Reclaiming the Holiday Tradition

For those of us on a gluten free journey, the holidays, or really any celebration, can often feel like a minefield of missing out. The classic sugar cookie is a staple of childhood, known for its crisp edges, soft center, and the endless joy of decorating. Far too often, gluten free versions result in hard, crumbly pucks that just don’t hold up to the nostalgia. That stops today.

This Gluten Free Sugar Cookie recipe is designed to rival any traditional bakery treat, offering a sturdy foundation for royal icing while remaining tender and buttery enough to melt in your mouth. Whether you are baking for Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or a simple Tuesday afternoon treat, this is the master dough you need in your repertoire.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Recipe

5 from 19 votes

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Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 12 minutes mins

Dough Chill Time 1 hour hr

Total 1 hour hr 22 minutes mins

A easy cut-out sugar cookie recipe that lets your imagination be the only restriction! Try these delicious Gluten Free Sugar Cookies. Similar to butter cookies, except of course better! Have some fun in the kitchen and give these scrumptious cut-out gluten free sugar cookies a try in any shape, colour and flavour choice.

Servings 3 dozen

Course Dessert

Ingredients

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• ▢ 3 ½ cups all-purpose gluten free flour
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum exclude if flour blend includes
• ▢ ⅓ cup cornstarch
• ▢ ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 ½ cup confectioner's sugar
• ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• ▢ 2 eggs at room temperature
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ lukewarm water as needed

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Instructions

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Line a large baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper and set it aside.

Sugar Cookie Dough

1. In a large bowl, place the gluten free flour, xanthan gum, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and whisk to combine well.
   3 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour, 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum, 1/3 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2. In a separate bowl, blend butter and sugar until smooth.
   1 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter
3. Add eggs and vanilla, and mix to combine.
   2 eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4. Combine wet with dry mixture.
5. Add water by the half-teaspoonful and mix it in as necessary to bring the dough together.
   lukewarm water
6. Chill for an hour or overnight.

Forming Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

1. Place the plain dough between two sheets of unbleached parchment paper and roll out the dough about 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thick.
2. Remove the top sheet of parchment paper and cut out shapes using a floured cookie cutter.
3. Transfer the rounds to the prepared baking sheet, placing them about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Instructions

1. Place the baking sheet in the center of the preheated oven and bake until lightly golden brown on the edges and firm to the touch (about 12 minutes).
2. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.

Nutrition Details

Calories –1373.33kcal

Recipe Notes

It is easier to cut out shapes and move them to the baking sheet if the gluten free sugar cookie dough is chilled. Once the dough is chilled, a cookie cutter will easily cut clean edges. Plus, the shapes will be easier to transfer to the baking sheet and hold their shape when baking.

Freeze for up to 6 months.

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Why This Cookie Recipe Works

The secret to the perfect texture lies in the specific blend of ingredients. Unlike standard recipes that rely solely on all-purpose flour, we incorporate cornstarch and confectioners’ sugar directly into the dough.

• Cornstarch: This is the magic ingredient for softness. It lowers the protein content of the dough, mimicking the tenderness of cake flour, which ensures your cookies are soft and thick rather than tough.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: using powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in the dough allows it to absorb into the butter more seamlessly. This prevents the “gritty” texture sometimes found in gluten-free baking and contributes to a tighter, smoother crumb that holds sharp edges when cut.

Ingredient Deep Dive & Substitutions

• Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour: We recommend a high-quality blend like Cup4Cup or Bob’s Red Mill. Remember, if your blend already contains xanthan gum, omit the ¾ teaspoon called for in the recipe. Adding too much xanthan gum can make cookies gummy.
• Butter Temperature: This is non-negotiable! Your butter must be at room temperature (cool to the touch, but indentable). If the butter is too warm or melted, your cookies will spread into puddles in the oven. If it’s too cold, the dough won’t come together.
• Flavour Variations: While vanilla is a classic, this dough is a blank canvas. Try adding ¼ teaspoon of almond extract for a wedding-cake flavour, or grate in fresh lemon zest for a spring-time brightness.

Mastering the “Roll and Chill” Technique

One of the biggest frustrations with gluten-free dough is stickiness. Our method bypasses the mess entirely.

1. Don’t Over-Flour: Instead of dusting your counter with excess flour (which dries out the cookie), roll your dough between two sheets of unbleached parchment paper.
2. The Chill Factor: Once rolled to your desired thickness (we love a substantial ¼ inch), slide the whole parchment sandwich onto a baking sheet and refrigerate. Cutting shapes from cold, firm dough guarantees clean, sharp edges that won’t warp when you transfer them to the baking sheet.

Storage and Freezing

The beauty of this recipe is its make-ahead capability. You can freeze the unbaked dough disks for up to 3 months. baked cookies (undecorated) freeze perfectly for up to 6 months. Just layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container. When a craving hits or guests arrive unexpectedly, you are only minutes away from fresh, homemade gluten-free perfection.

Decorating Your Sugar Cookie Masterpiece

These cookies are sturdy enough to handle heavy decorations. For a professional look, use Royal Icing which dries hard and allows for intricate piping. If you prefer a softer bite, a simple American Buttercream or a vanilla glaze works beautifully. If you are baking with kids, a simple brush of egg wash and a dip in gluten-free sprinkles before baking is an easy, mess-free option.

Special Kitchen Tool Recommendations for Making Cut Out Cookies

When making cookies, the easier it is, the better. Using a handheld or counter-top electric mixer is beneficial. Some additional gluten free kitchen essentials include Silicone Baking Mats, Parchment Paper, Edgeless Baking Sheets, Rolling Pins (adjustable), Cookie Cutters (of course), and Disposable Piping Bags.

Looking for Halloween shaped cookie cutters? We love the 5-piece metal cookie cutter set by Ann Clark. They are super cute and easy to use, plus are lots of fun for all ages.

Dreaming of that perfect Thanksgiving feast cookie cutter set? The 5-piece Thanksgiving themed metal cookie cutter set by Ann Clark has you covered with turkeys, a pie slice, pumpkin, candy corn and a recipe booklet.

Wishing you could make snow globes and Christmas tree bauble cookies? The 5-piece Christmas themed metal cookie cutter set by Ann Clark has you covered with Snowglobe, Ornament, Christmas Light Bulb, Leg Lamp and a recipe booklet.