The holiday season just wouldn’t be complete without freshly baked cookies. Not only are vegan cookies free of saturated animal fat and cholesterol, they also spare animals immense suffering. For milk and butter, calves are torn away from their mothers shortly after birth, and in the egg industry, parts of chickens’ beaks are cut off with a hot blade when they’re just a few days old. Playful cows and intelligent chickens deserve respect, which is why we’re highlighting some of our favorite vegan holiday cookies from establishments serving animal-friendly baked goods.

In no particular order, here are PETA’s picks for the best vegan holiday cookies of 2023:

Birthday Cake Cookie from Quickie Too

1324 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405

All of Quickie Too’s cookies are made with love, and this sprinkle-coated confection is no exception.

Black and White Cookie from Ben and Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli

1800 N.E. Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211 (with other locations in San Diego and Seattle)

Can’t decide if you love chocolate or vanilla more? These oversized black-and-white cookies are the perfect compromise. Ben & Esther’s also makes Hanukkah cookies, available at all locations.

Chocolate Raspberry Cookie from Bake Me Vegan

P.O. Box 455, Teton Village, WY 83025

Bake Me Vegan owner Courtney Jakubowski is a home baker who offers pickup in the Jackson Hole/Wilson area. She makes six varieties of delicious egg- and dairy-free cookies, and this Chocolate Raspberry flavor has received rave reviews for its perfect crunchy-gooey bite.

Ginger Pine-Apricot Cookie from Like Mom’s Only Vegan

1801 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Lovers of unique flavor combinations are flocking to Like Mom’s Only Vegan for its Ginger Pine-Apricot cookies, which feature freshly grated ginger, dried pineapple, and apricot. They can even be made gluten-free! Find these goodies at Findlay Market in Cincinnati, or order them for delivery online.

Marzipan Cookie from Sweet Maresa’s

291 Wall St., Kingston, NY 12401

Sweet Maresa’s is a vegan bakery making animal-friendly cookies, cakes, macarons, and more. Its Marzipan Cookie is a chewy sugar crinkle cookie with a crisp edge and a sweet almond flavor—we can’t get enough. The bakery also ships its cookies nationwide, so you can enjoy these treats wherever you live.

Matcha Sugar Cookie from Orange & Blossom Modern Patisserie

5470 N.E. 16th Ave., Ste. A, Portland, OR 97214

Orange & Blossom Modern Patisserie is an elevated vegan pastry shop located in Northeast Portland with menu items inspired by local flavors. Its Matcha Sugar Cookie is made with matcha from local brand Mizuba Tea Co. and flour from Oregon-based Camas Country Mill.

Oatmeal Raisin Cream Pie Cookie Sandwich from Celebrated

5 Stilson Rd., Richmond, RI 02898

Whether you prefer local pickup or online shipping, everyone in the U.S. can enjoy Celebrated’s take on the nostalgic Oatmeal Raisin Cream Pie Cookie Sandwich, filled with a maple buttercream frosting and free of any ingredients that harm cows or chickens.

Peanut Butter Cookie from Gingersnap Vegan Bakery

2007 19th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560

Everything is made to order from scratch at Gingersnap Vegan Bakery, including its soft, classic peanut butter cookies. Pick up a dozen, or mix and match flavors to sample a variety.

Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie from Spacecat V-stro

255 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, MI 48220

This twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie features browned vegan butter and a salty-sweet burst of flavor. Enjoy one after a tasty vegan meal at Spacecat V-stro.

Snickerdoodle-Do Cookie from Top Drawer Sweets

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, but travels across the U.S.

These aren’t your typical snickerdoodle cookies—they’re stuffed with a decadent brown sugar cinnamon buttercream filling. Check out Top Drawer Sweets on Instagram to see where it will pop up next, or order online for nationwide shipping.

If you don’t live near one of these winning bakeries, that’s OK—many delectable vegan cookies are available at grocery stores near you. Or if you like to bake, try your hand at one of these holiday cookie recipes.