These soft gluten-free sugar cookies are super easy, a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, and a must-have addition to your gluten-free recipes repertoire.
This recipe is light, and pillowy, just like good sugar cookies should be. In fact, my brother, who’s notorious for making fun of gluten-free treats, ate them up without ever realizing he was taking celiac-friendly goodies from the table!
One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is it gives me a reason to make gluten-free sugar cookies – they’re my favorite! Though I have to say that gluten-free molasses cookies are a close second – I just don’t feel like it’s really Christmas until I’ve made those two cookies recipes.
Although, I’ll be honest, sometimes making gluten-free cookies is kind of scary.
What scares people off the most from making gluten-free cookies? That’s easy, crumbling. That’s what I was always afraid of when I first started baking gluten-free. Some cookies like gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are no-brainers, but sugar cookies are different – I mean, you actually have to roll them out and hope they don’t crumble when you move them to the cookie sheet.
So believe it or not, in the first six years I baked gluten-free, I never made sugar cookies.
But eventually, I got tired of being taunted by those beautiful, soft, frosted sugar cookies at the local grocery store bakery, and decided to bite the bullet and make my own.
It’s really easy once you just buckle down and just do it. And surprise! They don’t crumble or fall apart. They’re soft and fluffy, just like a good sugar cookie should be.
These soft gluten-free sugar cookies – iced, and topped with sprinkles of course – are always a hit at parties! I like to top them with old fashioned, all-butter buttercream icing. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to make fun shapes, and have fun!
Give this amazing recipe a try
PrintSoft Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
These soft, gluten-free sugar cookies are a real crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free flour mix
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- preheat oven to 350º
- in a large bowl, mix flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and sugar.
- Combine well.
- Add butter, egg, 1 tablespoon of milk, and vanilla.
- Mix dough until if comes together, adding the second tablespoon of milk if necessary.
- Dough will be stiff.
- Squeeze dough together into a ball.
- Roll out between sheets of parchment paper to somewhere between ¼” and ⅓” thick.
- Cut into rounds, or with shaped cookie cutters.
- Place on ungreased baking sheets, and place the oven for 7-10 minutes until the edges just begin to brown.
- Remove cookies from oven, and allow to cool until set.
- Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely.
- Ice as desired.
- Enjoy!
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Kate B. says
What gluten free flour mix did you use? A rice based or bean based one? Do you recommend a certain variety? Thanks! Looking forward to trying this out…
Kate
Elise says
I use this one. It’s both rice and corn based.
GiGi Eats says
Sugar free cookies are a serious weakness! Now that I know how to make them for my diet, I cannot get enough!
Ashley Breanna says
Man, if I wasn’t off sweets right now, I would try these! I may make them for Christmas Eve!
kathy says
I just made these they turned out great!
Elise says
Yay! Merry Christmas!
Kathryn says
The best and easiest gluten free sugar cookie I’ve ever made!!! Thank you so much! This is a new staple recipe in our home. My favorite gf flour is cup 4 cup. Turned out perfectly on the first attempt!
Does the dough freeze well, do you know?
Thanks!!!!
★★★★★
Elise says
Absolutely! I’ve had great success with rolling the dough into logs, and double wrapping it in waxed paper and plastic wrap.
Patti says
This was sooooo yummy! I substituted coconut oil for the butter and used flaxseed milk for the milk since my son has an allergy to milk. They were fabulous! Thank you for sharing!
Patti says
I forgot to rate the cookies…5 stars of course 🙂
★★★★★
Elise says
Yay! So glad to be able to help a bit with your Christmas baking. 🙂
Lisa says
Do you still need to add xanthan gum if your baking flour already has some? Can’t wait to try this recipe! Looks amazing!!!
Elise says
No, definitely not!
Susan says
If these cookies are sugar free, why does the recipe call for 2/3 cup of sugar?
Elise says
I’m not sure how sugar cookies could be sugar free…
Lori says
I just made these tonight. Super delicious and taste like my original recipe!
★★★★★
Heather says
What is the appx. recipe yield on these? Excited to try them!
Bailey says
Looks great! What temperature is the butter at, cold, room or melted? Also, did you use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix? Thanks!
Elise says
It should be room temperature or softened (if your room is cold ;)).
Heidi says
What for icing did you use on these? They look so yummy!
Emma says
Can’t wait to try! What did you use to frost them??
Elise says
My favorite it classic buttercream. 🙂
Julia says
Just made these for Christmas, I LOVE how they came out!! The PERFECT sugar cookie recipe and VERY EASY to make!!!
I couldn’t ask for a better recipe or end result, and I know I’ll be making these again. 🙂
Thanks!!
★★★★★
Sandi says
Do I need to leave out the xanthan gum if my flour blend already has it?
CindyKay Clark says
I haven’t made these cookies yet, but, every other gf recipe I have made always says if your gf flour blend has xanthan gum in it already you don’t have to add more.
I’ve seen this question on here twice and no answer was given from the frugalfarmwife. I don’t understand.
I hope this reply helps. I do plan on making these without the added xanthan gum as my gf flour blend has it.
Sydney schunzel says
These tasted so good.????
★★★★★
Cheryl says
I’ve been looking for a GREAT gluten free sugar cookie to frost for Christmas cookies & oh what a GREAT cookie Thanks you’ve made my year ☺
★★★★★
Elise says
So glad you liked them!
Nancy Gagnier says
Is there any substitution for the butter? I have family members who can’t have dairy.
Nancy says
Are there any substitutions for the butter? I have family members who can’t have dairy.
Elise says
Coconut oil is your best bet for a substitute.
hannah says
Crisco butter flavored baking sticks! Hands down the best!! Give it a nice smooth texture.. I use half butter and half baking sticks for almost all cookies.
Kayleigh says
The dough was really sticky, we recommend baking the cookies on parchment paper
★★★★
Michaela Lemke says
Can you freeze these cookies? Would you do it before or after frosting?
Hannah says
I froze the baked cookies then set them out for 20, then frosted. Perfect! Delicious recipe! I like it almost better than the regular sugar cookies. I was surprised how fluffy they were!
★★★★★
Janine says
Do you have a carb count for unfrosted cookie?
Victoria says
Calories – 128
Fat – 5.3
– Saturated Fat – 3.1
– Cholesterol- 13.9mg
– Sodium – 11mg
Carbs – 18.9
– Fiber – .13
– Sugars – 7.6
Protein- 1.2
Julia says
Do you need to have the xanthan gum?
Caytie says
In gluten-free baking, we rely on xanthan gum to provide elasticity and stickiness in our doughs and batters. Since we don’t have gluten present, we need something that acts as the binding agent for the flour, helps hold onto some moisture, and helps give the baked good some structure.
Hope this helps.
Karolyn says
Do i need the xanthan gum if the flour im using already contains it?
Elise says
Nope!
Amanda says
How many servings does this yeld?
Dana says
Does it make a difference if the butter is salted or unsalted?
Kendra says
No it does not
Kendra says
I made these for my bakery and have gotten several compliments on them and asked for more. Will definitely be making again.
Just an FYI when you tap to increase the recipe all of the ingredients change except the flour.
★★★★★