Dairy-free molasses gingerbread cut-outs made with plant-based baking sticks, warm spices and a traditional rolled dough.
Firm plant-based baking sticks replace dairy butter in this rolled version. Check the fat content and ingredient label before mixing, since soft tub spreads behave differently. The dough still contains egg, and any decoration needs its own ingredient check.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dairy-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Per tray: 8–12 minutes · about 3 trays of similar-size shapes
Allow about 2 hours 25 minutes: 35 minutes hands-on, at least 60 minutes chilling, about 30 minutes for three trays and 20 minutes cooling. Cooling includes the pan rest. Decoration, longer chilling and extra trays add time.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- Digital scale, 1 g increments (0.1 g for small spice weights)
- Small saucepan and a large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin with ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness guides
- Cookie cutters, about 3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Two light-colored aluminum baking sheets, about 13 × 18 inches (33 × 46 cm), and parchment
- Wide spatula, wire cooling rack and oven thermometer
Ingredients
Cookie dough
Spice blend
Scale ingredients and US equivalents, including eggs. Keep cookie size, thickness, oven temperature and baking time per tray unchanged. More trays add time; weigh beaten egg for fractional batches.
Instructions
Melt & season
- Gently melt dairy-free baking sticks over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar, molasses, salt and spices. Let cool to lukewarm before whisking in the egg.
Combine
- Whisk flour with baking powder and baking soda, then mix into the wet ingredients until no dry flour remains. Dough will be sticky; do not add more flour.
Firm the dough
- Divide into two flattened rectangles, wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 60 minutes, until cold and firm enough to roll. Chilling firms the butter and lets the flour hydrate.
Shape
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C) conventional, or 320°F (160°C) fan. Lightly flour a clean worktop and rolling pin. Roll one portion ¼ inch (6 mm) thick; cut 3 inches (7.5 cm) shapes. Gather scraps gently; keep the other portion cold.
Check doneness
- Place on parchment-lined pans about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Bake one tray at a time for 8–12 minutes. Check at 8 minutes, especially with fan: edges should darken slightly and surfaces look set. Smaller shapes finish sooner.
Cool before icing
- Rest on the pan 5 minutes until safe to lift, then transfer to a rack for about 15 minutes or until fully cool. Optional prepared cookie icing may be used according to its packaging; it is additional to this dough formula.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Choose baking sticks
An approximately 80%-fat stick behaves more predictably than a watery tub spread.
Check the whole finish
Chocolate and prepared icing can contain milk even when the dough has none.
Chill after melting
The melted plant-fat dough still needs its full hour of chilling before rolling.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Up to 5 days | Store fully cooled cookies airtight in a cool, dry place. Let icing dry, then separate layers with parchment; follow any icing storage instructions. |
| Refrigeration | Dough: up to 48 hours | Keep dough tightly wrapped. Let it soften just enough to roll while remaining cool. Plain baked cookies do not need refrigeration. |
| Raw freezing | Up to 2 months at 0°F (−18°C) | Wrap flattened dough portions tightly, then bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and roll while cool. |
| Baked freezing | Up to 2 months at 0°F (−18°C) | For best appearance, freeze undecorated, cooled cookies airtight. Thaw covered at room temperature before icing. |
| Restoring | Before decorating | For crisper edges, warm plain cookies at 300°F (150°C) conventional for 3–5 minutes. Cool on a rack. Do not reheat iced cookies. |
Notes
- Use dairy-free baking sticks with about 80% fat rather than a soft low-fat tub spread. This dough contains egg and wheat, so dairy-free does not mean vegan or gluten-free. Any optional icing must also be dairy-free; egg-free icing is a separate requirement.
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition per serving; brands and portion sizes vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these vegan?
No. This dairy-free version contains egg.
Can I use a low-fat tub spread?
Use approximately 80%-fat baking sticks. Low-fat spreads add water and can alter the dough.
Can I ice them with regular buttercream?
That would add dairy. Choose a dairy-free finish and verify its ingredient label.
Browse more cookie ideas in the Gingerbread Cookies Ideas collection.
