Name: Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1 stick of butter (4 ounces or 113 grams); 1 large egg; 3/4 cup sugar (156 grams); 1 and 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp gluten free flour (166 grams); 1/2 teaspoon xantham gum; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt

These gluten free snickerdoodle cookies are just like the real thing, and pillowy and soft inside.

Snickerdoodle cookies are a staple during the holidays at many American households, but like most cookies, they are usually made with regular flour.

However, I’ve developed a gluten free snickerdoodle cookie recipe that means that the gluten free peeps in your family won’t have to miss out, and also it’s so good that you can make these as the main snickerdoodles and no one will even notice.

Gluten free baking can feel perilous, but you only need to swap one ingredient and add one extra to turn this into a cinnamon and sugar dream.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These snickerdoodles are made with the following ingredients:

butter, softened
egg
plain sugar
gluten free flour (I prefer this brand)
cream of tartar
baking soda
salt
xantham gum (I prefer this brand)

Must-Have Baking Tools (seriously)

Silicone baking mats – I use this brand and my cookies slide right off without burning!
a cookie scoop – get this one. It makes the perfect rounded cookies every time!
silicone spatula – try this set. It’s the best way to get the most out of your dough and batters
rolling pin guides – I use this one. Genius way to roll your dough out evenly!

Where Does the Word “Snickerdoodle” Come from?

I’m fascinated by the word “snickerdoodle”, especially when I tell it to my British husband who looks at me with much confusion.

However, the origin of the name is vague at best, with lots of guesses from people including being derived from a German word or being a combination of multiple other words to come up with a silly cookie name.

What Kind of Gluten Free Flour Should I Use?

There are so many specific types of gluten free flours, like almond flour, coconut flour, etc.

However, I used just a blended gluten free flour that I purchased from the grocery store – ie, it is mixed with different type of gluten free flours and is simply sold as “gluten free flour.”

Why Xantham Gum?

I used xantham gum, as this can be a great way to keep gluten free bakes bound together and keeps the soft texture, which is why these are so pillowy.

If you don’t have xantham gum, you can leave it out but expect that your cookies will be a bit more crumbly.

How to Soften Butter for the Recipe

The recipe calls for softened butter because you need your butter softer than just out of the fridge in order to be able to cream it with the sugar properly.

The easiest way to do this is to leave it out of the fridge for about an hour or more depending on the heat in your kitchen.

Just make sure that you aren’t letting it get to the point where you can smush your finger easily into it.

You should be able to dent it easily with your finger, but should still get some resistance.

Can You Leave Out Cream of Tartar?

Cream of tartar is gluten free, so make sure to include it if you want that classic snickerdoodle “tang” that it’s known and loved for.

Will your cookies turn out to be a diaster if you don’t have it and leave it out?

No, go ahead with it.

You can also substitute with lemon juice!

How to Make Gluten Free Snickerdoodles

To make these, preheat the oven and make sure you have an ungreased baking sheet prepared.

First, mix together the butter, egg, and sugar in a bowl, making sure that the chunks of butter are well mixed in.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda and xantham gum.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, until it’s all incorporated.

You don’t need to chill this dough, thank goodness, so just work it into dough balls in your hands, about 2 tablespoons worth each.

In a final bowl, filled with a tablespoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of sugar, roll the dough ball in the sugar mixture and then place it on the baking tray.

The cookies will spread in the oven, so keep about 2 inches between them.

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.

Let cool and enjoy!

Can You Freeze These Cookies

Yes, you can freeze them no problem!

Individually wrap them in saran wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

This is a great way to save them for later and do some portion control (what’s that?)

What Are Other Ideas for Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookies?

Gluten free snickerdoodles also go well as snickerdoodle sandwiches – just make your favorite gluten free frosting, then pair two together with some icing in the middle.

Seriously delicious.

For more gluten free recipes, check out my gluten free chocolate cake and gluten free peanut butter cookies.

Yield: 12 cookies