↑

Delicious Little Bites

Loving Life One Bite at a Time

  • About
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Work With Me
    • Contact Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Recipes / Desserts / Cookies / Gluten Free Sugar Cookies (dairy free & vegan)

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies (dairy free & vegan)

Published October 31, 2022. Last updated November 6, 2023 by Lauren Vavala Harris

Thanks for sharing!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.
Gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.
Gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.
Gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.
Gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.
Gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.

Christmas is coming, so make these gluten-free sugar cookies to suit the dietary needs of the whole family! This recipe is also egg and dairy-free, making it an allergen-friendly choice for any celebration or holiday spread. Each bite is soft, tender, and chewy.

A stack of gluten free sugar cookies with a bite taken out of the top cookie.

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

You’re getting two amazing recipes in one post!

The soft and chewy gluten-free sugar cookies are the epitome of Christmas cookies. Then, homemade frosting that is both sweet and creamy. It’s easy to use, coating the cookies evenly, firmly holding the sprinkles in place. 

This sugar cookie recipe is so much fun to decorate! Make a huge batch of frosting, section it out, and dye it different colors with food coloring. Then, decorate your cookies however you want. 

These cookies are perfect for Christmas, birthday parties, or even Easter! 

Love chocolate? Make some Gluten-free Chocolate Cookies. In the mood for salted caramel? Then you have to try these Gluten-free Salted Caramel Cookies.

Happy baking! 

Why This Recipe Works

This gluten-free cookie recipe is as easy to make as regular sugar cookies. It takes around 30 minutes from start to finish. 

The finished cookies are tender, soft, chewy and sweet. They taste just as good as traditional sugar cookies. You can’t even tell they are gluten-free. 

This recipe is perfect for anyone with food allergies (pretty much!). It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan-friendly. 

Step-By-Step Instructions

Ingredients

Ingredients to make gluten free sugar cookies with text overlay.

Flax eggs

  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed 
  • 5 tablespoons water

Cookies

  • 3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend: Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Flour Blend was used for this recipe. King Arthur brand is also very good.
  • ¾ teaspoon salt 
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 
  • 1 cup dairy-free butter, softened 
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: be sure to use organic or raw sugar, if vegan.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Icing & sprinkles

  • 2 cups powdered sugar 
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk (or water): any type of milk will work, regular or plant-based.
  • Sprinkles of your choice

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats.

Create!

Flaxseed and water in a bowl that will be a flax egg.

In a small bowl, mix the water and ground flaxseed until well combined. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.

Dry ingredients for gluten free sugar cookies in a glass bowl on a white background.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside.

Butter and sugar creamed together in a glass bowl.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar, scraping down the sides throughout, for about 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Sugar cookie mixture with a flax egg and before dry ingredients are added in a glass bowl.

Add the flax egg and vanilla, then mix for another 30-60 seconds to incorporate.

Gluten free sugar cookie batter in a glass bowl.

Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, shape the cookie dough into balls, rolling between your palms until smooth.

Raw cookie dough balls on a baking sheet.

Spread out evenly on the prepared baking sheets, keeping 1-2 inches between the cookies.

Six baked gluten free cookies on a sheet pan.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Remove them from the oven, lightly smack the pan, then let them cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.

While the cookies cool, make the frosting.

Pink sugar cookie frosting in a glass bowl.

In a mixing bowl, beat the powdered sugar and milk or water together until smooth, adding more milk if necessary (for an even creamier icing, add 1 tablespoon of dairy-free butter).

Present!

Sugar cookies being frosting with a butterknife and decorated with sprinkles.

Once the cookies are cool, spread icing evenly over the tops of each cookie. Add a pinch of sprinkles to each cookie immediately after icing them so they stick better.

Gluten free sugar cookies on a white plate with more cookies and sprinkles around the plate.

Let the icing set, then enjoy!

Tips and Techniques

  • If the dough is too wet, add 1 tablespoon of 1:1 gluten-free flour at a time. If it is too dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk or water to achieve the right consistency.
  • Milk for the icing can be regular or dairy-free.
  • This recipe was made using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend.
  • Celiac information: Ensure vanilla is certified gluten-free if gluten is a serious allergen.
  • Storage: Room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days; fridge for 7 days in an airtight container; freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
  • Substitutions: Add 1 ½ teaspoons of xanthan gum if there is none in the GF flour blend. This recipe can also be made with all-purpose flour.

