These dairy free sugar cookies are ultra soft and chewy with lightly golden, crispy edges. And best of all, there's no complicated ingredients in this recipe . You only need 8 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry to make the best sugar cookie you've ever tasted - and all with no dairy or eggs.
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The key to a great sugar cookie lies in the precise ratio of fat to sugar. Whether you prefer the satisfying crunch of a hard sugar cookie or the indulgent chewiness of a soft one, it all comes down to the careful balance of these two ingredients.
This sugar cookie recipe is tailored to deliver a delightfully soft and chewy texture. However, if you're in the mood for the classic hard sugar cookies perfect for cutting shapes and decorating, you might want to check out my Christmas Cookies Recipe—equally dairy-free and ideal for festive holiday decorations with royal icing.
💚Why This Recipe Works
💚The combination of dairy-free margarine and applesauce creates the soft, chewy texture that I look for in the perfect sugar cookie.
💚Dairy-free sugar cookies are an ideal choice for birthday or Christmas parties, where you might have guests (especially children) with dairy allergies. They're also 100% vegan - that's right - no eggs.
💚These cookies are perfect for school bake sales where steering clear of major allergens means everyone can take part.
🛒Ingredients
- Flour: For this dairy-free sugar cookie recipe, good old all-purpose flour is your best choice. . If you want to experiment with different flours, you could try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Old leavening agents don't work as effectively. You'd be surprised what a difference this makes.
- Dairy Free Butter: dairy-free butter in a block form is better than the tub version. Butter that comes in a tub has too high a water content for baking.
- Sugar: ***A note for vegans - Some sugars undergo a process called bone char filtration, where animal bones are used to whiten the sugar. This practice is more common in the processing of cane sugar. To ensure the sugar you're using is vegan-friendly, you can look for brands that explicitly state that they don't use bone char in the refining process. Many organic and unbleached sugars are suitable for a vegan diet. Always check the product labeling or contact the manufacturer if you have specific concerns.
- Vanilla Extract & Almond Extract: Vanilla adds a beautiful depth to baked goods. The almond extract is optional, but I love the slightly sweet, nutty flavor it contributes. It really suits sugar cookies.
👨🍳How To Make Dairy Free Sugar Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the dairy-free margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this.
- Add the applesauce, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the creamed mixture. Mix well until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. At this stage, be sure to not overmix your cookies dough. We're aiming for soft and chewy cookies, and overmixing can make cookies tough!
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. If you have a cookie scoop, this is the place to use it. Otherwise, a tablespoon will do. Place your cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Use the bottom of a glass to flatten each cookie slightly. Don't flatten the cookies completely. Just press down a little.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
🌟Expert Tips
- For the most accurate measurements, especially with baking, using a kitchen scale is a great idea.
- Make sure your dairy-free margarine is softened to room temperature. This helps with the creaming process and ensures a smoother incorporation of ingredients, resulting in a better texture for your cookies.
- Overmixing your cookie dough can lead to a tougher texture. Once you've added the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, affecting your cookie's tenderness.
- If you need to bake in batches, put the remaining cookie dough in the fridge to chill.
- Dairy free sugar cookies are softer than cookies made with dairy and eggs. They might feel soft in the center when you first take them from the oven. This is ok! Let them cool for a few minutes on the baking tray before transferring them to a cooling rack, and they'll firm up.
❄️Storage Instructions
Once your dairy-free sugar cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To maintain their freshness and texture, consider placing a piece of parchment paper between layers. Enjoy within a week for the best taste and quality!
Freezing Sugar Cookies
To freeze your dairy free sugar cookies, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature when you're ready to eat them!
🙋Frequently Asked Questions
To achieve soft and chewy sugar cookies, focus on the ratio of fat to sugar, opting for dairy-free margarine for a vegan twist. Cream the margarine and sugar thoroughly, then incorporate applesauce to maintain moisture without compromising texture. Avoid overmixing, and allow your cookies to cool briefly on the baking tray to ensure the perfect blend of softness and chewiness in every bite.
Traditional store bought sugar cookies typically contain dairy in the form of butter. Most cookie recipes don't use milk. If simply swap traditional butter for a plant-based alternative, like margarine, you can make dairy free sugar cookies.
Yes, dairy-free cookies are lactose-free. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. When a recipe or a product is labeled as dairy-free, it means it does not contain any ingredients derived from milk, making it suitable for individuals who are lactose intolerant or following a lactose-free diet. Always double-check the ingredients list to ensure there are no hidden sources of dairy or lactose.
You Might Also Enjoy These Dairy Free Cookie Recipes
Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Ultimate Vegan Skillet Cookie
Vegan Chocolate Orange Crinkle Cookies
Protein Cookie Dough - No Bake
Ultimate Biscoff Butter Cookies
2 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
📖 Recipe
Dairy Free Sugar Cookies ~ No Eggs
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dairy-free margarine softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the dairy-free margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this.
- Add the applesauce, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the creamed mixture. Mix well until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Use the bottom of a glass or a fork to flatten each cookie slightly. Do not completely flatten your cookies. Just give them a light press.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are cooled, you can decorate them with dairy-free icing or enjoy them as they are.
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