squirrel's vegan recipes

This super simple recipe is delicious and festive.

1 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teas. fresh lemon zest
1 teas. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar for rolling

In a large bowl cream together the margarine, sugar zest, and vanilla until well combined. Add the flour in batches and mix until dough is soft and smooth.

Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a log, about 6 inches long by 2 inches wide. Roll each log in the granulated sugar, to coat. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375. Cut logs into 1/4 inch thick slices and place on a parchment paper lines cookie sheet. Decorate with dried fruit or nuts, if you please. Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack. Makes about 3 dozen.

For the cherry almond version pictured above. Replace 3/4 cup flour with ground almond meal and mix in 1/2 cup finely chopped dried cherries. You can also press cherries and almonds into the tops of each cookies, as I normally do, or use an almond extract.