Soft, tender bakery style gluten free sugar cookies with a sweet buttercream frosting. You can make circle shaped cookies or cutout sugar cookies with this gluten free sugar cookie recipe.
Do you love cookies? You'll want to make these classic Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies or these simple Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies. These Gluten Free White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies are also a reader favorite.
Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
I've published a gluten free Halloween sugar cookie version, but I want you to know that these gluten free sugar cookies can be made any time of the year, and for any occasion.
We typically make these gluten free frosted sugar cookies for every holiday, including Easter, Mother's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
We decorate them to match the holiday or occasion.
These gluten free sugar cookies are soft, tender, and they are better than any bakery style sugar cookie. They get softer as they sit, due to the frosting.
We like to enjoy them a few hours after we frost them, when they start to soften.
We've topped these gluten free sugar cookies with buttercream frosting and occasionally cream cheese frosting. I've only included the recipe for buttercream frosting since it's usually everyone's go-to frosting for cookies.
Working with Gluten-Free Flours
When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.
The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.
Dairy-Free Option
You can use dairy-free milk in this gluten free sugar cookie recipe, and dairy-free milk with dairy-free butter for the frosting.
Back in the early 1900s bakers used shortening and sugar to make frosting because it was less expensive to make.
If needed you can use shortening for the frosting but it's not my favorite type of frosting.
How to make gluten free sugar cookies?
- Add shortening, sugar, vanilla and egg to a large mixing bowl.
- Using an electric mixer, mix until combined.
- Stir in the milk.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and xanthan gum.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.
- Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Roll dough into 1½-inch balls, or use a rounded tablespoon. Place the dough balls onto the cookie sheet two inches apart. Press each one down with the bottom of a cup until the cookie is round and approximately ½ inch thick.
- Bake as directed. Cool and frost.
Can I make cutout gluten free sugar cookies?
Yes, you can use this gluten free sugar cookie recipe to make gluten free cutout cookies. Simple roll the dough into a ball, cover it, and chill the dough for 2 hours.
Once the dough is chilled, roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper and cut your shapes. Carefully transfer the cookies to your baking sheet and bake as directed.
Let them cool completely before frosting.
What gluten-free sprinkles do you recommend?
Sweetapolita makes great gluten-free sprinkles. Let’s do Organic has a couple of varieties as well.
Most sprinkles don’t have wheat or gluten in them but they are usually processed in a facility that processes other glutinous ingredients. Make sure to check labels for allergen information.
What gluten free flour blends do you use?
For these gluten free sugar cookies I use my blend plus 1 teaspoon of xanthan, or I use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 + ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 has xanthan gum in it but because these cookies are high fat I recommend adding ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Can you freeze gluten free sugar cookies?
Yes, you can freeze them frosted or un-frosted. I like to freeze them frosted so they don't dry out too much in the freezer. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Did you make these gluten free sugar cookies? Let me know if you cut them into shapes. Leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.
Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
Soft, tender bakery style gluten free sugar cookies with a sweet buttercream frosting. You can make circle shaped cookies or cutout sugar cookies with this gluten free sugar cookie recipe.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- ⅔ cup shortening
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 4 teaspoons of milk
- 2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (we used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour)
- 1½ teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum
For the frosting:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
- 4½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the oven rack in center of oven. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream shortening, sugar, vanilla and egg. Stir in the milk.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and xanthan gum. Make sure to mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined.
- Roll dough into 1½-inch balls, or use a rounded tablespoon.
- Place the dough balls onto the cookie sheet two inches apart. Press each one down with the bottom of a cup until the cookie is round and approximately ½ inch thick.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until light brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, carefully remove the cookies from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack.
- Finish cooling on a wire rack. Once completely cool, frost with butter cream or cream cheese frosting. Store cookies in an airtight container.
- For the frosting: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together butter and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well. Alternate one cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk until all ingredients are blended. Beat in additional milk if needed to obtain desired constancy. You can store frosting in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week.
Notes
- Cutout Cookies: Roll the dough into a ball, cover it, and chill the dough for 2 hours. Once the dough is chilled, roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper and cut your shapes. Carefully transfer the cookies to your baking sheet and bake as directed. Let them cool completely before frosting.
- Dairy-Free Option: You can use dairy-free milk in this gluten free sugar cookie recipe, and dairy-free milk with dairy-free butter for the frosting.
- Working with gluten free flours: Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 118Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g
This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.
Amy
Do you know what I can replace the egg with?
chrystal
Hi Amy,
You can use an egg replacer, like Bob's Red Mill egg replacer.
Best,
Chrystal
Jillian
Hi Chrystal,
may unsalted butter or ghee be used instead of shortening?
chrystal
Hi Jillian,
I haven't personally tried either yet in this recipe. Butter coats flours differently, so I'm not sure how it would turn out.
Sorry I couldn't answer your question.
Best,
Chrystal
Amanda Allen
Hello!!! Any ideas how could I make these chocolate and use your chocolate icing recipe? Thank you!!!
chrystal
You could leave out 2 tablespoons of flour, and add in 1/4 cup of cocoa (spoon and level, don't scoop it into the cocoa). I haven't tried this myself, but this is what I would try.
