If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that’s both delicious and allergy-friendly, I can’t recommend this Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe enough. It’s not just any gingerbread—these charming cookies come out perfectly spiced, tender, and just sweet enough, with options to keep them dairy free and low FODMAP too. Trust me, once you give this recipe a whirl, it’ll become your go-to holiday baking project—and maybe even a year-round favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Spiced: The blend of ginger, cinnamon, and a touch of warmth turns these cookies into festive flavor bombs.
- Gluten-Free & Allergy Friendly: Made without gluten and easy to adapt for dairy-free diets, so no one misses out.
- Fun for All Ages: Rolling, cutting, and decorating these gingerbread men is a joy for kids and adults alike.
- Reliable & Easy: Even if you’re new to gluten-free baking, this dough behaves beautifully for great results every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here plays a starring role—whether it’s creating that signature gingerbread texture or making sure it’s sturdy enough to hold all your icing decorations. I always use good-quality spices because they really make the flavor pop.
- Gluten free plain flour: Look for a blend with xanthan gum included, or add a bit extra if your mix doesn’t have it for better structure.
- Xanthan gum: Helps bind the dough since we’re skipping traditional gluten.
- Bicarbonate of soda: This gives the cookies a gentle lift and tender crumb.
- Ground ginger: The star spice—opt for fresh ground for intense warmth and zing.
- Ground cinnamon: Rounds out the spice blend with sweet and woody notes.
- Butter (or dairy-free alternative): Cold and chopped, it keeps the dough tender and flaky.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moistness and a deep caramel flavor that’s classic in gingerbread.
- Golden syrup: Gives like a subtle syrupy sweetness and chewy texture.
- Egg: Binds ingredients and enriches the dough.
- Royal icing sugar: For decorating—this turns into a crisp, pretty finish perfect for gingerbread men.
- Cold water: You’ll need this to mix into the royal icing to get just the right consistency.
- Colour gels: Because what’s gingerbread without some fun colorful icing?
Variations
I love playing around with this recipe depending on the occasion or dietary needs. Feel free to tweak flavors or ingredients—you’ll find that this gingerbread dough is very forgiving and versatile.
- Dairy Free: Swap the butter for coconut oil or a quality dairy-free margarine—I’ve done this with great success and nobody noticed the difference.
- Low FODMAP: Using golden syrup instead of molasses keeps this low FODMAP, making it easier on sensitive tummies.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves if you want to deepen the festive spice flavor—my family loves this little twist!
- Mini Gingerbread Men: I sometimes make mini cookies for a cute party platter, just reduce baking time by a couple minutes.
How to Make Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the gluten free plain flour, xanthan gum, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and cinnamon in a large bowl. This ensures your spices and leavening are evenly distributed, which is key for consistent flavor and texture throughout the dough.
Step 2: Cut in Cold Butter and Combine Sugars
Pop your cold, chopped butter into the dry mix and work it in using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it forms small crumbly pieces. Then stir in the light brown sugar—this bit adds wonderful moisture and caramel notes that make these gingerbread men irresistible.
Step 3: Add Golden Syrup and Egg
Drizzle in the golden syrup and crack in the egg, then use a sturdy spoon or your hands to bring everything together into a smooth dough. If the dough feels too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes; this chilling step also makes rolling easier and less messy.
Step 4: Roll, Cut, and Bake Your Gingerbread Men
Lightly flour your workspace with gluten free flour and roll the dough out to about 5mm thickness. Then grab your favorite gingerbread men cookie cutters and press them firmly into the dough. Place your cutouts on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 180°C (350°F) for around 12 minutes—watch carefully so they don’t over-bake and get too hard.
Step 5: Prepare Royal Icing and Decorate
While your cookies cool, mix the royal icing sugar with cold water to achieve a stiff but pipeable consistency. Divide the icing into small bowls and tint with your preferred color gels. Then, get creative decorating your gingerbread men—my kids love piping in faces and buttons. Let the icing set completely, ideally a few hours, before moving or stacking.
Pro Tips for Making Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
- Chill Your Dough: Keeping the dough chilled makes it much easier to roll and cut, preventing sticky frustration.
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground ginger and cinnamon bring a noticeable difference in aroma and flavor compared to older spices.
- Don’t Overbake: They’ll feel soft when you pull them out but firm up while cooling—finish baking on the tray for a few minutes for the perfect texture.
