Many of us grew up enjoying gingerbread cookies, especially during the holidays. And even if you're now baking gluten-free, you can still experience the treasured memory of these childhood favorites.
We know you’ll love this gluten-free version of our Gingerbread Cookies recipe, a long-time favorite here on our site. Substituting Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour for the flour in that original yields perfectly spiced, easy-to-roll gingerbread cookies that are sure to be a hit with friends and family following a gluten-free diet. Enjoy!
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In a saucepan set over low heat, or in the microwave, melt butter, then stir in the brown sugar, molasses, salt, and spices.
Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized mixing bowl, let it cool to lukewarm, and beat in the egg.
Whisk the baking powder and soda into the flour, then stir these dry ingredients into the molasses mixture. The dough will be very soft and sticky, but don't be tempted to add more flour; it'll firm up once it's chilled.
Divide the dough in half, and pat each half into a thick rectangle. Wrap well, and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. The dough may be sticky and hard to roll if not thoroughly chilled, so make sure it's cold before continuing.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Get out several baking sheets; there's no need to grease them, though lining with parchment saves effort on cleanup.
Once the dough has chilled, take one piece of dough out of the refrigerator, and flour a clean work surface. Roll the dough 1/8" to 1/4" thick; the thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the cookies will be. Flour both the top and bottom of the dough if it starts to stick. Alternatively, place the dough on parchment, and put a sheet of plastic wrap over it as you roll, pulling the plastic to eliminate wrinkles as necessary when rolling; this will keep dough from sticking without the need for additional flour.
Cut out shapes with a floured cookie cutter, cutting them as close to one another as possible to minimize waste. Gather the scraps and re-roll to make additional cookies.
Transfer the cookies to the baking sheets (or, if you've rolled right onto the parchment, remove the dough scraps between the cookies). Bake the cookies just until they're slightly brown around the edges and feel firm, 8 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for several minutes, or until they're set. Transfer them to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with any remaining dough.
Store cookies, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to a week; freeze for longer storage.
Tips from our Bakers
Be aware: some of your baking ingredients can be a hidden source of gluten. Learn more at our blog post: For gluten-free baking, think beyond just flour. For additional information on King Arthur-produced products, read the complete details of our allergen program, including our contact-prevention practices.
