• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grain Free Table logo
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Let’s Connect
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Let's Connect
  • Work With Me
  • About
×

Home » Recipes » Desserts

Soft and Chewy Gluten-free Gingerbread Cookies

Published: Dec 12, 2020 · Modified: Oct 30, 2022 by Sara Vaughn · Leave a Comment

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Click for complete disclosures. 

These Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are always a hit around the holidays; no one will even know that they are totally gluten-free!

gluten free gingerbread cutout cookies decorated with white icing sitting near some trea branches

Gingerbread cookies are probably my absolutely FAVORITE Christmas cookie of all time. My husband actually doesn't like gingerbread, but that's okay because that means that there are more of these completely delicious cookies for me to eat around the holidays. I mean, really, besides a sugar cookie, what cookie is more commonly known during the holiday season?

Now that I am thinking about it, I need to make these more throughout the year because, well, they are just that good!

Why You'll Want to Bake these Cookies all Season Long

  • Easy to make!
  • They are slightly crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside!
  • It can be made ahead or frozen!
  • Full of holiday flavors!
  • Perfect for adding a bit of fun to your cookie trays!

Ingredients in Gingerbread Cookies

  • Cassava Flour
  • Arrowroot Starch 
  • Guar Gum
  • Baking Soda
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt
  • Brown Sugar
  • Molasses
  • Vanilla
  • Butter
  • Eggs
raw gluten free gingerbread cookie dough being cut into little gingerbread men

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER FOR FREE AND RECEIVE WEEKLY RECIPE NOTIFICATIONS AND SUBSCRIBER ONLY BONUSES.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW GRAIN FREE TABLE ON PINTEREST TO MAKE IT EASY TO SAVE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES!

Things to do!

Chill the dough - This might sound like an obvious thing with a cutout cookie, but it also helps give the cookies time for the flavors to develop in these cookies. I usually like to let the dough chill overnight, but at least two hours or so will help a lot.

This dough is soft. If you find it hard to roll out it out after chilling, you can do a few things. Freeze the dough for about 30 minutes, roll it out while still cold, and cut the dough cold. I also like to roll it out to my thickness and then pop it back into the freezer flat for just a few minutes before cutting the shapes. You could lightly dust the dough with arrowroot starch, but I try to avoid adding a lot of extra, so it doesn't mess with the final texture once the cookies are baked.

Measure the flours by weight - I find with using gluten-free flours to get the most consistent results measuring by weight helps a lot. If you don't have a kitchen scale, I highly recommend you get one, they aren't that expensive, but they can make a huge difference when baking gluten-free.

Freeze the cutouts before baking - This doesn't take long; about 10-15 minutes will do, but this helps the cookies bake more evenly and helps prevent them from spreading as much.

Making Ahead or Freezing

You can easily make this gingerbread cookie dough ahead of time. Just make the dough, and it can rest in the fridge wrapped up for up to a week.

You can freeze the dough wrapped in plastic wrap and sealed into a freezer bag for up to 3 months if you prefer.

You can even bake the cookies ahead of time and then freeze them as well. Just make sure they are completely cooled before doing so.

When you want to bake them, just let the dough defrost slightly so it's soft enough to roll and cut out your cookies.

gluten free gingerbread cookies being decorated with white icing.

Making Gingerbread Cookies

  1. Cream the butter, molasses, and brown sugar.
  2. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  3. Measure out the flours and whisk them together with the remaining ingredients.
  4. Add the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix until combined and a soft dough is formed.
  5. Transfer the dough to the center of some parchment paper or plastic wrap, covering and pressing the dough into a disc.
  6. Chill the dough for at least two hours or overnight.
  7. Once the dough is chilled, place roll it out to the desired thickness. I like my cookies slightly thinner than ¼ in.
  8. Place the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 15 minutes.
  9. Bake the cookies (without defrosting) for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start to look a little golden.
  10. Allow the cookies to cool and then transfer to a baking sheet to completely cool before decorating.

Decorating Gingerbread Cookies

I know a lot of people use royal icing to decorate gingerbread cookies, but if I'm honest, I'm not a fan of it on these cookies. I much prefer a milder, slightly sweeter frosting, that of course, is still easy to decorate with.

