Great Gram’s Vegan Italian Christmas Cookies (Tarallis)

Original directions

ToniMarie’s exact recipe

I have fond childhood memories of making Italian tarallis (bow-tied cookies) with my Great Gram every holiday. She would roll out the sweet, eggy dough and we’d shape them into rings, S-shapes, and logs before baking them to a golden perfection. After they cooled, we would dip them in a simple vanilla glaze for a sweet finish.

Since going vegan 4 years ago, I’ve missed biting into these nostalgic treats. So this year, I decided to veganize Great Gram’s recipe so I can enjoy them once again and keep her tradition going.

Author: ToniMarie
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 20
Total Time: 40
Yield: 30

Ingredients

Ingredients:
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups organic cane sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup Just Egg
• 1 cup vegan butter, melted
• 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract

For the glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup water, or as needed

Instructions

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder until well combined.

3. Make a well in the center and add in the Just Egg, melted vegan butter, non-dairy milk, and vanilla and almond extracts. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a dough forms.

4. On a lightly floured surface, roll portions of dough into logs about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into strips and tie each strip into a loose knot. Place knots 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

6. While cookies are cooling, whisk together powdered sugar and water for glaze. Dip cooled cookies halfway into the glaze and place them back onto the wire rack to allow the glaze to set.

These Italian bow ties bring back so many sweet memories of my Great Gram. I hope you’ll enjoy them too and they inspire you to veganize your own nostalgic family recipes!