This may have been the most epic blog post and photo shoot we’ve ever tackled on Oh She Glows. As my last post before the Christmas holidays, I think it’s safe to say we’re going out with a bang this year! This cookie roundup has a little something for everyone on your list, and I hope my treats inspire you to create your own vegan dessert board—big or small—this holiday season. If you make one and share it online, I’d love to see. Be sure to use the hashtags #ohsheglows, #osgcookies, #GETINMABELLY, and #SantaGoesVegan…okay, I suppose the last two are optional.
Yesterday morning all I could think was “WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO!?” There I was: in the throes of a nasty cold, buzzing around the kitchen and decorating cookies at the speed of light while Arlo played quietly with his educational toys screamed at my legs . I wish you could’ve seen me running between my kitchen and photography studio during naptime, pleading with the Nap Gods for five more minutes of photoshoot time. Luckily it all came together with some major hustling.
Check out these two behind-the-scenes photos! Who else finds their kitchen in organized chaos this time of year? ;)
Can you spot the gingerbread escapee below? LOL. It’s like a scene straight out of Shrek.
As you’ll see in the graphic below, we’re playing around with a new photo feature. Please humour me by hovering over the red dots near each cookie grouping to display a fun pop-up box. I actually find all that clicking around quite satisfying…almost like popping bubble wrap! I’d love to hear whether you like this sort of thing; if so, we’ll do more in the future.
[annotator_pro name=”vegan-cookie-platter”]
1. Gluten-free Snickerdoodles
A festive favourite. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and a dash of turbinado after baking. Recipe is online here. Or find the non-gluten-free version here.
2. Almond Butter Rice Crisp Treats
Riffing on the classic Rice Krispie Square, these treats can be iced and sprinkled in advance for a pop of colour. I like to cut them into triangles for “tree” shapes around the holidays. Recipe available on the Oh She Glows Recipe App and on the blog.
3. Eggnog Crunch Biscotti
A great companion to coffee or a latte, these crispy eggnog biscotti have a wonderful nutty flavour too. If you don’t have vegan eggnog on hand any plant-based milk works in a pinch. Recipe on Oh She Glows.
4. Gingerbread People
What’s a holiday spread without gingerbread buddies? These are fun for kids to help make too. Recipe from the Oh She Glows Recipe App (inside the Cookie Lover’s bundle).
5. Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites
With a quick prep and 10-minute chill, these bites are perfect for whipping up just before guests arrive. Recipe from The Oh She Glows Cookbook, page 235.
6. Triple Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Kid- and freezer-friendly for easy prep, any leftover cookies are perfect for breakfast the next morning, not that you’ll have any to speak of! Arlo LOVES these cookies. Recipe from Oh She Glows Every Day, page 205.
7. Ultimate Flourless Brownies
Rich and decadent, these gluten-free brownies with an almond butter base will make your kitchen smell amazing before guests arrive. Recipe from Oh She Glows Every Day, page 199.
8. Pillowy Pumpkin Snacking Cookies
Nut-free and kid-friendly, these cookies are a lighter complement to the board’s richer desserts. Recipe from Oh She Glows Every Day, page 217.
9. Lightened Up Magical Coconut Bars
Lightened up without butter and using unsweetened coconut, these bars still feel totally indulgent. Recipe on Oh She Glows.
10. Chewy Molasses Spelt Cookies
A holiday classic. I like to dip half in white chocolate and decorate with chopped candied ginger to punch up colour on the plate. Recipe is on the blog and in Oh She Glows Every Day, page 219.
11. Chocolate Macaroon Truffles
Rolled in matcha, these truffles add a sweet festive look to the board. For a more traditional macaroon flavour, you can stir shredded coconut into the truffle mixture. Extras make a lovely host gift too! Recipe on the blog.
12. Chocolate-Almond Espresso Cookies
Rich and perfect for dunking in after-dinner coffee or tea. Dip cooled cookies in melted vegan white chocolate for the ultimate treat. From Oh She Glows Every Day, page 207.
13. Peanut Better Balls
Peanut butter balls were a Christmas treat in my house growing up, and this lightened-up freezer-friendly version is perfect for making ahead before putting together your board. Recipe on the blog and in Oh She Glows Every Day, page 231.
14. Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
My twist on the classic peanut butter cookie. They’re gluten-free and freezer-friendly, too. From Oh She Glows Every Day, page 213.
Cookie board styling ideas:
If you’re looking for some festive styling ideas for your cookie board, feel free to play around with some of the following: fresh cranberries, clementines (bonus points if they have green leaves attached!), greenery (such as lacy cedar), or hand-written labels.
This post wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to Nicole, OSG’s recipe tester extraordinaire, for all of the baking help. You should’ve seen the truckload of cookies she delivered this week! #cookiemotherlode
Well friends, I won’t be posting again until the new year as I’m working away on the blog redesign and also preparing for a couple TV segments next week (one of which is live on Your Morning on December 19th!). Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Insta Stories for all of my riveting day-to-day updates…heh. And if you have any recipe questions for me, I’ll be on stand-by to help troubleshoot, as always!
