10 Vegan Holiday Cookies Even Non-Vegans Will Love

Swirled Pig's Ears Cookies (Vietnam)

Bake your way around the world with Crumbs's 300 irresistible cookie recipes from nearly 100 countries, from classic chocolate chip cookies to date-filled maamoul, and almond macaroons to cardamom biscuits, Italian waffle cookies, and Okinawan brown sugar shortbread.

"Cookies are condensed pieces of excess," says Ben. "They allow everyone to feel extravagant and rich for a second. I think that’s a universal appeal for everyone. They bring joy while eating them, no matter how you feel the rest of the time. And sharing in that joy is what cookies do best; they allow you to physically give out happiness in a few bites."

He's sharing an excerpt of three cookie recipes below!

Chocolate-Glazed Polish Gingerbread (Poland)

Adapted from Crumbsby Ben Mims

Preparation time: 50 minutes, plus cooling and setting time

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Makes: 30 cookies

INGREDIENTS

For the cookies:

• 6 tablespoons (125 g) honey ¼ cup (50 g) white US granulated (UK caster) sugar
• 2½ tablespoons (35 g) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2¼ cups (315 g) all-purpose (plain) flour, plus more for dusting
• ½ teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

For the chocolate glaze:

• 1½ cups (200 g) powdered (icing) sugar
• 1/3 cup (30 g) natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons whole milk, plus more if needed

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the cookies: Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas Mark 4). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Pour the honey into a small frying pan and place over medium-high heat until the honey starts to bubble around the edges and is loose. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the white US granulated (UK caster) sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cardamom until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the sour cream until smooth, then add the flour and sprinkle over the baking soda (bicarb) and salt. Fold the mixture with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon until the dough just comes together and there are no dry pockets of flour remaining.
4. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to ½ inch (13 mm) thick. Using a 2½- to 3-inch (6.5 to 7.5 cm) round or heart-shaped cutter, cut out cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Reroll the scraps to cut out more cookies.
5. Bake until the cookies are risen, golden brown at the edges, and give just slightly when pressed on top, 15-20 minutes, switching racks and rotating the baking sheets front to back halfway through. The cookies will firm up considerably upon cooling so err on the side of underbaking them.
6. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 1 minute, then transfer them to the racks to cool completely.
7. Make the chocolate glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered (icing) sugar and cocoa. Add the vanilla and 2 tablespoons of the milk and stir until a thick paste forms. Add another 1 tablespoons milk and stir until the glaze is pourable and smooth but not too runny. Add more milk if needed to reach the consistency you want.
8. Balance a cookie on the tines of a fork and position it over the bowl of glaze. Use a spoon in your other hand to spoon glaze over the cookie, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Once the glaze stops dripping, return the cookies to a rack or a baking sheet. Repeat glazing the remaining cookies. Let the glaze dry until set before serving.

Rainbow Sprinkles-Covered Cookies (Mexico)

Adapted from Crumbsby Ben Mims

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling time

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Makes: About 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose (plain) flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¾ cup (150 g) white US granulated (UK caster) sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) cold-rendered leaf lard or vegetable shortening, softened
• 4 tablespoons (2 oz/55 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, preferably Mexican
• 2 eggs, 1 whole and 1 separated
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ cup (120 g) rainbow-colored nonpareils (hundreds & thousands) or small dragées

DIRECTIONS

• Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas Mark 4). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, combine the sugar, lard, butter, and vanilla and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add the whole egg, beat until smooth, then add the egg yolk to the bowl, beating until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and stir until a dough forms and there are no dry patches of flour remaining. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (cling film) and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm.
• Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Using a 2½-inch (6.5 cm) round cutter, cut out cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Reroll the dough and cut out more cookies. Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm the dough rounds.
• Meanwhile, make an egg wash by whisking the remaining egg white with the water until smooth. Place the nonpareils in a shallow dish or large plate.
• Using a pastry brush, brush some of the egg wash over the top of a dough round and place the round, brushed-side down, in the nonpareils to completely encrust that side. Invert the cookie and return it to its spot on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough rounds.
• Bake until light golden brown at the edges and just set in the center, 12-15 minutes, switching racks and rotating the baking sheets front to back halfway through.
• Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 1 minute, then transfer them to the racks to cool completely.

Flower Shaped Butter Cookies (Italy)

Adapted from Crumbsby Ben Mims

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Makes: About 24 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup (140 g) all-purpose (plain) flour
• ¾ cup (105 g) potato starch or cornstarch (cornflour)
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 hard-boiled egg yolks
• 1 stick (4 oz/115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (65 g) powdered (icing) sugar, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

1. Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas Mark 4). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, potato starch, and salt. Place a fine sieve over a large bowl and use a silicone spatula to press the hard-boiled egg yolks through the sieve, scraping the back of the sieve to ensure you get all the egg yolk. Add the butter and sugar, and beat on medium speed with a hand mixer until pale and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the dough forms and there are no dry patches of flour remaining. Gather the dough into a ball.
3. Working on a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin to ⅜ inch (1 cm) thick. Using a 2½-inch (6.5 cm) flower-shaped cutter, cut out shapes of dough. Reroll the scraps to cut out more cookies. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheets, spaced 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Using the end of a narrow-handled wooden spoon or a ½-inch (13 mm) round piping tip (nozzle), punch out the center of each dough flower. Reroll the centers to make more cookies or discard them.
4. Bake until golden brown at the edges and dry to the touch on top, 10-15 minutes, switching racks and rotating the baking sheets front to back halfway through.
5. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let the cookies rest on the pans for 1 minute. While they are still hot, dust the cookies with sugar and then transfer directly to the racks to cool completely.

VARIATION

Castagnese

Substitute the same weight of chestnut flour for the potato starch.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (United States)

"Ben's best baking tip? "Be patient. So much of the success of your baking comes down to simply giving things the time they need to set up or cool down. Don’t rush things. Always set a timer. Oh, and use a scale! Using the proper weight of ingredients (versus using volume measurements) will be the single greatest determining factor in the outcome of your cookies and all baked goods."

There's so much inside of Crumbs, including the origin story of each cookie and its region. Try them for breakfast, with afternoon tea, on holidays, or as a late-night snack, they are that good!

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Crumbs: Cookies and Sweets From Around the World

Immune Boosting Winter Citrus Smoothie

Crush your cold with all the colorful in-season produce like blood oranges, beets, pomegranates, and rainbow chard spiced with ginger, turmeric, and cayenne. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Creamy Yogurt Popsicles with Berries

Nurse your sore throat with these healthy popsicles made with fresh berries and just five ingredients! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

15-Minute Asian Cold Remedy Soup

Maybe this soup’s claim has something to do with the hefty dose of fresh ginger in each bite.(via Fork in the Kitchen)

Cold-Soothing Chai Hot Toddy

Your grandma wasn’t lying when she said that a hot toddy is the best cold medicine. This chai-spiced version adds even more warmth to the drink and will lull you into a peaceful night of sleep. (via Baking Mischief)

Honey Chamomile Popsicles

Honey and chamomile are two soothing ingredients for a sore throat or upset tummy. Keep them stored in the freezer, and you and your kids will be more than happy to snack on them while sick. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Immune Boosting Garden Herb Stock

Once you get over your illness, you need to do everything you can to keep your immune system up. This nutritious stock is full of vitamins and minerals that you can drink straight or add to just about any dish you like. (viaOm Nom Ally)

Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

You’ve got to have a solid chicken noodle soup recipe, no matter who you’re trying to nurse back to health. This one has plenty of protein, veggies, and comforting egg noodles to get your stomach settled. (viaAverie Cooks)

Golden Milk

Delicious both hot or cold, this anti-inflammatory drink made with coconut milk, dates, turmeric, and cinnamon is full of medicinal properties that will leave you feeling great in no time. Plus, it's gluten and dairy-free, vegan, and super easy to make! (via Clean Cuisine)

Rosehip Tea

Ripe in late fall, rosehips are high in vitamin C and can help strengthen your immune system. This tea, made with these fruits of rose plants, has an amazing effect on your body, before and after your sick day. (via Give Recipe)

Chicken Lemon Rice Soup

If you're not a fan of noodles or just not in the mood for them, opt for a chicken and rice soup instead. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Turmeric Ginger Chickpea Noodle Soup

Thisimmune-boosting chickpea noodle soup is full of veggies with a flavorful ginger turmeric broth, plus it's ready in about 30 minutes! (via Crowded Kitchen)

