The holiday season has a magic all its own—a time when the air grows crisp, homes are decked with twinkling lights, and kitchens everywhere are filled with the warm, spicy aromas of holiday baking. Among the most beloved symbols of the season are gingerbread men—those charmingly spiced cookies with their happy faces and festive decorations. But for many, the joy of baking and eating these holiday treats can be dampened by dietary restrictions. That’s where this gluten-free gingerbread men recipe comes in, bringing everyone back to the table, one delicious cookie at a time.
For those of us navigating the world of gluten-free living, holiday baking can sometimes feel like a daunting challenge. Gluten is the secret behind the structure and chewiness in traditional cookies, and without it, baking can feel like a game of trial and error. But here’s the good news: gluten-free baking has come a long way! With the right ingredients and a little patience, it’s entirely possible to recreate the classics—gingerbread men included—without compromising on taste or texture.
This recipe isn’t just for those with gluten sensitivities; it’s for anyone looking to embrace the inclusivity of modern holiday baking. Whether you’re whipping these up for a loved one with celiac disease, a friend with a gluten intolerance, or simply for yourself, these gingerbread men are as warm, spiced, and delightful as their traditional counterparts.
Making gingerbread men is more than just baking—it’s an experience, a tradition steeped in nostalgia. Rolling out the dough, cutting out those little figures, and decorating them with whimsical designs is an act of creativity and joy. It’s a chance to gather with family and friends, to share laughter and stories over bowls of royal icing and sprinkles. And when the baking is done, these cookies become the centrepiece of holiday cheer, ready to be shared, gifted, or simply savoured with a hot cup of chocolate.
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to achieve the perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and that signature snap—without a trace of gluten. We’ll explore the best gluten-free flours to use, tips for rolling and cutting the dough, and tricks to keep your cookies from crumbling. Whether you’re a seasoned gluten-free baker or new to the craft, this guide will walk you through every step with ease.
So grab your rolling pin, preheat your oven, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of gluten-free gingerbread men. Together, we’ll create a batch of cookies that are not just safe for everyone to enjoy but so good, no one will even miss the gluten. Here’s to baking memories, embracing traditions, and celebrating the sweetness of the season in every way possible!
Here are some tips to ensure your gluten-free gingerbread men turn out perfectly every time:
1. Choose the Right Gluten-Free Flour Blend
Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. Look for a blend that contains a mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch for the best texture. Many store-bought blends are labeled “self-raising or “all-purpose” and include xanthan gum or guar gum, which helps bind the dough.
2. Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough
Gluten-free dough tends to be more delicate than regular dough. Chilling it for at least an hour (or even overnight) will make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes. It also helps the flavours meld together for a richer taste.
3. Roll Out Dough Between Parchment Paper
Instead of using a floured surface, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. This prevents sticking and keeps the dough smooth and easy to handle.
4. Handle the Dough Gently
Gluten-free dough is more fragile than its wheat-based counterpart. Work with smaller portions and use a spatula to transfer the cutouts onto the baking sheet to avoid tearing or breaking.
5. Use the Right Spices
For a classic gingerbread flavor, use fresh, high-quality spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Fresh spices will elevate the flavor and give your cookies that signature holiday aroma.
6. Watch the Bake Time
Gluten-free cookies can overbake quickly, leading to dryness. Bake them just until the edges are firm and slightly golden, but the centers are still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
7. Decorate with Care
Once cooled, these cookies are ready for decorating. Use royal icing for crisp, clean designs, or get creative with colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or small candies. Be mindful that gluten-free cookies can be slightly more fragile when decorating, so handle them with care.
8. Store Properly
Store your gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature. If you live in a humid area, adding a small silica gel packet (food-safe) can help keep them crisp. These cookies also freeze well for up to three months.
9. Test Your Cutters
Some cookie cutters with intricate designs may not work well with gluten-free dough, which is less elastic. Stick with simpler shapes for the best results.
10. Have Fun!
Baking is all about the experience. Involve your family or friends, play holiday music, and enjoy the process. Remember, even if a cookie isn’t perfect, it will still taste amazing!
