The Best Gluten-Free Cookies For A Cookie Exchange Party!

These popular gluten-free Christmas cookies aren’t just for the holidays! You can enjoy them all year long!

You will find every type of cookie, and you will love bringing these cookies to a gluten-free cookie exchange party! These are the cookies you bake and hide so your family doesn’t eat them all in one sitting! If you love cookies as much as we do, you will want to check out ALL of my delicious Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes!

Tips to avoid cross-contamination at a cookie exchange:

1. Keep the gluten free cookies on a separate table from the regular holiday cookies. If the gluten-free and non-gluten-free cookies are too close, accidents can happen, crumbs can fly, minds can be changed, and the wrong cookies can be placed on a gluten-free plate.
2. Let your friends know if you are very sensitive. Many friends want to do the right thing and make gluten free cookies in their non-gluten-free kitchens. Cross-contamination is likely to happen, even if your friends are very careful.
3. Watch out for hidden gluten, and always ask to see the ingredient labels if you’re in doubt.

This is just a sampling of the cookie recipes you will find here at Fearless Dining. There are so many cookies here because I have a sweet tooth that’s hard to resist. If you’re like me, you’ll be trying them all! Don’t forget to write and tell me which are your favorites!

You need the right flour and ingredients to make gluten-free holiday cookies for your cookie exchange party. You can read more about gluten-free flour in my Gluten-Free Flour Guide.

What gluten-free flour blends do you use to make gluten free cookies?

I have a few favorite gluten-free flour blends that I prefer to use when baking. King Arthur Measure for Measure (awesome if you are corn-free too!), Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 , Cup4Cup, and Authentic Foods Multiblend.

Also, note that every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the batter. It is also important to verify that the blend you use has a binder included. You can read more about binders in my Guide to Binders in Gluten-Free Baking.

My rule of thumb is that if your cookie dough is dry or crumbly, add more liquid; if your dough is too wet, add more flour.

🔑 Sandi says: Check out my Gluten-Free Cookie Troubleshooting Guide for the best cookie-baking success.

Can these gluten-free holiday cookies be made dairy-free?

Most gluten-free holiday cookie recipes can be made dairy-free with vegan butter. I prefer using Earth Balance and Mykonos brands.

How long do these holiday cookies keep fresh?

These gluten-free Christmas cookies will last about a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them quickly if you want to enjoy them longer.

Can I make gluten-free Christmas cookies ahead of time?

You can definitely make these gluten-free cookies ahead of time, though keep in mind that gluten-free baked goods tend to spoil a lot faster than regular wheat flour baked goods. You can freeze them so they’re ready when you need them.

Can I freeze these holiday cookies?

These Christmas cookies can be easily frozen for later use. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container, then seal it. They thaw on the counter in about 15 minutes.

Why are my cookies flat, aka spread too much?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive from my readers. There are several reasons for flat cookies, including:

• Check to see how long you chilled your cookie dough. If you use partially melted or softened butter, it is essential to chill it to prevent spreading.
• How did you measure your flour? Measuring your flour accurately is important. I don’t often weigh my ingredients because every flour blend has a different weight, and my readers all use different gluten-free flour blends. I recommend using either the Spoon Method, which uses a spoon to add flour to the measuring cup. Use a knife to level the top, removing any excess flour. Leveling Method: by putting the measuring scoop into the flour and filling it with flour. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour.
• Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. This can affect the moisture levels in your cookie dough, resulting in flatter cookies. In this situation, you would need to add more flour.

Why do my gluten-free cookies taste gritty?

The grit you taste is due to the rice flour in the gluten-free flour blend. Not all companies mill their flour to an extra fine consistency. To eliminate the grit, I recommend letting the cookie dough rest for 15 minutes. This extra time will allow the rice flour to soften, eliminating the grit.

How do I make cookies the same size?

The best way to ensure your cookies are the same size and look uniform is to use a cookie scoop. Cookie scoops come in sizes small, medium, and large.

Also, be sure to check out my Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies on the blog.