December is a busy month and you want recipes that will deliver to your holiday baking dreams. This collection of 7 Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes are recipes I’ll be making in my kitchen to celebrate the season with friends and family. I hope you’ll love them too!
I’ve been wearing sweaters and boots this week despite temperatures in the high 60’s. After all tomorrow IS December 1st and the countdown to Christmas will begin in our house. Each year I pull out (well my teen son beats me to it now) a countdown box with a drawer for each day. When the kids were younger I’d put little notes or activity announcements in the drawers and we’d count down with festive things daily. Now the box usually has candy, but it does get the holidays going.
A tradition I began on Boulder Locavore five years ago (eeps!) was sharing a curated list of 24 gluten-free Christmas cookie recipes to allow you to bake your way to Christmas. I carefully tried to avoid duplications year to year so the collection (all of which are pinned to my Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie board on Pinterest), now around 120 recipes, would be a resource for your baking pleasure.
I sat down to create the list this year and found myself stalling. I’d type a little and go eat some Pecan Rum Balls. I’d sit down again and decide my English bulldog puppy Clementine needed a walk (if you follow my Instagram Stories you’ll know she doesn’t walk but rather sits for long periods of time watching cars go by). I could feel something wasn’t clicking.
When I stepped away to think about it I realized I’m not going to be baking 24 Christmas Cookie recipes and you probably aren’t either. So instead I want to share the seven recipes that I know I’m going to bake this December. These are recipes I can’t wait to linger over in the kitchen, maybe even turn over to my kids to do an entire recipe on their own. I’m excited about these recipes and hope you will be too!
Chocolate Mint Truffle Cookies. These cookies are always a win. Crisp outside and chewy inside due to loads of melted chocolate in the recipe. The cookies are baked on two pans at the same time so it’s a one shot to finish the entire batch of approximately 4 dozen cookies.
Pecan Rum Balls. Love these. They remind me of my Grandparents and I confessed to a girlfriend they feel like day drinking for cheaters. They are boozy, I won’t lie, but in the most fabulous way. They are created a week before using them to allow the flavors to blend and last well. Did I mention this is a no bake recipe?!
Forgotten Cookies. These are a grandmother classic in my family. My maternal grandmother would make them yearly and they were pure magic. As an adult cook I now know them to be a meringue cookie with nuts and chocolate chips, dropped onto a cookie sheet in a pre-warmed oven that has been turned off. Left overnight (or at least a few hours if you want them more quickly) the glossy, snowy-white cookies transform into a matte white finish, hard, light cookie that never disappoints.
Mini Gingerbread House Mug Topper Cookies {Noshtastic}. I’m sure I don’t need to share why I can’t wait to make these adorable dipping cookies. I can’t think of anything more fun on a snowy Saturday than a construction line for these itty-bitty ginger houses. The cookies made easier with a 3D mini gingerbread cookie cutter available online allowing the creative fun to be in the construction and decoration of the noshable cookie.
Peppermint Macarons {What The Fork Food Blog}. When we rented an apartment in Paris a few summers ago I, embarrassingly, did not know macarons are naturally gluten-free. I assumed they were not and avoided them. Ug. They ARE naturally gluten-free if made traditionally and such a pretty cookie. The delicate, chewy sandwich cookie has a wonderful flavor and this peppermint version is perfect for the holidays. My son and I took a class to learn how to make macarons at our local Escoffier cooking school this fall. Can’t wait to test our skills on these recipes.
White Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies (Mama Knows Gluten Free}. Christmas isn’t Christmas without some gingersnaps or gingerbread. These chewy-looking gingerbread cookies are dipped in white chocolate and decorated making them a sure holiday win.
Chocolate Coconut Cloud Cookies {Meaningful Eats}. This excerpt from this recipe post jumped off the page at me: “Holiday baking is here! If you’re looking for a delicious, naturally gluten-free cookie (that doesn’t require weird ingredients) to make for holiday parties and cookies swaps, this is the one!” No weird ingredients! Holiday baking should be fun and easy, and this layered cookie will be happening in my kitchen. A layered cookie mixed with a macaroon, these cookies look heavenly.
The last four recipes are from talented gluten-free Bloggers who each have loads of delicious gluten-free recipes. Check them out!
Want more recipes?
If you are ready for more baking check out the past cookie guides: 24 Days of Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes (2013), 24 Days of Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes (2014), 24 Days of Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie & Treat Recipes and 24 Best Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes (2016).
