This sweet and easy vegan red velvet soft cookies recipe is adapted from my vegan red velvet mini cupcakes. For these red velvet soft cookies, I used vegan butter and applesauce. The recipe is also similar to when you are making crinkle cookies.
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The trick to achieving this red velvet color is by using edible food color, you just have to make sure if you are using it and want it vegan buy the vegan option.
While if you prefer to have it natural you can opt for beets for a more neutral taste that will not affect the overall taste. Other red fruits may have an effect on the taste of these soft cookies.
If you do not want to boil beets maybe you can opt for instant beetroot juice or powder, although I have not tried this option. Do let me know if this works for you.
I’m so excited about these red velvet soft cookies because I’m a huge eater of homemade cookies. Check out my other dairy-free cookie recipes for inspiration.
These red velvet soft cookies are perfect for any holidays or occasions and when you are just simply craving for some homemade cookies with extra color.
For these cookies, I bake them in exactly 12 minutes. I chill the dough first for 2 hours to avoid spreading too much and so that I can easily roll and scoop the dough.
You can actually prepare the dough in advance, put it in the fridge and prepare the next day for baking.

Vegan Red Velvet Soft Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 cup applesauce (I use my homemade)
- 1 tbsp flax egg
- 1 tbsp vegan red food color
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/3 cup dairy-free milk (I use Almond milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Create flax egg mixture by combining 1 tbsp flaxseed and 3 tbsp water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl mix all dry ingredients except for sugar. Mix all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder and salt. Make sure to sift flour and cocoa powder.
- In a separate large bowl add butter and sugar mix until combined and fluffy then add flax egg. Add remaining wet ingredients such as red food color, milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla. Combine well.
- Slowly pour a mixture of dry ingredients with the liquid mixture. Ensuring everything has been mixed.
- Chill dough for at least 2 hours.
- Prepare the oven when chilling dough is almost done. Preheat oven to 177C or 350F.

- Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone non-stick pad.
- Use a cookie scooper to get a portion of the dough and roll to form a ball.
- Baked for about 12 minutes to achieve the soft cookies.

- Store cookies in an airtight container to last for about 4-5 days. Put in the fridge to last longer.
Notes
- If you do not want to make them as cookies, you can also opt for cupcakes.
- Adding chocolate chips is optional. For the first batch, I didn’t put any. I only added a few before baking the second batch and just directly put it on top of the cookies.
- I have not tried baking it longer, but it’s also possible you can bake for up to 15 minutes.
- You may also roll the soft cookies in powdered sugar after baking.
Nutrition
This recipe can yield up to 25 soft cookies with 102 calories per serving. Total Fat 3.7g | Saturated Fat 1.7g | Cholesterol 5mg | Sodium 38 mg | Carbohydrate 16.5g | Fiber 0.5g | Total Sugar 8.6g | Protein 1.1g | Vitamin D 0mcg | Calcium 11mg | Iron 1mg | Potassium 46mg
Nutrition calculation is based using an online calculator (verywellfit) and for reference use only.

Vegan Red Velvet Soft Cookies
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowl
- spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixer
Ingredients Needed
- 2 cups All-purpose flour (250g)
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 cup applesauce (I use my homemade)
- 1 tbsp flax egg
- 1 tbsp vegan red food color
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/3 cup dairy-free milk (I use Almond milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Create flax egg mixture by combining 1 tbsp flaxseed and 3 tbsp water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl mix all dry ingredients except for sugar. Mix all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder and salt. Make sure to sift flour and cocoa powder.
- In a separate large bowl add butter and sugar mix until combined and fluffy then add flax egg. Add remaining wet ingredients such as red food color, milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla. Combine well.
- Slowly pour a mixture of dry ingredients with the liquid mixture. Ensuring everything has been mixed.
- Chill dough for at least 2 hours.
- Prepare the oven when chilling dough is almost done. Preheat oven to 177C or 350F.
- Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone non-stick pad.
- Use a cookie scooper to get a portion of the dough and roll to form a ball.
- Baked for about 12 minutes to achieve the soft cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to last for about 4-5 days. Put in the fridge to last longer.
Video
Notes
- If you do not want to make them as cookies, you can also opt for cupcakes.
- Adding chocolate chips is optional. For the first batch, I didn’t put any. I only added a few before baking the second batch and just directly put it on top of the cookies.
- I have not tried baking it longer, but it’s also possible you can bake for up to 15 minutes.
Other Baking Treats:

I love show soft these turned out. So delicious with my morning oat latte. Thanks!
that is so great to know, thank you
never had a vegan version of red velvet cookies before, but this one looks so delicious
thank you
These cookies are insanely delish!!!
Thank you
i love red velvet anything! thanks for the cookies
you’re welcome and thanks too!
I love that these cookies use applesauce! I’m making them this weekend!
Thank you
Yum! They look so delicious! Can’t wait to try them out! Thanks for the recipe!
Hope you can try it! Thanks
These look very good Jeannie! I have a family member with almond allergy, what would be the best substitute for almond milk?
Hi, you can use oat milk as well, thank you!