Collage of Christmas cookies: pecan covered drop cookies with red white and green buttercream frosting in the middle, gingerbread men and stars decorated with white icing, peanut butter blossoms topped with Hershey's kisses, chocolate cookies with marshmallow, crushed candy canes & chocolate drizzle on top. Red triangle with white text in the center, reads Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies.
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21 Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes

It’s the most wonderful (and sweetest) time of year! Holiday cookie platters at parties, Christmas cookie exchanges, seasonal bake sales, and simply making magical memories with our little ones are sprinkled throughout your December to-do list.

The good news is that all of your favorite cookies can be made gluten-free. This round-up of some of the best gluten-free cookies is just the beginning. Be inspired to make a gluten-free version of your much-loved cookie recipe and carry on your family traditions.

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Tips for Converting Your Family Christmas Cookies to Gluten-Free:

  1. Use a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum (or add ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of gluten-free flour). My personal favorite gluten-free flour for cookies is King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour.
  2. To achieve a fluffy cookie with a nice rise, add ½-1 teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour.
  3. Chill the dough for at least one hour and keep it cold to get the best rise. For recipes that require prep time with the dough, such as rolled and cut-out cookies, keep half the dough in the fridge while prepping the first batch of cookies.
  4. After baking, let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for two minutes, and then cool them completely on a wire rack.
  5. Store cookies in an airtight container on the counter or in the freezer. Do not refrigerate unless necessary (for example a cream cheese frosting or filling) as the cookies will dry out quickly in the fridge.

Gather your cookie cutters, baking sheets, and your favorite people. Then, brighten your holiday table by baking a few (or several) of these delicious gluten-free cookie recipes.

