• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Eating With Food Allergies
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Nutrition
  • Substitutes
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Nutrition
  • Substitutes
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Recipes

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

Published: Mar 2, 2015 · Updated: Nov 20, 2020 by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Gluten free sugar cookies are a holiday staple at our house because they're so versatile.  All you need is a cookie cutter or two for each season and you've got a "go-to" gluten-free treat for every occasion!

A heart sugar cookie with white and red icing
Heart-shaped cookies are perfect for Valentine's day!

Jump to:
  • Recipe tips
  • Decorating tips
  • Related recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Making gluten free sugar cookies can be difficult since the dough needs to be stretchy enough to be rolled out, cut, and be transferred to a pan. Gluten provides the "stretch" in traditional roll-out cookie dough, so the gluten-free dough can be a little bit tougher to work with.

Recipe tips

  • If you aren't allergic to coconut (technically a tree nut), you can use coconut oil in place of shortening.  It adds a delicious buttery flavor to the cookie (a plus for those avoiding butter due to dairy allergy).
  • Be sure to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before attempting to roll it out.
  • Knead the dough a little before rolling it out.  This warms it up a little and makes it easier to work with.
  • Have plenty of rice flour (or alternative) close by when rolling them out.  A well-floured surface and rolling pin will make the job much easier!
  • Roll the dough out in small batches rather than rolling it all out at the same time.  (If you use the whole batch of dough, the last bit that you roll out will be dryer from picking up extra flour from your work surface.)
  • Use a spatula to transfer them from your work surface to the cookie sheet (this helps to keep your shapes from cracking).
  • Don't overbake!  If you press into them and they feel firm around the edges, they're ready!
Two mitten-shaped gluten free cookie cutouts

My kids love to help me cut out the dough but they hate waiting for them to bake and cool so we can start decorating!  Sometimes, I freeze the cookies plain and we decorate them when we're ready to eat one or two (or six!)

Decorating tips

Decorating tips

During holidays, it's more of a project (a fun one!)  We put all of the cookies at the table along with frosting of different colors, sprinkles, candy, and whatever else we feel like adorning them with.

We frost with "safe" canned frosting, this sugar cookie frosting, or royal icing made from aquafaba.

I lay down wax paper on our table and at the end of our work, we have a table filled with decorated cookies! I then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and layer them between wax paper to preserve the frosting and decorations.

These are then pulled out along with other goodies for cookie plates during the holiday season.

Gluten free sugar cookies in Easter shapes

Decorating sugar cookies is also a tradition that has taken the place of decorating eggs at Easter time.

Whatever the season, these sugar cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat! 🙂

Related recipes

  • Gluten Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
  • Allergy Free Gingerbread Cookies
  • Vegan Spritz Cookies {Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly}
  • Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies {Allergy Friendly!}

📖 Recipe

A heart sugar cookie with white and red vegan royal icing

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
This sugar cookie recipe is great for cut outs! It is wheat/gluten free as well as free of dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.
No ratings yet
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Dessert
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup dairy free margarine
  • ½ cup "safe" shortening or coconut oil
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Ener-G Foods egg replacer
  • 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon soy or rice milk
  • 2 ¼ cups gluten free all-purpose flour mix
  • ½ teaspoon xanthan gum* see notes
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375° F.
  • Combine butter or margarine, shortening, and sugar in a mixer until creamy. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg replacer and warm water until foamy. Add egg replacer mixture, vanilla, and "safe" milk to margarine, shortening, and sugar mixture. Mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, xanthan gum (if using-see notes), baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the margarine mixture until combined. Cover dough and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Remove dough from the refrigerator and divide in half. Put half of the dough back in the refrigerator. Place the other half of the dough on a floured surface (rice flour works well). Roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Transfer to cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes. Edges should be firm but not browned. Remove from cookie sheet and transfer to cooling racks. Top with "safe" frosting.

Notes

*Omit the xanthan gum if the gluten free all purpose flour blend you are using already contains it.
Tried this recipe?Please share how it was!

Love this recipe?

Please leave a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and share your comments below!

Stay in touch on social media! You can find me @ Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I love getting your feedback so please tag me if you try a recipe!

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Vegan Twice Baked Potatoes - October 30, 2022
  • Gluten Free Tomato Soup {Dairy Free} - October 1, 2022
  • Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Dairy Free} - September 17, 2022

More Recipes

  • Gluten Free Tomato Soup {Dairy Free}
  • Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Dairy Free}
  • Easy Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding {Dairy and Gluten Free}
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins {Egg and Dairy Free!}

About Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD

Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Tricia Bosker says

    April 16, 2022 at 3:25 pm

    Your recipe ingredient does not list Xanathan gum
    But M, in Your instructions you say to add xanathan gum…. Which is correct and how much ?

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels says

      April 16, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Hi Tricia,
      Thanks for your comment and for pointing this out! I have updated the recipe with the xanthan gum amount and clarified to omit it if your gluten-free all-purpose flour blend already contains it. Enjoy!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Kristi! I'm a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom with a mission to help you eat well with food allergies!

More about me →

Latest posts

  • Vegan Twice Baked Potatoes
  • Gluten Free Dairy Free Cupcakes {Allergy Friendly}
  • Chocolate Gluten Free Cupcakes {Dairy and Egg Free!}
  • Nut Free Protein Bars

Fall favorites

  • Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
  • Allergy Friendly Pumpkin Bars
  • Gluten and Dairy Free Apple Crisp
  • Wheat Free Pumpkin Muffins

Popular

  • Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
  • Nut Free Chocolate Spread
  • Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}
  • Allergy Free Protein Powder

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Kristi
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ad Disclosure
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Get in Touch

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 Eating With Food Allergies

Cookies aren't just for eating
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT