Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookie Recipe

Ali Segersten Dec 01, 2011 456 comments
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookie Recipe

Our children have so much fun cutting out and decorating these lovely gluten-free Christmas cookies! Just look at these photos, what is not to love? This time of year takes me back to baking gingerbread and sugar cookies with my mother. My brothers and I would decorate dozens of cookies with beautiful colored sprinkles and bright white icing. I wanted to share that experience with my own children, only with a healthier, gluten-free version. Thus, this recipe was born! It uses coconut sugar as the main sweetener, along with a powdered coconut sugar icing. Although coconut sugar is definitely a low-glycemic sweetener, it is still sugar, and these cookies are to be considered a sweet treat.

My recipe below calls for sweet rice flour. This type of white rice flour is made from sticky rice, or glutinous rice. It helps hold the cookies together without the use of gluten flour or gluten-free binders. I prefer to use this superfine sweet rice flour. Superfine flours are ground so finely that they lack the grittiness typically found in other types of rice flours. 

You can follow my blog post for How to Make Powdered Coconut Sugar if you would like to use a more nutritious sugar in the icing. We like to decorate these cookies with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. You can definitely get creative here with the toppings. 

Recipe from our Meal Planner

Gingerbread Hazelnut Cut-Out Cookies

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Hazelnut Cut-Out Cookies
Servings
24 cookies
Cook Time
12 minutes
Prep Time
30 minutes

These gluten-free cut-out cookies are fun to make with your children during the holidays! I use a powdered coconut sugar icing, which has a rich caramel flavor. You can refer to my blog post on How to Make Powdered Coconut Sugar in order to make this icing. Use currants, raisins, sliced almonds, natural sprinkles, or anything else you can imagine to decorate them. I find the dough is best if it is refrigerated overnight. You can make the dough after your children are in bed and then bake the cookies with them in the morning.

Tip

I use Bob's Red Mill Hazelnut Meal Flour. It works beautifully in baking. You can check your local health food store for it or buy it on Amazon.com.  

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 cups hazelnut meal
1 cups sweet rice flour
½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoons ground ginger
1 pinches ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

1 cups coconut sugar
½ cups butter
¼ cups blackstrap molasses
1 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Coconut Sugar Icing

½ cups powdered coconut sugar
3 teaspoons non-dairy milk (I use almond milk)
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions

cookies:

  1. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a separate, smaller bowl beat with an electric mixer (or vigorously whisk) together the wet ingredients. Add the wet to the dry and mix together.
  3. Form into a ball, cover, and place into the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight. 
  4. When the dough is firm and chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  5. Place a large piece of parchment or waxed paper down onto a clean, flat work surface. Lightly flour the paper with sweet rice flour.
  6. Take part of the dough and roll it out to a little less than 1/4 inch of thickness. Put the remaining dough back in the fridge to keep it chilled.
  7. Cut the dough out using your favorite holiday cookie cutters. Carefully peel away the dough around the cut-outs.
  8. Then take a thin spatula and lift the cookies onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (or parchment-lined cookie sheet). 
  9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes depending on how crisp you like them. A few more minutes of baking makes them crispy. Just watch them so they don't overcook.
  10. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Then repeat with remaining dough.
  11. Let cook completely before frosting.

Coconut sugar icing:

  1. Place powdered coconut sugar in a small bowl, whisk in the milk and vanilla.
  2. Use to ice cooled cookies.
  3. You might need to make more depending on how much icing you like on your cookies. 

Use this recipe in our Meal Planner

Take a Tour View Recipe

Posted In
Christmas cookies Coconut sugar dessert gluten-free holidays Thanksgiving Recipes xanthan-free recipes recipe
ALI-2023-PHOTO-VERTICAL-2

About the Author

Ali Segersten

Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. She is a Functional Nutritionist, the mother of five children, a whole foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them. Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book. Alissa is the founder and owner of Nourishing Meals®.

See More

Nourishing Meals Newsletter

Email updates.

Add Comment

Comments

Jess (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:42pm

I also shared this on google! :)+1

Jess (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:42pm

I also shared this on facebook....

Jess (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:41pm

I can't wait to try this recipe! Thank you!

Jess
jlsaven@gmail.com

Rose (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:39pm

I posted to facebook. :) I'm so excited about all of these give aways! :)

Anonymous (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:37pm

These look amazing! Just what we need for a Saturday afternoon with tea. Thank you!
Anthroeats@gmail.com

Unknown (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:35pm

These look absolutely delicious and I can't wait to try them. Your book is a bible in my household and I have turned many others onto the Elimination Diet, who all say that it has changed the way that they eat and live. Thank you for all that you do!

Anonymous (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:18pm

Thanks for the great recipe! Would love to be a winner!

Colleen M.
marsbarmom@cox.net

Rose (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 8:37pm

Can't wait to make these! We just enjoyed your buckwheat pancakes tonight for the 2nd time. Thanks! (I do not know if this is a 2nd comment or not...)

Liz (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 6:40pm

I can't wait to try these gingerbread men!

Rebecca (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 6:39pm

Love the recipes on the blog; i was looking for a ginger cookie recipe.

Diamond (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 5:58pm

Gingerbread is something I didn't appreciate until I began gluten free baking. I love to see the different versions for it.

Lydia McD. (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 5:23pm

Posted this on ForkYes!'s twitter account. Can't wait to try it...

Jackie (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 5:20pm

I am a newby to going gluten free. Your recipes look easy and delicious! Can't wait to use them.

Thank you!

Lydia McD. (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 5:19pm

Thank you! I'm a big fan of yours and recommend you to all my clients, especially since they're all curious about an elimination diet.

Hannah (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 4:54pm

I have been looking for a good gingerbread cookie recipe! I can't wait to make these. Thanks for posting.

Laura (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 4:27pm

Perfect timing! I can't wait to make these with my kids.

Andrew Z (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 3:18pm

Tweeted @healthyhomos

Jess (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 2:05pm

These look fabulous! I can't wait to try them for the holidays.

Kim (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:49pm

These are exactly what I've been looking for.I can't wait to try them.

Anonymous (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:46pm

I shared on facebook!

Shannon at
kgcollector@va.metrocast.net

Anonymous (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:45pm

These look incredible! Can't wait to try!

shannon at kgcollector@va.metrocast.net

Jessica (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:32pm

I am on an elimination diet and I was just thinking about how much I'm going to miss having holiday baked goodies. This series is a wonderful idea!

Anonymous (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:31pm

I'm a big fan of gingerbread. Can't wait to try this recipe. cindym119atgmail(dot)com.

Elisabeth (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:11pm

Gingerbread are my favorite! I love the way you decorated them with almonds and chocolate! Beautiful! Cant wait to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing!!!

alloeli @ yahoo dot com

Unknown (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:08pm

Thanks for the recipe! Any nut-free suggestions to substitute for the hazelnut meal?

jenjer (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:05pm

I posted this giveaway on FB.

jenjer (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 1:04pm

Thank you for the cookie recipe! This is my first Christmas with my son being on a gluten free diet. I'm always looking for new recipes!

Unknown (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 12:44pm

Thanks for the great recipe. Dee

Maggie (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 12:40pm

Yay! Vitamix! I hope I win. I've been wanting one for years! : )

Marissa GF (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 12:30pm

YUM! Hazelnut flour sounds good!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway and thanks for the great recipe! Happy Holidays!

Brandie Quinlan (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 12:16pm

Thanks Ali & Tom for your passion to Whole foods... you have been a blessing in my kitchen & overall health :)

facebooked
brandieq@gmail.com

Judy Grasso (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 12:12pm

I love your site and the cookbook. I followed the 28 day elimination diet and not only did I loose 14lbs, I feel great. I discovered you/your site through Whatcom Locavore. Keep up the great job. Can hardly wait for the new cookbook.
Judy.Grasso@gmail.com

Brandie B (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 11:57am

I cant wait to try this recipe out!

Facebooked & googled it

brandieq@gmail.com

Brandie B (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 11:55am

I found out two months ago that I am allergic to dairy, eggs, sugar, almonds, & shell fish. Its been a huge transition but I never felt better. My Naturopathic doctor recommended your website. I have tried so many recepies and love them all. My favorite was the pumpkin cheescake. I currently dont have a vitamix and have been asking my husband if we can get one, its a little on the spendy side but I can see how valuable it would be with all my new allergies.

