Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Cookies (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Laura Fuentes · This post may contain affiliate links

Easy and delicious gluten-free cookies for Valentine's day!

5 from 2 votes

Jump to Recipe

I love making these Gluten-Free Valentine’s Day Cookies each year. I make this recipe for a lot of holidays because it’s justthat good. The cookies end up perfectly soft and they’re easy to roll out so you can make cute hearts or cupids!

Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Cookies (1)

Makinggluten-freeand allergy-friendlysugar cookies is one of my favorite things to make with my daughter! She loves grabbing all the cookie cutters and having her choice of fun shapes and sizes.

I love baking these cookies for my daughter and even her classmates as a treat.I know that they are safe for any food allergies and also delicious!

But if you’re looking for a Valentine Day Dessert, that’s a little different than a cookie, you can try ourChocolate Pretzel Hearts.They’re fun to make and another adorable treat to share with the classroom.

Ingredients

When it comes to recipes that include gluten-free flour, substitutions are highly discouraged. You’ll find the ingredient measurements below, but first, let’s see what you need to make these gluten-free sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day:

  • Sugar:white granulated sugar is key for making these cookies.
  • Butter:it must besoftened, not melted.
  • Egg:add structure to the dough.
  • Water or milk:the liquid these cookies need. Milk will make them tastier!
  • Vanilla:classic cookie flavor!
  • Salt:to enhance all the other flavors.
  • Ground cinnamon:I love adding cinnamon, but it’s completely optional.
  • Xanthan gum:omit it if your all-purpose flour has it.
  • Gluten-free all-purpose flour:not all GF flours are the same, so I’ve included below the ones I tried that work great for this cookie recipe.

For the Frosting:

  • Powdered sugar:a basic ingredient for any frosting.
  • Milk:any kind.
  • Vanilla extract:to make this frosting tastier!
  • Corn syrup:adds moisture.
  • Food coloring:optional for extra fun!

How to Make Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

These gluten-free sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day are not complicated. Just follow the steps to the T and they’ll turn out perfectly every time:

  1. Cream the butter
    First, you cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl.
  2. Add the wet ingredients
    You add the egg, water (or milk), vanilla, salt, and cinnamon (if using). You blend until mixed well.
  3. Add the flour
    Now you add the flour and the xanthan gum (if your flour doesn’t have it). Mix slowly until the dough is well combined.
  4. Refrigerate
    Storing the dough in the fridge forat least1 hour turns it firm enough to cut it out.
  5. Prep the oven
    Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Roll out the dough
    After at least 1 hour in the fridge, you roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface until about ⅓-inch thick.
  7. Make the cookies
    With your favorite cookie cutters, cut the dough and transfer the cookies to a baking sheet. Reform and roll out the scrap dough and keep doing more cookies.When placing them on the baking sheet, allow space between each one!
  8. Bake
    You bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
  9. Cool down
    Allow the cookies to cool down for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.They must be completely cool before decorating.
  10. Make the frosting
    You combine sugar, milk, vanilla, and corn syrup in a bowl and whisk until smooth.If it’s too thick, add more milk to reach the desired consistency.
  11. Color it up!
    If you want to color it up, add the food coloring and whisk until smooth and the color is even.
  12. Add the frost
    Decorate the sugar cookies and enjoy!

Watch this quick recipe video to see how easy these Valentine’s Day Cookies are to make.

Easy, right? Here are a few tips to be sure your roll-out Valentine cookies are the best EVER. If you are looking forstep-by-step instructions for your gluten-free sugar cookies, information about ingredient swaps and more, click here.

Success Tips for Gluten-Free Baking

Don’t roll the dough too thin. I know that if I roll the dough out too thin and cut it, they will spread when baking. Make sure you are keeping it thick enough to hold its shape.

Make sure when you are making the batter,your butter is softened (as called for), not melted. There is a big difference in baking and the outcome you’ll achieve.

Make sure your dough chills long enough in the fridge.This is also true when rolling out the dough and cutting. If it sits out too long and is overworked during that process, again, it will spread and not hold its shape. After chilling, you may want to break off half the dough and roll it out and cut half at a time.

Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Cookies (3)

Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies (Gluten-Free)

Laura Fuentes

Easy and delicious gluten-free cookies for Valentine’s day!

5 from 2 votes

Servings 20 -24

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water or milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
  • ½ teaspoon xanthan gum, omit if your all-purpose flour has it
  • 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour, + more for rolling/dusting

Sugar Cookie Frosting:

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons corn syrup
  • Food coloring, optional

Instructions

For the Cookies:

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar at medium speed.

  • Add the egg, water or milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Blend until mixed well.

  • Add the xanthan gum, if necessary, and the flour. Mix at a low speed until well combined.

  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

  • Preheat the oven to 350F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or a silicone mat).

  • Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, until about ¼-inch thick.

  • Cut out with your favorite cookie cutters, and place the cookies on a baking sheet, allowing space between each one. Make sure the cookies are not touching.

  • Reform and roll out the scrap dough, then continue cutting more cookies.

  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to a cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating.

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

For the Frosting:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, milk, vanilla, and corn syrup. Whisk until smooth, adding more milk until it reaches the desired consistency.

