Gluten-free and Vegan Gingerbread cookies!
Generally when I see pictures of gingerbread cookies, I know they are off limits. So, along with recipes for many of my other favorite holiday cookies, I have one for a gluten-free gingerbread. These are really easy to make and can be made dairy-free and vegan. If you can tolerate dairy, simply use a stick of butter in place of the shortening or butter substitute.
You can also use this recipe to make your very own gluten-free gingerbread house as well as the standard gingerbread cookies for eating or decorating. Both are delicious.
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Gingerbread Cookies or House
3 cups Amy’s Gluten-Free Flour Blend (click on link for recipe or use a gluten-free flour blend)
½ cup sorghum flour
1 heaping teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend has gum in it)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea or kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup shortening or butter substitute (note: I have found 95 grams of shortening is the right amount if weighed)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg (or egg replacer* for 1 egg, prepared)
1/2 cup mild or light molasses for lighter cookies or dark molasses for darker cookies
1-3 tablespoons water
Potato or tapioca starch for rolling
Note: Use a stand mixer since the dough will be heavy.
*Try this egg replacer from King Arthur’s Flour: In a small bowl, mix 1 1/2 teaspoons each of potato and tapioca starch, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum and 3 tablespoons of warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Gingerbread ready to bake
1. In a medium bowl, combine flour blend with sorghum flour, gum, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Whisk together thoroughly and set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream shortening or butter sub with sugar until well-blended. Beat for 1 minute.
3. Add egg or egg substitute and beat until well mixed. Next add molasses and beat until well mixed. Beat for 30 seconds until fluffy.
4. Add dry ingredients gradually and mix briefly.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of water and mix gently until dough comes together. Add more water if necessary.
6. Divide dough into two discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before rolling out.
7. Remove dough from fridge and save plastic wrap. Heat oven to 375ºF. Using a small amount of potato or tapioca starch on the counter and plastic wrap on top, roll out dough to 1/4″ thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
8. Place cookies on cookie sheet lined either with parchment or a silicone baking sheet.
9. Bake 10-12 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool 3-5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
Frosted gluten-free gingerbread cookies
I make a simple frosting for the cookies with confectioner’s sugar (about 1 cup) mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and a non-dairy milk like coconut or almond. I add just enough milk to make a thick paste then use that to either spread a glaze over the cookies or drop bits to make eyes, mouths, etc. Have fun with it and enjoy!
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