Name: Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 39 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: ½ cup (1 stick) vegan butter, softened; 1 flax egg (3 tablespoons water or non-dairy milk and 1 tablespoon (13g) flaxseed meal); ¼ cup (55g) brown sugar, firmly packed; ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar; Zest of ½ an orange; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon vegan butter; 1 tablespoon vegan honey, agave, or date syrup; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 cinnamon stick; ¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, and pistachios mix recommended); ¼ cup finely chopped pitted Medjool dates

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 46 reviews

If you have a sweet tooth and love discovering new vegan treats, you are going to adore this Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe. These cookies marry the rich, nutty flavors and warm spices of traditional baklava with a tender, buttery vegan cookie base that melts in your mouth. Imagine a crisp exterior giving way to a soft, slightly chewy center filled with a luscious nut and date mixture, all kissed by a cinnamon-infused syrup. It’s like having the soul of a baklava dessert in cookie form, perfect for sharing or indulging anytime. Let me take you through every delightful step to create these incredible Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe wonders!

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass mixing bowl sits on a white marbled surface, holding a few ingredients layered inside. At the bottom is a base of white granulated sugar, topped with a thick rectangular piece of pale yellow butter in the center. Scattered unevenly over the butter and sugar are light brown soft brown sugar clumps. Sprinkled on top of all the layers are small bits of bright orange zest, adding a pop of color. The bowl’s surface reflects soft light, highlighting the textures and colors inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe keeps things simple, yet every ingredient plays a vital role in building those incredible layers of flavor and texture. From the rich vegan butter to the aromatic spices, each item contributes to making these cookies unforgettable and satisfying.

½ cup (1 stick) vegan butter, softened: This provides the luxurious, tender texture and rich flavor that makes the cookies melt in your mouth.
1 flax egg (3 tbsp water or non-dairy milk + 1 tbsp flaxseed meal): A plant-based binder that adds moisture and helps hold the dough together.
¼ cup (55g) brown sugar, firmly packed: For deep sweetness and a hint of molasses that enriches the overall flavor.
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with that perfect cookie crispness.
Zest of ½ an orange: Bright citrus notes that lift the spices and add freshness.
1 teaspoon vanilla: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie dough.
1¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour: The foundation providing structure and the right chew.
½ teaspoon baking soda: Ensures a light, tender crumb with just a touch of rise.
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Classic baklava spice that evokes warmth and sweetness.
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom: Adds an exotic, floral note to deepen the spice profile.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
1 tablespoon vegan butter (for topping): Used in making the luscious nut syrup topping.
1 tablespoon vegan honey, agave, or date syrup: Sweetens and helps bind the nut filling with a glossy finish.
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping): Adds subtle crunch and balances the syrup’s sweetness.
1 cinnamon stick: Infuses the syrup with a lovely cinnamon aroma.
¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios mix): Offers crunch and authentic baklava flavor with rich nuttiness.
¼ cup finely chopped pitted Medjool dates: Naturally sweet, chewy bites that contrast beautifully with the nuts.

How to Make Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Soften the Vegan Butter

Start by letting your vegan butter sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This small step is key because softened butter creams better with sugar, ensuring your cookie dough is smooth and fluffy.

Step 2: Prepare the Flax Egg

In a small bowl, mix the non-dairy milk and flaxseed meal, then let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens. This flax egg is a fantastic vegan alternative that will bind your cookie dough beautifully without losing any moisture or texture.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars with Zest

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the softened vegan butter, both brown and granulated sugars, and orange zest until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This will set the base for that lovely, melt-in-your-mouth texture and infuse the dough with a burst of citrus aroma.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Now mix in your flax egg and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until everything is fully combined. This step integrates moisture and flavor, creating a luscious dough ready for the dry ingredients.

Step 5: Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift together the baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and flour into your wet mixture to avoid lumps and guarantee even flavor distribution. Fold everything gently with a spatula until you get a soft, cohesive dough.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover your bowl tightly and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 1/2 hours, or overnight if you can plan ahead. This resting period enhances cookie texture and flavor development, making the dough easier to shape too.

Step 7: Prepare the Nutty Syrup Filling

While the dough chills, melt vegan butter over medium heat and stir in your choice of vegan honey, sugar, and a cinnamon stick. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes for the spices to infuse, then remove the cinnamon stick and stir in the chopped nuts and dates. This syrupy mixture will become the irresistible filling of your cookies.

Step 8: Shape and Fill the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Using a cookie scoop, form your dough into 1½ tablespoon balls and arrange them spaced apart on a baking sheet. Press your thumb or a tablespoon into the center of each ball to create a small well, then spoon a heaping teaspoon of the nut-date syrup mixture into each indent. This step transforms them from simple cookies into a dessert bursting with baklava flavors.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for about 13-15 minutes or until you notice cracks forming and the cookie bottoms turn a beautiful golden brown. The aroma that fills your kitchen will be intoxicating!

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. These vegan baklava cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature when the syrup is tender and the spices shine through.

How to Serve Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe

The image shows a top view of twelve round, light brown cookies arranged in a grid on a black baking rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a soft, slightly raised texture with a central filling made of a dark, glossy mixture containing chunks of nuts and caramelized bits, giving a rich, textured contrast in the center. The cookies have smooth edges, and the filling varies slightly in shape and size but is always centrally placed in a small circular area. The overall look is warm and inviting, with a mix of smooth and rough textures on each cookie. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle your cookies with a little freshly ground cinnamon or finely crushed pistachios to enhance their visual appeal and add an extra layer of flavor. A light drizzle of vegan honey or date syrup over the top just before serving also looks stunning and adds a glossy finish.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a creamy plant-based latte. The complex spice notes of the drink harmonize perfectly with the cinnamon and cardamom in the cookies, creating a delightful teatime experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, serve these cookies on a beautiful platter with a sprinkle of edible rose petals or alongside small bowls of extra chopped nuts and dates. You could also stack them with layers of vegan whipped cream and fresh fruit for an elevated dessert platter everyone will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them crisp on the outside yet soft and chewy inside. Avoid storing in the fridge as it can dry them out.

Freezing

If you want to keep these treats longer, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They freeze wonderfully for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.

Reheating

To revive the warm, fresh-from-the-oven feel, reheat frozen or leftover cookies in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 to 7 minutes. This warms the nut syrup and brings back that just-baked softness and aroma you adore.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts besides almonds, walnuts, and pistachios?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix in any nuts you enjoy, like pecans or hazelnuts. Each nut brings a unique flavor and texture that can personalize your Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe.

What can I substitute for vegan butter?

If you don’t have vegan butter, coconut oil works well as a substitute, though it may impart a slight coconut flavor. Make sure to use it solid and softened, not melted, to mimic the texture vegan butter provides.

Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough is key to achieving the right texture and flavor in these cookies. It helps solidify the fats and meld the spices, which makes shaping easier and prevents spreading when baking.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To create gluten-free Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking flour blend that can be used cup-for-cup. Keep in mind texture may vary slightly, so adjust as needed.

How sweet are these cookies—can I reduce sugar?

These cookies have a balanced sweetness with the brown and granulated sugars plus dates and syrup. You can reduce sugar slightly if desired, but the syrup and dates contribute essential flavor and moisture, so too much reduction could affect the overall result.

Final Thoughts

I truly encourage you to try this Vegan Baklava Cookies Recipe and experience how simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary. These cookies bring all the beloved elements of baklava into a convenient, shareable form that anyone can enjoy. Once you taste their warm spices, rich nuts, and tender crumb, I promise you’ll be making them again and again. Happy baking!