Easy Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies: 12 Favorite Recipes

These easy gluten-free Christmas cookies include 12 of my favorite recipes-from simple drop cookies that require no chilling to Christmas classics like sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms. You'll find plenty of options to fill up your cookie tray or bring to a holiday cookie exchange.

Four gluten-free Christmas cookies: peanut butter blossoms, frosted sugar cookies, double chocolate chip cookies, and decorated gingerbread cookies.

I've spent years perfecting these recipes to be truly easy and foolproof. Each one uses gluten-free flour blends you can find at any grocery store (my favorites are King Arthur, Bob's Red Mill, and Cup4Cup). They all bake up soft and chewy-no dry, crumbly disasters here!

Drop Cookies

These drop cookies are the easiest to make. No rolling, no chilling, just scoop and bake! Perfect for last-minute baking.

Gluten-free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is one of my most popular cookie recipes, and for good reason! It's a decadently chewy brownie-like cookie filled with chocolate chips! It's perfect for the chocolate lovers!

Gluten-free Snickerdoodle Cookies

Soft, chewy cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar with that signature tangy flavor from cream of tartar. These classic snickerdoodles have slightly crackled tops and stay soft for days. They're my daughter's favorite, so I make them year-round! A must-have for any Christmas cookie platter.

A stack of snickerdoodle cookies, gluten-free, next to cinnamon sticks and a glass of milk.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Classic peanut butter cookies with soft, chewy centers and those iconic crisscross fork marks on top. They're packed with peanut butter flavor and couldn't be simpler to make. Don't let anyone tell you these aren't a Christmas cookie! These are always a hit with kids and perfect for cookie swaps.

Baked peanut butter cookies on a cooling rack with chopped peanuts on top.

Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookie adorned with white chocolate and red and green sprinkles.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

The world's best duo! Rich peanut butter cookies loaded with chocolate chips. These have crisp edges and stay soft in the middle for days. My entire family loves these cookies!

Baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies cooling on a wire rack.

Gluten-free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Hearty oatmeal cookies studded with sweet, plump raisins. These have a wonderfully chewy texture and warm spice flavor that makes them feel extra cozy. Perfect for with a cup of coffee or adding variety to your cookie tins.

Gluten-Free Toll-House Chocolate Chip Cookies

The classic chocolate chip cookie, perfected for gluten-free baking. These have crispy golden edges and soft, chewy centers loaded with chocolate chips. They taste exactly like the original Toll House recipe. No one will guess they're gluten-free.

A speckled cookie sheet with baked chocolate chip cookies on it.

Christmas Classics

These classic Christmas cookies are the ones everyone looks forward to, like cut-out sugar cookies, gingerbread, peanut butter blossoms, and thumbprints. Perfect for decorating, gifting, and holiday cookie exchanges.

Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

This gluten-free sugar cookie recipe is perfect for all of your Christmas cut-out shapes! Kids love to help decorate these classic cut-out cookies with icing and sprinkles.

Want a no-roll option? Try my soft Crumbl-style sugar cookies.

Gluten free sugar cookies on parchment lined rack, topped with frosting and sprinkles..

Chewy Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

Chewy cookies packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. They're easy to make and have the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

A plate full of gluten free ginger molasses cookies decorated with chocolate stripes and sprinkles.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Classic peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey's chocolate kiss, made with all butter and no shortening!

Need a grain-free option? Try my flourless peanut butter blossom recipe.

Gluten free peanut butter blossom cookies on a vintage starburst metal tray.

Gluten-free peanut butter blossoms piled on silver tray, next to Hershey's kisses.

Gluten-free Buttercream Thumbprint Cookies

Delicate, buttery shortbread cookies with a creamy buttercream center that melts in your mouth. I love using festive red, white, and green buttercream for Christmas! These cookies are always the first ones to disappear from my cookie trays.

A closeup view of a pecan thumbprint with red, white, and green buttercream frosting.

Gluten-Free Italian Coconut Cookies (Thumbprints)

My Great Grandma's Italian recipe! These buttery cookies are rolled in coconut with jam centers that add a pop of color to any cookie tray. They look elegant but are surprisingly simple to make. Use raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam-or make all three!

Gluten-Free Pecan Tassies

These mini pecan tarts have a buttery cream cheese crust and gooey pecan pie filling. They look elegant but are surprisingly simple to make. Perfect for impressing guests or giving as gifts. They're not too sweet and feel extra special.

A row of thumbprints with red, white, and green buttercream icing.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Cookies fall apart: Your flour blend needs xanthan gum, or you need to let them cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them. Gluten-free cookies are more delicate when warm. Allowing them to cool on the baking sheet for a few extra minutes before transferring them to a wire rack gives them time to set.
Cookies spread too much: Chill your dough for 30 minutes before baking or add a bit more flour.
Cookies are too dry or crumbly: You may have added too much flour or overbaked them. Gluten-free cookies should come out when they look slightly underdone-they'll firm up as they cool.
Cookies taste gritty: Switch to a high-quality, super-fine blend, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure, Cup4Cup, or Bob's Red Mill 1:1, it really makes a difference. Avoid cheaper blends, like Pillsbury which tend to be more gritty.

How do you store gluten-free cookies?

Store gluten-free cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days-they taste best fresh. Avoid the refrigerator, as this dries them out.

Can I make Christmas cookies ahead?

Yes, all of my cookie recipes can be made ahead of time. It's best to freeze cookies if making more than a couple days ahead.

How do I freeze Christmas cookies?

I follow this method for any cookie, even frosted cutouts! First, let cookies cool completely and ensure any frosting or chocolate is fully set. Then place cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, you can stack cookies between layers of wax paper or parchment paper in a freezer-safe airtight container.

How do I thaw frozen Christmas cookies?

To thaw frozen Christmas cookies, remove the desired amount from the freezer. Place them in a single layer on your desired serving platter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the cookies sit at room temperature until thawed. This usually takes just a few hours.

What do you need to bake gluten-free cookies?

You will need a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. These blends often state cup for cup or 1:1 replacement for wheat flour on the bag. My preferred blends for cookies are King Arthur Measure for Measure, Bob's Red Mill 1:1 baking flour, and Cup4Cup multipurpose flour. You will also need fresh bags of sugar and other baking supplies if they have come into contact with wheat flour. Be sure to use clean utensils and pans if they have been used to bake anything with wheat flour.

Can I substitute almond flour or coconut flour?

No, these recipes need an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. Single-grain flours don't work as direct substitutes for wheat flour.

Do I need xanthan gum?

Yes, but most gluten-free flour blends already include it. If yours doesn't, add ¼ teaspoon per cup of flour.

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I'd love to hear which cookies you try! Leave a comment below with your favorites or any questions. These recipes have made Christmas baking easier for so many families-I hope they do the same for you!