Description
Delight in these classic Gluten Free Sugar Cookies, perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone craving a deliciously soft and buttery treat. This recipe includes a simple homemade confectioners’ icing that you can color and decorate as you like, making these cookies ideal for celebrations or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 3 cups gluten free flour (+ more for dusting the work surface)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Confectioners’ Icing
- 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to get it ready for baking the cookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the gluten free flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, add the unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Cream together on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a ball, wrap or cover it, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare to Roll: Dust a sheet of parchment paper with gluten free flour. Place a quarter of the chilled dough on it and dust the top with flour as well. Cover with another piece of parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
- Cut Cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough, then transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet or baking stone.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes until the edges are lightly browned, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Cool Cookies: Immediately remove the cookies from the baking sheet and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat Baking: Repeat rolling, cutting, and baking steps with the remaining dough.
- Prepare Icing: In a large bowl, combine sifted confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix with a rubber spatula until smooth and creamy.
- Add Color (Optional): Divide the icing into 3-4 bowls and add 2-3 drops of food coloring to each for different colored icings.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are cooled, either lightly dust them with granulated sugar or decorate with the prepared icing as desired.
Notes
- Use gluten free flour blend that is suitable for baking to get the best texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Baking time can vary depending on the thickness and size of the cookies; watch closely to avoid overbaking.
- Rolling between parchment papers helps prevent sticking and reduces the need for excess flour.
- If you want crisper cookies, bake closer to 8 minutes; for softer cookies, bake nearer to 5 minutes.
- The icing can be adjusted in consistency by adding more milk to thin it or more powdered sugar to thicken it.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