I have posted this blog on facebook and my google account.
crossing my fingers to win ;)

Laura (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 11:32am

Thanks for doing this. I will have to check out your Facebook page!
Laura Harmasch

Margaret (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 10:20am

I shared on FB :-)

Margaret (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 10:16am

The gingerbread cookies sound delicious! What a fun activity to do with my 4 year old.

The Joy Of Life (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:43am

Eliminating wheat from my diet has improved my lifestyle so much. I love all the new recipes lately that show gf food can actually be delicious.

dragonbratfly at gmail etc.

Anonymous (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:37am

I would like to try hazelnut flour. I will be exploring your blog too, since I am new to it.

LLW
jlslwood@frontier(dot)com

Josie (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 9:35am

I have been itching to make some gluten-free roll-out cookies. Your recipe looks wonderful!

Christy (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 8:53am

I keep falling in love with your site. I tried GF gingerbread cookies last year with not a whole lot of success. My kids and I are chomping at the bit to try yours. Your site has become my go-to site when I'm creating menus for the week. We are proud smoothie drinkers and love your smoothie inspirations. Please let that Vitamix find a home in our kitchen. We yearn for a less chewy green smoothie. To your health!

Shani (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 8:44am

The cookies are so cute. Always looking for new GF recipes.

Clarita (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 8:44am

Love your recipes, ideas, and the cookbook also. I tell everyone about your website.

karenk (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:58am

mmm gingerbread cookies, must make now.. thanks for all the great recipes and love the links to other great bloggers.

Fellows 2012 (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:55am

Sharing this recipe on our company page....thanks for all the great tips!

Fellows 2012 (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:54am

Sharing this on our company page...thanks for all the great recipes!

Amy W. (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:44am

I shared on Facebook!

Amy W. (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:44am

Thanks for the recipe and the great giveaways!

Amy W. (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:44am

I shared on Twitter

KellyBelly (visitor) Dec 02, 2011 | 7:35am

Hi
I have 2 young boys and this looks like it will be a must to try this season! thanks

Related Posts

HOMEMADE SEA BUCKTHORN SHEA BODY BODY BUTTER-6
Dec 18, 2023

How to Make Homemade Body Butter (skin food)

What you put on your skin is equally as important as what you put into your body! This homemade body lotion, or body butter, is incredibly easy to make and will deeply nourish your skin. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and absorbs everything you put onto it. It's so easy to make your own skincare products using simple unprocessed ingredients. The base of this body butter recipe is shea butter. This solid fat comes from the nut of the African shea tree.

Read More
OATMEAL CINNAMON SHORTBREAD COOKIES-1
Dec 21, 2022

Oatmeal-Spice Shortbread Cookies

Happy Winter Solstice! Today is the darkest day and the longest night of the year in the Northern hemisphere. It is a time of pause and reflection; a time to clear space for a new year. What do you want to release? What do you want to create for yourself in the coming year?

Read More
Mar 22, 2018

Spiced Plantain Cookies (vegan, grain-free, nut-free, autoimmune)

Elimination diet cookies made from plantains! You'll love these chewy spice cookies if you are following our Elimination Diet or another special diet such as an autoimmune diet, gluten-free diet, paleo diet, or vegan diet! They are also a perfect treat to introduce to older babies and toddlers. Once your baby is okay chewing soft foods then try making these cookies.

Read More
Nov 23, 2016

Raw Cranberry Sauce ~ So Easy! (vegan, sugar-free)

If you are looking for an extremely easy and super nutritious cranberry sauce recipe, then I have just the thing! I've been making this raw cranberry sauce recipe for a few years and I've shared it on Instagram and Facebook, but never seem to get around to getting it up on my blog....until now!

Read More
Aug 25, 2016

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free)

If you are in need of a chocolate fix or are looking for a dessert to impress your guests, then try this easy recipe for flourless, grain-free molten chocolate lava cakes! They are so simple and so tasty. You can even store the batter in the refrigerator and then cook one or two at a time, as needed.

Read More
Aug 19, 2016

Homemade Herbed Sea Salt Recipe (Herbamare)

If you have not already noticed, I absolutely love Herbamare! It is a fantastic replacement for salt or bouillon in savory recipes because it adds flavor without adding as much sodium. By replacing some of the salt with savory herbs and vegetables, you can naturally reduce the sodium while increasing the depth of flavors in your meals.

Read More