If there’s one thing I wasn’t going to give up when I went strictly dairy-free, it was cookies. Back in the day, most store-bought brands contained butter, milk, and other miscellaneous dairy ingredients. That’s when I began baking like it was my job. And now, making dairy-free cookie recipes is my job! Which is why I have this incredible round-up of the best recipes for dairy-free Christmas cookies.
The Best Dairy-Free Cookie Recipes for the Holidays
I originally gathered this roundup of dairy-free Christmas cookies more than a decade ago for National Cookie Day. I’ve since whipped up many more cookie recipes, so my list has more than doubled. We actually have more than 100 cookie recipes on this site, but we think these are the best recipes for the holiday parties, gifts, and cookie swaps!
Cinnamon Cookies
I bet you were expecting snickerdoodles first. We’ll get there! These cinnamon cookies have become a perennial favorite for their tender, chewy texture and warm dose of spice.
Sugar Cookies (Drop and Roll & Cut)
These baseline dairy-free cookies are delicious on their own, but they’re also perfect for decorating. Enjoy them drop style with or without icing, or roll and cut them into fun shapes. Need an egg-free option? Bake these Vegan Roll & Cut Sugar Cookies. Craving a different flavor? Try my Lemon Sugar Cookies.
Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies might be a year-round treat, but we think they’re essential on Santa’s cookie plate. And this dairy-free recipe is one that we’ve served over the years to hundreds of kids and adults. They always go back for more!
Classic Gingerbread Men
What would Christmas be without gingerbread cookies? This is truly a classic recipe with no need for dairy at all.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
We do have a delicious recipe for Dairy-Free White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies, too, but cranberries add a festive touch and make them friendly to nut allergies, too.
Snickerdoodles
Yes, here we are – dairy-free snickerdoodle cookies! Trust me, these taste just like the classic recipe. If you need a gluten-free option, try my Grain-Free Snickerdoodles. They are quite incredible. Or for a different twist, enjoy my recipe for Snickerdoodle Blondies.
Cinn-ful Sweet Potato Cookies
Each bite of these warm vegan cookies offers the satisfying flavors of maple, cinnamon, and brown sugar. You can add chocolate chips, or not. It’s your choice!
Triple Chocolate Cookies
These are the dairy-free chocolate cookies of my dreams. They’re a touch crisp on the outside, moist and a little chewy on the inside, and generously dotted with three types of dairy-free chocolate chips.
Classic Shortbread Cookies
It doesn’t get much simpler than these buttery dairy-free cookies. But you can always dress them up. My dear friend likes to mix things up with this Rosemary Shortbread Recipe.
Big Molasses Cookies
These rich, soft, and chewy cookies are a personal favorite in winter. They’re so warm and satisfying and gently crusted with a sprinkle of sugar before baking.
Glazed Lemon Cookies
Nothing shows off the sunny side of winter like citrus desserts. And these sweet and zesty lemon cookies will brighten anyone’s day.
Thin Mint Cookies
It’s always a shame that Girl Scout Cookie Season doesn’t hit until the new year. Especially because Thin Mints are the ideal Christmas cookies. Fortunately, you can bake your own with this amazing recipe.
Snowball Cookies
No round-up of dairy-free Christmas cookies would be complete without snowballs! You might call them Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes, or even Butterballs. No matter the name, they bring our cookie count up to a delicious baker’s dozen.
Cookie Butter Pinwheel Cookies
My creative friend Hannah crafted this amazing holiday cookie recipe. It uses speculoos, or cookie butter, which is naturally dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
Dad’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Growing up, we baked these oatmeal raisin cookies every Christmas, since they are my father’s favorite treat. I veer from the Quaker recipe to get semi-thick oatmeal cookies with the best combination of soft and chewy. If you aren’t a fan of raisins, try my Oatmeal Apricot Cookies – they also happen to be egg-free and vegan-friendly.
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
Crinkle cookies rise and fall to create a cracked and “crinkled” outer layer with a somewhat fudgy texture in the middle. This version is also spiked with crushed peppermint candy. It’s a very festive option for your plate of dairy-free Christmas cookies.
Casserole Cookies
This is my baked version of classic skillet cookies. I find these easier and less fussy. For gifting or a special treat, we usually roll them in coarse sugar or powdered sugar. Sometimes I do a little of each for a special look.
Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Cookies
My nieces baked these 3-ingredient cookies every year – it was the first thing they learned to bake. For something a little fancier, try my Chunky Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies or Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. Or if you need peanut-free, make our Sunbutter Cookies.
Vegan Samoa Cookies
No one will believe these Caramel De-Lite copycats are dairy-free and egg-free! They are an impressive treat, and have the perfect balance of sweet, rich, and chocolaty goodness.
Butterscotch Cookies
Yes, it’s true, dairy-free butterscotch chips do exist. And they work perfectly in these Toll House-style cookies. The key is balancing the buttery sweetness for an addictive treat that is rich rather than sugary. While you have those butterscotch chips, try my recipe for Dairy-Free Oatmeal Scotchies. It’s equally delicious!
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with a Candy Cane Creme Filling
It’s hard to resist these chocolate peppermint sandwich creme cookies. The recipe includes homemade vegan chocolate spritz cookies and a sweet, peppermint-infused, dairy-free icing.
Pumpkin Cookies
These soft cookies are infused with real pumpkin and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. It’s a sweet worthy of your party cookie platter. But you can double down on holiday flavors, and make our Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles.
Classic No-Bake Chocolate Cookies
In my earliest cookie making years, I also loved whipping up no-bake cookies. I usually included them in a cookie trio that we gifted to neighbors. This is my more current, dairy-free recipe.
Crispy Almond Flour Cookies
If you need a special cookie for gluten-free friends, look no further than these easy cookies. They’re loosely based on almond Christmas cookies.
Snappy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Rounding out our list of the best dairy-free Christmas cookies is one of my original holiday recipes. It’s still a favorite! These perfectly tender cookies are a cross between gingersnaps and molasses cookies. If you’re looking for more crunch, we do have a recipe for Gingersnaps.
Easy Dairy-Free Cookie Fun
These dairy-free cookie recipes are less conventional, but still perfect for the holidays. They each use shortcuts so you have more time to spend with loved ones!
White Fudge Oreos
At the store, these beloved cookies contain milk. But it’s easy to make dairy-free white fudge Oreos at home! Plus, you can decorate these snow white treats with sprinkles for even more festive flair.
Melting Snowman Cookies
You can use our homemade sugar cookies recipe or buy some allergy-friendly cookies to make these adorable cookies. The preparation is fun to do with kids.
Raw Cookie Dough Bites
Skip the heat and enjoy these no-bake cookies. They’re safe to eat raw because they contain no eggs or flour. They’re also a healthier, but equally delicious, alternative.
Pudding Cookies
All you need is four simple ingredients to bake these colorful cookies. One of them is instant pudding – yes, most varieties are dairy free!
Holiday Sandwich Cookies with Various Flavored Fillings
I’ve got four filling recipes in this post, because it’s all about the icing, right? The options include Mint Chocolate Chip, Lemon, Raspberry Creme, and Maple!
For Even More Sweet Treat Recipes, Get Go Dairy Free!
