Sometimes you crave something sweet — and sometimes that sweetness should come from a cookie. Since sweet potatoes are healthy, delicious, and versatile, they make a wonderful base for vegan sugar cookies. These sweet potato sugar cookies are tender, lightly sweet, and easy to shape. They’re great for holidays, special occasions like Valentine’s Day, or cozy evenings when you want a comforting treat.
These cookies can be mixed by hand or with a stand mixer. Decorate them simply by sprinkling raw cane sugar on top, or use your favorite vegan frosting to get creative. You can cut the dough into any shape you like — use cookie cutters, lids, jars, or shape cutters made from aluminum foil for a custom look.
Sweet Potato Sugar Cookies
By: Jenné Claiborne
These sweet potato sugar cookies are best made with a hand mixer or standing mixer. If you don’t have either, a bit of elbow grease will do the job.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Servings: 16 cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter (such as Earth Balance)
- ½ cup sugar (use half white and half brown, or coconut sugar)
- 3 tbsp sweet potato puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups spelt flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Raw cane sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Cream the vegan butter and sugar with a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 3 minutes, until fluffy.
- Add the sweet potato puree and vanilla extract, then continue mixing until combined.
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Gently shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a workspace and use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough to about 1/5 inch thick.
- Cut shapes with a cookie cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Sprinkle the cookies with raw cane sugar.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
If you’d like to decorate, use a simple vegan frosting or dust lightly with powdered sugar. These cookies hold their shape well, so they’re ideal for decorating with kids or for making holiday cookie trays.
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Have you tried these vegan cookies? Leave a comment below and share your favorite way to make them and any holiday traditions you enjoy while baking.