Gluten-Free Star Cookies: A Mouth-Watering Delight
Are you on the hunt for a gluten-free sugar cookie recipe that will blow your socks off? Look no further than our Gluten-Free Star Cookies Recipe.
Perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, these star-shaped cookies are a crowd-pleaser. Despite being made with gluten-free flour and free sugar, they don’t taste like cardboard. In fact, they taste even better than most sugar cookie recipes out there.
This recipe is not only limited to those who have dietary restrictions like gluten, but everyone can enjoy it just as much. Using our unique blend of gluten-free flours, xanthan gum, coconut oil, and cinnamon ensures perfect results each time.
Whether it’s for the upcoming holiday season or just as a treat for yourself, whipping up a batch of these cookies is sure to impress your friends and family. Get ready to make merry and feel guilt-free eating these gluten-free star cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of feeling limited in your dessert options because of dietary restrictions? Look no further than these delicious Gluten Free Star Cookies! This recipe is perfect for those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, and even vegan!
Not only are these cookies free of all the things you may need to avoid, but they also taste amazing. The combination of almond flour and rice flour create the perfect texture – crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Flavored with cinnamon and a dash of vanilla extract, each bite is like a warm hug.
Plus, these cookies are versatile! You can use any cookie cutter shape you desire, but we love the star shape – it makes them perfect for Christmas, Hanukkah, or even just as a fun treat year-round.
No need to sacrifice flavor or variety for your dietary needs. Give these Gluten Free Star Cookies a try and see why they quickly become a new favorite for anyone who tries them.
Ingredient List
Here is a list of gluten-free ingredients you will need to make our delicious star cookies.
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups of gluten-free flour blend (a combination of rice flour, almond flour or any other gluten-free flours often used for baking)
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda
- 1/2 tsp of sea salt
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup of coconut oil, melted
- 3/4 cup of free sugar (you can use any alternative sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Chocolate chips or chocolate stars for topping
Make sure to get all these ingredients before starting with the recipe. They are all easily available in supermarkets or online.
The Recipe How-To
Now comes the most exciting part of this article, the recipe itself. This gluten-free and dairy-free star cookie recipe uses simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry. Make sure to follow the instructions accurately for perfect results.
Ingredients
Here’s all you need to make these delicious cookies:
- 2 cups of gluten-free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- A pinch of sea salt
- ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (or gluten-free sugar)
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Note: Make sure that all the ingredients are at room temperature before beginning.
Steps
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Preheat your oven to 350°F.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted coconut oil with brown sugar.
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Add in one egg at a time, whisking them together until fully incorporated before adding another egg.
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Stir in vanilla extract.
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In another bowl, sift in gluten-free flour blend, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt.
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Gradually pour dry ingredients into the wet mixture while stirring thoroughly until everything is evenly combined and dough-like consistency has formed.
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Shape into two flat discs, wrap them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least half an hour or overnight for best results.
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Roll out your dough into a thickness of approximately ½ inch and cut into star shapes using a star-shaped cookie cutter.
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Place cut-out cookies on the baking tray layered with parchment paper, leaving enough space between cut cookies so they won’t merge during baking.
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Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden edges form around it.
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Allow them to cool down on a wire rack before serving or decorating.
These gluten-free star cookies make great party treats or Christmas cookies! You can opt to decorate your cookies using royal icing or leave them plain.
Recipe Notes
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If the dough is too sticky, add a little bit more gluten-free flour until it reaches the right consistency.
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For vegan option, replace the eggs with flax eggs.
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For a chocolate version of this recipe, add cocoa powder to the flour mixture and replace half of the coconut oil with melted chocolate chips. Cut out shapes before placing them in the fridge to chill.
Now you have an easy gluten-free star cookie recipe on hand for any occasion. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this gluten-free star cookies recipe is that it’s so versatile. You can use a wide range of ingredients to make these cookies your own, and experiment with different flavors and textures to create a unique batch every time. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try out:
1. Sugar: If you don’t have any free sugar on hand or want to bring down the sweetness levels, you can use regular white granulated sugar instead. You could also partially substitute sugar with honey or maple syrup to give a natural sweetness.
