This is the season for delicious gluten free holiday cookies! These are the best gluten free holiday cookie recipes on the blog...and ones that are perfect for holiday baking!
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!!
Do you love cookie exchange parties? I am so excited to give you some new cookie options for a gluten free cookie exchange that will wow your friends. Nobody will know these cookies are gluten free!! They taste that good.
Tips to avoid cross-contamination at a cookie exchange:
- 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 onto a gluten free plate.
- 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.
- Watch out for hidden gluten and always ask to see the ingredient labels if you are in doubt!
If you haven't been to a cookie exchange party, it is time to throw your own this holiday season!! Here is a great tutorial on how to throw a cookie exchange party.
Now, 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 killer sweet tooth :-). If you are like me, you will be trying them all! Don't forget to write and tell me which are your favorites!
Tools you need to make gluten free holiday cookies:
To make gluten free holiday cookies for your cookie exchange party, you need the right flours and ingredients. You can find my whole list here in My Gluten Free Pantry.
I use some of these gluten free ingredients in all of my gluten free cookie recipes:
- Gluten free flour blend *(and add 1 teaspoon of Xanthan gum if your blend doesn't include it!)
- Eggs
- Sugar (coconut sugar or organic sugar depending if you prefer refined or unrefined sugar!)
- Vanilla
- Coconut Oil or Butter (depending on if you prefer dairy-free!)
- Almond flour, to sneak in a little protein!
It seems like it was just Halloween, and here we are on the homestretch to Hanukkah and Christmas!! This year I am all for delicious cookies ANY time of year. This collection of cookie recipes is perfect for those holiday parties, bake sales, teacher gifts, and cookie exchange parties.
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 I am baking. King Arthur Measure for Measure (awesome if you are corn-free too!), Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Blend, Cup4Cup, and Authentic Foods Multiblend.
There are a ton of others that I haven't tried but you want to make sure the blend you use does NOT contain bean flours (those are better for savory recipes) or a high starch to flour ratio.
Holiday cookie exchange parties are a popular way to share your favorite holiday cookie recipes. Which recipe will you try first?
Cookie baking tips:
- Use room temperature butter and eggs. I know that it sounds crazy to use butter and eggs at room temperature, but it dramatically helps how your cookies will turn out. You'll thank yourself later if you try it.
- Take special care to measure correctly. If you add in too much gluten free flour or other ingredients, it can mess with the cookies as they bake. If they don't' have the proper ratios of ingredients, you may end up with a disaster.
- Chill the dough when possible. I know you are probably ready to eat your cookies right now, but taking a few minutes to chill the batter makes them less likely to spread.
- Your oven temperature may be off. Periodically, check your oven temperature to make sure it's right. Otherwise, the cookies will, for sure, spread if it's not accurate.
- Use a cooled cookie sheet when baking. Don't take a hot cookie sheet and put the batter on it, or I promise the cookies won't turn out. They start baking immediately, and it messes with the shape of them. Use a couple of sheets and rotate them out when making large batches of cookies.
- Don't let the cookies sit on the pan too long. After they have baked, only let them sit up to 5 minutes on the baking sheet. The pan will still be hot and continue baking them otherwise.
Can these cookies be made dairy-free?
Most of these gluten free holiday cookie recipes can be made dairy-free with vegan butter or palm shortening.
How long do these cookies keep?
These gluten free Christmas cookies will last about a week in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them easily if you want to enjoy them longer.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can definitely make these gluten free cookies ahead of time. You can freeze them so that they are ready when you need them.
Can you freeze these holiday cookies?
You can easily freeze these Christmas cookies. Place them into a freezer-safe plastic bag or container and seal.
Do you need to refrigerate the cookie dough before baking?
These cookie recipes are pretty varied so you will want to check each recipe for the directions if you need to refrigerate the cookie dough first!
Also, check out my best Gluten Free Christmas Cookies on the blog :-).
The Best Gluten Free Holiday Cookies
Delicious gluten free Christmas cookie recipes that Santa and your family will love! These cookies are perfect for cookie exchange parties, bake sales, and more.
These delicious Gluten Free Swiss Brunsli Cookies are decorative and perfect for a gluten free cookie exchange party!
These gluten free gingerdoodles make the perfect Christmas cookie. They get rave reviews!
If you love eggnog, these gluten free eggnog crinkle cookies are for you. They melt in your mouth and have all of the delicious flavors of eggnog!