Last but not least, I want to wish you all a fantastic holiday season! I’m so grateful for your continued support, friendship, and enthusiasm for what I do. With love and immense gratitude,
Angela xoxo
I set my alarm early, 5:15, to roll out of bed and make cookies this a.m. (don’t judge me! :p). I had bought all of the “normal” (read: non-vegan and glutinous) ingredients and had resigned myself to the fact that I’ll make cookies for others, but won’t be eating any myself.
Just on a whim, I opened OSG…I shoulda known!
I am blown away by the variety. This is the most beautiful spread I have ever seen, and they are healthy!! LOVE the red dots. It makes it easy to navigate which one is where and what I need to print, etc.. Thank you for the timing of this and all of the work you put into your blog, app, cookbooks, etc…I have a safe place to find many GF vegan recipes I know will taste amazing and turn out beautifully.
I’m adding to my spread the Zucchini Walnut Raisin bread, in mini loaf pans, as gifts; and the smoky coconut “bacon” in small treat bags, and your luxurious Sunflower seed butter and pumpkin pie spice mix in small Libby jars. Thank you, thank you Angela!
Now what to do with all that regular butter, flour and sugar? Donate to a food pantry!! :) Merry Christmas to you and your family, Angela, from ours. We are so blessed by your presence.
Hi Kathy, Your comment put such a big smile on my face! You are such a sweetheart. I’m so delighted to hear how much you love the blog post…sounds like the timing was meant to be. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas too, and all the best in 2018. :)
What a beautiful post, Angela! Thank you so much for this. Your photography is amazing!!!!
Thank you so much for the love! Have a great holiday :)
I was trying to figure out how to reach you to let you know that I was shopping for collectable cookbooks and yours was listed on the one site I was on. I have both of your books but sadly not first editions. This is so wonderful that you are a collectable author! Congrats! I am a faithful follower and will continue to share your blog and emails with my friends and family! https://www.abebooks.com/books/cooking/collecting-cookbooks.shtml?cm_mmc=AMZ-_-Storefront-_-BDEX-_-imagecook
Oh wow, thanks for letting me know Karen! I’m so honoured to be featured as a collectable modern cookbook. :) And I appreciate your kind words and support too!
This is absolutely stunning!!
Thank you, Una! It was fun to create. :)
This sounds and looks so delicious!!!, Thanks for sharing.
Hi Angela,
these look so yummy!! I happened to spy with my little eye Almond Blizzard Biscuits..but no recipe? Those look so yummy! Are you holding out on us ;)
Hey Danielle, The recipe is in the OSG recipe app :) hope this helps!
Loved the article thanks and some stunning photos as well, look forward to reading more in the new year!
Thanks Julie! Happy new year :)
Happy new year, Angela. Hope you had a great holiday season with your family, especially Arlo’s first! Just wanted to reply that I like the red dots and pop up windows. Can’t wait to upgrade my phone to something other than a Windows phone so I can install your app! Also, your one bowl double chocolate chunk cookies are a favorite in our home. Sending best smiles your way.
Hey Danielle, Happy New Year!! I’m so happy to hear you love the red dot feature. Looks like we’ll have to do it more. :) And if you end up getting the app I hope you love it. It’s been such a fun project to work on over the past year or two. All the best to you in 2018!
Great post! Love the photos and the new use of the pop up boxes identifying the cookies! It’s brilliant! I am a visual person so I think to see what a recipe looks like finished. Love you,love your site, love your recipes! Thank you for sharing!
Jill
Hey Jill, Thank you so much for the love! I’m so happy you enjoy the blog and recipes so much. :)
Hi Angela, Happy New Year! This is a beautiful and so inspiring post (like all your posts!) that summarizes so many desert and sweet snacks ideas! My family and I are vegan Mon-Fri for more than 6 months now and we love your site and your app and your recipes. Thank you for being so inspiring and making this lifestyle change of ours so easy and so fun!!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy the recipes so much, Veronique! Thank you for all the support. I wish you and your family a wonderful 2018!
Angela, This post and those cookies are absolutely gorgeous! You have out done yourself! Great job!
Thank you, Kristen! :)
Wow, this is incredible, Look the styling ideas!
Thank you Ashley! :)
Hello Angela (Oh She Glows)
I am feeling very hungry now after my seeing your delicious blog post :P . Keep posting stuff like this
Look those colors! Christmas is here.
These are the BEST cookies I have ever made- vegan or not! I just made them as the start of my son’s 6th birthday and they were perfect. I will be saving this recipe for sure. Now I need to look up your other recipes- are all your cookies this good??
haha thank you! Which cookies did you make?
Hi, The photos and recipe are amazing, this recipe is water mouth, can’t wait to try it, These are the best cookies I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing.
Help! My daughter LOVES the gingerbread people- we make them all there time and it’s suddenly vanished from the App!! Is it just me? Or a glitch? I have a verrrry sad four year old:(
Hey Heather,
That’s strange that it seemed to dissappear. This can happen if you have either reinstalled the app or got a new phone. The ginger bread cookies are in the “Cookie Lover’s Bundle”. You can unlock it for free from the bundles page in the app, and if you have purchased any other bundles you will probably want to unlock those as well, if you scroll down to the bottom of the bundles page there is a button for “Restore Purchases”. Hope that helps!
Hello! What white chocolate did you use for decorating? I’m having a really hard time finding vegan white chocolate.