FAQ’s

What Is The Best Gluten Free All Purpose Flour To Use For Baking Cookies? 

I have had great results with both Pillsbury Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour when making different types of gluten free cookies.

What Is The Best Frosting To Use On Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies? 

Mix together some powdered sugar and milk for an easy homemade frosting. Then, add your favorite food coloring and decorate the cookies. 

More Gluten Free Cookie Recipes

Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you love chocolate, you will love these Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Get The Recipe
A closeup of a single gluten free triple chocolate chip cookie on a silpat mat
Gluten Free Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gluten Free Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies are loaded with the classic taste of sweet chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts!
Get The Recipe
Close up of a hand holding a single gluten free walnut chocolate chip cookie
Dark Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies are richer and more indulgent than the traditional recipe, but just as easy to make. You and your family will love these sweet, chewy treats!
Get The Recipe
A stack of 5 Dark Chocolate No-Bake Cookies on a small piece of parchment paper on a wood board with a white mug in the background

Love this Gluten Free Sugar Cookies recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

A stack of gluten free sugar cookies with a bite taken out of the top cookie.
Print

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

Gluten-free sugar cookies suit the dietary needs of the whole family! This recipe is also egg and dairy-free, making it an allergen-friendly choice for any celebration or holiday spread. Each bite is soft, tender, and chewy.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Gluten Free
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 131kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Flax Eggs

  • 5 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

Cookies

  • 3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dairy-free butter (softened)
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (use organic or raw, if vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing & Sprinkles

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk (or water, milk can be regular or dairy free)
  • sprinkles of your choice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats.

Flax Eggs

  • In a small bowl, mix the water and ground flaxseed until well combined. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
    2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, 5 tablespoons water

Cookies

  • In a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside.
    3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar, scraping down the sides throughout, for about 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy.
    1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup dairy-free butter
  • Add the flax egg and vanilla, then mix for another 30-60 seconds to incorporate.
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, shape the cookie dough into balls, rolling between your palms until smooth.
  • Spread out evenly on the prepared baking sheets, keeping 1-2 inches between the cookies.
  • Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Remove them from the oven, lightly smack the pan, then let them cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.

Icing & Sprinkles

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the powdered sugar and milk or water together until smooth, adding more milk if necessary (for an even creamier icing, add 1 tablespoon of dairy-free butter).
    2 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • Once the cookies are cool, spread icing evenly over the tops of each cookie. Add a pinch of sprinkles to each cookie immediately after icing them so they stick better. Let the icing set, then enjoy!
    sprinkles of your choice

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • If the dough is too wet, add 1 tablespoon of 1:1 gluten-free flour at a time. If it is too dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk or water to achieve the right consistency.
  • Milk for the icing can be regular or dairy-free.
  • This recipe was made using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend.
  • Celiac information: Ensure vanilla is certified gluten-free if gluten is a serious allergen.
  • Storage: Room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days; fridge for 7 days in an airtight container; freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
  • Substitutions: Add 1 ½ teaspoons of xanthan gum if there is none in the GF flour blend. This recipe can also be made with all-purpose flour.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 241IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Related Posts

A stack of 5 Dark Chocolate No-Bake Cookies on a small piece of parchment paper on a wood board with a white mug in the background
Dark Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Halloween cookies laid out on black tissue paper
Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies
A closeup of a single gluten free triple chocolate chip cookie on a silpat mat
Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
Close up of a hand holding a single gluten free walnut chocolate chip cookie
Gluten Free Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies Close Up on a White Background
Gluten Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Recipes

Comments

  1. Britt says

    August 24, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    Seriously AMAZING recipe!! I wanted a sugar cookie recipe that didn’t need chilled or rolled out. I used a cookie scooper and it worked Perfectly! (We chose to skip the icing)
    Kid and parent approved!! 😉
    Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala Harris says

      August 28, 2024 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!!

      – Lauren

      Reply
  2. Amy Liu Dong says

    November 20, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    First of all this cookie looks so cute, and absolutely delicious. Second, the presentation makes it looks mesmerizing and enticing! Loved it!

    Reply
  3. Jamie says

    November 20, 2022 at 11:11 am

    I love how easy and delicious these cookies, and I am so excited to make this at home for the kids.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

as seen on


Copyright ©2025, Delicious Little Bites. All Rights Reserved.

76 shares