Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Recipe

This gluten-free sugar cookie recipe is soft in the center, crisp on the edges, and maintains its shape during baking.

In no time, they will become your favorite cookie cutters for any holiday or event.

This is actually my all-time favorite gluten-free sugar cookie, and I’m sure you will certainly love it.

These cookies are tender and tasty, but like classic sugar cookies, they maintain their shape while baking.

They are also excellent for decorating with sprinkles and frosting.

Best Gluten-Free Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

These GF sugar cookies have the crispy edges and tender center that you get from the perfect sugar cookie.

They are sweet on their own, but even better with frosting. I will also say that they are perfect for all events.

This recipe delivers whether you are making drop cookies or cut-out cookies, or whether you are making gluten-free sugar cookies for a birthday or Christmas.

These tender gluten-free sugar cookies are also prepped, in the oven, and out in around 30 minutes.

Now, let’s get right into the simple recipe for gluten-free sugar cookies.

Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

You will be sharing this everywhere, thanks to the light, soft, and vanilla-y flavor of this gluten-free sugar cookie.

As previously mentioned, you can make it as a drop cookie or just roll the dough out and cut it into shapes; either way, this perfect recipe is a crowd-pleaser.

• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Bake Time: 8 to 14 minutes
• Total Time: 33 to 39 minutes
• Yield: 18 to 20 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups (269g) of King Arthur Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
• ½ cup (48g) of almond flour or finely ground almonds (blanched or unblanched)
• 8 tablespoons (113g) of unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (198g) of granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
• ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder

Laid-Out Instructions

• First, get two baking sheets and lightly grease them or line them with parchment.
• Then, proceed to reheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you wait to preheat the oven if you are making cutout cookies for drop cookies.
• After that, beat the butter and sugar together until they become fluffy, then add the egg and vanilla and stir until they are well mixed. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again, but this time, do it briefly.
• That being done, add the dry ingredients and then mix just until the dough comes together.

To Make Drop Cookies

• To make these, just drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, a teaspoon cookie scoop will do a great job here. Just make sure you leave around 1 ½” between them.
• That being done, bake the cookies for around 12 minutes; they won’t brown but will feel set.
• Afterward, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the pan.

To Make Cutout Cookies

• Get a piece of plastic wrap and scoop the dough out onto it, then flatten it into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate the dough for at least an hour.
• Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, remove the dough from the refrigerator, and clean your work surface. Then, dust the dough with cornstarch or gluten-free flour.
• After that, roll the dough about ¼” thick and cut the preferred shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Also, place the cutouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 10 minutes. Then, re-chill any dough scraps before rolling.
• That being done, bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove them from the oven and cool completely before icing.

How to Serve

Make sure you only serve your delicious gluten-free sugar cookies when they are cool enough to handle.

This is because they are fragile when they are warm.

You can serve them with a glass of milk, coffee, or a mug of tea or hot chocolate.

These cookies are also perfect with frosting, sprinkles, and icing.

Storing Your Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

You need to note that keeping them away from air and moisture is the secret to maintaining fresh-tasting cookies.

All you need to do to achieve this is wait until your cookies are completely cooled before you store them and then keep them in a tightly sealed container.

If you have any, you can always use a tightly sealed cookie jar or other food storage container.

And you also have the option of tossing the cookies in a zip-top bag.

You can actually put them in a zip-top bag if you plan on giving the cookies away.

Then, you can place that bag inside a decorative plastic airtight container, as this will help create a more finished presentation.

You can also place them in the freezer if you need to store your cookies for longer than a few days.

Just snack straight from the container when you are ready to eat them or allow your cookies to rest on the counter for a few minutes to thaw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Them Vegan?

I actually don’t suggest a vegan substitute here, even though this recipe for gluten-free sugar cookies only has one egg.

Remember that cutout cookies can be tricky, so in order for them to keep their shape and not break, the egg is really the key.

But, that being said, using dairy-free instead of regular can make these dairy-free.

And I suggest you stay away from coconut oil, given that the flavor will be much more bland.

Do I Need To Add Xanthan Gum?

Gluten-free sugar cookies will definitely not retain their shape without xanthan gum.

Xanthan gum is used to copy the elasticity and texture of gluten.

Your gluten-free cookies would not retain their shape and would be extremely hard to roll out without xanthan gum.

Just add ½ teaspoon to the flour if your gluten-free flour mix does not contain xanthan gum.

Final Thoughts on Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Recipe

You can also make the dough up to a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, but ensure that it is covered.

And, before cutting out the cookies, ensure that the dough is extremely cold, as this will help them retain their shape during baking.

Also, store the baking sheets holding pre-baked cookies in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. This is if you are planning to cut out all the cookies first.

Now, that being said, you can now go make some for yourself and your family, as you now have the best gluten-free sugar cookie recipe.