If you’re searching for a treat that’s soft, chewy, perfectly sweet, and a total crowd-pleaser, you’re going to fall in love with Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies! This delightful cookie recipe captures everything we adore about classic peanut butter cookies, but with a light, sugar-kissed twist and without a hint of dairy or eggs. They’re ready in under half an hour, wonderfully simple, and absolutely loaded with nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Whether you’re serving plant-based friends or just craving an easy homemade dessert, these cookies have you covered.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies lies in their simple, everyday ingredients. Each one plays a starring role in creating tender, golden cookies with just the right balance of sweetness and peanutty richness.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The heart of the cookies, bringing rich flavor, irresistible moisture, and a creamy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve that signature crackly top.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of caramel depth and extra chewiness—don’t skip it!
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Acts as our egg replacer, keeping the cookies delightfully moist and tender.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, comforting note.
- All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that holds these cookies together just perfectly.
- Baking Soda: Gives a bit of lift and lightness, ensuring the cookies aren’t too dense.
- Baking Powder: Teams up with baking soda to create just the right rise and crumb.
- Salt: Enhances and balances all the beautiful flavors in every bite.
How to Make Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Taking a few moments to prep your equipment sets you up for success and gets the cookies off to a great start!
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until the mixture is silky-smooth and luscious—no dry patches or clumps here! This base delivers incredible flavor and that crave-able chewy texture.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Grab a separate bowl and whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Even distribution here is key: it means each cookie will bake up uniformly with the perfect rise, crisp edge, and soft center.
Step 4: Bring the Dough Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until the dough comes together. It might take a little muscle near the end, but hang in there! The result is a thick, scoopable dough with a nutty aroma that’s impossible to resist.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Use a tablespoon to scoop even portions of dough, then roll each one between your palms to form balls. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet. For that classic look, gently press a fork onto each ball twice in opposite directions, creating a signature crisscross pattern. It’s a simple detail that makes these Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies instantly recognizable.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. Keep an eye out—the cookies are done when the edges look just barely golden. They’ll still seem a little soft, but that’s perfect! Let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them set up without becoming dry.
How to Serve Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A quick sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking can give these cookies a sparkly finish and a bit of extra crunch. For a fun twist, press a few dairy-free chocolate chips into the tops right after baking, or drizzle with a bit of melted vegan chocolate for dessert-level flair.
Side Dishes
Pair your Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies with a chilly glass of almond milk, oat milk, or your favorite non-dairy beverage. They’re also wonderful alongside a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, turning a simple treat into a decadent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them up and tie with twine for a sweet homemade gift, or nestle them into a jar lined with parchment for a “cookie jar” vibe. Hosting a party? Arrange them on a platter with other vegan cookies to create a colorful cookie board that invites everyone to indulge, no matter their dietary preference.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days—though in my experience, they almost always disappear faster!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container (with parchment between layers). They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you need a sweet treat, thaw a few at room temperature and enjoy.
Reheating
If you like your cookies warm and soft, just zap them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-from-the-oven taste, and the peanut butter aroma will fill your kitchen all over again!
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will give your Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies more texture and a fun nutty crunch, though the cookies might spread a bit less. Both options are delicious—choose whichever you love best.
Is there a gluten-free version?
Yes! You can substitute a good-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The cookies will still come out tender, flavorful, and totally satisfying.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You sure can. Prepare the dough and store it in the fridge (covered) for up to 2 days. Just shape and bake as usual, adding an extra minute or so to account for the chill.
Do I have to use applesauce?
Applesauce keeps these cookies moist and acts as a natural binder. If you don’t have any on hand, you can try using mashed banana for a slight flavor twist, or store-bought egg replacer for a more neutral option.
How do I get the perfect chewy texture?
The trick is to slightly underbake the cookies! Pull them out when the edges are just golden (not brown) and let them finish setting up on the baking sheet. This keeps the Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies delightfully chewy with that irresistible bite.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a sweet treat that’s quick, easy, and brings so much joy to the table, it’s time to give Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies a try. They’re just as cozy and satisfying as the childhood favorite, but with a plant-based twist everyone can enjoy. Happy baking!
Print
Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat for those who love the classic combination of peanut butter and sugar. They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until fully combined.
- Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, place on the baking sheet, and flatten with a fork. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a crispier texture, bake for an extra 1–2 minutes.
- You can substitute almond butter for peanut butter for a different flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
