Name: Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup softened butter or ghee; ½ cup organic cane sugar; 1 large egg; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ½ cup coconut flour; 1–2 Tablespoons arrowroot powder or tapioca flour; ½ cup powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-2 teaspoons almond milk; Sprinkles (look for ones that are naturally colored)

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 33 reviews

If you’ve ever wished for a delightful treat that’s both irresistibly tasty and safe for those avoiding gluten, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe. These charming cookies bring all the classic sweetness and buttery goodness you crave, with the added magic of coconut flour and arrowroot powder giving them a tender yet sturdy texture perfect for cutting into fun shapes. Whether it’s for a holiday celebration, a birthday party, or just a cozy afternoon snack, these cookies are guaranteed to brighten your day and satisfy your sweet tooth without any gluten worries.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A flat, rolled out dough in a rough circle shape is placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Multiple star shapes, including larger six-point and smaller snowflake-like ones, are cut into the dough with two metal cookie cutters still pressed in on the right side. The dough is pale yellow with a slightly rough texture, and a wooden rolling pin with visible grain rests on the upper right corner. Some flour is scattered lightly around the dough edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Keeping the ingredient list simple and wholesome is key to making cookies that are deliciously satisfying, with each element playing a vital role. From the richness of butter or ghee to the subtle sweetness of vanilla and the unique texture from coconut flour, every ingredient works in perfect harmony to create that ideal cookie bite.

¼ cup softened butter or ghee: Adds a rich, creamy base and helps achieve that tender crumb.
½ cup organic cane sugar: Sweetens the dough naturally without any artificial aftertaste.
1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and gives structure to your cookies.
½ teaspoon baking powder: Gives a gentle lift for a soft, light texture.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a classic warm flavor that elevates the cookie experience.
¼ teaspoon sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
½ cup coconut flour: The star gluten-free flour that creates a delicate, moist cookie.
1–2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or tapioca flour: Helps firm up the dough for perfect cut-out shapes.
½ cup powdered sugar: Used for the frosting, providing smooth, sweet coverage.
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing): Adds depth to the frosting’s flavor.
1-2 teaspoons almond milk: Adjusts the icing consistency for easy spreading.
Sprinkles: Choose naturally colored options to keep your cookies as wholesome as they are fun!

How to Make Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by heating your oven to 350ºF. This ensures it’s ready to perfectly bake your cookies as soon as the dough is shaped. A well-preheated oven means evenly baked, golden bottoms every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Grab a medium mixing bowl and stir together your softened butter or ghee with organic cane sugar until creamy. Then add the egg, baking powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Once this mixture is smooth and homogenous, fold in the coconut flour carefully. Combining everything in this order helps build a rich, flavorful dough.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rest

Give your dough about 5 minutes to rest at room temperature. This pause allows the coconut flour to absorb moisture fully, resulting in a dough that’s easier to handle and yields a more tender cookie.

Step 4: Knead with Arrowroot Powder

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder over your dough and knead it gently with clean hands. This process firms up the dough so it’s less sticky and easier to roll. If you find the dough still too wet, add another tablespoon of arrowroot powder until it feels just right.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Lightly dust your rolling surface with arrowroot powder or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Roll out your dough to about ¼ to ⅓ inch thickness. This thickness is perfect for holding shapes while staying tender once baked.

Step 6: Cut Shapes and Bake

Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut fun shapes from the dough and transfer them to your cookie sheet. Bake them in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms turn a beautiful golden color. Once baked, let them cool for a few minutes on the sheet before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Decorate Your Cookies

After your cookies have cooled, it’s time to bring them to life with frosting and sprinkles! Whisk together powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon almond milk—adding more almond milk as needed until the icing is just thick enough to spread without running off. Ice the cookies and add your naturally colored sprinkles immediately so they stick perfectly.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe

A stack of five star-shaped cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light golden brown with a smooth texture and has a layer of white icing on top that slightly drips over the edges. The top cookie is decorated with small white and silver round sprinkles scattered across the icing. Around the stack, there are more star-shaped cookies with similar icing and sprinkles, and a small white bowl to the left contains extra silver sprinkles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding a sprinkle of colored sugar, edible glitter, or even a pinch of finely chopped nuts right after icing adds a delightful crunch and festive flair. You could also try little dots of colored royal icing for intricate designs that wow your guests, turning these humble sugar cookies into stunning showpieces.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm beverage like herbal tea, chai latte, or even a rich cup of coffee. They also make a sweet companion for fresh fruit platters or a creamy dairy-free yogurt for a balanced snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Present your cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra sprinkles and icing for guests to decorate their own. You can also sandwich a spoonful of homemade fruit jam or dairy-free chocolate spread between two cookies for a fun twist on your Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking or breaking. They’ll stay tender and delicious for up to 5 days.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy your Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe longer, freeze your baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months, ready to thaw whenever a sweet craving strikes.

Reheating

Though these cookies are perfect at room temperature, if you prefer them warm, heat them gently in an oven preheated to 300ºF for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can make the texture soggy.

FAQs

Can I substitute the coconut flour?

Coconut flour is quite unique because it’s highly absorbent. If you swap it out, the texture might change drastically. You could try almond flour, but you would need to adjust the liquid ingredients to avoid a dough that’s too wet or crumbly.

Are these cookies vegan?

This recipe uses butter or ghee and egg, so it’s not vegan as-is. However, you can experiment with vegan butter and an egg replacer like flaxseed or chia seed gel to make them vegan-friendly.

What if I don’t have arrowroot powder?

Tapioca flour is a great one-to-one substitute for arrowroot powder in this recipe, helping create that perfect dough texture for cut-out cookies without compromising taste.

Can I make this recipe sugar-free?

You can swap the organic cane sugar for a natural sweetener like coconut sugar or a monk fruit blend, but keep in mind that sweetness levels and texture might vary slightly.

How do I make perfect cookie shapes every time?

Ensuring your dough is well-chilled and dusting your rolling surface with arrowroot powder will help prevent sticking and make cutting and transferring your cookie shapes much easier and more precise.

Final Thoughts

There’s something wonderfully rewarding about making your own Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies) Recipe from scratch, especially when the results are this tasty and charming. These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends, decorating with kids, or simply treating yourself to a bit of homemade joy. So why wait? Grab your ingredients and start baking these delightful little bites of happiness today. Your gluten-free cookie adventure awaits!