Gingerbread cookies don’t have to be unhealthy. If you are a big fan of that Christmas cookie, don’t worry, you can now enjoy it without any guilt. Those gluten free gingerbread cookies are sweet and delicious but without added sugar. They are gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar-free, and vegan and you’ll only need 3 ingredients.
How to make gluten free gingerbread cookies?
Making a gingerbread cookie dough can sound intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. Gluten free and vegan gingerbread can be made out of 3 ingredients instead of 10. Plus you don’t even need any added sugar. The main ingredient and also a sweetener in this recipe is dates.
How do gluten free gingerbread cookies taste like?
These gluten free gingerbread cookies have a bit of a caramelly taste because of the dates. The gingerbread taste depends on how many spices you add. The stronger taste you want the more you need to add. The cookies themselves are soft and gooey.
What are gingerbread cookies made of?
The main gingerbread ingredients are flour, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, salt, butter, and baking soda/powder.
This recipe includes only 3 ingredients. Check the recipe below.
What do dates taste like?
Dates are the perfect substitute for sugar in the recipes. The taste is sweet and rather like candy than fruit. It’s similar to caramel and Medjool dates have an even stronger caramel taste.
Why dates are good for you?
Dates are a perfect substitute for sugar. They include a natural type of sugar – fructose which is important for our bodies in moderate amounts. You will be amazed by the benefits that dates have.
- Calcium
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Vitamin A
They’re also high in dietary fiber which is the most important for your gut health. They are rich in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.
Most importantly, despite the sweetness, dates have a low glycemic index which means they won’t spike your blood sugar.
How long will gluten free gingerbread cookies last?
I am afraid those cookies won’t stay on the shelf for a long time as they are too delicious. But if we’re talking seriously, they will last for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Can I freeze gluten free gingerbread cookies?
Yes, feel free to freeze those gingerbread cookies for up to 1-2 months.
How to store gluten free gingerbread cookies?
Those gluten free gingerbread cookies can be stored as baked or raw. Store baked cookies in an airtight container or in a plastic wrap for up to 2 weeks and raw cookie dough in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Ingredients
Dates: I used Medjool dates which have a stronger caramel taste. They are also softer so it’s good to use them if you don’t have a blender and have to mash them with a fork. Dates can’t be replaced by anything because it is the main ingredient and they keep the dough together. Dried figs or plums might work but I haven’t tried it plus keep in mind that they taste differently.
As dates are already sweet you don’t need to use any sweetener but if you’d really want to I’d suggest maple syrup, coconut sugar or dark brown sugar.
Almond flour: You can substitute it with any flour for example oat flour. Use almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, or any other gluten free flour for gluten free cookies. Store-bought almond flour or homemade ground almonds both work. You can also use any other nuts. As almond flour is already oily, you won’t need to use coconut oil or any other.
Gingerbread spice mix / Pumpkin spice: They usually sell it in the stores but if you can’t find it then you can make it yourself. Just add ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, ground cloves, and/or ground cardamom. The amounts are specific so you could check out the gingerbread spice mix recipe here.
Step by step instructions
Step 1. Blend or mash the dates with a fork.
Step 2. Mix gingerbread spice and almond flour. Add to the dates and mix. Add more flour if it doesn’t stick together as dough should.
Step 3. Form into cookies and place on parchment paper on the cookie sheet.
Step 4. Bake at 356°F (180C) for about 20-25min or until brown and stay together like a cookie.
Tips to bake vegan & gluten free gingerbread cookies
How can I make those cookies crunchy?
If you want crunchier cookies then add more flour until it reaches the regular cookie dough consistency.
How can I make those cookies chewy?
The cookies with this amount of almond flour will already be chewy. If you’d like them chewier, decrease the flour even more.
Can I make a gingerbread house with these cookies?
I haven’t tried it but as these cookies are stickier then I am sure this will be even easier to make a gingerbread house with this gingerbread cookie recipe. If you make it work you’ll have an awesome gluten free gingerbread house for Christmas.
How to make gingerbread cookie icing?
These gluten free & vegan gingerbread cookies are already sweet. So for the icing, I would suggest using nut butter instead. For example cashew butter or almond butter.
Note! Make those gluten free & vegan gingerbread cookies for a Christmas present.
Recipe variations and optional add-ins
– Orange zest: If you are a fan of orange-flavored gingerbread cookies.
– Chocolate: There is never too much chocolate for chocolate lovers. Add in as pieces or melted chocolate as a glace.
Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 12-14 dates (see notes)
- ¾ cup almond flour (see notes)
- 1 tsp gingerbread spice mix (see notes)
- ¼ tsp vanilla (optional)
Instructions
- Blend the dates. Soak them in the water if needed to make them softer. (If you don't have a blender, mash them with a fork)
- Mix gingerbread spice and almond flour. Add to the dates and mix.
- Add vanilla (optional).
- Add more almond flour if it doesn't stick together as dough should.
- Put the dough in the fridge for about 20min.
- Form into cookies or use a cookie cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 356°F (180C) for about 20-25min or until brown and stay together like a cookie.
- Serve with
non-alcoholic mulled wine .