How do you keep gluten-free cookies soft?

Let them cool : gluten free cookies can be more fragile than regular cookies when they're hot. Be sure to let your cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a full 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

How can I improve my gluten-free cookie texture?

Tips for best results Add some almond flour: Using a small amount of almond flour in your baking can enhance the taste and texture dramatically. ... Add more fat or liquid: It might just be that you need a bit more moisture in your recipe, especially if you're converting a regular “gluten-ful” recipe to gluten-free. More items... Jan 8, 2022

How do you thicken gluten-free cookies?

Add oats or nuts : Adding oats or nuts to the dough can add texture and help it hold its shape better. Use a different type of liquid: Substituting a different type of liquid, such as milk or cream, for some or all of the water or other liquid called for in the recipe can help the dough thicken and hold together better.

What is soft vs hard gingerbread?

Gingerbread is made harder by molasses and honey, but it becomes softer when water is absorbed by the sugar .

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft?

Light corn syrup is another ingredient that you can add to cookie dough that will help it stay softer longer. The corn syrup you buy at the grocery store is not the high-fructose corn syrup that soft drinks are made with; it's a sugar that is liquid at room temperature and helps other sugars say liquid at high heat.

What is the best gluten-free flour to use for baking cookies?

What's the best gluten-free flour for baking? Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking mix is my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for baking. It has a mild texture and plenty of "stick" thanks to a blend of sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, and sorghum flour, plus some starches and xanthan gum.

Should I add xanthan gum to gluten-free cookies?

Using xanthan gum helps provide some of the stickiness that gluten free goods lack, replacing some elasticity . Xanthan gum mimics some of gluten's most essential properties by sticking to flour and its moisture. This helps create moist goods that hold their shape after being baked.

What holds gluten-free cookies together?

Binding agents (such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or flax) help give gluten-free baked goods the elasticity needed to create structure — so if your favorite gluten-free flour mix doesn't contain one, you'll probably want to add one.

What happens when you use gluten-free flour in cookies?

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters . They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

How to keep gluten-free cookies from being dry?

Don't overmix : Overmixing can cause gluten-free baked goods to become tough and dry. Mix your ingredients until just combined and avoid overworking the dough. Doughs and batters tend to gelatinize the gums (xanthan & guar) in flour blends/mixes, so you could end up with a 'slimy' texture if you over do it.

How to make gluten-free cookies not dry?

Use a Binder . Binders like xanthan gum and guar gum provide structure in gluten-free baking to make up for the missing gluten. This prevents cookies from being too crumbly plus it also helps with freshness.

Why are my gluten-free cookies hard?

Another reason is that gluten-free flours, such as almond flour or coconut flour, can behave differently than wheat flour in baking . They may absorb more liquid, for example, which can result in dry or crumbly cookies.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo) (2024)

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Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo) (1)

These soft and chewy gluten-free gingerbread cookies blend sweet cinnamon and a hint of vanilla with zingy ginger and molasses. Like mypaleo sugar cookies, they’re surprisingly simple to make . . . especially if skip the royal icing for decorating.

Instead, I usedRainbow Starfetti natural sprinklesto make eyes, a smile and buttons for my gingerbread men, but they could also be served plain (because they’re DELISH) or topped withnaturally colored decorating sugar like this.

Oh, and a glass of almond milk, oat milk, or whatever milk you prefer. Because YUM.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo) (2)

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3.70 from 63 votes

Soft, Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

These soft and chewy gluten-free gingerbread cookies blend sweet cinnamon and a hint of vanilla with zingy ginger and molasses. They're surprisingly simple to make, fun to decorate, and so delicious!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Chilling the dough 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Calories 1620kcal

Author Heather Dessinger

Equipment

food processor
rolling pin
rubber spatchula
cookie cutters
baking sheet

Ingredients

1½ cups blanched almond flour
¼ cup arrowroot flour (or tapioca starch, plus more for rolling the dough)
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves (approximately 1/16 tsp)
⅛ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp baking powder (here's how to make baking powder substitute if you don't have it on hand)
¼ cup maple syrup
2 tbsp unsulphured blackstrap molasses
2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted –can substitute coconut oil or sustainably harvested palm shortening if dairy-free)
¼ tsp vanilla extract (how to make vanilla extract)

Instructions

Place the dry ingredients (almond flour, arrowroot/tapioca, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt and baking powder) in a food processor and pulse until the spices are evenly distributed. (If you don't have a food processor, you can do this step in a large bowl. The final cookie may have more color variation but it will taste just as delicious.)
Add the wet ingredients (maple syrup, molasses, butter/coconut oil/palm shortening, and vanilla) then process until the dough is well-combined. (If you don't have a food processor, you can do this step in a large bowl.)
Use a rubber spatula to scoop the dough onto parchment paper, then wrap the paper around the cookie dough and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Once the dough has chilled, place the cookie dough on a surface that has been sprinkled with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Dust your rolling pin with tapioca/arrowroot flour, sprinkle the dough, and roll it to about ⅛ inch thick. Cut out shapes using your cookie cutters, then use a spatula to place the cookies on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. If desired, dab a moist cloth on the top of the cookie to remove any excess tapioca/arrowroot flour.
Optional step: Make eyes, a smile and buttons with pieces ofRainbow Starfetti natural sprinkles.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for five minutes. After five minutes, use a spatula to transfer them to a cooling rack or plate.
See Also
The BEST Eggless Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, or in the freezer for up to six months.

Notes

Tried this recipe?

Mention @mommypotamus or tag #mommypotamus!

Nutrition

Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo) (5)

Want More Holiday Cookie Ideas?

Here are a few of my favorites:

1.Sugar Cookie Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo)– Decorated with naturally colored sprinkles and plant-based, natural food dye, these sugar cookies are super easy to make and fun to decorate!

2.Zimtsterne: Traditional German Almond Spice Cookies– Spiced with cinnamon, cardamom and a hint of nutmeg, this recipe makes perfect cut-out cookies that are sometimes used as holiday ornaments.

3.Chocolate Chip Cookies– Although not technically a holiday/Christmascookie, this recipe is one of my family’s favorites for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this recipe to make a gingerbread house?

I haven’t tried it but I think these cookies are probably too soft for constructing a gingerbread house. If you really want to make one, I recommend the recipe in Danielle Walker’s new book,Celebrations.

Can I substitute almond flour for coconut or gluten-freeflour?

Both coconut flour and gluten-free flour absorb much more liquid than almond flour and therefore cannot be used in this recipe.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo) (6)

Want more delicious, easy recipes?

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Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Recipe
Soft Pretzel Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
Sugar Cookie Recipe (Gluten-Free, Paleo)

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world.