Unfrosted, baked, Gluten-Free sugar cookie cut outs on a cooling rack. Shapes include mittens, holly, Santa, and a candy cane.
Soft! Gluten-Free Christmas Sugar Cookies
Enjoy the soft, delicious, classic sugar cookies from your childhood. No one will be able to tell they are gluten-free! The recipe card includes instructions for an easy 2-ingredient icing. Or pick up ready-made  Betty Crocker Cookie Icing and Betty Crocker Christmas Sprinkles Check the labels, as most, not all, Betty Crocker Sprinkles are labeled gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Bird's eye view: gluten-free candy cane cookies (white and red/pink dough twisted into a candy cane shape and covered with crushed candy cane sprinkles) scattered on a white counter.
Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies
Christmas cookies in an adorable red & white, candy cane shape, with hints of vanilla and almond. These retro, crisp cookies are topped with sweet candy cane sugar sprinkles and are perfect for your gluten-free Christmas cookie tray.
Check out this recipe
A gluten-free gingersnap with a bite missing, more gingersnaps in the background, include a stack of a few cookies.
Chewy, Gluten-Free Gingersnaps
This easy recipe with simple gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients makes the most delicious, chewy gingersnap cookies you have ever tasted! I highly recommend you double the recipe. Then watch these delectable cookies disappear as quickly as you bake them!
Check out this recipe
Pecan covered drop cookies with red white and green buttercream frosting in the middle.
Gluten-free Buttercream Thumbprint Cookies
Gluten-free Buttercream Thumbprints are easy gluten-free Christmas cookies with a buttery, shortbread base, rolled in pecans, then topped with irresistible buttercream frosting. You'll love this colorful, festive cookie!
Check out this recipe
Star cookies with white icing.
Gluten Free Cinnamon Stars
These naturally, gluten-free cinnamon stars abound at German Christmas Markets and are a centuries-old tradition. Growing up in Germany, I have a sentimental attachment to these little holiday cookies. Made with almonds, they are naturally gluten-free and delicious. The perfect delicate Christmas treat with a star shape that can carry you into a celebration of the Epiphany.
Check out this recipe
A stack of four gluten-free salted caramel and dark chocolate cookie bars in a rich brown color with chewy centers and topped with white salt flakes. In the background are two blurry cookie bars, a white and black plaid dish towel and aqua blue pottery.
Gluten-Free, Salted Caramel & Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars
Soft, chewy Gluten-Free Cookie Bars with dark chocolate and caramel in every bite, then sprinkled with sea salt for the perfect salty-sweet combination. They are easy to make and a decadent addition to your holiday cookie tray!
Check out this recipe
chocolate cookies with marshmallow, crushed candy canes & chocolate drizzle on top. Candy cane in the background.
Gluten-Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
These Gluten-Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies are all of the holiday warmth of a cozy cup of hot chocolate wrapped up in the perfect holiday cookie. Delight your little ones (or little ones at heart) with this gluten-free, soft, chewy, cookie, filled with chocolate chips, and topped with a marshmallow, chocolate drizzle, and crushed candy canes.
Check out this recipe
Tree-shaped sugar cookies with red & green translucent "glass/candy" filled circle cut outs throughout.
Gluten-Free Stained Glass Cookies
Gluten-Free Stained Glass Cookies are adorable Christmas tree-shaped, gluten-free sugar cookies with red and green stained glass windows made from lollipops.
Check out this recipe
Orange shortbread cookies with white frosting. One is "bitten" in half. Orange slices scattered around.
Orange Shortbread Cookies
Orange Shortbread Cookies may be your new go-to holiday shortbread cookies! They are sweet, tangy, and zesty! They easily accommodate multiple diets for a cookie exchange. They are gluten-free (of course), nut-free, eggless, and can be easily made vegan!
Check out this recipe
Bird's eye view: pignoli cookies with pine nuts on top. One cookie is split in half.
Easy Authentic Italian Pignoli Cookies
5-ingredient Pignoli Cookies (pine nut cookies) are a classic Italian confection made with simple ingredients. They’re sweet, chewy, and a sentimental addition to your Christmas dessert table.
Check out this recipe
6 green tall meringue Christmas trees standing behind a row of white, flat meringue trees.
Meringue Christmas Trees
Meringue Christmas Trees add a light, airy touch to your Christmas celebration! Two versions are included in the recipe card: upright green trees and white flat trees. Both adorable styles are so easy to make. Be sure to check the label on your holiday sprinkles, to make sure they are gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Birds eye view: pecan toffee cookies on a wire rack.
Pecan Toffee Cookies
Giant, chewy, decadent Pecan Toffee Cookies are the perfect marriage of salty and sweet. This simple recipe calls for Heath Toffee Bits and Hershey's Sea Salt Caramel Chips. Both are on Hershey's searchable gluten-free list (always check the package for the most up-to-date-information). No one from your holiday cookie exchange will ever guess they are gluten-free!
Check out this recipe
Peanut butter blossom cookies topped with Hershey's kisses.
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut Butter Blossoms are ubiquitous at Christmas bake sales and cookie exchanges because they are so easy and popular. These quick and easy gluten-free peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and require only 3 ingredients (plus Hershey's Kisses). Hershey always labels the package gluten-free when the Kisses are gluten-free. Plain milk chocolate kisses, hugs, and some seasonal varieties are gluten-free. Always check the label!
Check out this recipe
Bird's eye view: marzipan cookies topped with almond slices.
Marzipan Cookies
These Marzipan Cookies will transport you to German Christmas market stands, packed with marzipan treats. A soft, chewy inside made with simple, homemade marzipan, and crunchy almonds on the outside. Naturally gluten-free!
Check out this recipe
Bird's eye view: tray of gingerbread men and star gingerbread cookies.
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Being gluten-free does not mean you have to miss out on the tradition of making (and decorating) these little guys! This gluten-free gingerbread cookie recipe is great for making perfectly spiced cookies to share.
Check out this recipe
Coconut Macaroons (4 Ingredients)
Coconut Macaroons (4 Ingredients)
Sweetened with honey or maple syrup and dipped in dark chocolate, these sticky-sweet Coconut Macaroons are made with just 4 ingredients. Add these yummy, bite-size treats to your holiday cookie table!
Check out this recipe
Bird's eye view: thumbprint cookies with red and white frosting in the center.
Thumbprint Cookies With Icing
Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies with Icing are the perfect kids-in-the-kitchen recipe. Your little ones will love making thumbprint holes, filling them with naturally-colored frosting, and, of course, eating these delicious Christmas cookies.
Check out this recipe
Bowl of white maple divinity.
Maple Divinity Candy
Maple Divinity Candy is one of my husband's favorite sweets, made by his mother every Christmas. A melt-in-your-mouth nougat texture and the sweet, creamy essence of pure maple syrup. Add a few of these heavenly confections to a box of assorted Christmas cookies and delight your loved ones!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate crinkle cookies with powdered sugar coating, on a white plate.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are made with a mix of almond flour. coconut flour, and cocoa powder. These fudgy cookies are rolled in powdered sugar that is reminiscent of a snowy day. Enjoy them freshly baked with a glass of milk, or make for holiday gift-giving and cookie exchanges.
Check out this recipe
White hazelnut cookies with a hazelnut in the center of each cookie and scattered on the table and cutting board.
Haselnussmakronen, German Hazelnut Macaroons
I have a soft spot in my heart for any traditional German Christmas cookie. Haselnussmakronen or German hazelnut macaroons are light and flavorful. They are incredibly easy to whip up and are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Check out this recipe
Bird's eye view: round sugar cookies with red, white and green sprinkles.
Gluten-Free Vanilla-Peppermint Christmas Cookies
These drop cookies have it all! Crisp edges, chewy centers, notes of vanilla and peppermint, and colorful sprinkles!
Check out this recipe
Tray of gingerbread macaroons with icing drizzle and sprinkles.
Gingerbread Macarons
Impress your Christmas guests with delicate and stunning Gingerbread Macarons, filled with gingerbread buttercream, and topped with chocolate drizzle and holiday sprinkles! This recipe requires an inexpensive kitchen scale, but I highly recommend having one in your kitchen for gluten-free baking, anyway!
Check out this recipe

More Gluten-Free Christmas Sweets:

Merry Christmas!

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