A quintessential choice for any festive gathering, these gluten-free sugar cookies are simply divine! They boast a wonderfully soft-baked interior with a delightfully crisp bottom, offering a perfect textural contrast. Enjoy them plain for a pure, sweet experience or decorate them with my easy recipe for cookie frosting to add a touch of artistic holiday flair. These are your go-to for gorgeous gluten-free cut-out cookies that hold their shape beautifully.

Chewy Gluten-Free Ginger Cookies

Embrace the warm, spicy flavors of the season with these delightful gluten-free ginger cookies. They are wonderfully soft and chewy on the inside, providing a comforting texture, while boasting a satisfyingly crunchy exterior. For an extra touch of gourmet deliciousness, they are drizzled with a simple, yet incredibly flavorful, maple glaze that perfectly complements the ginger spice. These are a true taste of holiday magic!

These wholesome gluten-free oatmeal cookies strike the perfect balance between hearty goodness and indulgent sweetness. They are exquisitely soft and chewy, with a comforting texture that makes them ideal for a cozy holiday treat. Whether you prefer the classic addition of plump raisins or decadent chocolate chips, these cookies are versatile and consistently delicious, offering a satisfying bite every time.

Easy Vegan Coconut Macaroons

Surprise Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies

Aromatic Gluten-Free Chai Cookies

For those seeking a delightful twist on traditional spice cookies, these gluten-free chai cookies are absolutely perfect. Infused with the warm, aromatic spices of chai, they offer a sophisticated and comforting flavor profile. Boasting consistent 5-star reviews, this recipe is a no-fail, utterly delicious choice every time, sure to impress with its unique and cozy taste.

Charming Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

These classic gingerbread cookies are an absolute joy to make and embody the very essence of Christmas baking! They are delightfully spiced and hold their shape wonderfully, making them perfect for cutting out festive figures. To finish, they’re adorned with a simple yet exquisite royal icing that comes together in mere minutes, adding a beautiful and delicious touch to these holiday masterpieces.

Delicate Almond Crescent Cookies

Experience a nostalgic holiday recipe with a modern, inclusive twist! These almond crescent cookies are made entirely gluten-free and plant-based, ensuring everyone can enjoy their delicate charm. These soft, wonderfully crumbly cookies are crafted with a blend of almond flour and almond butter, and finished with a subtle hint of fresh orange flavor, making them truly unique and irresistible.

Festive Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

These chocolate peppermint cookies are the epitome of festive indulgence. Simple to prepare, they are wonderfully fudgy and bursting with refreshing minty goodness. The classic combination of rich chocolate and invigorating peppermint makes them an absolute highlight for your holiday baking repertoire. They are perfect for gifting or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa.

Crispy Gluten-Free Danish Butter Cookies

Recreate the magic of those iconic blue-tin cookies with these exquisite gluten-free Danish butter cookies. They are wonderfully crispy, rich in buttery flavor, and make absolutely wonderful homemade gifts for the holiday season. The authentic taste and delicate texture will transport you straight to cherished childhood memories, without any gluten!

Whimsical Candy Cane Cookies

These festive candy cane cookies are the ideal addition to any gluten-free Christmas cookie platter, bringing both visual charm and delightful flavor. Lightly flavored with refreshing peppermint and offering a subtle crunch, they pair absolutely perfectly with a warm mug of hot cocoa, creating a truly magical holiday experience.

Elegant Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Meringue Kisses

If you’re in the mood to create delicate and ethereal holiday meringue cookies, you simply can’t go wrong with these stunning chocolate-dipped peppermint meringue kisses. You’ll adore the enchanting flavor combination of light, airy meringue, rich chocolate, and the refreshing crunch of candy cane. They’re naturally gluten-free and add a touch of sophisticated elegance to any holiday spread.

Comforting Hot Cocoa Cookies

These cozy hot cocoa cookies are the edible equivalent of a warm hug! They are wonderfully soft, incredibly rich, and extra fudgy, delivering a deep chocolate flavor that’s perfect for chilly evenings. Plus, they’re naturally grain and gluten-free, with simple adaptations available to make them dairy-free too. These are phenomenal for a cookie swap, a heartfelt holiday gift, or a delightful Christmas dessert.

Indulgent Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

This vegan red velvet cookie recipe is a festive dream, packed with all the classic red velvet flavor you love! These gorgeous crimson cookies are studded with both dark chocolate and creamy white chocolate chips, creating a delightful contrast in every bite. Being vegan and gluten-free, they are a fantastic option for a show-stopping holiday treat that caters to various dietary preferences.

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to create your perfect batch of gluten-free Christmas sugar cookies:

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a large bowl and a hand mixer, add your softened room-temperature butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is visibly creamy, light, fluffy, and a pale white color. This creaming process incorporates air, which is crucial for light and tender cookies.

Step 2: Beat in the egg, honey, and extracts. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well combined. Add the large egg and beat again on medium speed until it is fully incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture. Scrape the bowl once more, then add the honey, vanilla extract, and peppermint flavor (if using). Beat on medium speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.

Step 3: Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk them together thoroughly to ensure the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture. This prevents pockets of uneven rise or flavor.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the prepared flour mixture to the wet butter mixture in the stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until the ingredients are just combined and a soft dough forms. It’s important not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can lead to tough cookies. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once more to ensure all the dry ingredients have been fully incorporated.

Step 5: Chill the dough. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or even better, overnight. This chilling step is crucial for gluten-free cookie dough; it allows the gluten-free flour to properly hydrate, preventing a gritty texture, and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking by preventing them from spreading too much in the oven.

Pro-Tips for Perfect Gluten-Free Cookies

Achieve bakery-quality results with these expert tips:

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. This is a foundational rule for successful baking. Room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) emulsify much better, creating a smooth, uniform cookie dough. This leads to a more consistent texture and better rise in your baked cookies.
• Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly. Don’t rush this step! Properly creaming butter and sugar together incorporates essential air into your cookie dough. This trapped air expands during baking, resulting in lighter, fluffier, and less dense cookies. Cream until the mixture is truly light in color and fluffy in texture.
• Always chill your gluten-free dough. As mentioned in the instructions, chilling is non-negotiable for gluten-free cookies. It allows the gluten-free flours to absorb moisture and fully hydrate, which prevents a grainy or gritty texture. Furthermore, cold dough spreads less in the oven, ensuring your cookies maintain their shape and thickness.
• Bake a small test batch first. Ovens can vary significantly in temperature and performance. To avoid disappointment, I highly recommend baking just one or two cookies before baking the entire batch. This “test run” allows you to assess if the baking temperature or time needs to be adjusted for your specific oven, ensuring the rest of your cookies turn out perfectly.
• Use a large round cookie cutter for perfectly circular cookies. For beautifully uniform and perfectly round cookies, here’s a professional trick: immediately after the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still warm and pliable, take a large round cookie cutter (larger than your baked cookie) and place it over each cookie on the parchment paper. Gently swirl the cookie cutter around the cookie to “coax” it into a perfect circular shape. This works wonders for soft-baked cookies!

Storage and Freezing Directions for Gluten-Free Cookies

Proper storage ensures your delicious gluten-free Christmas sugar cookies stay fresh and enjoyable for longer:

Storing Baked Cookies: You can store these baked gluten-free sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, especially if you’ve made a large batch for the holidays, freezing is highly recommended.

Freezing Baked Cookies: To freeze your baked cookies, allow them to cool completely. Then, tightly wrap each individual cookie with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Once wrapped, place them in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container, layered with parchment paper if stacking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To defrost, simply place them in the refrigerator overnight or allow them to come to room temperature on your countertop for about an hour before serving.

Freezing Cookie Dough: Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic time-saver for future baking! Scoop out the dough into individual balls (as if you were going to bake them) and place them on a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Flash freeze them until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer the solid cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe bag, label the bag with the date and baking instructions, and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to bake from frozen, there’s no need to thaw! Simply preheat your oven as directed, arrange the frozen cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them out, and bake. You may need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time, as needed, since they are starting from a frozen state.