2. Flour: This recipe uses gluten-free flour blend as one of the main ingredients, but you can also use rice flour or almond flour as alternatives for a nuttier taste.
3. Fats: Instead of using coconut oil in this recipe, feel free to use unsalted butter or vegetable shortening.
4. Cinnamon: The sweet cinnamon aroma gives these cookies a warm and cozy flavor but if you want to switch things up, try adding some nutmeg or ginger for even more depth of flavor.
5. Add-Ins: These star-shaped cookies look beautiful all on their own, but if you’re looking to jazz up your batch, try adding some chocolate chips, raisins, nuts (walnuts/pecans), dried cranberries or white/yellow cake crumbs to the cookie dough mixture.
6. Icing: Add extra sweetness with some royal icing by mixing powdered sugar with a touch of water and applying it on top of the cooled cookies before serving.
7. Vegan/Dairy-Free option: Swap butter with coconut oil and sour cream with dairy-free yogurt/almond milk/Soy Cream Cheese(Cream cheese substitutes) to create gluten-free vegan/dairy-free cinnamon shortbread Christmas biscuits
Get creative with your substitutions and variations and go wild creating your versions of these amazing gluten-free star versatile cookies!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you have your gluten-free star cookies ready, it’s time to think about serving and pairing options. These cookies are perfect for holiday parties or as a sweet treat with your afternoon tea or coffee.
If you want to elevate the experience, try serving these cookies alongside a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows. The combination of the soft, chewy cookie texture and the warm, rich chocolate flavor will make for a delectable pairing.
For those who want to go all out, you can decorate your cookies with royal icing or melted chocolate chips for a festive touch. Or if you prefer something more savory, you could pair these cookies with your favorite nut butter or cheese spread as an appetizer.
If you’re planning on serving these cookies at a party, consider displaying them on a platter alongside other holiday-themed goodies such as gingerbread houses, candy canes and sugar-coated almonds. This will create a beautiful display and make for a delightful snacking experience.
In conclusion, there are many ways to serve and pair these gluten-free star cookies; from simple accompaniments like tea and coffee to more intricate delights like hot cocoa and cheese spreads. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different flavors and presentation styles; it’s sure to be a hit with family and friends alike!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As a food blogger, I know the importance of being able to make a recipe ahead of time and store it until you’re ready to serve. That’s why for these Gluten Free Star Cookies, you’ll be glad to know that it’s super easy to make them ahead of time, and store them properly for later use.
To make-ahead the Gluten Free Star Cookies, simply follow the recipe as directed and cut out the star shapes using a cookie cutter. Once you’ve cut out all your cookies, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them chill in the fridge or freezer. Once they’re fully chilled, transfer them to an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. The cookies will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
If you have leftovers that you’d like to store for later snacking, remember that proper storage is key. To do so, make sure that the cookies are completely cool to the touch before storing in an airtight container or resealable bag. Do not stack the cookies too tightly on top of each other – they can easily stick or break over time.
If you want your gluten-free star cookies warm out of the oven, then reheating is quick and simple. Preheat your oven back to 350°F (175°C) and place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them into the oven for 3-5 minutes until warm and rejuvenated! If heating up more than two cookies at a time or using more than one baking sheet make sure to rotate halfway through cooking so everything cooks evenly.
As always if you’re making any modifications such as adding extra frosting drizzle (yum!) or icing decorations, wait until they are totally re-cooled before storing – this way no icing will slide off or smear as it melts while being stored.
Make ahead, store and reheat correctly for perfect soft chewy Gluten Free Star Cookies every time!
Tips for Perfect Results
Making gluten-free star cookies can be tricky, but with the right tips and tricks, you’ll have perfect results every time. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when making these delightful treats.