My Favorite Cookie Frosting for Gingerbread:

  • 2 TBS Butter
  • 1 C Powdered Sugar - I use Wholesome Sweet Brand since it's grain-free. If your powdered sugar brand just says "powdered sugar" as the ingredient, it likely contains cornstarch.
  • ¼ teaspoon Vanilla
  • Milk of Choice until you get the consistency you want.

Mix everything together and color if desired. This can easily be doubled or more if you are making lots of cookies you need to decorate.

Storing Gingerbread Cookies

I store gingerbread cookies in a sealed container at room temperature. They never last longer than a week in my house, but if you want to store them longer than that, I would suggest popping them into the freezer.

More Holiday Treats

Cutout Sugar Cookies 

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chewy Fudge Brownies

gluten free gingerbread cookies being eaten with one of his legs missing
gluten free gingerbread cookies being decorated with white icing.

Soft and Chewy Gluten-free Gingerbread Cookies

Sara Vaughn
These Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are always a hit around the holidays; no one will even know that they are totally gluten-free!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 hrs 15 mins
Cook Time 11 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 98 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ¾ C Cassava Flour 175 g
  • ½ C Arrowroot 72 g
  • 1 teaspoon Guar Gum
  • ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Ginger
  • ⅛ TSP Nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 C Brown Sugar
  • ¼ C Mollassas
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • ½ C Butter soft
  • 2 Large Eggs

Instructions
 

  • Cream the butter, molasses, and brown sugar.
  • Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  • Measure out the flours and whisk them together with the remaining ingredients.
  • Add the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix until combined and a soft dough is formed.
  • Transfer the dough to the center of some parchment paper or plastic wrap, covering and pressing the dough into a disc.
  • Chill the dough for at least two hours or overnight.
  • Once the dough is chilled, place roll it out to the desired thickness. I like my cookies slightly thinner than ¼ in.
  • Place the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 15 minutes.
  • Bake the cookies (without defrosting) for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start to look a little golden.
  • Allow the cookies to cool and then transfer to a baking sheet to completely cool before decorating.

Notes

Chill the dough – This might sound like an obvious thing with a cutout cookie, but it also helps give the cookies time for the flavors to develop in these cookies. I usually like to let the dough chill overnight, but at least two hours or so will help a lot.
Measure the flours by weight – I find with using gluten-free flours, to get the most consistent results measuring by weight helps a lot. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, I highly recommend you get one, they aren’t that expensive, but they can make a huge difference when baking gluten-free.
Freeze the cutouts before baking – This doesn’t take long, about 10-15 minutes will do but this helps the cookies bake more evenly and helps prevent them from spreading as much.
My Favorite Cookie Frosting for Gingerbread:
  • 2 TBS Butter
  • 1 C Powdered Sugar – I use Wholesome Sweet Brand since it’s grain-free. If your powdered sugar brand just says “powdered sugar” as the ingredient, it likely contains cornstarch.
  • ¼ teaspoon Vanilla
  • Milk of Choice until you get the consistency you want.
Mix everything together and color if desired. This can easily be doubled or more if you are making lots of cookies you need to decorate.
Keyword Christmas, Cookies, cut out cookies, gingerbread

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #grainfreetable or @grainfreetable on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with!

Check these out next!

  • Gluten-free Vanilla Cake
  • Easy Gluten-free Shortbread Cookies
  • Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie
  • Chewy Gluten-free Peanut Butter Cookies

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Grain Free Table Author Sara in her kitchen

Welcome to Grain Free Table! I’m Sara- a busy wife, mom of two girls, and lover of food. Here you’ll find lots of easy and delicious gluten & allergy-friendly recipes, info about my favorite food & products, as well as little snippets of my health journey as I navigate my gluten-free way of life!

More about me →

WANT TO STAY CONNECTED?

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS AND UPDATES!

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

WHAT'S NEW ON INSTAGRAM

If you want an easy but fancy-ish dinner for this If you want an easy but fancy-ish dinner for this weekend, you must make my gluten-free chicken parm!

You get all the juicy chicken coated in a gluten-free breading, all topped with marinara and gooey cheese. It's the ultimate gluten-free chicken dinner.

Just be warned, you should make extras for those wanting seconds. 🙃

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/crispy-gluten-free-chicken-parmesan/ or click the site link in my bio. 

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedinner #glutenfreechicken #glutenfreechickenparm #chickenparmesan #chickenparm
With all the delicious soups going around this tim With all the delicious soups going around this time of year, I should remind you that it all goes well with some homemade gluten-free garlic bread. 🙃

Find out all my tips and tricks for the best garlic bread at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-garlic-bread/ or use the site link in my bio.

#glutenfreebread #glutenfreegarlicbread #garlicbread #garlicbreadrecipe #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreebreadrecipe #glutenfreefood
It's a SNOW day around here, and my kids are so ha It's a SNOW day around here, and my kids are so happy since it's the first snow day they've had all school year, haha. We've had snow, but this is the first time it's lasted long enough for my husband to need to shovel and the kids to get off school and go out and build a snowman.

All the cold has me inside, making more of this gluten-free vegetable soup with chorizo. It's the perfect way to warm up on a cold day.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/kale-and-chorizo-soup/, along with more of our favorite gluten-free soup recipes.

#glutenfree #glutenfreefood #glutenfreesoup #glutenfreesoups #glutenfreerecipe #kalesoup #souprecipe #vegetablesoup
Need to add a little red luck this weekend for the Need to add a little red luck this weekend for the Chinese New Year?

Don't worry there is still time to make my gluten-free Chinese BBQ pork, Char Siu.

With a bit of patience to let the pork marinate long enough, you'll be amazed at how much this gluten-free version tastes, just like your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-chinese-bbq-pork-char-siu/ or use the link in my bio to snag the recipe on the site. 

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreechinese #glutenfreepork #glutenfreefood #glutenfreerecipe #chinesenewyear
I don't know who needs to hear this, but this glut I don't know who needs to hear this, but this gluten-free pulled pork makes the perfect weeknight dinner.

Let it go low and slow; dinner will be ready when you need it to be. 

Trust me when I say no matter how you serve it on some gluten-free buns with a bit of coleslaw, or you make pulled pork stuffed potatoes, it's always a hit!

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-dutch-oven-bbq-pulled-pork/ or use the link in my bio to head to the site.
This gluten-free beef stew is the perfect bowl of This gluten-free beef stew is the perfect bowl of comfort food to warm up with on these cold winter nights.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/slow-cooked-gluten-free-beef-stew/ or use the link in my bio.

#glutenfreesoup #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedairyfree #beefstew #dairyfreerecipes
It's the weekend, and this gluten-free vanilla cak It's the weekend, and this gluten-free vanilla cake will make it a celebration no matter what you've got going on!

It's light and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness to make it extra special!

Find the full recipe along with my easy gluten-free frosting and get baking at 
https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-vanilla-cake/ or use the link in my bio to find it on the site.
Just like my gluten-free brioche recipe I shared w Just like my gluten-free brioche recipe I shared with you last week, this gluten-free French bread is NOT to be missed. Trust me when I say, you can’t mess this recipe up and you’ll be wanting it to dip into all the gluten-free soups this winter!

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/easy-gluten-free-french-bread/ or use the link in bio and head to the site.

Whose ready for some garlic bread? 😁

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #glutenfreebread #glutenfreefrenchbread #frenchbread #homemadebreads #glutenfreebaking
This gluten-free broccoli cheddar soup is even bet This gluten-free broccoli cheddar soup is even better than Panera's. It's ready in under 30 minutes making it the perfect easy weeknight dinner.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/better-than-panera-broccoli-and-cheese-soup/ or use the link in my bio.

#glutenfreesoup #glutenfreesouprecipe #souprecipe #broccolicheese #broccolicheddarsoup

Popular Recipes

gluten free swedish meatball being picked up with a black fork ready to be enjoyed.

Incredibly Easy Gluten-free Swedish Meatballs

Homemade gluten-free sweet and tangy bbq beef jerky sitting in a jar and spilled over the side.

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Beef Jerky

Louisiana style red beans and cauliflower rice in a white pan with a wooden handle sitting over a white table linen on a marble counter.

Louisiana Red Beans and Cauliflower Rice

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • My Favorites
  • Let's Connect
  • About

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Portfolio
  • Client Inquiry Form

Disclaimers

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Nutrition Disclaimer
  • Photo/ Recipe Policy
  • Comment Policies

Contact

  • Contact
  • Subscribe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Grain Free Table