Best,
Chrystal
Elisabeth
Super easy and taste good. I ate 3 today haha.
chrystal
So glad you like them. We find them addicting 😉
Best,
Chrystal
Patti
I see that you added Xanthan Gum to the recipe although Bob’s Red Mill GF Flour already has it in the ingredients. Are you adding 1/2 tsp more to the recipe? Thank you!
chrystal
Hi Patti,
I did in this recipe because of how much fat is in the cookies. The extra xanthan helps hold them together, while still allowing them to stay soft.
Best,
Chrystal
Wendy
If I don’t have xanthan gum is there something else I can substitute with?
chrystal
You can use psyllium husk powder. Use 2 tsp. of psyllium husk powder for every cup of flour/ starch
Chalyce
Can I sour cram for the milk ?
chrystal
I'm not sure, I haven't tried it myself.
Best,
Chrystal
Stacy
These cookies are delicious. I made them a couple of weeks ago, and my daughter made them again this week when we were craving something sweet. They are super easy and do not have the weird texture some g-free cookies have. Super yummy with or without frosting.
chrystal
Hi Stacy,
I am so glad you both love them. Thank you for taking time to stop by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Marilyn Jones
I’ve just recently gone gluten free for health reasons and these sugar cookies were my first gluten free baking experience and OH MY GOSH they are delicious!! Having a recipe turn out so well on a first try really gives me the confidence to keep going with this dietary change. Even my husband who refuses to eat gluten-free has eaten several and has been shocked that he likes them so well, that’s such a big deal! Thank you for this amazing recipe and I can’t wait to try everything else you have offered!!
chrystal
I'm so glad you loved them. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Shelva Carvell
Can sugar substitute be used in these cookies?
chrystal
I haven't tried a sugar substitute in them. Sorry I can't be more help.
Best,
Chrystal
Annika
I tried the Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes and they were SO GOOD! I can't wait to try these!
chrystal
I am glad you liked them. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Marsha
Hi Chrystal,
I was wondering if this sugar cookie recipe would be good fit for a gf fruit pizza crust?
Thanks. Love all your recipes.
Carrot cake is a favorite.
chrystal
Hi Marsha,
The cookies are a bit on the soft/fluffy side. You can add an extra teaspoon of xanthan (to help hold it together even more) and spread it thin for your fruit pizza crust.
Best,
Chrystal
Marsha
Thank you.
Annika
Thank you for all these recipes!
chrystal
You are very welcome.
Best,
Chrystal
Melissa
Do you think you could chill them for just one hour rather than two and still roll them out okay? My previous recipe (not GF) called to chill the dough for just one hour before rolling out. I didn't want to do it too early, though, and mess up the cookies. 🙂 I'm excited to try them. Your cupcake recipe was great!
chrystal
I think you could check them after one hour to see if the dough is firm. If it's slightly firm, you're good to go.
Best,
Chrystal
Jamie
Can you substitute the appropriate amount of Baking soda for the baking powder?
chrystal
Yes, you can.
Best,
Chrystal
Missy
2things;1-can I use butter instead of the shortening?..&2-my flour has xanthan gum in it already is that enough??
chrystal
Butter should work. What blend are you using?
Best,
Chrystal
Jennifer
Did you make them with butter, Missy? I wondered how they turned out?
Katy
Baked these today. Very easy, very yummy. Didn’t have shortening, so I used butter and it was fine. Also, I rolled the dough out between pieces of parchment and then chilled the dough before using cookie cutters. I find that easier than trying to roll the cold dough. Thx!
Dana Austin
Do the cookies spread or hold their shape when baked with cookie cutters?
chrystal
You can use this dough with cookie cutters, you'll need to make sure the dough is very cold and carefully transfer the cut dough to the parchment lined baking sheet. They will hold there shape.
Best,
Chrystal
Jane
Thank you for this amazing sugar cookie recipe! I have been gluten free since 2008 & am constantly looking for good cookie recipes. This is definitely a keeper!
Lacey
Shortening as in what?
chrystal
Shortening is a fat used in baking. We use Crisco.
Best,
Chrystal
Liz
I'm loving your site! Do you think this recipe would work as a base for bars such as lemon bars and pie bars?
chrystal
Yes, it should work for bars, but it will be a little on the softer/fluffier side vs. traditional bar crusts.
Best,
Chrystal
Nicole
My friend has recently gone gluten free and I am baking cookies for a party for her, but I don't have time to make the cookies in advance to test them out and make any personal corrections if needed. I was wondering if this recipe works with royal icing, or if the cookies are too soft. If so, what should I do to make using royal icing work. Thank you!
chrystal
I'm not sure if royal icing would work. These are a touch on the soft side. Sorry I can't be more help.
Best,
Chrystal
Kyleigh
Do I use salted or unsalted butter??
chrystal
You can use either for the frosting.
Best,
Chrystal