  • If using, add the food coloring and whisk until smooth and the color is even. Use it to frost the sugar cookies and refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • Not all gluten-free flours are the same. King Arthur Measure for Measure,Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour, andNamaste Perfect Flour Blend are the three all-purpose flours that I’ve made this with and that have yielded great cookies.
  • Refrigeration is a must, otherwise your dough will be too sticky to roll, and the cookies will spread. If you roll out your dough and it’s too sticky to “pick up,” put it back in the fridge before cutting.
  • Gluten-free flourabsorbs less moisture compared to regular flour. As with any gluten-free recipe, using the same amount of flour provided in the recipe is recommended, and substitutions are highly discouraged.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 22.1gProtein: 1.2gFat: 4.8gSaturated Fat: 2.9gCholesterol: 21.5mgSodium: 33.4mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 10g

Love this Recipe?

More Cookies

  • Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles with Almond Flour
  • Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Sugar Cookies Without Baking Powder or Soda

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Cookies (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep gluten-free cookies from flattening? ›

You need a binding agent in your gluten-free cookies recipe; otherwise, your cookies will fall apart. Some flour blends may already contain a binding agent, so double-check the list of ingredients. If it doesn't, you can add flaxseeds, xanthan gum, or guar gum.

Does Pepperidge Farm make gluten-free cookies? ›

Pepperidge Farm releasing its first gluten-free products – Farmhouse Thin & Crispy cookies.

Are gluten-free cookies better for you than regular cookies? ›

For example a Gluten-Free cookie is no healthier than a regular cookie and in either case they are both seen as a treat that you should enjoy on occasion. Just because something is Gluten-Free, does not mean you can go and eat a whole box of Gluten-Free cookies and then expect to lose 5 lbs.

How do you get gluten-free cookies to stick together? ›

Remember: Xanthan Gum is Your Friend

It might sound scary, but xanthan gum is key for successful gluten-free baking. It helps bind together the ingredients, preventing your cookies from falling to pieces. Be careful to not use too much; no one likes gummy baked goods.

Should you chill gluten free cookie dough before baking? ›

5- Chill your dough well before baking.

It reduces stickiness of gluten free doughs and also can enhance the flavor, but again, it's not necessary with gfJules Flour or Cookie Mixes. If you find your cookies are too crispy for your liking, do not chill the dough before baking.

How to get rid of grittiness in gluten-free cookies? ›

Letting your cookie dough sit for 60 minutes can make the difference between a cookie with a gritty mouthfeel and one that you would never guess is gluten-free.

What is the best flour for gluten-free cookies? ›

King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Measure-For-Measure Flour is my favorite gluten-free flour. I've also had good results with Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour. Almond Flour: I like to add a little almond flour along with the gluten-free flour. It gives the cookies richness and helps them to bake up golden brown.

Does Pillsbury have gluten-free cookies? ›

Enjoy the cookie classic with our Pillsbury Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Premium Cookie Mix.

Why are my gluten-free cookies so dry? ›

You used a starchy gluten free flour blend.

Some starchy blends need more flour because the starch softens when the liquid ingredients are added. This also happens with the Cup4Cup flour blend due to the dried milk powder.

What are the cons of gluten-free flour? ›

But cutting out gluten altogether isn't necessarily healthier for you. Many gluten free products are high in processed carbohydrates and refined sugar, and eating these products in place of whole grains can lead to weight gain.

Do gluten-free cookies take longer to bake? ›

Remember, baking times for gluten-free foods vary greatly, and it's important to keep a constant eye on your creation to monitor for the colors and textures that indicate doneness. These recipes often call for longer baking times at a lower temperature compared to traditional recipes.

Why are my gluten-free cookies gummy? ›

Why your toothpick may be lying. With gluten-free baking, we use a combination of gluten-free flours, starches, and a binder (like xanthan gum). These ingredients take longer to set than regular gluten-containing flour, meaning they may remain slightly “gummy” or sticky until they have cooled.

Why are my gluten-free cookies always flat? ›

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure.

How to tell if gluten-free cookies are done? ›

While visual cues like the toothpick test and pressing the top of the cake will still help, the best way to determine if your baked goods are perfectly done is with a timer and oven thermometer. This is because gluten-free treats often look underdone and slightly wet inside after baking.

Why are gluten-free cookies so flat? ›

If your gluten free cookies turned out flat, these are some possible causes of flat cookies. This could be due to using too little flour. Measuring your flour accurately is important. Some recipe developers measure the weight of the flour they use.

How to prevent cookies from flattening? ›

If your cookies come out of the oven looking flat, you may not have adequately chilled the dough before baking. Chilling times may vary depending on the cookie you're making, but you should typically chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours before you pop it in the oven.

Why are my gluten-free cookies puffy? ›

There may be several causes. It could be the recipe itself or the flour or other reasons. Different flours bake differently. Also, too much baking soda may cause then to be "cakey" and rise instead of the desired effect.

How do you make gluten-free baked goods less dense? ›

Gluten-free baked goods often benefit from extra liquid to hydrate the flour blends, eliminate grittiness, and achieve a less dense or dry texture. However, it's very important to drive off this extra moisture during baking, or you'll wind up with a gummy texture. The best way to do this? Longer baking times.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6460

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.