- Royal Icing Consistency: Mix water in gradually—you want it thick enough to hold shape but smooth enough to pipe without clogging.
How to Serve Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
Garnishes
I love to keep it classic with simple royal icing details, but you can also add mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries for buttons, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy look. Color gels let you get creative with holiday-themed colors that brighten up any cookie platter.
Side Dishes
These gingerbread men are perfect paired with a hot cup of spiced tea, coffee, or warm apple cider. They’re also fantastic alongside a creamy dairy-free hot chocolate when serving to friends and family during chilly evenings.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged my decorated gingerbread men standing in little mini “snow villages” made from coconut flakes and tiny peppermint sticks. It’s a fun way to dress up your holiday table or gift boxes. You can also string them with ribbon after baking to hang as edible ornaments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature. They actually taste even better a day after baking when the flavors meld and the texture softens slightly without losing that crisp edge.
Freezing
If I bake a big batch ahead of time, I freeze the cooled cookies (without icing) in layers separated by parchment paper. When I’m ready to use them, I thaw at room temp, then decorate fresh—the icing always looks better when applied last minute.
Reheating
Usually, these cookies don’t need reheating, but if you want that just-baked warmth, pop them in a low oven (150°C/300°F) for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaves, which make them chewy instead of tender and crisp.
FAQs
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Can I make this gluten free gingerbread men recipe dairy free as well?
Absolutely! Simply swap the butter for a cold, solid dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or a vegan butter spread. The dough might feel slightly different when handling, but the final cookies are just as tasty and tender.
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Why do I need xanthan gum in this recipe?
Xanthan gum acts like gluten in traditional baking, helping to bind the dough and give it elasticity. Without it, you might find the dough crumbly or the cookies too fragile after baking.
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Can I use molasses instead of golden syrup?
You can, but I recommend golden syrup especially if you’re aiming for a low FODMAP option or a milder flavor. Molasses has a stronger, more bitter taste that changes the flavor profile quite a bit.
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How long do the gluten free gingerbread men stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to a week—if they last that long! They also freeze beautifully for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
This Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines the nostalgia of holiday baking with the practicality of being allergy friendly. Every year, I look forward to the fun of rolling out the dough, the delicious smells filling the kitchen, and the joy of decorating with family. If you’re searching for a trusty, tasty, and adaptable gingerbread cookie that everyone can enjoy, this recipe is the one to try—you won’t regret it!
Print
Gluten Free Gingerbread Men Recipe
- Prep Time: 18 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 gingerbread men cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Gluten Free Gingerbread Men recipe is perfect for festive baking, offering a deliciously spiced treat that’s also suitable for those following low FODMAP and dairy-free diets. These charming gingerbread men are crafted using gluten-free flour and can be decorated with colorful royal icing, making them both fun to bake and delightful to share during the holiday season.
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, use dairy free alternative if necessary)
- 175 g light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 egg
Royal Icing
- 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 cinnamon. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even spice distribution.
- Incorporate Butter and Sugar: Add the chopped cold butter (or dairy free alternative) and light brown sugar to the dry mixture. Rub the butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the golden syrup and the egg, mixing gently until the dough comes together into a smooth, firm consistency. Avoid overworking to keep the dough tender.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in cling film and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough to firm up, making it easier to roll and shape.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly flour your work surface with gluten free flour. Roll out the chilled dough to about 5mm thickness and use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Bake the Gingerbread Men: Place the cut-outs onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes until golden around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
- Cool Completely: Remove the gingerbread men from the oven and allow them to cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and ensures they are ready for decorating.
- Prepare Royal Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine royal icing sugar with cold water and whisk until smooth and thick but pipeable. Divide icing into bowls and mix in different colour gels as desired.
- Decorate: Use piping bags or small spoons to decorate the cooled gingerbread men with the colored royal icing. Let the icing set completely at room temperature before serving or storing.
Notes
- This gluten free gingerbread men recipe is perfect for Christmas baking enthusiasts looking for a festive, allergy-friendly treat.
- The recipe is low FODMAP and can be made dairy free by substituting butter with a suitable dairy-free alternative.
- Royal icing can be colored with food-safe gels to make your gingerbread men uniquely festive.
- Ensure the dough is well chilled before rolling to prevent sticking and to achieve cleaner cookie shapes.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30g)
- 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
