How to Make Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

There’s something magical about Christmas cookies. The smell of butter and vanilla drifting through the house, the soft hum of holiday music in the background, the feel of dough between your fingers as you roll, cut, and shape. For many families, baking cookies is not just a recipe — it’s a tradition passed down year after year.

But if you’re baking gluten-free, that magic can sometimes feel fragile. Too many gluten-free cookies spread too much, crumble apart, or turn dry before they ever reach the cookie plate. The good news? Gluten-free Christmas cookies can be just as tender, festive, and irresistible as the classics — when you understand the techniques behind them.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make gluten-free Christmas cookies that work, using chef-tested methods and full mini-recipes you can rely on. You’ll learn how to make:

• Soft gluten-free sugar cookies
• Classic gingerbread cookies
• Almond flour snowball cookies
• Chocolate peppermint cookies
• Gluten-free shortbread
• Molasses spice cookies
• Chocolate-dipped holiday biscotti

Along the way, I’ll share internal resources from EverydayGlutenFree.com that pair beautifully with holiday baking, plus a few trusted external baking references used by professionals.

Let’s bring Christmas baking back to the table — gluten-free, stress-free, and full of joy.

Why Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies Behave Differently

Before we bake, it helps to understand what changes when gluten leaves the recipe.

Gluten normally provides:

• Elasticity
• Structure
• Controlled spread
• Chewy texture

Without it, we rely on:

• Balanced flour blends
• Eggs for structure
• Butter temperature control
• Chilling dough
• Gentle mixing

If you’d like a deeper dive into gluten-free flour behavior, this guide pairs perfectly with holiday baking.

1. Classic Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Soft & Cut-Out Ready)

These are the cookies every holiday plate needs — soft, lightly sweet, and sturdy enough for decorating.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in egg and vanilla.Mix dry ingredients separately, then add to wet mixture.
3. Chill dough for 30–45 minutes.
4. Roll between parchment sheets to ¼-inch thickness.
5. Cut shapes and place on lined baking sheet.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–11 minutes.
7. Cool completely before decorating.

Chef’s Tip: Chill again after cutting shapes for sharper edges.

2. Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies (Classic Holiday Spice)

Warm spices and rich molasses make these cookies unmistakably Christmas.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cloves
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup molasses

Instructions

1. Whisk dry ingredients together.
2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Add egg and molasses.
4. Mix in dry ingredients.
5. Chill dough at least 1 hour.
6. Roll, cut, and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.

3. Almond Flour Snowball Cookies (Naturally Gluten-Free)

These tender cookies melt in your mouth and look like little snowdrifts on a plate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth.
2. Roll into small balls.
3. Bake at 325°F for 12–14 minutes.
4. Cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar.

These pair beautifully with almond-based desserts

4. Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Cookies

Rich chocolate meets cool peppermint — a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups gluten-free flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add egg and peppermint extract.
3. Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine.
4. Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly.
5. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
6. Sprinkle crushed candy canes while warm.

5. Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies (Buttery & Crisp)

Simple, elegant, and perfect with tea.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 cup butter, cold
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Cut butter into dry ingredients.
2. Add vanilla and mix gently.
3. Press dough into a disk and chill 30 minutes.
4. Cut shapes or slice logs.
5. Bake at 325°F for 14–16 minutes.

6. Soft Gluten-Free Molasses Spice Cookies

Chewy centers with crackled tops — perfect for cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cloves
• ¼ cup molasses
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add egg and molasses.
3. Stir in dry ingredients.
4. Chill for 30 minutes.
5. Roll in sugar and bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes.

7. Gluten-Free Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti (Holiday Edition)

Crisp, elegant, and perfect for gifting.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup chopped almonds
• ½ cup gluten-free dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Mix dough and shape into log.
2. Bake once at 350°F for 25 minutes.
3. Slice and bake again until crisp.
4. Dip ends in melted chocolate.

How to Decorate Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies (Beautiful & Break-Free)

Decorating is where Christmas cookies truly come alive. With gluten-free cookies, the secret is structure first, decoration second. Once your cookies are fully baked and cooled, they’re surprisingly sturdy and take icing beautifully.

Key Decorating Rules for Gluten-Free Cookies

• Always decorate cookies completely cooled
• Avoid heavy pressure when piping
• Use slightly thicker icing than usual
• Let decorations set at room temperature

Best Decorating Options

• Royal icing (light consistency)
• Chocolate drizzle or dip
• Powdered sugar glaze
• White chocolate details
• Simple sprinkles applied immediately

Royal icing works wonderfully on gluten-free cookies when mixed properly.

How to Store Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

Proper storage keeps your cookies fresh, tender, and festive throughout the season.

Room Temperature Storage

• Store in airtight containers
• Layer with parchment paper
• Keep away from humidity
• Best within 4–5 days

Freezing Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

Gluten-free cookies freeze exceptionally well.

To freeze baked cookies:

1. Cool completely
2. Place in a single layer until frozen
3. Transfer to freezer-safe containers
4. Freeze up to 3 months

To freeze cookie dough:

• Shape into discs or logs
• Wrap tightly
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
• Bake as usual

Troubleshooting Common Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Problems

Even experienced bakers run into issues. Here’s how to fix them quickly.

Cookies Spread Too Much

Cause: Butter too warm or dough not chilled
Fix: Chill dough longer and bake on parchment paper

Cookies Are Crumbly

Cause: Too much flour or dry dough
Fix: Add 1–2 tablespoons milk or egg to bind

Cookies Are Dry

Cause: Overbaking
Fix: Remove when edges are just set

Cookies Lack Flavor

Cause: Missing salt or vanilla
Fix: Always add a pinch of salt, even to sweet cookies

Holiday Cookie Gift Ideas (Gluten-Free Friendly)

These cookies make beautiful homemade gifts.

Simple Gifting Ideas

• Cookie tins lined with parchment
• Cellophane bags tied with twine
• Kraft boxes with holiday labels
• Mixed cookie assortments

Best Cookies for Gifting

• Sugar cookies
• Gingerbread
• Shortbread
• Snowball cookies
• Biscotti

Avoid very soft cookies for shipping unless frozen first.

Pair Your Cookies with Other EverydayGlutenFree.com Favorites

Create a complete holiday table with these perfect pairings:

• Almond Flour Desserts
• Gluten-Free Crackers for Holiday Boards
• Gluten-Free Caramel Sauce for Drizzling
• Gluten-Free Snacks for Holiday Grazing

These internal links strengthen SEO and enhance reader experience.

The bottom line

Gluten-free Christmas cookies don’t have to be fragile, dry, or disappointing. With the right flour blends, chilled dough, gentle mixing, and thoughtful baking, they become everything Christmas cookies should be — soft, festive, flavorful, and made to share.

From classic sugar cookies to spiced gingerbread and elegant chocolate-dipped treats, these recipes and techniques let you bake with confidence and joy. The real magic isn’t just in the cookies themselves, but in the moments they create — shared plates, warm kitchens, and traditions that welcome everyone.Bake slowly. Decorate happily. Share generously.
That’s the heart of Christmas baking — gluten-free and full of love.