Every year, a highlight of the holidays for me is creating a tray of Christmas Cookies and having a Christmas Simmer Pot brewing on the stovetop for my annual cookie exchange with friends. Since my friends are a diverse crowd with several dietary restrictions (including some who have celiac), having a big collection of the best gluten-free Christmas cookie recipes is always appreciated. Here are some excellent options that always disappear quickly!
Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Ana created these super festive cookies to appease everyone’s tastes. They’ve got a sugar cookie base, buttery flavory, a touch of molasses plus mix-ins of chocolate chips, sprinkles, and candy-coated pieces. After baking, they’re crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Gluten Free | Nut Free
Peppermint Brownie Cookies
Think of these as half fudgy brownie, half cookie, and 100% delicious. This is one of my favorite gluten free cookie recipes for the holidays, and a great way to use up those little candy canes the kids get from Santa. If you love the wonderful combination of dark chocolate and peppermint, then these soft, chewy, and rich cookies are for you!
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies
This classic is Molly’s favorite Christmas treat, and she loves that she can make them into gluten-free holiday cookies for teachers’ gifts and her celiac friends. Simple, real-food ingredients create a soft gluten free Christmas cookie with a sweet cinnamon-sugar crinkle crackled top. These are great for food gifting!
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Pecan Snowball Cookies
Jess says it isn’t the holidays without some snowball cookies, which are also known as Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, and Mexican Wedding Cookies. This soft powdered sugar cookie recipe is quick to make and results in gluten-free cookies with a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They’re perfect for adding to cookie platters and a favorite at cookie exchanges.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Vegan
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Ana and her boys appreciate these gluten-free cut-out cookies. Baked to soft perfection and topped off with a simple white icing, these timeless sugar cookies are a fun way to get her boys in the kitchen and excited to decorate. Every year right after Thanksgiving, she grabs her cookie cutters and powdered sugar and gets ready to make this easy recipe.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
Stacie and her daughter love to enjoy a mug of hot cocoa when they come inside from the cold Minnesota snow. And that was the inspiration behind this gluten-free dessert that features warm, subtle spices and plenty of chocolate flavor. These holiday cookies have all the flavor of a decked-out mug of hot cocoa in the convenience of a cookie shape!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Soft-Batch Ginger Molasses Cookies
Molly is a big softie for soft molasses cookies, which is why she gravitates towards this Christmas cookie recipe. Made with 1 cup gluten-free almond flour, coconut flour, cashew butter, molasses, and coconut sugar, these cookies contain just 5 grams of sugar per serving and plenty of warm spice. They’re also great for sharing.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Paleo
Peanut Butter Blossoms
This is the Christmas cookie recipe that my husband requests every single year. This classic has been loved for generations, and I appreciate that we’ve adapted the ever-popular Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe to be gluten free. For an even more festive look, sometimes I top the peanut butter cookies with red and white holiday kisses.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Vegetarian
Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Jess’ husband and his coworkers always look forward to the day when Jess brings in a tray of these thumbprint cookies filled with favorite jams and preserves. These buttery shortbread cookies taste just like the ones her Mom used to make but with gluten free, allergy-friendly ingredients everyone can enjoy.
Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Monster Cookies
Stacie likes to use Christmas colored candies when she makes these gluten free Christmas oatmeal cookies at the holidays. During her big cookie-making day, she appreciates that this recipe has a quick prep time and is made in one bowl for super easy cleanup. And some years she switches things up and makes these gluten-free flourless monster cookie bars instead.
Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Jess sometimes finishes a special holiday meal by bringing this stunning gluten-free chocolate chip cookie in a skillet to the table. She and her girls enjoy it while it’s still warm and topped off with a scoop of ice cream. Any leftovers get sliced into bars and added to holiday trays.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Dairy Free | Vegan
Chai Spice Protein Breakfast Cookies
I created these large breakfast cookies based on the flavors of a favorite chai latte drink. They’re boosted with protein for an easy grab-and-go cookie to enjoy throughout the holiday season.
Gluten Free | Vegetarian
Bake Your Cookies To Perfection
I have a few extra tips to share that help these gluten free Christmas cookies turn out perfect every time:
- Measure flour with a kitchen scale. When it comes to gluten free baking, accurate measurements are truly the key to success. For the best results, I recommend using a food scale when grams are listed with the ingredients. Our recipes include the gram weight of flour and other ingredients, so this is easy to do.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Mix the cookie batter just until the ingredients are combined. If you mix the dough for too long, it can start to become crumbly or too dense.
- Let the dough rest. Most of the recipes will specify when and how long to let the dough chill before baking. Most gluten free flours (except for coconut flour) tend to take longer to absorb moisture. As a general rule of thumb, let the gluten free cookie dough chill at least 30 minutes before baking.
How to Store
These gluten-free Christmas cookies and treats are great to make ahead of time! I included specific storage instructions in each recipe. However, in general, gluten free treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make a Tray Or Give Them As Gifts
Two of my favorite ways to share these gluten free cookies are:
- Make a Dessert Tray. I bake an assortment of goodies and arrange them on a festive cookie platter to leave out for Santa and serve at parties. Decorating tip: Start by arranging the largest items on the tray. Then, fill in any gaps with smaller cookies and extra garnishes like chocolate chips and candy canes.
- Give Them as Food Gifts. I love to spread the holiday cheer with gifts people can eat made right in my kitchen. I choose recipes that I know my loved ones will enjoy and can eat (being mindful of any food allergies), and place them in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Then, I attach a note providing the recipe and storage instructions so the recipient can view all of the ingredients, and wrap it up with a bow!
More Gluten-Free Holiday Treats
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, there are a few items you can count on when you bake cookies that are gluten free. For that reason, I keep my pantry and fridge stocked with these ingredients:
– Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Flour Blend (a cup-for-cup swap for all-purpose flour)
– Unsalted butter
– Granulated White Sugar (or coconut sugar)
– Brown Sugar
– Peanut Butter
– Pure Vanilla Extract
– Baking Soda and Baking Powder
–Dairy-Free and Vegan Chocolate Chips – such as Enjoy Life
You’ll also want to gather up some basic equipment, such as favorite mixing bowls, cookie sheets, a stand mixer, parchment paper, rubber spatulas, and measuring spoons and measuring cups.
Be sure to mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined and smooth. Then, cover it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for a total time of about 30 minutes. This will help hydrate and soften the cookie batter, eliminating any gritty texture.
The most common cause of crumbly cookies is an improper ratio of dry ingredients and liquids. To prevent this from happening, be sure to measure your items carefully. If possible, measure by weight rather than volume.
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
I would love to have a dessert ebook, just saying. 😉. I love all your recipes, so does my family.
Thanks! We will keep that in mind!
Can these recipes be made with regular flour verses gluten free and if so will they turn out the same?
Yes, they can!