If you’ve been hunting high and low for a delightful holiday treat that everyone can enjoy, I’ve got just the thing for you! This Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe is not only festive and fun to make, but it also comes out tender and packed with warming spices. Whether you’re baking with family or just craving those classic spiced cookies, this recipe’s got your back. It’s dairy-free friendly, low FODMAP (if you swap the butter), and perfect for cutting into cute little gingerbread men that your loved ones will go crazy for.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Gluten & Dairy Friendly: You can easily make it dairy free and it’s naturally gluten free, making it a crowd-pleaser for many dietary needs.
- Perfect Texture: These gingerbread men turn out beautifully soft but sturdy enough to decorate and handle without breaking.
- Rich Spiced Flavor: The warming ginger and cinnamon hit the spot every time and remind me of cozy holiday mornings.
- Fun & Festive: Baking and decorating these little cutouts is an absolute joy, perfect for making memories with kids or friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve chosen ingredients that balance flavor and texture beautifully while keeping things simple enough for a smooth baking experience. When shopping, look for gluten free plain flour blends that contain xanthan gum or simply add it separately as this helps give the dough structure.
- Gluten free plain flour: I recommend a blend with a good mix of rice and potato starch for that tender bite.
- Xanthan gum: Essential for binding gluten free dough so your gingerbread men don’t crumble.
- Bicarbonate of soda: It helps give a nice lift and slight crunch without making the cookies too airy.
- Ground ginger & cinnamon: These spices are the heart of gingerbread flavor – don’t skimp!
- Butter (or dairy free alternative): Cold and chopped – this keeps the dough easy to roll without sticking.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture for a chewy crumb.
- Golden syrup: Adds that classic rich caramel note you expect in gingerbread.
- Egg: Binds everything together with just the right amount of richness.
- Royal icing sugar & cold water: For that smooth, pipe-able icing to decorate your men.
- Colour gels: Use these to get vibrant, festive icing colors.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to swap in your favorite dairy free butter or try adding a touch of ground cloves or nutmeg to deepen the spice profile.
- Dairy Free Swap: I’ve had great success using coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter, which keeps the flavor rich without sacrificing texture.
- Extra Spices: Adding a pinch of ground cloves or allspice makes the gingerbread men taste like grandma’s secret recipe – it’s a little twist that’s delicious.
- Vegan Option: Substitute the egg with a flax egg or chia egg for a vegan-friendly version that still holds together well.
- Gluten Free Flour Blends: Play around with rice-based or oat-based blends if you want a slightly different texture – I always stick with my trusted blend for best results.
How to Make Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients
Start by whisking together your gluten free plain flour, xanthan gum, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and cinnamon in a large bowl. This even distribution ensures the spices and raising agent work their magic consistently throughout every cookie.
Step 2: Cut the butter into the mix
Add your cold, chopped butter (or dairy free alternative) and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to rub it into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs. The key is to keep the butter cold for that perfect crumbly texture you want in gingerbread.
Step 3: Combine sugar, syrup, and egg
In a separate bowl, stir the light brown sugar, golden syrup, and egg together until smooth. This wet mix brings moisture and sweetness that helps bind your dough beautifully.
Step 4: Form the dough
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spatula until the dough just comes together. It may be slightly sticky—this is normal. Wrap it tightly in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes; this step is crucial because it firms up the dough and makes rolling safer and easier.
Step 5: Roll and cut your gingerbread men
Lightly flour your surface with gluten free flour and roll the dough out to about 6 mm thickness. Use your favorite gingerbread men cookie cutter to stamp shapes, then place them spaced on lined baking trays. Don’t worry if the dough softens; just pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up again.
Step 6: Bake and cool
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-12 minutes. The cookies will be firm at the edges but still slightly soft in the center—that’s exactly how you want them. Let them cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Make and decorate with royal icing
Meanwhile, whisk together royal icing sugar and cold water to your preferred consistency (thicker for outlines, thinner for flooding). Divide and color with gel food colors to decorate your gingerbread men however you like—eyes, buttons, smiles—and let your creativity shine.
Pro Tips for Making Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
- Keep Butter Cold: I learned the hard way that warm butter results in sticky dough – cold butter is key to easy rolling and crisp edges.
- Chill the Dough Well: Don’t rush this step; chilled dough is much easier to work with and helps maintain the cookie shape while baking.
