These simple, vegan butter cookies are crispy, sweet, buttery and they can easily be made gluten-free. Sprinkled with a pinch of sparkling sugar for added crunch and shine.

A black metal tin filled with vegan butter cookies

What is the difference between butter cookies and shortbread cookies?

While they are both delicious cookies, butter cookies are crispier than shortbread cookies which are softer and more crumbly. This is due to their fat to flour ratio. Shortbread cookies have a higher fat to flour ratio, while butter cookies have a lower ratio. Butter cookie dough is typically pipped into a baking sheet or placed in a cookie press to create fun, beautiful shapes, while shortbread cookie dough is typically rolled into a log, sliced and baked at a lower temperature.

What about sugar cookies?

Sugar cookies have the lowest fat to flour ratio. They make a sturdier dough that is typically rolled between two pieces of parchment paper and cut into shapes. It is the ideal dough for decorated cookies.

closeup view of a white plate with stacked vegan butter cookies

Ingredients in vegan butter cookies

butter-flavored coconut oil
sugar
vanilla-flavored plant milk
natural vanilla extract
all-purpose flour (you can also use gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour)
Pinch of salt
Sparkling sugar (optional)

What kind of fat is best for vegan butter cookies?

We used butter flavored coconut oil for this recipe. If you can't find butter flavored coconut oil, you can use plain, refined coconut oil or your favorite vegan butter, but take into consideration that the flavor will not be the same. You can also add a natural vegan butter flavoring, such as this one.

How to make vegan butter cookies

Using an electric mixer, cream the coconut oil and sugar until smooth. Add the milk and vanilla and continue beating until light and fluffy.

Making vegan butter cookies dough in a mixer

Carefully add the flour and salt and beat until just incorporated.

Vegan butter cookie dough in the mixer bowl

Form a log with the cookie dough and place it in a cookie press, using your favorite shape. If you don't have a cookie press, roll the dough on a well-floured surface and use a cookie cutter.

vegan butter cookie dough inside a cookie press ready to be shaped

Press the cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle with sparkling sugar.

sprinkling sparkling sugar on shaped vegan butter cookies

Let the butter cookies cool completely before taking them out of the cookie sheet. They will crisp up once they cool.

Sideview of a white plate with stacked vegan butter cookies with a plate filled with butter cookies in the background

Other vegan cookies you will enjoy

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