When Halloween season rolls around, few things are as comforting as the smell of cookies baking in the oven. For those following a vegan lifestyle—or simply looking for dairy- and egg-free options—making Halloween cookies doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or fun. In fact, vegan Halloween cookie recipes can be some of the easiest, most creative, and crowd-pleasing desserts on the table.
From pumpkin-spiced sugar cookies to chocolate bat bites and ghostly delights, this guide walks you through easy vegan Halloween cookie recipes that will delight kids and adults alike. Each one uses simple ingredients and can be made ahead for parties, bake sales, or cozy nights in.
And if you want to take your Halloween spirit beyond the kitchen, The Dharma Store offers vegan-themed t-shirts made from organic cotton—perfect for showing off your cruelty-free values while you bake.
Why Vegan Cookies Are Perfect for Halloween
Halloween is all about creativity and indulgence—but that doesn’t mean you need dairy butter, eggs, or artificial colors. Vegan cookie recipes use plant-based alternatives that are better for your health, the planet, and animals.
Here’s why vegan cookies make the perfect Halloween treat:
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Simple swaps: You can replace eggs with flaxseed, applesauce, or mashed banana.
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Inclusive for everyone: Vegan cookies are often dairy-free, making them suitable for those with lactose intolerance or allergies.
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Flavorful and festive: Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and dark chocolate add rich fall flavors.
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Fun to decorate: Vegan icings and natural food colorings make spooky decorating easy and safe.
So, let’s dive into how to make your Halloween cookie platter both easy and extraordinary.
Essential Vegan Baking Ingredients for Halloween Cookies
Before we start baking, here are some must-have vegan ingredients to keep on hand:
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Plant-based butter: Choose vegan butter or coconut oil for creamy texture.
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Egg replacers: Flaxseed meal, chia seeds, or applesauce bind dough without eggs.
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Non-dairy milk: Almond, oat, or soy milk add moisture.
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Natural sweeteners: Maple syrup, coconut sugar, or organic cane sugar.
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Flour: All-purpose or whole wheat works well for most cookies.
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Flavor boosters: Pumpkin spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa powder for seasonal flair.
Once your pantry is stocked, you’re ready to whip up these easy, Halloween-perfect vegan cookies.
Recipe 1: Vegan Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
These soft, spiced cookies taste like autumn in every bite.
Ingredients:
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2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
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¾ cup vegan butter, softened
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¾ cup organic cane sugar
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¼ cup pumpkin puree
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
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In a separate bowl, cream vegan butter and sugar until fluffy.
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Add pumpkin puree and vanilla; mix well.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
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Roll dough into balls, flatten slightly, and place on baking sheet.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges turn golden.
For decoration, use orange-tinted vegan icing or sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.
Pro Tip: Chill the dough for 20 minutes before baking for thicker, chewier cookies.
Recipe 2: Spooky Chocolate Bat Cookies
A dark, delicious twist on classic chocolate cookies.
Ingredients:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup cocoa powder
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1 tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp salt
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½ cup coconut oil, melted
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¾ cup brown sugar
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¼ cup plant-based milk
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.
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In another bowl, mix coconut oil, sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
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Combine both mixtures into a dough.
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Roll out the dough and use a bat-shaped cookie cutter.
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Bake for 9–10 minutes.
Once cooled, decorate with vegan chocolate drizzle or tiny candy eyes to give your bats a spooky, fun personality.
Pro Tip: Use black cocoa for a deeper, almost midnight color—perfect for Halloween.
Recipe 3: Ghostly Sugar Cookies
Light, sweet, and delightfully eerie—these cookies are easy to decorate and serve.
Ingredients:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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¼ tsp salt
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¾ cup vegan butter, softened
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¾ cup powdered sugar
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2 tbsp almond milk
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
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Add milk and vanilla; mix well.
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Slowly fold in dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
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Roll out and use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter.
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Bake 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
After cooling, spread vegan royal icing made from powdered sugar and aquafaba (chickpea water). Use melted dark chocolate or black icing to add spooky eyes and mouths.
Pro Tip: Dust the edges with cocoa powder for a “shadow ghost” effect.