With these tips in hand, your gluten-free gingerbread men will turn out delicious, festive, and ready to spread holiday cheer!
Ingredients:
Gingerbread:
350 g gluten free plain flour
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
3 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
125 g butter chopped and cold (dairy free alternative if necessary)
175 g light brown sugar
4 tbsp golden syrup
1 egg
Royal Icing:
500 g royal icing sugar
80 ml cold water
colour gels
Place your dry ingredients (gluten free flour, xanthan gum, ground ginger, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda) into a bowl. Rub in your butter until it is like breadcrumbs. I used my fingers but you could use a food processor if you have one.
Next mix in your light brown sugar
Crack your egg into a bowl and add your golden syrup to it. Beat them together.
Gradually add your egg/syrup mixture into your main bowl and mix all together until it becomes a dough.
Remove your mix from the bowl and briefly knead it together (use a little extra flour to make sure it doesn't stick to your surface).
Split your dough into two. Cover each in clingfilm and place in the fridge for no less than 30 minutes ideally. The ideal time in the fridge is around 1-2 hours but if you can't wait then 30 minutes is fine.
Preheat your oven to 180°C and prepare a baking tray with some baking paper.
Once you are ready to roll your dough out get two sheets of baking paper. Sprinkle a little gluten free flour on the bottom sheet.
Place your dough onto the baking paper and place your other sheet on top of it - doing this helps your dough not stick. Roll the dough out to 0.5cm thickness. Then use your cutter to cut out your gingerbread man shapes or any shape you are wanting e.g Christmas trees, stars etc.
Place them onto your baking tray (leaving gaps between each for any spread) and bake for 12 minutes, or until golden.
Leave to cool for about 10 minutes on the baking tray before transferring to a cooling rack.
Mix your icing sugar into your water. Mix on a slow speed for 5 minutes, then a high speed for about 8 minutes. I do this in my stand mixer but you could do it with an electric hand mixer or by hand but be warned it would just take much longer!
Divide the icing up equally into smaller bowls - one bowl for each colour you'll need. I just had three bowls, one for my white, red and green. Mix the red colouring gel into the bowl reserved for your red icing. Make sure you mix your colour in thoroughly so it's evenly throughout the batch.
Grab one more bowl and split the red icing again so you now have two bowls of red icing. To one bowl, add around 2 tsp of cold water and mix thoroughly until you have a slightly runnier mixture. We'll call that bowl your 'flood icing'. Put to one side for a minute and repeat if using any more colours.
Spoon your white icing into a piping bag, and tie up the top so it doesn't dry out - we won't need it for a while. Then, spoon your red icing into a piping bag (not your flood icing bowl) and snip off a very small hole to pipe from.
Simply pipe the outline of your Christmas jumpers onto your gingerbread men. Allow this to set for 5 minutes.
Then, grab another piping bag and fill it with your red flood icing. Pipe a nice dollop into the middle of the gingerbread man's jumper, leaving a half cm gap away from all edges of the outline you piped earlier.
Using a cocktail stick, now swirl the icing so that it meets the line, but be careful not to go over it.
Once you've repeated icing steps 5-7 on all of your gingerbread men and any other shapes you cut out, place them onto a baking tray and pop them back in the oven at 55°C for 40 minutes.
Once the icing is really nice and set, grab your white icing piping bag and snip off a small hole to pipe from. Use this to pipe detail onto the gingerbread man's jumper.
Allow to set for 10 minutes and enjoy!
Making Sweet Memories, One Gingerbread Man at a Time
Baking gluten-free doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor, texture, or tradition. These gluten-free gingerbread men prove that everyone—regardless of dietary restrictions—can partake in the simple joys of holiday baking. Each cookie is more than a treat; it’s a celebration of inclusion, creativity, and the warmth that comes from sharing something special with loved ones.
As you roll out your dough, decorate each gingerbread man with care, and fill your home with the comforting aroma of holiday spices, remember that the true magic of the season lies in these small, meaningful moments. So, whether you’re making these cookies for yourself, your family, or as a gift for someone special, know that your effort and love shine through in every bite.
Here’s to happy baking, delicious memories, and a season full of sweetness for all. Happy holidays!
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