- Use Parchment Paper: Baking on parchment makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking which can flake gluten-free cookies.
- Decorate After Cooling: Adding icing to warm cookies melts it into a mess – patience leads to prettier decorations.
How to Serve Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
Garnishes
I love decorating my gingerbread men with royal icing piped in colorful patterns, plus mini chocolate chips or tiny candied fruits for eyes and buttons. It’s surprisingly rewarding to see each one turn out unique and festive!
Side Dishes
These gingerbread men pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a peppermint latte. For holiday gatherings, try serving them alongside dairy free hot chocolate or a sprinkle of holiday fruit salad.
Creative Ways to Present
One year I arranged them on a big platter with edible glitter and holly sprigs — it was a hit at our Christmas party! You can also tie individual cookies with festive ribbons and use them as charming gift tags that double as treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store my leftover gluten free gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy or share.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, these freeze wonderfully! I separate layers of cookies with parchment paper inside a sealed container or bag. When ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge and decorate fresh for best results.
Reheating
I usually don’t reheat gingerbread men, but if you want that just-baked warmth, pop them in a low oven (around 150°C/300°F) for 3-5 minutes. They stay soft inside but get that lovely just-out-of-the-oven aroma circulating your kitchen.
FAQs
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Can I make this Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Replace the egg with a flaxseed or chia seed egg substitute and use a plant-based butter alternative. This swaps out animal products while keeping the delicious texture intact.
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How do I prevent my gluten free gingerbread men from spreading too much?
Making sure your dough is well chilled before rolling and not rolling it too thin are key. Also, use cold butter and avoid over-mixing which can make the dough too soft and cause spreading during baking.
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Can I use a different sweetener instead of golden syrup?
You can substitute maple syrup or honey, but golden syrup gives that authentic rich flavor and slightly sticky texture that’s classic for gingerbread. If using alternatives, expect subtle changes in taste and possibly dough consistency.
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Is this recipe low FODMAP safe?
Yes! By using a dairy free butter alternative and sticking to the listed ingredients, this recipe complies with low FODMAP guidelines. Just be mindful to source gluten free, low FODMAP flours.
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What’s the best way to decorate my gluten free gingerbread men?
I recommend royal icing made from icing sugar and cold water, colored with gel food colors. Use piping bags or zip locks with a small cut corner for precision. Let each layer dry before adding new details for the cleanest look.
Final Thoughts
This Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites during the holidays because it brings so much joy both in the baking and eating stages. I love how easy it is to customize and how much love it brings to the table, especially for those with food sensitivities. If you’re looking to impress your family and friends with festive cheer that’s inclusive and utterly delicious, you really have to give this one a try. I’m cheering for you from my kitchen—happy baking!
Print
Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
- Prep Time: 18 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: Approximately 20-25 gingerbread men cookies depending on size
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western, Christmas
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Gluten Free Gingerbread Men recipe is a festive and delicious treat perfect for the holiday season. It’s designed to be gluten free with an easy option to make it dairy free and low FODMAP, making it suitable for various dietary needs. The cookies are spiced with warm ginger and cinnamon, and decorated with colorful royal icing for a fun Christmas baking project.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 350 g gluten free plain flour
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 3 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 125 g butter (chopped and cold, dairy free alternative if necessary)
- 175 g light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 egg
For Decoration
- 500 g royal icing sugar
- 80 ml cold water
- colour gels
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten free plain flour, xanthan gum, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon to mix the dry ingredients evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat together the cold chopped butter and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir the golden syrup and egg into the butter and sugar mixture until fully combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a firm dough forms. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for around 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Roll Out Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface with gluten free flour and roll out the dough to about 0.5 cm thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until they are golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Royal Icing: Mix the royal icing sugar with cold water until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency. Divide icing into bowls and color each with different colour gels as desired.
- Decorate: Use piping bags fitted with fine nozzles to decorate the cooled gingerbread men with the royal icing. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- This recipe is naturally gluten free, perfect for those with gluten intolerance.
- To make the cookies dairy free, substitute the butter with a plant-based dairy free alternative.
- Low FODMAP safe when using appropriate gluten free flour and dairy free butter alternative.
- Royal icing can be customized with colors and designs to suit any holiday theme.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30 g)
- Calories: 424 kcal
- Sugar: 58 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 83 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg
