What can I use instead of vanilla sugar?

You can replace vanilla sugar with regular sugar mixed with a few drops of vanilla extract.

Arnhemse Meisjes

Puff Pastry: use gluten-free puff pastry or homemade pastry made from gluten-free flour blend.
Vanilla Sugar: substitute with regular sugar mixed with a few drops of vanilla extract.
Egg Wash: replace with a mixture of plant-based milk (like almond or soy) and a little maple syrup or agave syrup for a vegan option.

Defrost Puff Pastry
5 min
Take the puff pastry out of the freezer and allow it to defrost completely before using.
Roll Out Pastry
10 min
Lightly dust your countertop with flour. Stack the defrosted sheets of puff pastry and roll them out with a rolling pin until they are thin and combined into one sheet.
Cut Out Cookie Shapes
5 min
Use a round or oval cutter to press shapes into the rolled-out puff pastry. Aim to maximize the number of cookies you can cut from the dough.
Prepare Sugar Mix
3 min
In a small bowl, combine vanilla sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and the lime zest. This will be the flavorful coating for your cookies.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough
5 min
Remove excess flour from the counter and sprinkle some of the sugar mix over it. Brush the cookies with egg wash, then dip them in the sugar mix, gently pressing to adhere the sugar.
Rest Cookies
25 min
Place the coated cookies on a greased baking sheet or one lined with baking paper. Allow them to rest for 20-25 minutes to achieve a crispier texture.
Bake Cookies
25 min
Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F). Bake the cookies for about 25 minutes until they are golden brown and the sugar is nicely caramelized.

Yes, you can use a mixture of plant-based milk and a little sweetener as a substitute for the egg wash.