Description
These Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men are soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced with ginger and cinnamon. Ideal for the holidays, they’re easy to make, hold their shape beautifully, and can be decorated with royal icing for festive fun. Naturally gluten-free with dairy-free and vegan options, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and spice in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 350g gluten-free plain flour
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 3 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 125g butter, chopped and cold (or dairy-free margarine)
- 175g light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 egg (or egg replacement for vegan version)
- 500g royal icing sugar
- 80ml cold water
- Food colour gels (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Combine gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, ginger, cinnamon, and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl. Rub in cold butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Stir in light brown sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and golden syrup, then gradually mix into the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Divide dough into two portions, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough between two sheets of baking paper to 0.5 cm thickness. Cut out gingerbread men shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on trays, leaving space between each, and bake for 12 minutes or until golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- For icing, whisk royal icing sugar with water until smooth. Divide into bowls, add colour gels, and transfer to piping bags.
- Outline cookies with thick icing, then fill with thinner “flood” icing. Allow to set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chill the dough well to prevent spreading during baking.
- Roll dough between parchment sheets to avoid sticking.
- For vegan cookies, use margarine and an egg substitute such as aquafaba or chia gel.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze dough for later use.
- Decorate with royal icing once cookies are completely cool for best results.
- Prep Time: 18 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- 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
Keywords: Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men, gluten-free cookies, gingerbread biscuits, holiday baking, Christmas cookies, dairy-free gingerbread, vegan gingerbread, soft gingerbread men, festive cookies, low FODMAP gingerbread