Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Ideas

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Christmas and cookies are probably the perfect match. From setting out for Santa (if you’ve got littles) to baking little cozy treats to enjoy, Christmas cookies have quickly become a tradition my family and I look forward to. Last year, I started compiling a list and trying a whole slew of yummy, tasty cookies for friends and family. This year, I am trying some new recipes and wanted to share a few of my favorites from blogs across the internet that I have found and enjoyed. Now, I am not a baker (though learning is a process), but I thought recommending a few of a my favorites is best.

WHY I LOVE A CHRISTMAS COOKIE BOX

But first, why do I love Christmas cookie boxes? I have always been enamored with various cookies in the cute box and I love a good tradition to look forward to. My husband and I have been married for over a year and a half, so creating our traditions before kids come along is important for us. So, besides our new Christmas morning breakfast, hiding a Christmas pickle in the tree and our fun Hallmark with hot cocoa nights, I decided to add cookie baking to the mix.

A cookie box is the perfect way to spread holiday cheer by finding a handful of recipes to enjoy. I love testing my skills in the kitchen, so baking a few batches of goodies is a fun way for me to do so. I normally share some with my parents, send a few off to my husband’s work, share with my coworkers and this year, I’m planning to share with our friends at a Christmas party. It is a lot of work, but it’s worth it, especially if it’s something you enjoy.

If you don’t enjoy baking, I wouldn’t recommend tackling the task of doing five or more different cookies. You don’t have to be an extremist or push yourself to do something you might not have for or enjoy. However, you might also find a new go-to recipe you and your family can enjoy.

HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR COOKIE BAKING FIASCO

Naturally, I am a planner. So it makes sense that I would plan for baking a few dozen cookies of all sorts. Some you can freeze or leave in the fridge until you’re ready, however, it’s important to read the notes of the recipes so you know what to do and what to expect. Gluten-free dough differs from regular, so that is something else to keep in mind. Also, I like for my dough to rest in the fridge or at room temperature when recommended. That makes it easier to start planning your batches and mix accordingly. Some dough needs to rest for an hour, some dough requires the same ingredients, and so on. I have included (after my recommended recipes) how I am planning my 2024 Christmas cookies so you have an idea and feel less unorganized if you have never done this before. It can be overwhelming, but trust me, with some planning and organization, you will have a blast.

MY RECOMMENDED COOKIE RECIPES

I have compiled this list of ten cookie recipes I have found across the internet. I did not create these, so all creation rights and kudus go to the bloggers who mastered these scrumptious recipes.

1. Number one on my list is this Christmas Cookie recipe from Meaningful Eats. You will learn quickly that Meaningful Eats by Erin is my favorite blog to scour for recipes. She uses easy, normal ingredients that I seem to always have on hand. With some gluten-free baking, it can be over-complicated. Erin does such a wonderful job at making it easy to bake just about anything gluten-free. And, the best part, is none of it tastes gluten-free. Seriously. This cookie recipe was such a hit my first year that I ended up making three batches. The buttermilk make them tangy while the cookie itself is buttery and chewy. Quite literally the perfect sugar cookie.
2. Next, this delicious Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie was a request from my husband. The cool of the peppermint and the perfect match of double chocolate make this an instant classic cookie. Plus, who doesn’t love sprinkling a bit of peppermint for added holiday magic?
3. It’s not Christmas or even a cookie party without a Peanut Butter Blossom? I can’t think of a single cookie exchange or even a cookie tray that doesn’t have some type of peanut butter cookie. The number one request from my husband was this cookie, and let me tell you, it is delicious. I love a good peanut butter cookie, so while I might keep a few without the Hershey Kiss, this recipe is still a wonderful addition to any gluten-free cookie collection…with or without the chocolate piece.
4. Need a delicious, easy Gingerbread Cookie? This one will do the trick! It’s easy, and the cookies are the perfect texture of chewy. I love gingerbread, and this one is also perfectly spiced. Plus, it’s been requested mid-summer by a friend, so you know it’s a hit when requests are coming in! A tip on this one is that I let my dough chill in a ball, not on the parchment or in shapes. I found it’s easier (for me) to work in small sections and not all at once.
5. This scrumptious Peppermint Sour Cream Sugar Cookie is another instant classic. Tangy, sweet, and minty, it is a delight and the icing is the perfect way to top it off. Plus, who doesn’t love biting into a delicious combination of peppermint on an iced cookie.
6. If you’re not a fan of chewy or soft cookies but love the spice of cinnamon, this cookie recipe is perfect to try! The Cinnamon Roll Cookie is crunchy and perfectly iced! It is more of a challenging recipe as you have to roll the dough, but it’s a great addition to any recipe box.
7. The thing I love most about a Crinkle Cookie is that it’s like a brownie but in a cookie shape. No, really. I love the powdery outside and the chewy, rich inside of this cookie. And doesn’t it just look like it belongs in a cookie box?! I love a recipe that looks more complicated than it is. While any baking is a labor of love, these little bites are an extra treat that everyone will be impressed by.
8. New this year to my cookie box is a Chai Cookie. Personally, I am not a fan of chai but the spices are extra cozy during the winter months. Why am I adding this cookie? I like finding different and unique things that I think others will really enjoy. My husband is a huge fan of chai, so why not…right?!
9. Another classic Christmas cookie box find is Snickerdoodle. Does anything compare to a chewy, perfectly spiced Snickerdoodle? Not in my book. While I love chocolate, gingerbread, and peppermint, it is a nice surprise to bite into another spiced delight like a classic Snickerdoodle cookie. And, y’all, it has browned butter. Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to browned butter.
10. Last but not least, a delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie. I have tried this one by Meaningful Eats, and the browned butter and bits of sea salt indeed make this cookie the best chocolate chip I have tried since baking gluten-free. However, this year, I am going to do my own spin on this recipe by adding in mini marshmallows, Hershey Bar pieces instead of chocolate chips, and a little bit of gluten-free graham crackers (these are the best around for gluten-free store bought graham crackers) for a S’Mores Cookie. Don’t worry; I’ll drop the deets on another blog post.

