Nothing beats the warm, spicy smell of gingerbread wafting through the kitchen during the holidays. This Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe is my go-to for festive, soft cookies that everyone can enjoy—even those avoiding gluten. Trust me, they’re as delicious as the classic ones!

A white plate with a red rim holds several gingerbread cookies in different shapes: two gingerbread men with white icing faces, buttons, and scarves, a snowflake with detailed white icing in the form of branches, two Christmas trees decorated with white icing zigzags and sugar crystals, and two smaller shapes with white icing patterns. The cookies are a warm brown color with smooth texture, arranged close together. In the background, a white marbled surface and a green tray holding more gingerbread men are visible. A white cloth is partly shown in the lower corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly get excited every time I make these gluten-free gingerbread cookies. They bring back nostalgic memories of holiday baking sessions but with the assurance that everyone at the table, no matter their dietary needs, can indulge without worry.

Perfect Texture: The cookies turn out soft and chewy, not dry or crumbly like some gluten-free bakes.
Easy To Customize: The dough is forgiving and you can shape it into classic holiday designs or whatever inspires you.
Allergy Friendly: No gluten but plenty of flavor, making it ideal for those with gluten sensitivities.
Great for Decorating: The cookies hold their shape beautifully, perfect for icing and sprinkles.

The image shows a green tray filled with decorated gingerbread cookies on a white marbled surface. There are several cookies with white icing, including a large snowflake shape in the foreground, decorated with six symmetrical white icing branches and smaller details. Behind it, a bell-shaped cookie has simple white icing outlining its shape. To the right, gingerbread people cookies have smiling faces and buttons made with white icing. There is also a horseshoe-shaped cookie with zigzag white icing near the bottom right. A small wooden bowl with white granulated sugar sits on the tray's left side, and a few red candy pieces are scattered around the cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. I’m especially picky about using a reliable gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend—it makes all the difference in the dough’s consistency.

Flat lay of a stick of softened butter with a smooth pale yellow surface, a small mound of packed dark brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick dark molasses, a single large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl holding ground cinnamon in warm reddish brown, a small white bowl of vibrant golden ground ginger, a small white bowl of dark brown ground cloves, a small white bowl of fine white kosher salt, a small white bowl containing white baking soda powder, a white ceramic bowl heaped with off-white gluten-free flour, a small white bowl with fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl with creamy almond milk, and a small white bowl with translucent light golden vanilla extract, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportion, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter or vegan butter: Adds richness and tenderness to the cookies. Using vegan butter works great if you’re dairy-free.
Brown sugar: Brings deep, caramel flavor and moisture that keeps cookies soft.
Molasses: This signature ingredient delivers that classic, warm gingerbread taste and beautiful dark color.
Egg: Binds everything together, ensuring the dough isn’t crumbly.
Vanilla extract: Adds subtle sweetness and enhances the spice flavors.
Gluten-free measure-for-measure flour: Using a blend labeled for 1:1 substitution helps maintain the right dough texture.
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves: The trio of spices that make gingerbread, well, gingerbread! Fresh spices make all the difference.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances aroma.
Baking soda: Gives a slight lift and helps cookies spread just right.
Powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla (for icing): Whisk these into a smooth glaze perfect for decorating your creations.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up depending on the season or who I’m baking for. Feel free to adjust the spices, try a splash of orange zest in the dough, or swap maple syrup for molasses for a different sweetness profile—you’ll find plenty of room to make these cookies your own.

Variation: One holiday, I added ground cardamom to the spice mix, and the cookies had the most wonderful warm twist that had everyone asking for the recipe.
Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and almond milk in the icing for a perfect dairy-free treat without compromising taste.
Spiced Up: Add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg for an extra layer of complexity.
Decorating: Customize the glaze color with natural food coloring or cocoa powder for chocolatey icing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by softening your butter at room temperature. Don’t rush this — if the butter is too cold, it won’t cream well, and your cookies might end up dense. Beat together the butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. This step helps incorporate air that makes your cookies tender.

Step 2: Add Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, mix in the molasses, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Make sure the egg is at room temperature to avoid the dough splitting. The molasses gives the dough its characteristic warmth and rich color, so don’t skimp!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold into Wet

In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix until just combined—overmixing can make the dough tough, so keep it gentle.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

This step is key! Wrap your dough tightly and chill it for at least an hour. The cold dough is easier to roll out and will help your cookies keep their shape while baking. I usually make the dough in the morning and bake in the afternoon—it’s like a little baking ritual I enjoy.

Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Bake

Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough about ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes. Place cookies on parchment-lined sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Watch closely—they should be set but still soft in the center.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with the simple powdered sugar glaze fizzed with vanilla and milk. This glaze sets nicely without being too sweet, letting the spices of the cookies shine through.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe time and again, these tips have saved me from common pitfalls and made my cookies perfect every time.

Use Measure-for-Measure Gluten-Free Flour: Not all gluten-free flours behave the same. Using a blend designed for 1:1 substitution helps get the right dough consistency without extra guesswork.
Chill the Dough Thoroughly: Skipping this leads to cookies that spread too thin and lose shape—giving your cutters a chance to really shine ensures neat shapes.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies look soft when they come out but firm up as they cool—remove them once edges are just set to keep them tender.
Roll Evenly and Lightly Flour: This avoids cracks and sticking, making decorating easier and improving appearance.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

gluten-free gingerbread cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top my cookies with a simple vanilla glaze and sometimes add festive sprinkles or tiny edible pearls. Royal icing is fun too, especially if you want intricate decorating, but for everyday joy, a simple glaze does just fine—and lets that spicy gingerbread flavor pop.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with hot cocoa or a warm chai latte for the ultimate cozy treat. During holiday gatherings, they also go well with a platter of fresh fruit, nuts, and perhaps a sharp cheddar cheese if you like savory contrasts.

Creative Ways to Present

I've found cookie gift boxes lined with parchment and tied with twine make lovely presents. For parties, I like arranging gingerbread men and snowflakes on tiered trays with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine for a rustic festive look. You can even string them with ribbon as edible ornaments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for up to a week—perfect for keeping around during busy holiday seasons when you want treats ready at hand.

Freezing

Yes! You can freeze the unbaked dough balls or even baked cookies. For dough, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking. Baked cookies freeze well too—just defrost at room temp for 30 minutes and enjoy.

Reheating

If you like your cookies a little warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This revives the softness without drying them out. I avoid microwaving as it can make them rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cookies vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the butter with vegan butter and use a flax egg or another egg substitute instead of the egg. The texture and flavor remain wonderfully rich.

What gluten-free flour works best?

I recommend a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend designed for direct substitution, like King Arthur Flour’s gluten-free blend. It helps keep the dough soft and manageable without needing extra tweaks.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Making the dough the day before baking is ideal. Just wrap it well and chill it in the fridge. It firms up nicely and the flavors deepen over time.

How do I prevent my gluten-free gingerbread cookies from cracking?

Rolling the dough evenly and dusting your surface lightly with flour before cutting cookies helps a lot. Also, chilling the dough well makes it less prone to cracks as it’s more pliable. Avoid overworking the dough to keep it tender.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe is like passing along a slice of my holiday joy. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, gifts, or just a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies bring that perfect mix of spice, softness, and festive spirit. I promise once you try them, they’ll become part of your seasonal favorites, too.