Love cookies, can’t do gluten? Then these gluten free Christmas cookies are just the thing for you. a sweet treat with no refined sugar and all the flavour of Christmas time.
Christmas cookies. Do you leave a cookie on a plate by the fireplace with a glass of whisky (come on this is Scotland) for Santa when he struggles down the chimney with his sack full of cheer?
Or do you make them to hang on your tree and cause mayhem with pets who are convinced you’ve lost the plot and are hanging treats for them?
I remember our beloved old Harry the ferret helping himself to a gingerbread cookie hanging on the Christmas tree a few years ago, just thinking about that makes me smile and feel a bit overwhelmed by Christmas and all the memories that it conjures up in the mind.
This year I’m making these gluten free Christmas cookies, I’m sure Santa will aprove of this healthy festive offering!
Ingredients for these Christmas cookies
- 150g/5 1/2oz Gluten Free Flour (I use Doves Farm)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- pinch of ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch of ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 70g/2 1/2 oz unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp runny honey
Cookie stamping
Having bought one of those kids stamping kits a few weeks ago and have been longing to try it out on dough.
Well, I loved the results and got a bit carried away, even making an edible gift tag for Idgy.
This had no chance whatsoever of lasting more than a day and was scoffed as soon as she got home from school, but hey it’s the thought that counts……..
How to make these gluten free cookies
- Sift the flour and all spices into a large bowl, add the vanilla extract and the butter.
- Rub with the fingertips until you get a crumb-like mixture.
- Stir in the honey and mix in well with your hands to create a dough.
- Wrap in cling film and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up a bit.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a baking sheet with baking parchment.
- Remove dough from the fridge and roll out on a floured surface to about 5mm/1/4″ thick.
- Use any cookie cutter that you have to hand to cut out whatever shapes you want and stamp words on them too if you have a stamper.
- Carefully lift the cookies on to the baking sheet and pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up again.
- Remove from fridge and put straight into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until just golden.
- Take them out of the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Fun frosting
I decided to ‘ice’ some of mine by smearing very lightly with a tiny bit of honey and then dipping them into a saucer of desiccated coconut. The others I just left as they were, sometimes simple is best.
These were all eaten within a day or two as no self-respecting biscuit or cookie can last longer than that in this house, even without the help of dear old Harry.
How long do these Christmas cookies last
They will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight box. Bet they won’t last that long though!
Freezing
You can make extra cookie dough and freeze it (well wrapped in plastic and in freezer-proof container) for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for some super easy foodie gift ideas then you just have to check out my eBooks
So Easy Christmas (available on Amazon as hardback and kindle too)
Naughty and Nice Edible Gifts For Christmas.
I shall have to make some more on Christmas Eve and have them on a plate for the old gentleman in the red coat should he struggle down the chimney this year.
Don’t forget to make some cookies this Christmas for whoever you choose to make them for.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas when it comes from my little corner of the world to yours.
Looking for more easy cookie ideas? Then check these out before you go;
3 ingredient oatmeal and peanut butter cookies (plus video)
Super easy Scottish ginger flapjacks
Kourabiethes Greek Christmas cookies
Super crispy gingernut (gingersnap) biscuits
Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.
Gluten Free Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 150 g Gluten Free Flour I use Doves Farm
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 70 g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp honey runny honey
Instructions
- Sift the flour and all spices into a large bowl, add the vanilla extract and the butter.
- Rub with the finger tips until you get a crumb like mixture.
- Stir in the honey and mix in well with your hands to create a dough.
- Wrap in cling film and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up a bit.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a baking sheet with baking parchment.
- Remove dough from the fridge and roll out on a floured surface to about 5mm/1/4″ thick.
- Use any cookie cutter that you have to hand to cut out whatever shapes you want and stamp words on them too if you have a stamper.
- Carefully lift the cookies on to the baking sheet and pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up again.
- Remove from fridge and put straight into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until just golden.
- Take them out of the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Just went out for a walk and saw reindeer hoof marks in the snow. So there must have been some good people up here, visited by the old gentleman in his red coat.
Happy Christmas, Karon! and Idgy!
Oh Paivi how amazing, reindeer tracks. How truly festive.
I wish you the very best for the new year, hope Christmas was wonderful for you.
love K x
Dove normally recommend using Xantan gum for glutenfree flour – this dough doesnt and they are crumbly. This is probably helped by cooling them before baking- but not everybody has space for a baking tray in the fridge! Baking time seemed too long in my new oven.
Hi Marianne
So sorry you were not happy with the cookies. This is the recipe I use all the time and it works well for me. Although I rest my cookies in the fridge as resting is important you could put them in any cool place. The baking time works fine in my oven but then all ovens have differences and they take getting used to. I like to keep my recipes simple and find this one works without Xanthan gum.
K