Lastly, here are a few other fun recipes that are candy or other mixes to add to any cookie box!

1. Christmas Crunch Chex Mix
2. Peppermint Chocolate Truffles
3. Caramel Candies
4. Pretzel Bark

PLANNING MY CHRISTMAS Cookie BOX

So, now that you have some options for your Christmas Cookie Box, how about we talk planning to execute? I am a planner by nature, so having an idea of a baking schedule helps keep me on track. This year, I am planning to do the following for my Christmas Cookie Box:

1. Christmas Cookies
2. Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
3. Peanut Butter Blossoms
4. Peppermint Sour Cream Sugar Cookie
5. Chai Cookies
6. Snickerdoodle Cookies
7. S’Mores Cookies
8. Caramel Candies

So, eight things to execute, no problem. Here is my game plan that will hopefully help you get an idea for your holiday baking, too!

My first step is gathering my list of baking and then planning to mix according to the rest time of the dough. Most cookie doughs require a refrigerated rest time, so I like to make sure I keep them on track and go according to what is required the most. I will also start a day ahead of time and then bake off the next day or two. To keep my gluten-free simple, I use common ingredients like cornstarch instead of arrowroot, coconut sugar (our family’s preference), common spices and extracts like nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and peppermint, plus, easy add-ins like sprinkles and whatnot. Most will require butter, milk, and gluten-free flour. Now, that is where things can get a little complicated – what gluten-free flour or flours am I supposed to use? I have tried three different kinds (King Arthur Measure for Measure, Bob Red Mill’s 1 to 1 Baking Flour and Cup for Cup Multipurpose Flour). The one I use in all of my recipes that requires an all-purpose flour is the King Arthur Measure for Measure. For me, it has always turned out the best and seems to be the closest in flavor and texture to “normal.” Plus, I use almond flour when needed, too. Does that mean that King Arthur is the best? Definitely not, but I like sticking to one brand of gluten-free flour as to not overcomplicate things. So, if another one works for you, go for it!

Here is my baking schedule below:

DAY ONE

1. Work on caramel candies and get those wrapped in wax paper sheets.
2. Mix the Christmas Cookie dough and let rest overnight.
3. Mix Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies dough and let rest overnight.
4. Mix Snickerdoodle dough and bake after 1-hour rest.
5. Mix Peanut Butter Blossoms and bake after 30-minutes rest.
6. Mix S’mores Cookies and bake after 30-minutes rest.

DAY TWO

1. Bake Christmas Cookies and Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. I will do this simultaneously as I have a double oven. If not, I would bake one after another.
2. While those are baking, mix Gingerbread Cookies and let rest for 30-minutes.
3. Mix dough for Peppermint Sour Cream Sugar Cookies and let rest for 1-hour. After mixing these and the icing, I will bake the Gingerbread Cookies (since these require rolling and cutting cookies).
4. Bake the Peppermint Sour Cream Sugar Cookies and let fully cool.
5. Lastly, mix the chai cookies and bake since these do not require much of a rest time. I would store in fridge until ready so they don’t spread as much.
6. Once Chai Cookies and Sugar Cookies are cooled, top with their respective icings.
7. Pack up and store in an airtight container!

Whether you finding a new recipe to add to your already tradition of baking Christmas cookies or diving into the ultimate cookie bake-off, I hope you enjoy these helpful tips as well as the deliciousness of these fantastic recipes!

Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!

Hannah

Here are some of my favorite Christmas kitchen picks! Please note, if you click and purchase I may make a commission.