No Spread Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies (Easy Recipe!)

Published Dec 18, 2022 Updated Dec 13, 2024

4.67 from 12 votes

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Introducing the BEST Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies! These no-spread cut-out cookies make the most delicious treat for any holiday season! Simple ingredients, easy steps, and perfect cookies every single time.

What Makes This Recipe Great

Regardless of the season, baking and decorating sugar cookies is an unforgettable pastime. That should be no different for families and friends who have a gluten allergy. My goal was to make the PERFECT Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies! I have labored over this recipe, testing, and re-testing to make sure it is just right!

Traditional sugar cookies use regular flour that contains gluten. For these gluten-free cookies, I use a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum to help them keep their shape and texture.

Decorate them to the nines with my famous royal icing, which is just so fun and creative and perfect for big kids, little kids, and adults, too! Now pick up your favorite cookie cutters and get your camera ready- it’s that time of the year for cookie making!

How to Make Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

The best sugar cookies don’t actually have a ton of ingredients. In fact, while the ingredients matter a ton, it’s the process that really counts this time. These gluten-free sugar cookies are easy to make with a few pro tips to help you out!

I have thought of every last detail to help you re-create this recipe like a pro in your kitchen! I can’t wait to see your sugar cookies cut into cute holiday shapes! Make sure you tag me on Instagram or comment below so I can see your works of art!

My recipe for royal icing is in the printable recipe below, but for more tips & tricks and an awesome how-to video, click here for the full royal icing recipe!

Ingredients

Bob’s Red Mill Glute-Free 1:1 Baking Flour: Measure the flour exactly. I recommend using a scale. If you do use a measuring cup, be sure not to pack the flour into the measuring cup. Instead, spoon the flour into the cup for more accurate measuring. When you pack it in, you can get a ton of extra flour that will dry out the cookies.
Salted Butter: Use real butter, as this recipe will not work with margarine. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature. The butter should sit out at room temp for 45 minutes to an hour before you’re ready to use it. Give it the fingertip test by pressing down on the butter. If it leaves an indention, you are good to go. If the butter comes off onto your fingers, that means it’s too soft. Don’t soften your butter in the microwave, as this can ruin the dough. Make sure you are using salted butter, not unsalted butter!
Egg: Let your egg come to room temperature before using it in the recipe. This will ensure that the ingredients combine easily in the dough.
Vanilla Extract: Always use a high-quality vanilla extract. It makes a big difference in the final product and taste. I like buying Simply Organic Madagascar Pure Vanilla Extract that you can find at most grocery stores.
Baking Powder: I don’t use a lot of this leavening agent because I don’t want my cookies to spread. I use about 1/4 teaspoon.
Granulated Sugar: I use regular white sugar for this recipe, which I find yields the best results.
Royal Icing: Icing your cookies is totally optional, but if you want to see the super helpful how-to video for this icing recipe to decorate your sugar cookies and so many other treats.

Step-by-Step Instructions

As always, more detailed instructions are in the printable recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview of the steps to make these sugar cookies!

process shots for gluten free sugar cookies

Make the Dough | Remember, it’s super important to make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for this step! Also, be careful not to overmeasure any flour, as this will dry out your cookies.
Cream The Butter: Place the room temperature butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with standing or handheld mixing until light pale yellow and fluffy, around 3 minutes (This is such an important step; however, make sure not to overbeat because it will warm the butter and make it too soft. It needs to still be cold but light and fluffy after beating together).
Roll out your dough | Knead the dough together, and use a little extra flour here if it’s too sticky. Cut the dough in half and place each one on top of a large sheet of parchment paper. Additionally, place a piece of plastic wrap over the top and begin to roll out using a rolling pin. This method will help prevent it from sticking. Remember, the more the dough is rolled, the more it will warm and become soft. Feel free to throw it in the fridge if it’s too soft.
Chill your dough | After you’ve rolled out your dough, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Cut out shapes | Remove from the fridge or freezer and cut desired shapes using a cookie cutter of choice. These cut-out cookies are so fun!
Bake your dough | Place all of your beautiful shapes about 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 7-9 minutes! Let cool completely.
Decorate | Get your family together and decorate your gluten-free sugar cookies with my Royal Icing recipe!

Mac’s Pro TipS

Expert Tips

Making the Dough

Don’t overmix. As soon as it begins to clump together into a dough, it is ready.
Don’t over-knead. This will make the cookies spread and not hold their shape. If you over-knead, you will melt the butter, and the dough will become too soft when baking.
Use parchment paper and plastic wrap for rolling. This will help with sticking. Additionally, add a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the dough to ensure no sticking to the rolling pin.
Re-roll the dough only once. As you roll, it will begin to warm up and become too soft to work with.
Roll the dough evenly so you get the same-sized cookies throughout.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes in the fridge or 15 minutes in the freezer before cutting. This step is super important for getting no-spread cookies.
Preheat oven: Always make sure your oven is completely preheated before adding in the cookies. This will ensure an even bake.
Gluten-Free Flour: This sugar cookie recipe has only been tested with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Baking Flour. The measurement and weight of other gluten-free flour may differ from Bob’s Red Mill. If you use another brand, it’s possible your flour-to-fat ratio will need slight tweaking. GF flour can weigh between 122g and 148 grams per cup, depending on the brand
Say NO to cooking spray: Avoid adding cookie spray to your cookie sheet pans or hands. The excess grease can lead to the cookies spreading.
Don’t substitute! This recipe has been tested and retested to make sure they are absolutely perfect. For best results, I don’t recommend substituting any dry ingredients or wet ingredients for this reason.

