The holidays wouldn't be complete without cookies, so make the most of the season by baking up these 20 gluten-free and dairy-free cookies and bars to enjoy with family and friends!
One of the best parts of baking cookies is the wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen like a big cozy, comforting hug. And with the holidays just around the corner there’s no better excuse to get in the kitchen and get a head start on all the baking and cookie making.
There’s nothing quite like a batch of homemade cookies to get you into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re baking for your family or giving them as gifts, cookies are a holiday tradition everyone gets excited about. And of course it’s always more fun to bake with family and friends this time of year, creating new memories and indulging in some sweet treats along the way. So in that spirit I’ve gathered together 20 gluten-free and dairy-free cookies to enjoy this season and beyond.
From thumbprints to molasses cookies, to snickerdoodles and pecan sandies, there’s a cookie here for everyone. So let’s get baking!
COOKIES:
1. Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies
These jam thumbprint cookies are one of my favorites to make this time of year. They also happen to be vegan, paleo, easy to make and call for only a handful of pantry ingredients and some of your favorite naturally sweetened jams.
2. Gluten-Free Italian Cookies
With their wonderfully nutty flavor and delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture, these bite-sized cookies are a wonderful accompaniment to an afternoon espresso or an after-dinner treat.
3. Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles
With their crackled tops and generous dusting of cinnamon, snickerdoodles are an old-fashioned cookie platter favorite around the holidays.
4. Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies
Enjoy a batch of these deliciously spiced, soft and chewy gluten-free molasses cookies during the holidays or whenever a craving strikes.
5. Gluten-Free Pecan Sandies
Their their melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery taste will win you over.
6. Crispy Gluten-Free Coconut Cookies
These crispy little cookies are so light, buttery and full of coconut goodness.
7. Gluten-Free Ice Box Cookies
These gluten-free icebox cookies studded with cranberries and pistachios are the ultimate make-ahead holiday cookie; just slice and bake!
8. Gluten-Free Crunchy Almond Cookies
These crisp and crunchy almond cookies make an excellent addition to the holiday cookie tin. Perfect for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, gifting or just everyday snacking, they’re easy to make and keep their crunch.
9. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle
This easy to make gluten-free cookie brittle may just become your new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Crisp and buttery, it’s the best of chocolate chip cookies but in brittle form!
10. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
Mini gluten-free chocolate filled chocolate chip cookie cups are the perfect bite-sized treat for any occasion, and these cookie cups are brimming with chocolate from top to bottom.
11. Gluten-Free Cashew Butter Cookies
These soft and chewy cashew butter cookies are a year-round favorite. All you need is one bowl, 30 minutes and a few simple ingredients!
12. Gluten-Free Flourless Trail Mix Cookies
Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids while they’re at home or feel like treating yourself to something sweet, these flourless trail mix cookies are sure to please.
13. Gluten-Free No-Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Tender and chock-full of spice and raisins, these vegan and paleo no-oatmeal raisin cookies are just as soft and tasty as the classic but without the grains or eggs.
14. Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Cookies
Rich, chewy and overflowing with chocolate, these are the kind of cookies you drop everything to run and go make. Luckily they are also just about the easiest cookies you can whip up.
15. Crispy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies
These thin and crispy gluten-free chocolate cookies have a rich chocolate flavor and lots of crunch.
BARS:
16. Gluten-Free Blondies
Soft, chewy and loaded with nuts, dried fruit and chocolate, these easy blondies are a sweet treat that can be made in about 30 minutes.
17. Best Gluten-Free Brownies
If you’re looking for classic, chewy brownies with crinkly tops that are both dairy-free and gluten-free, then this is the recipe for you.
18. No-Bake Chocolate Almond Butter Bars
Made from only a handful of ingredients you may already have in your pantry, these easy almond butter bars come together in a matter of minutes
19. Flourless Chocolate Brownies
Deep, dark and rich, these triple chocolate brownies are quite literally overflowing with chocolate.
20. No-Bake Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars (Vegan, Paleo)
These no-bake walnut crumb bars have a rich fudgy chocolate center sandwiched between a chewy cashew coconut crust and crumble.
Happy Baking!
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Mr.C says
What a nice list of recipes! Thank you for sharing!