These vegan gingerbread stars are naturally flavoured and refined sugar free and they make a lovely treat that is just a little bit healthier.

At this time of year I find myself making batch after batch of biscuits.
The kids love to help make them - especially when it comes to decorating them.
But most biscuit recipes contain a fair amount of refined sugar and as ever I'm trying to reduce the amount of sugar we eat as a family.
Are these gingerbread stars sugar free?
Yes. When un-iced this recipe is free from refined sugar. I have used maple syrup to sweeten them.
However, the icing does contain sugar.
I've decorated these biscuits with a passionfruit icing and a tiny bit of edible glitter spray. The passionfruit gives the icing a delicious flavour and the glitter spray makes them really sparkly and festive.
If you're avoiding all sugar and food colouring then the biscuits are still perfectly delicious un-iced.
Read more about natural food colouring.
Are these ginger cookies vegan?
Yes. This recipe is suitable for vegans. Because the cookies are free from dairy and egg they are also good for children and adults with allergies.
Gingerbread stars aren't just for Christmas
These ginger stars are a lovely vegan Christmas cookie. However, they can be made an enjoyed at other times of year too. You can make the same dough and cut it into different shapes and ice with different colours.
The quantities below make quite a big batch but it freezes beautifully. So if it's too much for you then simply freeze half of it for a later date.
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How to make vegan gingerbread stars with passion icing
If you have made this recipe I would love it if you’d leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Vegan ginger cookies with passion fruit icing
Ingredients
- 225 g plain flour
- 75 g ground almonds
- 100 g coconut oil melted
- 75 g maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger increase this amount for more of a fiery flavour
- 1 tablespoon aquafaba the juice from a tin of chickpeas
For the icing (optional)
- 100 g icing sugar sifted
- 2 passion fruits
- 1 tablespoon water optional
Instructions
- Mix 225g plain flour, 75g ground almonds, 100g melted coconut oil, 75g maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 1 tablespoon aquafaba together until you have a soft dough. Knead lightly then wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Lightly flour a work surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of around 5mm and cut into star shapes.
- Place on the baking tray and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the icing
- Sift 100g icing sugar into a mixing bowl. Cut 2 passion fruits in half and scoop out the flesh and seeds. Place in a small sieve or tea strainer over a bowl and using the back of a tea spoon press the juice out. Add the juice to the icing and mix well. If it is too thick add a tiny bit of water.
- Spoon onto the cooled biscuits, or use a piping bag to decorate, then add edible glitter or sprinkles if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you know that I also have a vegan food blog, Cook Veggielicious? I would love it if you came over and checked out my other vegan recipes.
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Mona Khalil
Hello, I plan on making these for my son's birthday. Can almond flour be substituted for the ground almonds? Thank you for providing kids friendly healthy treats. - From a mom and dietitian!
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Mona - I'm pretty sure that almond flour and ground almonds are the same thing. Possibly they're called different things in different countries? Let me know how you get on! Hope he loves them.
Kate Balcomb-Johns
Such delicious biscuits! I've just made them even though not Christmas anymore. I made them as dinosaur shapes for my Dino obsessed boy and we both love them. So much tastier then the sugar/Syrup recipe I tried over Christmas. Thanks Mandy
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much Kate - I had forgotten about that recipe - really love it too! So glad you enjoyed them x
Angela Entwistle
Ooh they must taste amazing Mandy with the passion fruit icing and I ;pve the edible glitter - after all it is Christmas :-)Angela x
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Angela - they did look lovely X
Hijacked by Twins
Mmmm passionfruit is a favourite of mine and I imagine it going perfectly with the ginger! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Mandy Mazliah
It really works well Kirsty X
Vicki Montague
Sounds familiar! I make lots of cookies this time of year too. My favourite is my healthier gingerbread recipe that has the tiniest bit of molasses in and a banana to sweeten it. Rolls and cuts like a dream too! These look amazing...so pretty.
Mandy Mazliah
That sounds lovely - will have to check that one out!
jenny paulin
these look so pretty Mandy and the gold like shimmer colour of the passionfruit icing on the top of them is very festive, and sounds very yummy i love that they are low in refined sugar (unlike my recent recipe lol!) x
Mandy Mazliah
The gold is helped with a little bit of edible glitter spray Jenny! Loved your rocky road recipe but perhaps not one for everyday! x
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com
I love the sound of these - healthy biscuits, what's not to like? And passionfruit icing sounds delicious!! 🙂 Eb x
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Eb - we are eating a lot of biscuits these days so it's good to have a healthier option!
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com
I love the sound of these - healthy biscuits, what's not to like? And passionfruit icing sounds delicious!! 🙂 Eb x