Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) vegan butter (such as Earth Balance), softened (to speed softening, see note)
3 teaspoons Matcha Ninja for topping
1/2 cup organic cane sugar + more for topping
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup pumpkin puree* (acts as egg substitute | sub with unsweetened applesauce with varied results)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour + more for rolling into shapes
1/2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder (for thickening/binding)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1-2 tsp non-dairy milk
*credit @minimalistbaker
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Add softened butter to a large mixing bowl and cream with a mixer.
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Add sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, pumpkin puree, and beat for 1 minute.
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Set your sifter over something that will catch fall out and add dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, salt, baking soda and baking powder). Use a spoon to briefly stir, then sift over butter and sugar mixture.
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Mix until until incorporated, being careful not to over mix. Then add almond milk and mix until a soft dough is formed. Switch to a wooden spoon if it gets too thick. If it appears to wet, mix in a bit more flour.
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Cover and freeze dough for 15 minutes, or refrigerate for 30-45 minutes (up to overnight).
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Five minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the centre of the oven.
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Scoop out heaping 1 Tbsp amounts of chilled dough and roll into balls. Alternatively, roll out between two pieces of wax paper, lightly flouring the bottom layer, remove top layer, and cut out shapes. (NOTE: For shapes, to ensure they keep their form while baking, freeze them on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.)
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Arrange cookies on a clean baking sheet 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. If you’ve rolled the dough into balls, dip a glass into cane sugar and gently smash down into a disc to help them cook more evenly.
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Bake on the centre rack for 10-12 minutes for (8-10 for cutout shapes), or very slightly golden brown.
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Remove from oven and let rest on pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Prepare frosting in the meantime.