Recipe 4: Monster Eye Peanut Butter Cookies
Sweet, nutty, and a little bit creepy, these cookies are always a Halloween hit.
Ingredients:
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1 cup natural peanut butter
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¾ cup coconut sugar
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1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
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½ tsp baking soda
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Vegan candy eyes for decoration
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Mix all ingredients until a thick dough forms.
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Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto a baking sheet.
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Flatten slightly with a fork.
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Bake for 10 minutes, then immediately press a candy eye into each cookie while warm.
These cookies are rich, chewy, and irresistibly cute with their monster eyes peeking out.
Pro Tip: Substitute sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
Recipe 5: Black Cat Sandwich Cookies
Double the cookie, double the fun—these sandwich cookies are filled with a dark chocolate vegan ganache.
Ingredients:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup cocoa powder
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1 tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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¾ cup vegan butter
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¾ cup sugar
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¼ cup oat milk
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Ganache Filling:
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½ cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
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¼ cup coconut cream
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another.
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Combine into dough and roll out evenly.
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Cut into cat shapes using cookie cutters.
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Bake for 8–10 minutes.
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Melt chocolate and coconut cream together for ganache.
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Spread ganache between two cooled cookies to create sandwich treats.
Pro Tip: Add tiny whiskers or eyes with vegan icing to bring your cats to life.
Decorating Tips for Vegan Halloween Cookies
Creating Halloween cookies is as much about the decorating as the baking. Here’s how to keep it vegan and vibrant:
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Natural coloring: Use beet juice (red), turmeric (yellow), and spirulina (green) for natural hues.
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Vegan icing: Mix powdered sugar with almond milk for an easy glaze.
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Candy eyes: Many brands offer vegan versions—just check labels.
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Toppings: Crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or cacao nibs add texture and visual appeal.
Arrange your decorated cookies on a spooky-themed platter, or mix them into a dessert board with fruits, chocolates, and candies for a complete Halloween spread.
Hosting a Vegan Halloween Cookie Decorating Party
A cookie-decorating party is a fun and interactive way to celebrate Halloween while keeping things plant-based. Here’s how to make it easy:
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Bake cookies ahead of time so guests can focus on decorating.
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Set up a decorating station with vegan icing, natural food colors, and toppings.
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Provide eco-friendly packaging like compostable bags or boxes for take-home treats.
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Play spooky music and encourage costumes for extra fun.
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Offer prizes for categories like “scariest cookie” or “most creative design.”
This kind of event is a hit for both kids and adults, and it’s a great way to showcase how delicious vegan treats can be.
Storage and Gifting Ideas
Once your cookies are baked and decorated, store them in airtight containers at room temperature for up to five days. To keep them fresh longer, freeze them in layers separated by parchment paper.
You can also package these cookies as homemade Halloween gifts. Stack a few in small jars or kraft paper boxes tied with twine and a Halloween tag. Add a message like “Trick or Treat, Vegan Style!” for a fun personal touch.
Ethical Sweetness: Celebrate with The Dharma Store
Vegan living extends beyond food—it’s about conscious choices that respect all beings and the environment. That’s what makes The Dharma Store such a perfect partner for your Halloween celebration. Their vegan-themed t-shirts made from organic cotton allow you to express your values stylishly while you bake, decorate, or host your Halloween event.
Whether you’re wearing a shirt that says “Plant-Based Power” or “Vegan Vibes Only,” it’s a great reminder that compassion and fun can go hand in hand.
Final Thoughts
Halloween is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen, and these easy vegan cookie recipes prove that plant-based baking can be festive, delicious, and simple.
From pumpkin sugar cookies and chocolate bats to ghostly sugar cookies and monster eyes, every recipe captures the spirit of Halloween without compromising your vegan values. These cookies are easy enough for beginners, yet impressive enough to share at any party.
So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and turn your kitchen into a vegan Halloween bakery. You’ll not only fill your home with the scent of fall spices and chocolate—you’ll also be spreading the joy of compassionate, cruelty-free baking.
And when you’re ready to share your vegan pride beyond the plate, check out The Dharma Store for ethically made vegan apparel that celebrates your plant-based lifestyle all year long.