I'm excited to share my delicious Gluten Free Duvshaniot (Israeli Honey Cookies) with you today. These perfectly spiced honey crinkle cookies are delightful for all occasions and easy to make. Feed them to a crowd, and they will disappear!
These gluten free duvshaniot are soft, tender, and unbelievably flavorful. They are boasting with sweetness, but it's not overwhelming. Don't forget to check out all of my delicious gluten free cookies on the blog for more baking inspiration!
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I barely remember eating gluten free Duvshaniot when I was growing up. But my grandma made them, and they were terrific. I recently found her recipe, and I knew that I was on a mission to replicate it.
These melt in your mouth Israeli honey cookies turned out lovely, and I'm so glad I was able to make my own gluten free version. Now I can enjoy them and feel like I am a kid again. If you love recipes that bring back memories, you will love these gluten free cheese blintz too!
Plus, I can share them with my own kids and one day my grandkids and hopefully pass it on to them too. If you're in the mood for more cookies, you should these gluten free chocolate chip cookies too.
Why these cookies are great:
My kids like to call these honey crinkle cookies because of the outside crinkles from rolling in powdered sugar! These honey cookies are easy to make and taste delicious. You can make a double batch and freeze them so you have cookies at any time.
Even better, these cookies are made with simple ingredients you already have on-hand. You can make these cookies in about 20 minutes!
What are Israeli Honey Cookies?
Israeli honey cookies are also known as Duvshaniot. They are a well-known cookie that's commonly used by placing them in gift baskets to give to family and friends.
In Israel, they are used to wish each other good fortune during the new year. You will rarely ever find a gift basket that doesn't have some Israeli honey cookies because it's such a huge tradition. Another Israeli favorite are these gluten free mandelbrot.
Ingredient notes:
- Gluten free flour blend - I really like using King Arthur Measure for Measure or Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF Blend, but other gluten free flour blends also work well.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, you need to add it separately.
- Brown sugar - You can use light or dark brown sugar
- Honey - I tend to use cheaper honey types for baking and save the good quality honey types for tea.
- Butter - use vegan butter if you are dairy-free.
Recipe step by step instructions:
Are you ready to give this recipe a try? Gather up your ingredients!
Step 1: Add your dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk to blend.
Step 2: In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk to blend.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
Step 4: This is what your mixed honey cookie dough will look like. It will be a little sticky from the honey and that is okay.
Step 5: Use a cookie scoop to scoop up cookie dough and use your hands to roll it into balls. Next, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar. Kids love helping make these cookies because they can play with their hands!
This is the same process used to make my gluten free chocolate crinkle cookies.
Step 6: Optional: You can bake your cookie balls as is, or use a glass to gently press down the cookies flatter. Bake at 350º F for 7-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a cooling rack.
More Delicious Cookies:
- Our family loves these chocolate Gluten Free Swiss Brunsli Cookies.
- One of the most popular cookie recipes on the blog, Gluten Free Snickerdoodles are sure to please.
- If a soft cookie is more your speed, these Gluten Free Butterscotch Madeleines are almost cake-like!
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Yes, while they are typically made during Rosh Hashana, they can be made and served any time of year. Once you taste them, they will become a household favorite, and you will crave them. Especially, when fall hits and you want something with some spice in it.
You should store these cookies in a sealed container. You can keep them on the counter or put them in the refrigerator. They will last 3-5 days if they are away from heat, steam, and are in an airtight container.
Yes, you can freeze gluten free Duvshaniot cookies if you want to. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or storage container, and they will last 1-2 months in the freezer. This is great for planning ahead.
When you are ready to serve, just take what you want out of the freezer and allow them to thaw. They will defrost within a few hours, and then you can eat them. You could even toss them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm them up if you want to.
More recipes to try on Rosh Hashana:
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Duvshaniot Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups gluten free flour blend * seenote
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 eggs large
- ½ cup honey * see note
- ½ cup butter melted
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add your dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
- In a small bowl, add the butter and honey and microwave for 30 seconds to melt/soften.
- Add the rest of the wet ingredients to the butter and honey and whisk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix.
- Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop out cookies. Roll each into a ball.
- Take each ball and roll in powdered sugar.
- Place onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. You can use a glass to press the cookies down a bit or leave round.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until done.
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF, Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend, and Authentic Foods Multi Blend in this recipe. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn't contain Xanthan Gum, add 1 teaspoon.
- These cookies will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- You do not need to use an expensive local honey to make these cookies. I use a cheaper wildflower blend, which you can get at the grocery store. Just make sure it is 100% pure honey with no additives.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Joy
I used vegan butter & they were very soft, couldn’t roll them, was the butter the issue?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Joy, it shouldn't have been an issue to use vegan butter. Did you completely melt the butter? Did you chill the dough? Lastly, what gluten free flour blend did you use? Some of them may not need as much butter, depending on the starch level.
Laura
These cookies sound so simple to make and look so delicious! Can't wait to try them!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad Laura, enjoy 🙂
Beth
Oh my gosh - I've never made these. These are adorable and definitely going on the must make list for next Rosh H or any time I want a fun little sweet treat.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you...I don't know how I forgot to post them a few months ago but at least I got it up on the blog for everyone 🙂
Cindy
We made these tonight. When my kids saw the ingredients they were apprehensive about trying it. Ginger? Clove? But once they gave it a bite the entire tray disappeared.
Sandi Gaertner
LOL, kids can be some of our biggest skeptics. I am so glad they gave them a try 🙂
Jenni
These sound so good, Sandi! Little honey spice cookies--yum!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Jenni, they are definitely yum!