Vegan Watermelon Sugar Cookies (Print Version)
Soft, colorful cookies with natural watermelon flavor and festive decorations perfect for summer.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup refined coconut oil, melted
07 - 1/4 cup unsweetened watermelon juice
08 - 1/4 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
09 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
10 - 1/2 tsp almond extract
→ For Decorating
11 - Vegan green gel food coloring
12 - Vegan pink or red gel food coloring
13 - 2 tbsp mini vegan chocolate chips
14 - 2 tbsp coarse sugar
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat sugar and melted coconut oil until smooth. Add watermelon juice, plant-based milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, uniform dough forms.
05 - Divide dough into two portions: place approximately 2/3 in one bowl and tint pink or red with vegan food coloring for the flesh. Tint the remaining 1/3 green for the rind.
06 - Take about 1 1/2 tablespoons of pink dough, roll into a ball, then flatten slightly into a disc. Press a small amount of green dough along one edge to create the rind. Shape into a semi-circle or triangle to resemble a watermelon slice.
07 - Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Press several mini vegan chocolate chips into the pink area as seeds. Optionally sprinkle with coarse sugar.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges just begin to turn golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain soft texture.
09 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Theyre impossibly cute and bring instant joy to any summer gathering
- The dough is forgiving and fun to shape with kids or friends
- Vegan ingredients dont compromise the soft chewy texture everyone craves
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy of soft cookies, so pull them out when edges barely show color
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if its too warm and sticky to work with comfortably
- The watermelon flavor is naturally subtle, so add extract if you want it more pronounced
03 -
- Work quickly with colored dough as food coloring can stain hands and surfaces
- Use kitchen gloves when mixing in colors to avoid tinting your skin for days