Sunday, December 2, 2018

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe + 10 More Vegan Christmas Recipes

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)

What's not to love about shortbread cookies? They are simple to make, call for very few ingredients and are sure to be delicious. I have added these Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies to my Christmas repertoire this year because the only thing that could be better than shortbread is chocolate shortbread...with peppermint candy canes on top. And melted chocolate. It's a winning combination, as my testers can, well, testify. (My testers in this case were my kids, my husband, my niece and my sister-in-law.) "That's the best cookie I've had in a while," my sister-in-law said.

Also, read on for 10 more vegan Christmas recipes from my blogging friends. You can make a whole delicious holiday meal with these recipes, because there are recipes for everything from appetizers to mains to desserts.

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)

The basic recipe for holiday shortbread cookies usually includes butter, sugar, flour and vanilla. I know that many people think that butter is the key to successful shortbread, and you might wonder how you can make shortbread cookies without the butter. It's pretty simple - just switch out the butter for what people tend to call "vegan butter," which is really just dairy-free margarine (like Becel vegan margarine or Earth Balance buttery spread.) I promise you this dairy-free shortbread will be just as delicious as the "real" thing.

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)

Of course, this particular recipe is for a chocolate shortbread, which calls for the simple addition of cocoa. For the optional additional chocolate icing, simply melt chocolate chips with soy milk or another non-dairy beverage. These vegan Christmas cookies will be joining my Candy Cane Chocolate Fudge on my Christmas Eve cookie platter, along with date squares, Sweet Marie Bars and No-Bake Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Balls. Be sure to check out these other easy vegan Christmas cookie and squares recipes if you're looking to stock your freezer with holiday goodies to serve to family and friends (or eat yourself, straight outta the freezer like I do).

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)

The chocolate icing on these holiday shortbread cookies stands on its own as a pleasant topping for your shortbread cookies. But fortunately, the icing also acts as a great foundation to grip a lovely pile of broken peppermint candy canes! The contrast of the minty candy cane pieces with the chocolate shortbread cookie and the chocolate icing makes for a whole different cookie experience.

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)

This is a great recipe to add to your holiday serving platter for your vegan friends, as well as those who are dairy-free and/or egg-free out of choice or necessity.

Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)

I hope you get a chance to make, taste and enjoy this easy vegan chocolate shortbread cookie recipe this Christmas. Let me know how it goes if you do!


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Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies (vegan)



Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Shortbread Cookies



by Joann MacDonald

Ingredients (16 cookies)
  • 1/2 cup vegan margarine
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup light spelt flour
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar/powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • pinch of salt
For the toppings
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons soy milk
  • 4 full-size candy canes
Instructions

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together margarine and vanilla with an electric mixer for 20 seconds or so, until creamy.

In a medium bowl, stir together spelt flour, sugar, cocoa and salt until well combined.

Add to margarine mixture and beat for about 2 minutes. Form batter into a dough ball with your hands. Shape into a cylinder (about 2 inches in diameter and 6 inches long) and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight (if desired). Remove dough to cutting board and cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds.

Preheat oven to 300ºF.

Transfer rounds to prepared cookie sheet. Bake about 15 minutes, until edges darken slightly and cookie middles are fairly firm to the touch. Allow cookies to cool.

For the toppings
Using a double boiler or a stainless steel bowl placed over a pot of boiling water, melt chocolate chips with non-dairy milk. Stir until smooth.

Dip cookies in melted chocolate or spread chocolate over the tops of cookies.

Sprinkle on crushed candy cane pieces.



10 More Vegan Christmas Recipes


And now for a whole selection of delicious looking vegan Christmas recipes, starting with a yummy drink that you can sip on while cooking up appetizers, lasagna and dessert.


Orange Cranberry Mimosa Holiday Mocktail by Rhubarbarians


Vegan Cream Cheese Ball by Vegan Blueberry


Vegan Spinach Kale Dip by Plant & Vine




Vegan Sausage Stuffed Dates by Thyme & Love



Smokey White Bean Puree (A High Protein Mashed Potato Alternative) by Healthy Helper



Vegan Brussels Sprouts Salad (with oil-free citrus vinaigrette, pistachios and orange-infused cranberries) by Healthy Midwestern Girl



Seriously The BEST Vegan Lasagna by This Healthy Kitchen



Vegan Gingerbread Cake by Nutriplanet


Vegan Candy Cane Truffles by Baked by Clo



Questions for you


What's your favourite vegan Christmas recipe? Do you look forward to the main meal or the desserts most?


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10 delicious vegan Christmas recipes, from appetizers to mains to dessert

14 comments:

  1. The cookies look amazing!

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  2. These look so festive! Thanks for the great idea!

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    1. Thanks Victoria! I hope you get a chance to try them. :)

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  3. Chocolate and peppermint together! Yum!

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  4. Those candy cane truffles looks divine. Everything looks amazing and delicious!

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  5. Nothing says holiday like peppermint and shortbread! What a great spin on two holiday staples. I will have to try them.

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  6. Shortbread is totally one of my weaknesses! I love this twist on a classic dessert

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  7. What a great recipe--plus perfect for hosting!

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  8. Candycanes,chocolate and shortbread in one cookie!! Must be delicious!

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