All-Natural DIY Pineapple Cough Syrup

No more cough syrup at home? Go for this all-natural alternative. The combination of pineapple, cayenne, lemon, ginger, and honey is more than effective at keeping your coughs at bay. (via The View from Great Island)

Gingery Poached Egg Soup

Sometimes it’s hard to even eat chicken noodle soup when you’re feeling under the weather. This light version will be ready for you to sip in 15 minutes, and it won’t weigh too heavily on your stomach. (via The Kitchn)

Healing Turmeric Cauliflower Soup

The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are just one of the reasons this soup is perfect for healing your sick body. If you’re having any trouble swallowing, the smooth texture will be easy for you to get down and digest. (via Simply Quinoa)

Healing Bowls With Turmeric Sweet Potatoes, Poached Eggs, and

Lemon Dressing

When you’re able to eat a little bit more, a big bowl of nourishing ingredients is what you need. This sweet potato and brown rice bowl is full of greens, poached egg, and a lemony dressing to help you feel like a million bucks. (via Pinch of Yum)

Immunity Shots

You could go to a fancy juice bar to get an immune-boosting shot or you could make one at home for a fraction of the cost, and you won’t have to get out of your pajamas. Use your blender or juicer to combine carrot, ginger, lemon, and garlic together into a cold-blooded flu killer. (via With Food and Love)

Cold Buster Citrus Smoothie

If your immune system does give into the office cold, this vitamin C-packed drink will help you recover at lightning speed. (via Seasonal Cravings)

Moon Milk

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the hardest things to do while you’re sick. This antioxidant-rich warm moon milk recipe features nutmeg and ashwagandha, both of which are known for lulling you into a restful slumber. (via Bon Appetit)

Super Immunity Power Salad

Move over, spinach. This kale salad is here to take the spot as the most nutritious and delicious way to eat your greens. (via The Garden Grazer)

Triple Berry Kiwi Smoothie

Who needs a multivitamin when you could just drink this smoothie every day? One kiwi has over 100 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C, so you know that you’ll stay healthy through flu season with this as your breakfast. (via The Pretty Bee)

Vegan Vegetable Noodle Soup Recipe

Even without the chicken, noodle soup is good for the soul. (via Veggie Society)

Homemade Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Homemade Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Sometimes all you need is a hot, seasonal drink to get you back on your feet. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

CREAMY SWEET POTATO CHICKEN SOUP

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A which! Is great for fighting off illnesses.(via Averie Cooks)

SPICY SOFT TOFU SOUP

Sometimes all you need is a little spice to clear up a stuffy nose! (Takes Two Eggs)

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This post has been updated.

Easy Homemade Sore Throat Gummies

These lemon, ginger, and honey gummies are better than any lozenge than you can get at the store. The natural ingredients will coat your throat and ease any annoying tickles or cough that you may have. (via Hello Creative Family)

When will the Starbucks holiday drinks for 2024 come out?

According to an Instagram post from Starbucks, new holiday drinks and snacks will come out on November 7, 2024.

Will there be holiday cups?

We do anticipate that the Starbucks holiday menu will include some new holiday cup designs! Though we don't know what they'll look like just yet, previous holiday menus over the years have featured vibrant reds, greens, and pinks, plus stars, sparkles, Christmas trees, swirls, and stripes. Typically, Starbucks' holiday cups span across hot and iced drinks. Additionally, a new lineup of reusable cups and mugs should become available!

What's missing from this year's rumored Starbucks holiday menu?

Per rumors around the Starbucks holiday menu, the Eggnog Latte, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Irish Cream Cold Brew, and Gingerbread Loaf won't be returning to cafes for 2024. We're especially sad to see the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha not included, though the official menu lineup has yet to be released!

When is Starbucks Red Cup Day 2024?

Though there's no official word out about Red Cup Day for 2024, our best guess – based on the Red Cup Days of years past – is it'll return mid-November. In 2023, Red Cup Day fell on November 16. In 2022, the coffee chain held the event on November 17. Both dates landed on the third Thursday of November, so we predict it to hit on November 21 for 2024. Red Cup Day is when Starbucks customers can get a free reusable red cup when they order a seasonal drink off the holiday menu.

Drinks On The Starbucks Holiday Menu 2024

NEW! Cran-Merry Orange Refresher

The Starbucks holiday menu leak reported that this brand-new Refresher is packed with sweet orange, tart cranberry and warm spice. It also has cranberry inclusions and is order-able mixed with water, lemonade or coconut milk.

Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

Chai is a totally underrated holiday flavor in our opinion. This iced drink is crafted with warm chai spices and creamy oat milk, then gets topped with even more frothed oat milk infused with gingerbread-flavored syrup and a sprinkling of spice.

Peppermint Mocha

You know it, and you love it! The Peppermint Mocha has hit Starbucks menus year after year, making it a total statement sip for the holiday season. This drink (available hot or iced) combines peppermint syrup, mocha sauce, and your milk of choice with espresso for a festive feel. It's traditionally topped with whipped cream and tasty chocolate curls.

Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

Similar to the classic Peppermint Mocha, this bev swaps chocolate for white chocolate sauce.

Caramel Brûlée Latte

This rumored Starbucks holiday menu drink is very rich. The sweet caramel brûlée sauce totally completes the sip, along with plenty of whipped cream and crunchy lil' brûlée bits for textural variety.

Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte

Literally like a sugar cookie in liquid form, this super-sweet latte is handcrafted with blonde espresso (it's sweeter and lighter than Starbucks' traditional espresso shots), sugar cookie syrup, and almond milk for a little bit of a lighter effect. It's finished off with red and green sprinkles to up the seasonal vibes even more!

Chestnut Praline Latte

This nutty latte – rumored to return for 2024 – brings on notes of chestnut and praline, which is a nice, flavorful departure from the very expected peppermint you'll see everywhere come holiday time.

Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew

Initially introduced for fall 2024, it appears as though the Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew will stay on the Starbucks menu well into winter. The salted, pecan-flavored cold foam offers that classic sweet n' salty twist you'd enjoy on fall snacks like trail mix or dipped pretzels. The best part is you can now also order the cold foam in non-dairy form!

Holiday Cold Foams

Per the menu leak, Starbs will be bringing back four beloved holiday-flavored cold foamsand two new options for 2024. They're the perfect drink customization to add to your iced coffees and cold brews if you don't want to order an all-out holiday drink. See all the predicted flavors below:

• NEW! Gingerbread
• NEW! Salted Pecan
• Peppermint Chocolate
• Sugar Cookie
• Chestnut Praline
• Caramel Brûlée

Snacks On The Starbucks Holiday Menu 2024

NEW! Dark Toffee Bundt

Per the menu leak, this sweet toffee-flavored bundt will be topped with holly- and berry-shaped sprinkles. How perfect for the holiday season!

NEW! Turkey Sage Danish

This savory snack reportedly includes "turkey sausage with creamy béchamel sauce in a pastry." It sounds like Thanksgiving in a single treat, and we can't wait to try it!

NEW! Penguin Cookie

This cutie sugar cookie is decorated like a lil' penguin bundled up for the cold.

Snowman Cake Pop

Starbucks' classic vanilla cake pop gets a wintry twist with an adorable snowman face – this sweet really makes us crave the holiday season!

Sugar Plum Cheese Danish

This cream cheese-filled danish is topped with a slightly-spiced sugar plum jam. It's been one of our go-to's over the past few holiday seasons at Starbucks!

Cranberry Bliss Bar

The Cranberry Bliss Bar has become an absolute staple on the Starbucks holiday menu, and for good reason! This blondie treat is smothered in a delicious cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with orange zest and dried cranberries for added seasonal enjoyment.

What People Are Saying About The Leaked Starbucks Holiday Menu

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A post shared by Markie_devo (@markie_devo)

Though most commenters on @markie_devo's Starbucks holiday menu leak post seemed to be excited for the upcoming rumored menu items, some Starbs fans noticed a few things missing from the leaked lineup.

"Still missing eggnog 😢," someone noted.

"Where is the toasted white chocolate mocha 😢😢😢😢," another questioned.

"ALLLLLL these cold foams, and not the one people want: Irish Cream," one more commenter said.

"Ugh still no gingerbread loaf 😭," a disappointed user wrote. "Everything else looks bomb though!"

Despite the Eggnog Latte, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Irish Cream Cold Brew, and Gingerbread loaf not being part of this year's menu predictions, the holiday season is our favorite time of year at Starbucks. Many more users shared the same sentiment:

"So excited for all chestnut praline shaken espressos & cranberry bliss bars 🎄🎄🎄🎄," someone wrote.

"Oh hell yess all the chestnut praline offerings," another rejoiced.