Recipe

Make Gluten Free and Vegan Christmas Cookies

By Kristine Mahan at Boston University

If looking through a Martha Stewart holiday-edition magazine makes you mildly sad because you can’t eat what her confections are made of, you are not alone.

But fear not, I’m on a mission to convince the world that gluten free and vegan baking can be delicious (if not better) than the conventional stuff. These cut out sugar cookies are no exception.

The first step to successful gluten free and vegan baking is investing in quality ingredients. There are hundreds of ways to make your own gluten free flour blend, but for convenience I have the best luck with Bob’s Red Mill 1:1. As for replacing butter, Earth Balance baking sticks are the gold standard.

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes (not including frosting)
  • Servings: 18-20 cookies
  • Medium
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cup gluten free baking flour
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 vegan baking stick
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon flax meal
  • 3 tablespoon water

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 1

Prepare the flax egg by combining water and ground flax seeds in a small prep bowl, let sit for 15 minutes in the fridge. Then cream vegan butter and powdered sugar.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 2

When the flax egg is ready, add it along with vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 3

Next add half of the dry ingredients and incorporate with a handheld mixer. Incorporate the second half by kneading with your hands. A ball should form (if the dough is sticky, knead in more flour 1 tablespoon at a time).

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 4

Place the ball of dough into the fridge for 45 minutes.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 5

After dough is removed from the fridge, place it on top of a piece of wax paper and begin to flatten with your hands.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 6

Place another sheet of wax paper on top of the flattened dough and begin to roll with a rolling pin until approximately 1/4 inch thick.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 7

Remove wax paper and start cutting out shapes. Take the scraps and form into a ball of dough once again and repeat steps 5-7.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 8

Line a baking sheet with silpat or parchment paper. Bake cookies at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Step 9

Once cookies are cooled, decorate with glaze or royal icing.  If you’re down for the homemade frosting route, check out this recipe.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

For more gluten free and vegan tid bits, check these out: