These Gluten Free Gingerbread 7 Layer Cookies are as close to utopia as possible. They are the perfect marriage of gingerbread and seven-layer cookies! They are allergy-friendly, can be adapted in many different ways, and you can enjoy them in about 30 minutes!
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I don't know what else to say about this mouthwatering gluten free seven-layer cookie recipe besides this short story. I caught my son running from the kitchen up the stairs with his hands hidden in his sweatshirt pockets.
As I suspected...he had two of these seven-layer cookies in hand. I will spare you the lecture I gave him, but please be warned, if you make these gluten free gingerbread 7 layer bars, watch all suspicious behaviors in your kitchen!
If you love these bars, wait to try my gluten free caramel magic bars!
Why Make These Bars:
- If you are a fan of 7 layer bars, this Christmas holiday version is worth a try. They are allergy-friendly and can be adapted in many different ways!
- You can enjoy a batch in about 40 minutes!
- These gingerbread magic bars are both gluten- and egg-free, and there is a dairy-free version too!
If you are a 7 layer cookie bar fanatic, don't forget to try these Gluten Free Pumpkin 7 Layer Bars or these Gluten Free Peppermint 7 Layer Bars!
I enriched the gingerbread flavor with candied ginger. I bought my candied ginger at my local grocery store.
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten Free Graham Crackers - I really like both Pamela's and Schar's brands. They crush a LOT easier than the S'moreables brand.
- Gluten Free Gingersnaps - Midel makes good gluten free gingersnap cookies, but you MUST triple-check the bag. They use the same packaging for gluten free and regular gingersnaps, and stores market them side by side. Look for the big gluten free label on the bag to make sure you grab the right one.
- Shredded Coconut- Use unsweetened.
- Candied Ginger - you can buy this at most grocery stores or make your own with this easy candied ginger recipe.
- Condensed Milk - you can use regular or coconut if you need this recipe to be dairy-free.
- Butter - Use unsalted butter. For dairy-free, use vegan butter. Most butter is gluten free, but always check the label.
- Chocolate Chips - you can use milk chocolate, bittersweet, or dark chocolate chips. If you are dairy-free, Enjoy Life Brand chips are best. Ensure your chips are gluten free on my list.
- Nuts - Use any type you like. I tend to use walnuts or pecans, but other nuts also taste great.
You may also love these Gluten Free Gingerbread Cupcakes.
Fun Swaps:
- Add nuts like almond slivers or chopped pecans
- Try white chocolate chips instead of the dark!
- Add an almond meal to the crust for added protein!
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Crush gluten free graham crackers and gingersnaps in a large bag. You can also use a food processor. Mix them with melted butter and press them into a baking pan. You can crush them into a powdery consistency or more textured, as I did.
Step 2: Pour half the can of condensed milk over the cracker crust. Use a spoon to spread the condensed milk out evenly.
Step 3: Add the layers of unsweetened coconut and candied ginger.
Step 4: Continue the layers by adding chocolate chips, the remaining condensed milk, almond slices, and another layer of coconut.
Step 5: Bake for 30 minutes at 350º F. Allow to cool before slicing.
NOTE: The melted layers will be hot and a little giggly. Once these cookie bars cool, they will become more solid and firm. Do not eat hot or you will burn your mouth.
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
You can easily make this recipe dairy-free by using condensed coconut milk instead of regular condensed milk. Ensure your chocolate chips are also dairy-free by using the brand Enjoy Life chips.
I used an 8x8 pan to bake these gluten free gingerbread 7 layer bars.
These cookie bars will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an air-tight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
More Gluten Free Holiday Recipes:
- Gluten Free Candied Ginger White Chocolate Biscotti
- Gluten Free Gingerbread Donuts
- Gluten Free Eggnog Cupcakes
- Gluten Free Panettone
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Gingerbread 7 Layer Bars
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten free gingersnaps * see note
- ½ cup gluten free graham cracker crumbs * see note
- 6 tablespoons butter melted, see note
- ¾ cup chocolate chips * see note
- ½ cup candied ginger chips
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- 1 can coconut condensed milk *see note
- 1 cup coconut unsweetened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Add your gingersnaps and graham crackers to a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into crumbs.
- In a baking dish, spray coconut oil or other oil on sides to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, add all crumbs.
- Pour in melted butter and stir to mix.
- Pour crumb mixture into baking dish and spread along the bottom.
- Pat down crust.
- Add chips and nuts and spread along whole crust.
- Pour condensed milk all over the top of chips and nuts.
- Add ginger chips and then spread coconut along the top.
- Press down on everything slightly.
- Bake 20-25 minutes.
- Cool before cutting.
Video
Notes
- Gluten free graham crackers - I really like both Pamela's and Schar brands. They crush a LOT easier than the S'moreables brand.
- Gluten free gingersnaps - Midel makes really good gluten free gingersnap cookies but you MUST triple check the bag. They use the exact same packaging for gluten free and regular gingersnaps and stores market them side by side. Look for the big gluten free on the bag to make sure you grab the right one.
- Shredded coconut- use unsweetened.
- Candied ginger - you can buy this at most grocery stores, or make your own with this easy candied ginger recipe.
- Condensed milk - you can use regular, or coconut if you need this recipe to be dairy-free.
- Butter - use vegan butter or coconut oil if you are dairy-free.
- Chocolate chips - you can use milk chocolate, bittersweet, or dark chocolate chips. If you are dairy-free, Enjoy Life Brand chips are best.
- These cookie bars will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
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.
This post was updated with more details from an older October 2017 post.
Fearless Dining
Simplifying the art of baking and cooking gluten-free recipes.
adrienne @ whole new mom
These look amazing, Sandi!!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Adrienne!
Karishma
These look delicious!! I'm not surprised your son snuck a few 😛
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog
haha! I probably would have snuck some of these fabulous bars up to my room too! Too funny!
Sandi Gaertner
Ha, I would too Sharon 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk
Gorgeous and impressive on so many levels, not the least of which are their stunning presentation and utter drool factor. We are featuring this on Platter Talk as Best of Show; very nicely done!
Sandi Gaertner
Wow, thank you so much Dan. I appreciate it very much.
jen
What size pan do you use with these? Excited to try these! Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
The pan I use is a 9 1/2x 9 1/2 brownie dish. If you want your cookies a little thicker, you can use something smaller.
Tara
Those look amazing, my tummy is grumbling!!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Tara 🙂
Culinary Flavors
These little cuties just went into my list to do for Christmas!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you like them 🙂
Joanne T Ferguson
G'day These look great! Wish I had one now with my coffee!
Cheers! Joanne
Sandi Gaertner
Thanks Joanne!