Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

Welcome to our delicious and festive gluten-free gingerbread men cookie recipe! These cookies are perfect for the holidays or any time you crave a spiced, sweet treat. They’re soft, chewy, and easy to decorate. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (210 g) all purpose gluten free flour blend, (I used Better Batter, please click thru for full info on appropriate blends)
• ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum, omit if your blend already contains it
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup (109 g) packed light brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons (84 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons (84 g) unsulphured molasses
• 1 tablespoon (21 g) honey
• 1 (50 g (weighed out of shell)) egg, at room temperature, beaten
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing, for decorating (optional)

Nutritional Information

Enjoy these delicious gluten-free gingerbread men cookies with the following nutritional benefits in mind. This information is an estimate, per cookie without royal icing.

• Serving: 1 cookie
• Calories: 72kcal
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0.1g
• Cholesterol: 11mg
• Sodium: 48mg
• Potassium: 49mg
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sugar: 6g
• Vitamin A: 78IU
• Vitamin C: 0.01mg
• Calcium: 11mg
• Iron: 0.2mg

Note: Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Gluten-Free Benefits and Insights

This recipe is crafted to be entirely gluten-free, making it suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. By using a gluten-free flour blend, we ensure that you can enjoy these classic cookies without any digestive discomfort. Additionally, this recipe provides a good balance of carbohydrates for energy, with a moderate amount of fats and sugars for that delightful gingerbread taste.

Tips for Perfect Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men

• Measure accurately: Use a kitchen scale to measure your gluten-free flour blend by weight (grams) rather than volume (cups). This ensures you don’t use too much flour, which can result in dry, crumbly cookies.
• Chill the dough: Gluten-free dough can be sticky. Chill it in the refrigerator or freezer as needed to make it easier to roll and cut.
• Roll to the right thickness: Aim for about 3/8 inch (more than 1/4 inch, less than 1/2 inch) thickness when rolling out your dough. Too thin, and they might burn; too thick, and they might not bake evenly.
• Baking time: Set a timer and keep a close eye on your cookies while they bake. Overbaking can lead to crunchy, less enjoyable gingerbread men.
• Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before handling or decorating. This prevents them from crumbling.

Substitutions and Variations

We understand that dietary needs vary, so here are some substitutions to make these gingerbread men suitable for different preferences:

Dairy-Free Gingerbread Men

Replace the unsalted butter with a vegan butter alternative. We recommend using a high-quality brand like Melt or Miyoko’s Kitchen for the best results. Avoid Earth Balance buttery sticks, as they contain too much moisture and can affect the cookie’s shape.

Egg-Free Gingerbread Men

Substitute the egg with a chia egg. To make a chia egg, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency.

Vegan Gingerbread Men

To make these cookies vegan, combine the dairy-free and egg-free substitutions mentioned above. Additionally, replace the honey with Lyle’s Golden Syrup or light corn syrup.

Nut-Free Gingerbread Men

This recipe is naturally nut-free. However, if you’re using a different gluten-free flour blend than recommended, double-check that it is also nut-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if my gingerbread dough is too crumbly? This usually means you’ve added too much flour. Add milk or your favorite dairy-free milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough becomes pliable.
• Do I have to use xanthan gum? If your gluten-free flour blend already contains xanthan gum, you can omit it. Otherwise, it’s essential for binding the dough.
• Can I make sugar-free gingerbread men? Yes, you can substitute the brown sugar and honey with sugar-free alternatives like erythritol or stevia. Be sure to adjust the amount to match the sweetness levels.
• How can I tell when my gingerbread cookies are ready? The edges should be set, and the centers should look slightly soft. They will firm up as they cool.
• Can I use this recipe to make gingerbread houses? Yes, but you may want to bake the pieces longer to make them sturdier.
• Why are my gingerbread men so brown and crispy? Your oven might be too hot, or you may have baked them for too long. Reduce the oven temperature or shorten the baking time.
• Why are my gingerbread men so large and shapeless? The dough might not have been chilled enough before baking. Make sure to chill the cut-out shapes before placing them in the oven.

Enjoy baking and decorating your gluten-free gingerbread men cookies! We hope these tips and substitutions help you create the perfect batch every time.