Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies (2024)

Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies! Chewy, soft and sure to become your new go-to Christmas cookie!

Soft Molasses Cookies. Molasses Crinkle Cookies. Soft Ginger Cookies. Whatever you call them – these cookies are sure to become your go-to Christmas cookie!

These cookies are soft with the perfect amount of chew. They are spiced with ginger and coated in a festive sparkly sugar that gives them a delicious crunch.

I’m usually a total chocolate girl – but I’m alway surprised how much I love these cookies! For more holiday cookies try these gluten-free gingersnaps, gluten-free gingerbread cookies or gluten-free shortbread cookies.

Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies

There are a few tricks to making perfectly soft, non-grainy gluten-free molasses cookies.

The first is to add a secret ingredient – almond butter!

Almond butter is definitely not the first thing you think of when it comes to molasses cookies. But trust me! It’s the key to soft, chewy cookies in this recipe.A little almond butter adds structure, chew and richness. And don’t worry – you won’t even know it’s there.

The next trick is to use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend. I like to useKing Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Measure-For-Measure Flour that I buy on Amazon. I like how it comes in big, easy-to-use bags. (Not sponsored!)

I’ve found that gluten-free flour tends to be a little denser than regular flour. When swapping it in for recipes it’s best to decrease the amount of flour slightly.

I originally tried this recipe with 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour but found the cookies had a a much better consistency with 1 1/4 cups gluten-free flour.

After you mix the dough together it’s important togive it a 1-hour rest. This gives the gluten-free flour time to hydrate and really makes a difference. It’s key for non-gritty gluten-free cookies!

When you’re ready to bake, I like to scoop these cookies out using a cookie scoop then roll them in some cane sugar. Organic cane sugar works great for this since the texture is a little coarser.

It gives the cookies a delicious crunch and festive sparkle!

You can easily make these cookies dairy-free or refined-sugar-free if needed. Just use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks in place of the butter to make these dairy-free.

To make these cookies refined-sugar-free substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar and skip rolling the dough in cane sugar.

With all these tricks friends and family will never guess these cookies are gluten-free!They make a welcome addition to any Christmas cookie plate!

Tricks for Perfect, Soft Gluten-Free Cookies

Almond butter: Provides structure, richness and chew

Add the right amount of flour: Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add just the right amount

1-hour rest: Gives the flour time to hydrate and prevents grittiness

Roll them in sugar: For extra crunch and a little holiday sparkle!

For more recipes check out these gluten-free Christmas cookies (hint: they’re buttery drop-style sugar cookies!)

More favorite Christmas cookies…

The Best Almond Flour Sugar Cookies {Grain-Free}