Scott says
My cookies never turn out this pretty. I’ll just sit here and look at the photos wondering what I’m doing wrong!
Jeanette says
Free stuff has come such a long way since my friend was diagnosed with celiac’s disease. There is so much more for her to eat and I know she would love all of these.
Stacie says
I love these so much! There are two things that make Christmas for me – the lights and the sweets! I can’t wait to try all of these.
Colleen says
You make gluten free look so delicious. I have to make up a batch of these for my friends who have gluten problems. They never get anything good!
Makeba Giles says
I shared this with a good friend. Any time I happen across a post that has to do with gluten free, I send it to him. I’d love to try these!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
The Pecan Rum Balls is one thing I will make. I love fruit cake and this one would have that same alcohol infused deliciousness. I will also save the recipe for the white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookies. They are so pretty they can be given as gifts to friends!
Jonna says
Those look absolutely delicious! We have some gluten free friends that I can’t wait to surprise with some yummy cookies! Thanks for sharing.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have always loved anything with a chocolate mint flavor. Those truffles are definitely getting made at my house!
Dawn Lopez says
I would love to try those Pecan Rum Balls. This type of cookie is exactly what I enjoy making for the holidays.
travel blogger says
These all look amazing but those gingerbread minis are so cute! I have to make some! I love the pecan rum balls too! Those look delicious!
Randi says
I need some gluten free recipes for family members … thanks for sharing these!
Vanessa Delia says
You chose some AMAZING cookie recipes. The holidays are TOO perfect for cookies, no need to waste time on lame ones!
Pam says
I so needed this post. My daughter’s has Celiac so I have been looking for some tried and true Christmas cookies to make.
Toni Dash says
Pam in addition to the other holiday baking recipes on Boulder Locavore (all gluten-free as you know) the other blogs I shared recipes from (the last 4) have some great cookie recipes! Just picking one, especially from What the Fork Food Blog, was difficult with so many great options!
Barbara says
Thank you for these gluten free recipes. I have a lot of gluten free family and friends. I am always seeking recipies, and they are hard to find. Can’t wait to try some of these.
Toni Dash says
Yay! The other blogs I shared the cookie links from really have fantastic recipes of all sorts. I’d pass them along to your family and friends, along with BoulderLocavore.com of course!
Susan says
I am not gluten free – fortunately don’t need to be – but I still found a couple of recipes that sound absolutely wonderful. I might have to start baking cookies again…
Toni Dash says
Do it Susan! You won’t be sorry I’m sure.
Veronica Lee says
So many amazing recipes to try out.. Thanks!
Reesa says
I’m basically in love with all of these. Those mini gingerbread houses are my fave.
Toni Dash says
Aren’t they adorable?
Florentina says
What a great list! The only dilemma is which cookie to make first!Yum!
kristin says
Those are the cutest cookies ever too! I totally saved this list for my gf friends.
Sarah says
We don’t follow a gluten-free diet but everything still looks super delicious! I’m sure we would still love them and eat them up.
Sara Welch says
It’s been pretty warm here as well. We thought it was going to be a harsher winter but I’m kind of glad it hasn’t been.
Marissa Zurfluh says
Alright, I was drooling the entire time. I got to the last cookies and lost it. lol!
Claudia Krusch says
I am always looking for new gluten free recipes to try. These cookies would all be great for my cookie exchange this year. I will have too start with the White Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies recipe.
Shilpa Shetty says
Yummmyyyy recipes,..
Heather says
Those look so incredible! I need to work on my decorating skills before the big guy comes down the chimney. Can’t wait to check more from the bloggers you recommended.
Rosey says
These all look really good. The cookie with Santa’s clothes on the line is the CUTEST!! I love it. 🙂
Kiwi says
This post is making my mouth water. The mini gingerbread mug topper is way too cute!
AnnMarie John says
I don’t think Christmas will ever be complete without Christmas cookies! I love that you’re sharing recipes that fit your diet. These all look so good!
Tara says
All of these cookies look delicious. I love pecan rum balls. I’ve already started my baking and will have to add these to my list.
Carol Cassara says
Christmas cookies are a staple and I love giving them away to friends during this season! I think it’s awesome that these are gluten free and I don’t have to worry about giving a cookie that would trigger their allergies.