Firstly, measure your gluten-free flour precisely to avoid any inconsistencies in your dough. Add your xanthan gum accordingly, or as directed by your flour blend, to give your cookies the structure they need to hold their shape while baking. Overworking the dough will also result in tough cookies, so be gentle when handling it and resist the urge to knead it too much.
Secondly, for a softer and chewier texture, add a tablespoon of sour cream to the dough. This simple addition can elevate the flavor and help keep your cookies moist for longer.
Thirdly, to prevent your star-shaped cookies from falling apart during transfer or baking, roll out your dough a bit thicker than usual. Additionally, use a sharp cookie cutter to cut clean edges while shaping your stars. If you’re having difficulty getting a clean cut, try dipping your cutter in gluten-free flour before pressing down on the dough.
Fourthly, while the recipe calls for coconut oil, you can also use dairy-free butter if you prefer. Be sure that whatever butter product you use is softened at room temperature before adding it to the mixture.
Lastly, don’t skimp on the decorating! These star-shaped cookies can easily be transformed into festive holiday treats with just a simple dusting of powdered sugar or royal icing drizzled on top. Or take them up a notch with chocolate chips or a chocolate star cut-out placed in the center of each cookie before baking.
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll make perfect gluten-free star cookies every time. So pull out those cookie cutters and get started on this crowd-pleasing recipe!
FAQ
Before concluding this article, it’s important to tackle some Frequently Asked Questions that you may have about this gluten-free star cookies recipe. I can understand that many people have queries regarding the ingredients, substitutions, and the overall process of making gluten-free and dairy-free cookies to ensure that they get the best possible results. Therefore, let’s dive into these FAQs below and clear up any confusion or doubts you may have.
How do you keep gluten-free cookies from falling apart?
If you’re worried about your gluten-free cookies crumbling apart as they bake, don’t fret. Xanthan gum may seem intimidating, but it’s actually a helpful ingredient for keeping your baked goods intact. This substance assists in holding everything together, ensuring that your final product is both pleasing to the eye and the taste buds.
Why are my gluten-free cookies so dry?
Gluten-free baked goods are often labeled as dry and gritty due to the usage of flours that are high in starch and rice flour. These flours absorb moisture at a slower pace than the regular gluten flour which results in the grittiness of the recipes.
How to make star cookies without cookie cutter?
One of the simplest and most effective tools for making cookies of different sizes is a regular drinking glass. Simply coat the rim with a bit of flour to prevent the dough from sticking, and use glasses with a thin rim for smoother cutting. With this technique, you can easily create cookies that range in size from small to large.
How does gluten-free flour effect cookies?
When using gluten-free flours, it’s important to remember that they tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour due to the presence of fine starches. Thus, gluten-free recipes require more liquid to produce a looser batter. Additionally, these recipes may call for a greater amount of leavening agents, such as baking powder, to help create volume and a light texture.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, these gluten-free star cookies are a perfect treat for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. With their soft and chewy texture, delicious vanilla and cinnamon flavors, and stunning star shape, these cookies are a guaranteed hit for any occasion.
By using coconut oil in place of traditional butter, as well as gluten-free flour blends like rice flour and xanthan gum, you can easily adapt this recipe to your dietary needs. Substitutions like peanut butter or chocolate chips add even more variety to this already-flexible recipe.
So why not give these cookies a try? Whether you’re looking for an easy recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth or a beautiful addition to your holiday table, the gluten-free star cookies are sure to impress. So get in the kitchen and start baking – you won’t regret it!
Gluten Free Star Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 5 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
- In a smaller bowl, mix together coconut oil, agave and vanilla.
- Mix wet ingredients into dry, then chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Place dough in between 2 large pieces of parchment paper and roll out until ¼ inch thick.
- Remove top piece of parchment paper and cut out cookies with a small star cutter.
- Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350° until lightly browned around the edges, 7-10 minutes.
- Cool completely prior to handling cookies.