Vegan Owl-Shaped Sugar Cookies

I visited my friend Jenni in New York for a few days last week. We had so much fun, despite both suffering from some kind of flu. We ate lots of yummy food (mostly soup and cookies for me), I got to meet her friends, and see some musical improv shows. My bestie John Sigmund met up with us one night and we had a fun catching up at a little diner that made a delicious homemade veggie burger. I planned my trip so I would be home in time for Christmas Festivities. My Mom had an early Christmas Party Monday night, and Tuesday the hubby and I shopped for some last-minute gifts and planned our holiday meals. All I want is vegan shepherd’s pie, soup, tamales, and these adorable owl cookies! I used this amazing 3D printed Owl Cookie Cutter with my Vegan Peanut Butter Recipe for my sister Sarah’s Cookie Party last week, but I really wanted to test out this Vegan Sugar Cookie Recipe.

Vegan Sugar Cookies
Recipe adapted from Oh, Ladycakes.

1/2 cup vegan butter (I use Smart Balance)
1/2 cup organic sugar (I use Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Sugar)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp vegan cream cheese (I use Go Veggie! Classic Plain Cream Cheese)
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour + extra for cookie cutting (I use King Arthur brand)

Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat and set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese using a stand mixer or hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add in the salt, baking soda, and flour and mix until just combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Dip your cookie cutter in flour and shake it off to get an even coating. Press out your cookies in the dough. Combine and roll out the remaining dough until you’ve cut all the cookies you can. Chill the cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking for 8-9 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Give them as gifts or eat them all yourself! 

Also adorable – Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Owls

I’m looking forward to seeing my niece Lillian for her first Christmas. Here she is under her parent’s amazingly huge Christmas tree. What a cutie!

My niece Lillian Under the Christmas Tree

Christmas Eve Dinner with the hubby was the best. We enjoyed a take-out Tofu Curry dinner from Thai Hot and opened the gifts we got each other. We started the opening gifts on Christmas Eve tradition last year and I love it.

My awesome hubby Mark

The hubby and I are taking some time off this week for some much-needed rest. We’ve also just released a new short documentary film following printmaker and musician Dennis Olsen: Watch the film on our Vimeo page. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!

xo angie