soft gluten-free gingerbread cut-out cookies

They’re a classic tradition for many families, so thank goodness there are amazing recipes like this one for people who need to eat gluten-free. These are soft and absolutely delicious! Perfect for decorating with the kids.

INGREDIENTS

8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 orange, zested

1 large egg

1/2 t. vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. baking powder

1 1/2 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/4 t. ground cloves

1/4 t. ground allspice

Your favorite royal icing for decorating

DIRECTIONS

1. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream butter, brown sugar, molasses, and orange zest for 3 minutes on medium speed.

2. Meanwhile, measure all the dry ingredients into a medium bowl and stir together. Set aside.

3. Scrape the sides of the bowl of your stand mixer mixture, and then add the egg and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until combined. The butter may look curdled and that is fine.

4. Add your bowl of dry ingredients to the mixer and on low speed beat it together. Increase speed to medium just until a cookie dough forms.

5. Using a spatula scrape the sticky ball of dough directly onto a large piece of saran wrap. Wrap it in the saran wrap and flatten into a rectangle disk. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Do not skip this step.

6. Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two sheet pans with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

7. Flour a work surface (using gluten-free flour) and unwrap the chilled dough and place it in the center. Sprinkle with gluten-free flour and use a rolling pin to roll out the dough ¼ inch thick. Place 8 gingerbread men spaced out on a sheet pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat until all the dough is gone. (Tip: If the dough is getting too soft and hard to work with, put it back in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to harden it up again.)

8. Allow cookies to set up to 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

9. Once cookies are completely cool, decorate with your favorite royal icing.