sweetness but also help in achieving that slightly crisp edge once the cookies are baked.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla extract, lemon extract (or more vanilla extract if you prefer), and soy milk. The soy milk adds moisture to the dough, while the extracts give the cookies a subtle aromatic flavor that enhances the overall experience.
- Color the dough: Now, add a few drops of the lime green food coloring. The more drops you add, the more intense the green will be, so adjust to your desired color. Mix the dough thoroughly with a wooden spoon to incorporate the coloring, making sure the green hue is evenly distributed throughout the dough. You should now have a vibrant, festive green dough that’s ready to come together.
- Form the dough: Once the mixture is well combined, use your hands to knead it into a dough ball. If the dough feels a bit dry or crumbly, don’t worry—simply add a little more soy milk to bring it together. On the flip side, if the dough feels too sticky, dust it with a little more flour. The dough should be soft and pliable but not overly wet.
- Chill the dough: It’s time to let the dough chill and firm up in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and ensures that they bake evenly. While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), so it’s ready to go once the dough is ready to be shaped.
- Shape the cookies: After the dough has chilled, divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball using your hands, making sure they are evenly sized. This helps ensure that all the cookies bake evenly. Once rolled, place the icing sugar onto a plate. Gently roll each dough ball in the sugar until fully coated. This gives the cookies their signature crinkled appearance during baking.
- Flatten the dough balls: After coating each dough ball with icing sugar, gently press each ball into a thick disc. This ensures the cookies will spread and bake evenly, while also allowing the crinkles to form as the dough expands during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough discs on a baking tray, making sure there’s enough space between each one to allow for spreading. Pop the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they bake—the cookies should become crinkled, and you’ll know they’re done when they no longer look “wet” in the center. The crinkle effect is what makes these cookies so delightful!
- Add the Skittles: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a red Skittle (or any other red vegan sweet) into the center of each one. The Skittle should press in slightly without cracking or melting, giving the cookie a festive touch. Be careful not to press too hard—just enough to make an impression.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period allows the cookies to firm up and maintain their chewy texture.
Notes
- Flour: If you don’t have self-raising flour on hand, you can make your own by combining 200g of plain flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
- Margarine: For a nut-free version, you can use coconut oil or vegetable shortening in place of vegan margarine.
- Sugar: You can swap out caster sugar for coconut sugar or maple sugar for a more natural, less refined sweetener. Keep in mind that this might slightly alter the texture and color of the cookies.
- Soy Milk: If you’re not a fan of soy, you can use almond milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based milk you prefer.
- Food Coloring: For a more natural color, you can try using spirulina powder or matcha green tea powder instead of artificial food coloring. However, this may alter the color slightly, so it may not be as vibrant as the original.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
What makes these Grinch crinkle cookies stand out is their perfect balance of textures and flavors. The crinkled exterior, dusted with sweet icing sugar, gives way to a soft and chewy interior, while the refreshing lime green hue paired with the vibrant red Skittle adds a touch of whimsy. These cookies are a delightful visual treat that will make everyone feel the holiday spirit with every bite.
Whether you’re hosting a vegan holiday gathering or just want to create some seasonal fun with your baking, these cookies will quickly become a favorite. Plus, they’re simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and prep time, yet yielding maximum enjoyment. Let’s dive into the recipe and create these festive vegan Grinch crinkle cookies together!
Ingredients
- 200 g Self-raising flour
- 70 g Vegan Margarine
- 150 g Caster sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon extract (or another teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 2 Tablespoons Soy milk
- ½ Teaspoon Lime green food coloring (I recommend Colour Splash)
- 100 g Icing sugar
- 12 Red Skittles (or any other red vegan sweets)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Begin by placing the self-raising flour in a large mixing bowl. Add the vegan margarine and rub it into the flour with your fingertips. This step should resemble the texture of breadcrumbs or a coarse sand consistency. The margarine will help create a light, crumbly texture that’s essential for the soft, chewy quality of these cookies.
- Add the sugar: Stir in the caster sugar, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the flour-margarine mixture. The sugar will not only add sweetness but also help in achieving that slightly crisp edge once the cookies are baked.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla extract, lemon extract (or more vanilla extract if you prefer), and soy milk. The soy milk adds moisture to the dough, while the extracts give the cookies a subtle aromatic flavor that enhances the overall experience.
- Color the dough: Now, add a few drops of the lime green food coloring. The more drops you add, the more intense the green will be, so adjust to your desired color. Mix the dough thoroughly with a wooden spoon to incorporate the coloring, making sure the green hue is evenly distributed throughout the dough. You should now have a vibrant, festive green dough that’s ready to come together.
- Form the dough: Once the mixture is well combined, use your hands to knead it into a dough ball. If the dough feels a bit dry or crumbly, don’t worry—simply add a little more soy milk to bring it together. On the flip side, if the dough feels too sticky, dust it with a little more flour. The dough should be soft and pliable but not overly wet.
- Chill the dough: It’s time to let the dough chill and firm up in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and ensures that they bake evenly. While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), so it’s ready to go once the dough is ready to be shaped.
- Shape the cookies: After the dough has chilled, divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball using your hands, making sure they are evenly sized. This helps ensure that all the cookies bake evenly. Once rolled, place the icing sugar onto a plate. Gently roll each dough ball in the sugar until fully coated. This gives the cookies their signature crinkled appearance during baking.
- Flatten the dough balls: After coating each dough ball with icing sugar, gently press each ball into a thick disc. This ensures the cookies will spread and bake evenly, while also allowing the crinkles to form as the dough expands during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough discs on a baking tray, making sure there’s enough space between each one to allow for spreading. Pop the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they bake—the cookies should become crinkled, and you’ll know they’re done when they no longer look “wet” in the center. The crinkle effect is what makes these cookies so delightful!
- Add the Skittles: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a red Skittle (or any other red vegan sweet) into the center of each one. The Skittle should press in slightly without cracking or melting, giving the cookie a festive touch. Be careful not to press too hard—just enough to make an impression.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period allows the cookies to firm up and maintain their chewy texture.
Once cooled, you’re ready to enjoy your perfectly baked vegan Grinch crinkle cookies. These cookies are not only delicious but also a visual treat, perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season.
Flavor and Texture
The Grinch crinkle cookies offer a wonderful combination of textures. The outside is coated in a layer of sweet icing sugar, which caramelizes slightly during baking, providing a subtle crispiness. Inside, the cookies remain soft and chewy, with just the right amount of give when you bite into them. The flavor is a delicate balance of sweetness from the sugar and a light citrusy tang from the lemon extract, while the lime green food coloring gives a fun, festive vibe.
The burst of flavor from the red Skittle in the center adds a nice touch of tartness and a chewy, fruity contrast to the otherwise soft cookie, enhancing the overall experience. Each bite is a sweet, chewy indulgence that will leave you craving more.
Tips for Ingredient Substitutions
- Flour: If you don’t have self-raising flour on hand, you can make your own by combining 200g of plain flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
- Margarine: For a nut-free version, you can use coconut oil or vegetable shortening in place of vegan margarine.
- Sugar: You can swap out caster sugar for coconut sugar or maple sugar for a more natural, less refined sweetener. Keep in mind that this might slightly alter the texture and color of the cookies.
- Soy Milk: If you’re not a fan of soy, you can use almond milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based milk you prefer.
- Food Coloring: For a more natural color, you can try using spirulina powder or matcha green tea powder instead of artificial food coloring. However, this may alter the color slightly, so it may not be as vibrant as the original.
Variations
- Different Colors: Instead of lime green, experiment with other festive colors, such as red or blue, to create a unique holiday cookie. You can use different food colorings or even add cocoa powder to make a chocolate-flavored dough.
- Additional Mix-ins: Add some chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough for extra texture and flavor. These additions will complement the chewy nature of the cookie and add more layers of taste.
Serving Suggestions
These vegan Grinch crinkle cookies are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them alongside other holiday treats, such as a glass of almond milk, a warm cup of vegan hot chocolate, or a festive tea. For a show-stopping presentation, arrange them on a platter with a few other Christmas cookies, like gingerbread or snickerdoodles, to create a holiday cookie spread that will delight everyone.
These cookies also make for a great homemade gift. Simply package them in a cute box or mason jar, and tie it with a festive ribbon. It’s a thoughtful, delicious gift that everyone will appreciate.
Conclusion
Vegan Grinch crinkle cookies are the perfect treat for anyone looking to spread a little holiday cheer. With their vibrant green color, soft chewy texture, and delicious flavor, these cookies are sure to become a holiday tradition. Whether you’re vegan or not, these cookies will brighten up your kitchen and bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces. The best part? They’re simple to make, full of flavor, and fun to decorate, so they’re ideal for a holiday baking session with family or friends. Try them this Christmas and see why they’re sure to be a new favorite!