If you love peanut butter and chocolate, these gluten free peanut butter blossoms are a delicious cookie to make!
If you love waffle cookies, these Gluten Free Pizzelle Cookies are a treat. There are three different flavors to make!
These Gluten Free Gingersnap cookies are made with candied ginger for an extra zing!
These Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies are pretty on a dessert tray! There is even a video to show you how to pipe the tree shapes!
Gluten Free Spritz Cookies are festive cookie that is fun to decorate! I include several different flavors to try!
These gluten free cardamom sugar cookies are made for your favorite cookie cutters! Decorate with melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
Gluten Free Austrian Vanillekipferl Cookies melt in your mouth. They are a deliciously easy cookie to make that your whole family will love. A bonus, these cookies also freeze really well! Go ahead and make a double batch!!
These Gluten Free Gingerbread 7 Layer Bars, or magic bars as some people call them, are a special twist on my favorite cookie bar recipe. These have candied ginger chunks to add some ginger zing to these bars!
This delicious gluten free sugar cookie recipe was sort of an accident! I was trying for something else but with these crispy edges and soft insides, I had to share this blooper sugar cookie with you!!
These traditional Czech Black and White cookies are fun to make. They are perfect if you can't decide between chocolate and vanilla cookies.
These delicious Gluten Free Sables are a British sugar cookie that is so easy to make!
These Gluten Free Rum Raisin Cookies will be the hit of any cookie exchange party!
Need a hostess gift for that party? These easy Gluten Free Cookie Mix Jars are perfect!
If you love a buttery Danish cookie, these Gluten Free Butter Cookies are crispy and delicious.
These soft gluten free molasses cookies come from an old recipe of my Grandmother's that I converted to gluten free 🙂
In Germany, these pfeffernusse cookies are so popular. Mr. Fearless Dining REALLY wanted me to create a gluten free version of this cookie recipe, so please enjoy :-).
I hope to create a lot of International cookie recipes over the holidays, I hope you join along and make a few with me :-).
One of our favorite cookie recipes is this Gluten Free Russian Tea Cookie (aka Mexican Wedding Cookies) recipe. These cookies have a nice protein punch because of the almond flour in them, it helps balance out the powdered sugar coating!
Gluten Free Chestnut Cookies. These are made with roasted chestnuts. You can roast your own chestnuts, or buy them already roasted in a small box in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe's. You can enjoy them plain as shown, or dip the bottoms in dark chocolate!
One very popular recipe is this Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe...they can't be beaten. They have just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon to make Santa a very happy guy!
These Gluten Free Gingerbread Melting Moments Cookies are melt in your mouth good!
This crunchy Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti are perfect with coffee or tea!
If you love shortbread, this easy Gluten Free Gingerbread Shortbread Cookies are fun to make.
This is one of the most popular cookie recipes on my blog.
These Gluten Free Linzer Cookies are stuffed with Nutella! You can put jam or frosting between these cookies if you prefer. This gluten free cookie recipe is based on a sugar cookie recipe so most fillings would work perfectly.
These Gluten Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are so chocolaty...and rolling the cookie dough in powdered sugar gives these a beautiful "fancy" glaze :-).
My chocolate crinkle cookies make a delicious gift or bring them to a cookie exchange party for everyone to try!
If you love gingerbread, these gluten free gingerbread biscotti are for you. Cut in Christmas tree shapes for fun! They are perfect for a cup of tea or coffee.
If you love gingerbread, these gluten free gingerbread linzer cookies are a fun treat. Fill with Nutella or frosting!
I hope you like this gluten free cookie round-up and that you find a new favorite. I would love to hear which is your favorite!!
If you love the recipes you find on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free holiday cookies baking tips!)
Debra C.
This is terrific! I'm baking cooking this week for an event for foster children. There are so many wonderful holiday cookies here to choose from - thanks for all of the great options!
Sandi Gaertner
What a wonderful way to give back Debra, that is so sweet of you to consider making gluten free options for them.
Shirley Martin-Tutolo
Thanks for the cookie recipes. We have vegans, gluten free and I am always looking.
Sandi Gaertner
Perfect Shirley...glad to help anytime 🙂
Dee Fedor
Thank you! New cookies for Christmas!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you enjoy them Dee 🙂
Lauren
Looks like there are some new favorites here!
Sandi Gaertner
Definitely Lauren 🙂
Laura O | PetiteAllergyTreats
All of these cookies look great for Christmas! Pinned:D
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Laura 🙂