Shaping the Dough with Cookie Cutters

Dip the cookie cutters into flour so they won’t stick and make a mess if you choose not to chill the dough before cutting.

Baking the Cookies

Don’t Overbake. I always pull my cookies out of the oven at around 8-9 minutes. I watch the edges and take them out before they start turning golden brown because I like my cookies to be a little softer and cake-like.

Storage Tips

Store these gluten-free sugar cookies for up to two weeks in an airtight container on the kitchen counter or pantry. You can also freeze it in an airtight container for 6 months.

To freeze sugar, simply place parchment paper between each layer of the cookies in an airtight container or freezer-safe ziplock bag. Thaw on the counter on top of parchment paper until room temperature. You can freeze decorated or undecorated cookies with this method.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best gluten-free flour to use for these sugar cookies?

This gluten-free sugar cookie recipe has only been tested with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Baking Flour. The measurement and weight of other gluten-free flour may differ from Bob’s Red Mill. If you use another brand, it’s possible your flour-to-fat ratio will need slight tweaking. GF flour can weigh between 122g and 148 grams per cup, depending on the brand.

How long does cookie dough last in the fridge and freezer? How do you know if it’s bad?

Gluten-Free cookie dough will last up to 3-5 days in the fridge before cooking. You can wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze it for 5-6 months. Be sure to write the date on the wrap. You will know the cookie dough has gone bad by observing the edges. If they are darker than the interior, it’s gone bad. It may also have a bad smell.

How to keep sharp edges with no spreading?

Make sure to incorporate the butter at room temperature and have accurate measurements for the other ingredients. Also, cooking the cookies at a higher temp, such as 375F, will allow them to set quicker. Also, no opening the oven and peeking. When you open the oven door, it will lose heat and affect the shape of the cookies.

How thick should the rolled dough be?

Most people say 1/4-3/8 of an inch. I like my cookies a little thicker, so I usually go with 1/2 inch or 3/4. I find that they have a cake-like consistency when thicker.

Can I change the flavor with different extracts?

Yes, you can use almond extract, lemon extract, or any of the flavors you would like. I would suggest less is more in this case, as you don’t want the extract to overpower your batter!

The dough is sticky and/or crumbly. What can I do?

If the cookie dough becomes sticky or crumbly when mixing, there is an easy fix. Simply add in a little cornstarch. Start slowly by adding a teaspoon at a time and then combining. You only want to add this in if the dough is a little sticky, not a hot mess sticky.

Can I use flour on the surface when rolling out the dough?

I recommend using powdered sugar on the surface when rolling dough. If you add a lot of flour, it will change the ratio of the dough, and the cookies will spread.

Do you have a rolling tip so the dough doesn’t stick to the rolling pin?

Yes! On top of a large sheet of parchment paper, add the dough. Additionally, place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the dough and begin to roll it out using a rolling pin. This will ensure there is no sticking to the rolling pin.

Is it really important to cream the butter and sugar for these sugar cookies?

This is such an important step, however, make sure not to overbeat because it will warm the butter and make it too soft. It needs to still be cold but light and fluffy after beating together. I beat them together for 3 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is light pale yellow and fluffy.

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Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

By: Ashley McCrary

4.67 from 12 votes

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 9

Servings: 20 -22 cookies

Ingredients

▢ 2 1/3 cup gluten-free flour* 345.3 grams I used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF Baking Flour
▢ 1 cup sugar 220 grams
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 2 sticks butter 1 cup or 226.8 grams
▢ 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

Preheat + Measure Flour:
Heat the oven to 375F. Mix the flour and baking powder in a big bowl. Don't press the flour when measuring. It's better to use a scale for accuracy. Wrong measurements can make cookies spread too much.
Cream The Butter:
Put the soft butter and sugar in a big bowl. Use a mixer (standing or handheld) to beat until it's light in color, about 3-4 minutes. This is such an important step, but be careful not to beat too much because it can make the butter too soft.
Make The Dough:
Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the flour mixture. Mix until it turns into dough.
Roll The Dough:
If it's sticky, use a bit of powdered sugar on the surface. Cut the dough in half. Put each half on parchment paper. Roll it out with a rolling pin. This prevents sticking. Remember, the more you roll, the warmer and softer the dough gets. To avoid this, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on the surface.
Chill The Dough:
Place the rolled dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is a MUST.
Cut & Bake:
Take the chilled dough out. Use cookie cutters to make desired shapes. Put the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet, leaving space. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes until the edges start turning brown. If you want softer cookies, take them out at 7 minutes.
Enjoy:
Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 1 minute after baking, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve as is or add icing if you like. Keep them in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes