Tips on Ordering Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Kits

First, I am not a baker. If you email through the contact form on this page, you will not get connected to a bakery. The email will come to me, and you cannot order from me. And then we’ll have to play tag, and ain’t nobody got time for that. (lol) 

Second, each business name is linked to the interview I did with the owner. While I have included ordering methods for each business, you can find their contact information is AT THE BOTTOM of their respective interview. That includes links to their website, email and social media accounts, as well as their physical store address, if they have one. 

Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

Kind Crumbs (Grand Rapids) – No Info for 2025.

“They include 12 ounces of cookies (about 10-12), three containers of vegan vanilla frosting, and festive Christmas colored sprinkles!
The kits are gluten-free and dairy-free. The sprinkles do contain soy. We have a vegan, soy-free, and dye-free sprinkle option available upon request.

They will be available in many grocery stores and coffee shops in the area as well as on our website. Orders must be placed two business days in advance, and all orders must be placed before Monday December 19 to guarantee availability before Christmas.”

Cost $25 (NO SHIPPING) No Shipping. Order online for in store pick up.

Rise Authentic Baking (Grand Rapids) – Deadline Dec. 9th

Rise Authentic’s gluten free Christmas cookie kit includes 6 gluten free and vegan sugar cookies, frosting and sprinkles.

Cost $22 (Order Online) No Shipping

Vigilant Sweet Bakery (Grand Rapids) – Deadline Dec. 19th

Vigilant Sweets is offering a sugar cookie kit that contains 6 cookies, 3 bags of royal icing and 2 packets of sprinkles. Order via their website. Gluten, dairy, nut, soy and oat free. Free of artificial dyes

Cost $25

Lansing and Thumb Region

G3 Food 4 All (Lansing) No Pre-Orders Last Pop Up Dec 17th

Sugar Cookie Kits will be available at the Allen St. Market on Dec. 10th & 17th, and December 13th at the Meridian Mall Farmers Market.

They will include one dozen cookies, 1 bag of frosting, and assorted sprinkles. No preorders. Cookies are DF/GF/Corn,Soy and Nut Free/Vegan. Includes spatula.

Cost – $25 for 12 cookies, frosting & sprinkles ($20 for 8 Gingerbread Men)

Golly Gee Gluten Free – (Holt / Greater Lansing) – Deadline Dec 13th

One dozen gluten free Sugar Cookies for decorating at home. Unknown whether this includes frosting or sprinkles. Contact her via Facebook for more information.

Cost – $22

Meadowview Acres (St. Johns) – Deadline: Dec. 20th

Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Kits – Choice of 12 Gingerbread, Sugar Cookies, or variety
Includes 3 bags of icing and sprinkles
Cost- $30. Order via Facebook Message or Email No Shipping

Off The Wheaten Path (Midland) – Deadline Dec. 15th

Off the Wheaten Path, a home based gluten free baking business, will offer kits with 6 or 12 cookies. They will include multiple colors of buttercream frosting and multiple containers of sprinkles. Visit their storefront or call 989-486-1167 to order. Email

Cost- $24 for 6 cookie kit / $48 for 12 cookie kit

Simply Gluten Free Kitchen (Bay City) – Deadline Dec 15th

Simply Gluten Free Kitchen, a home based baking business will offer gluten free Sugar Cookie Kits that include 12 cookies, vegan royal icing, and sprinkles. Order via the business website.

Cost- $37

Bailey’s Smokehouse (Metamora) – Deadline: Unknown

Bailey’s is new to my list this year. They are located in Metamora, near where Heavenly Cakeballs used to be. All of their gluten-free baked goods are made on dedicated equipment in a dedicated kitchen, separate from their wheat-based baked goods. They have two daughters with Celiac so they are very aware of the dangers of cross-contamination, etc. All of their gluten-free items are also packaged in the gluten free kitchen they are cooked in.

Their gluten free sugar cookie kits contain 12 cookies, 2 colors of frosting and 2 containers of sprinkles. To order, send them an email.

Metro Detroit

The Allergy Free Bakery (Shelby Twp.) – Deadline: Dec 20th

This gluten free and top 8 allergen free bakery in Shelby Twp. is offering gluten free sugar cookie kits. They contain 6 cookies, 4 colors of icing, and 3 containers of sprinkles. Order by texting or calling the store at 586-900-CAKE

Cost – $35 ($45 for dye free) (Shipping Available)

Rumi’s Passion (Plymouth) – No Pre-orders. In store purchase only

Rumi’s Passion kit includes 8 gluten, dairy and nut free cookies with 2 kinds of frosting and 2 kinds of sprinkles.
Cost- $30 (Dye Free $35) Place order at store or call (734) 335-7145, No shipping

Gluten Free Specialties (Rochester Hills) – No Pre-Orders

32 oz. Gluten and Dairy Free Cookie Dough. Contains egg.

Cost – Visit store for details

Tasty Bakery (Ann Arbor) – Deadline not stated

Their sugar cookie kits contain 12 sugar cookies for winter, Hanukkah or Christmas, 2 decorating bags of frosting, and 2 – one oz. containers of sprinkles. You can choose dairy free or vegan. Their dyes for the frosting & sprinkles are plant based.

Please contact us to order julie@tastysansgluten.com. Pick up dates are either 12.19 or 12.22

Cost – ?

Northern Michigan

Third Coast Bakery (Traverse City) – Deadline: Not Given

12 Gluten and Dairy Free Holiday-Shaped Sugar Cookie Cutouts . Includes 1 Container of Vanilla Frosting – Just add your own food coloring. The cookie kit also contains three packets of decorating candies including mini chips, sprinkles and crushed peppermint.

This kit (pictured above) is entirely gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, GMO-free and vegan. Plus, the peppermint candies and decorating sugars are naturally colored with plant-based pigments. Nothing artificial!

Cost – $38.99 Available In Store and Online SHIPPING AVAILABLE!

NATIONWIDE BUSINESSES

Little GF Chefs – These kits include mixes to bake your own cookies. 

The Top 8 Allergen Free Christmas Cookies Baking Kit Includes:

Sugar Cookie Mix
2 Cookie Cutters – Christmas Tree and Stocking 
Icing Sugar
Green plant-based food coloring
Red plant-based sanding sugar
Green plant-based sanding sugar
Piping bag

COST- $38.00. Order online. Save 10% with code MIGFGAL

This also sell Hanukkah cookie kits and Gingerbread Cookie Kits. You can also order Gingerbread House Kits from them as well.

Gluten Free Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipes

Want to  make cookies from scratch? Here are the recipes I recommend. 

Flippin Delicious Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Recipes (Contains Eggs and Dairy) 

This is my go-to sugar cookie recipes. The blog post is long. However, this is because Flippin Delicious has taken the time tto answer just about any question one could ask. She does give tips on making this recipe egg free and dairy free. She also discusses which flour blends have worked best for her.

Eating Gluten and Dairy Free Softest Sugar Cookie Recipe (Dairy Free. Contains Eggs) 

I have not tried this recipe. However, this website has increasingly been my go-to for recipes that are dairy free. It does use sweet rice flour, and not a traditional gluten free flour blend. 

This Dairy Free & Gluten Free Sugar Cookie recipe from What Molly Made uses Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Flour (Blue Bag) 

Allergylicious Best Gluten Free Vegan Sugar Cookie Recipe (Dairy Free and Egg Free) 

I adore Allergylicious. And I love her adorable llama sugar cookies. If you need cookies that are gluten, egg and dairy free, this is the one I would recommend

Tips on Decorating Sugar Cookies

My friend Megan from A Dash of Megnut is the QUEEN of decorated sugar cookies. Follow this link for her archive of all her gluten free decorated cookies. She gives recipes for royal icing, and more. 

Cookie Decorating Tools

I am a huge fan of all things Wilton. I highly recommend their 101 Cookie Cutter Set and their 3 tier cooling rack. In addition, I recommend the Totally Bamboo rolling pin. It’s long but lightweight. (These are affiliate links, and I earn a small commission.)

Hopefully this helps you make some great memories, plus allows you to support Michigan small business owners. If you know others who would benefit from this information, please share it on your social media channels. 

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. 

The post Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Kits appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Naturally Gluten Free (and Grain Free*) Cookies

These Gluten Free Cinnamon Star Cookies, also known as Zimsterne, might be my favorite Christmas cookie. My friend Erica introduced me to them, shortly after my Celiac Disease diagnosis in 2001.

Her family made these cookies every Christmas, for a decade or more. Erica was so excited to give me some, when she realized that they were gluten free. Made with blanched almond flour, egg whites, powdered sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest, they’re naturally gluten free.

Grain Free Powdered Sugar (Premade & Homemade)

Did you know that most powdered sugars contain corn starch? If you need to follow a grain free diet, make sure to buy corn free powdered sugar. Target sells an Organic Powdered Sugar made with tapioca starch instead of corn starch.

However, it’s also fairly simple to make your own powdered sugar. (You do need a powerful blender.) Find a simple Grain-Free Powdered Sugar recipe on the Power Hungry website.

*While some people use coconut sugar, you really want “white sugar” for this recipe. It’s important for the glaze.

What Gluten Free Flour Do You Use to Make Cinnamon Stars?

When I first made these Gluten Free Cinnamon Stars, I ground up whole almonds. I think you can skip this step and simply use blanched almond flour. Costco sells a 3 lb. bag that is certified gluten free. Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond flour is available at many stores.

Can I Make These Zimsterne Dairy Free? Egg Free?

This recipe contains no dairy. No milk, no butter. However, my recipe uses three egg whites. I’ve never made them any other way. If you need a vegan options, Ela Vegan includes a Zimsterne recipe on her site. She uses orange juice instead of egg whites.

Gluten Free Cinnamon Stars Baking & Icing Tips

The dough for these cinnamon stars WILL be sticky. When I first made the dough, I swore I messed it up. However, as it chilled, the almond flour absorbed much of the moisture. However, you will need lots of powdered sugar for rolling.

In addition, these cookies will puff when you bake them. Make sure to keep them thin. I used a knife to frost these gluten free cinnamon stars. Next time I make them, I will use a piping bag. It allows more control in keeping the star outline.

More Gluten Free Christmas Cookies

These Zimtsterne Cinnamon Star Cookies are just one of many culturally connected Christmas cookies love to make this time of year. The list includes Gingerbread, Spritz, Speculaas, Pizelles, Macarons and more.

Looking for more almond flour based Christmas cookie recipes? Try these Almond Flour Sugar Cookies from Meaningful Eats. Or maybe these Soft and Chewy Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies from Texanerin are more your “jam”?

Print

Gluten Free Cinnamon Stars- Zimtsterne

Prep Time 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 43 minutes minutes

Equipment

• Star Cookie Cutters
• Piping Bags
• Parchment Paper
• Bob's Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour

Ingredients

• 3 egg whites room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups Confectioners sugar divided plus more for rolling
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp grated lemon peel

Instructions

• In medium bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Beat in 2 cups confectioners sugar, 1/4 cup at a time. Don't scrape sides of bowl. Spoon out ¾ c for frosting. Cover and set aside. 
• Into remaining mixture, add almond meal, cinnamon and lemon peel, and ½ c confectioners sugar. Cover, and refrigerate 2 hours. 
• Preheat oven to 350. On a waxed surface, well dusted with confectioners sugar, pat out one third of dough. (Keep remaining dough in the refrigerator until ready to use.)
• Generously sprinkle confectioners sugar on top of dough. Cover with waxed paper and roll out 1/8 inch thick. Peel off paper, and with well dusted star cutter, cut out cookies. (Dust cookie cutter in powdered sugar.)
• With pancake turner or small offset spatula, place stars on cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned. With pancake turner, remove cookies to wire racks; cool. Repeat with remaining dough and scraps. Allow to cool completely.
• Turn oven down to 325.
• Frost cookies with reserved frosting. (This may be done easiest with a piping bag.) Return stars to cookie sheets. Bake 5 minutes or until frosting is set but not browned. Cool. Store tightly covered. Makes 3-4 dozen cookies. 

Who are the special people in your life, those friends that are more like family? How have others supported you in your diagnosis, especially during the holidays? Please give a shout out to these special people in the comments below!

Originally Published Dec 2018

The post Gluten Free Cinnamon Stars- Zimtsterne appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Do Baking Chips and Cocoa Contain Gluten?

Do chocolate chips and other baking chips contain gluten? I’ve lived with Celiac Disease for almost 20 years, and I don’t recall ever seeing gluten as an ingredient in chocolate chips. (In the past Nestle Butterscotch Chips contained gluten, but not anymore.)

That being said, I am always reassured when I find brands that have dedicated gluten free facilities. (Read more on this issue in My Gluten Free Kitchen’s post, Best Gluten Free Chocolate & Baking Cocoa.)

Andes Mints Are Made in A Dedicated Gluten Free Facility

These Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies call for two kinds of baking chips. One, is specifically the Andes Mints Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips. These Andes Mints, like all products made by their parent company Tootsie Roll, are made in a dedicated gluten free facility.

When it comes to chocolate chips, I prefer Guittard, which are made in a dedicated gluten free and peanut free facility. I also appreciate Guittard’s stance on honorable sourcing of cocoa, and their attempts to curb child labor.

What Gluten Free Flour is Best for Cookies?

Full confession. I snagged the recipe for theses Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies off the back of the Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips bag. As written, it uses regular wheat flour. When attempting to recreate a recipe, using gluten free flour, I find it best to use a high quality gluten free flour blend. I prefer King Arthur Flour Measure for Measure, or Cup4Cup Multipurpose flour blend.

You are free to use other gluten free flour blends you have on hand. However, you must remember that they all act and absorb moisture differently. For a primer on gluten free flours, and flour blends, I highly recommend this article on Gluten Free Flours from Flippin’ Delicious. When baking cookies, I recommend baking 2 or 3 cookies, and then adjusting your batter for moisture.

Should You Refrigerate Cookie Dough Before Baking?

While my recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies doesn’t specify it, all gluten free doughs and batters benefit from a rest. As explained in this article from King Arthur Flour, any dough or batter seems to benefit from 15-30 minutes of rest time.

In addition, cookies benefit from refrigeration. It helps prevent spread, by chilling the fat (butter, etc). As King Arthur Flour explains, chilling cookie dough also helps develop flavor and deepen colors. For more tips, read this article on Gluten Free Cookie Baking Helps from GF Jules. Have an “oops”? Faithfully Gluten Free shares how to correct a Gluten Free Cookie Crisis.

Michigan’s Mindo Chocolate & Lorann Oils

As much as possible, I prefer to support local manufacturers. For instance, I’ve purchased my cocoa from Mindo Chocolate in Dexter, MI. Like Guittard, they place a high value on sourcing their cocoa ethically, and treating farmers fairly. While that means that their products cost more than Hershey or Nestle, I know that my purchase helps treat workers with dignity.

In addition, I discovered LorAnn Oils a few years back.  What started as a Michigan small family business in 1962, has become a major business that ships all over the world. This recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies calls for vanilla extract. However, substituted it with LorAnn Oils Peppermint bakery emulsion. You can use mint extract, but the Lorann Oils emulsions impart a much richer flavor.

Other Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Recipes

Christmastime is definitely peek cookie baking season. I highly recommend my recipe for Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies, Cinnamon Stars and any of these Culturally Inspired Gluten Free Christmas Cookies. Looking for the best tools for making cookies? You can find my favorite cookie cutters in my list of Favorite Kitchen Accessories

There are many other great gluten free cookie recipes out there. Flippin’ Delicious is the queen of Gluten Free Sugar Cookies. Looking for egg and dairy free cookie recipes? Sarah Bakes Gluten Free created many gluten free vegan cookie recipes.  In addition, this round up of Gluten Free Christmas Cookies from What the Fork should help you make just about anything you desire!

Print

Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 c. unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. instant coffee granules
• 2 c. plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose GF flour
• 3/4 c. baking cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. brown sugar firmly packed
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1 tsp. LorAnn Oils Peppermint Emulsion
• 1 pkg. 10 oz. Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
• 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Instructions

• In a small saucepan melt butter with coffee granules over low heat until completely dissolved. Remove pan from heat and let cool to about room temperature. (Confession – I do this in a microwave safe batter bowl and save myself from having to wash a pot!)
• While that is cooling, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.
• Beat butter mixture, sugar, brown sugar and extract in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in the eggs. Gradually beat in the flour mixture 1/3 at a time, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in the Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips and semi-sweet chips.
• Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto an ungreased or parchment lined baking sheet. Chill for 1-2 hours.
• Remove dough from refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let rest on baking sheet for 1 minute then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

**This recipe and post is not sponsored. It does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

Originally Published December 2013

The post Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

A while back, I asked my Facebook friends which cookies they eat during Christmas time. Many of the Cultural Gluten Free Christmas Cookies listed below are suggestions from them. For transparency, I have not made each of the recipes listed here. However, I do know many of these bakers well, and I guarantee they won’t steer you wrong!

P.S. Some of these Cultural Gluten Free Christmas Cookies may be attributed to cultures other than what you are used to. I simply listed them based on the research I did (a.k.a. their blub on Wikipedia.) Regardless of where these cookies originate, I think we can all agree they taste wonderful. Happy baking!

German Gluten Free Christmas Cookies  – Zimtsterne

I recently shared this recipe for Gluten Free Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) on my blog. In addition, I shared how these naturally gluten free (and dairy free!) cookies brought me such great joy when a close friend and her mother made them for me. They require a bit of work, but are well worth it!

German Gluten Free Christmas Cookies- Spritz

Recently I shared these Gluten Free Spritz Cookies by my friend Flippin Delicious on my Facebook page. It practically went viral! Apparently, many people miss these cookies and have been looking for this recipe. Having made spritz cookies over the years, I can attest that they are fun to make. Most cookie presses also have disk shapes for other parts of the year, so pin this recipe to keep it handy!

English Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Gingerbread Cookies

Regardless of where these Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies originate, Christmas isn’t the same without them. Gingerbread originated in Greece, while the cookies we know and love started with Queen Elizabeth the first. My above recipe uses shortening, and no eggs. Which makes them vegan! So get on a roll and get baking!

Dutch Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Pfeffernusse

If you Google Gluten Free Pfeffernusse Cookies, this recipe from my friend Sandi at Fearless Dining tops the list. She explains in her post how Pfeffernusse cookies were part of this childhood. However, now he needed them recreated into a gluten free version. Of course she obliged, and the rest is history! She has a plethora of other cookie recipes on her site you should check out as well!

French Gluten Free Christmas Cookies  – Macarons

Like many other cookies on this list, these Gluten Free Peppermint Macarons from What the Fork start with almond flour. Which therefore makes them naturally gluten free and grain free! Macarons (one “o”) originate from France. (Fun note- my husband and I met in French class in college!) They do not contain (usually) coconut, lest you confuse them with macaroons. (two “o”s) These take a steady hand, and some practice, but are worth attempting!

Belgian Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Speculaas

Peter Bronksi, of “No Gluten, No Problem,” shared his family recipe for Gluten Free Belgian Speculaas. Pretty special, considering it dates back to the 19th century! The spelling “Speculaas” is a variation of Speculoos, the foundation of the Trader Joe’s cookie butter we all wish we could eat. Would it be odd if we made a batch of these cookies, just so we can have cookie butter? I don’t think so!

Austrian Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Linzer Cookies

These cookies always impressed me. I love the window of jam, sandwiches between two cookies. In addition to being gluten free, these Gluten Free Linzer Cookies from The Pretty Bee are also vegan. No dairy! No eggs! Now that will put a Christmas jingle in your step!

Russian Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Tea Cakes

These Cultural Gluten Free Christmas cookies go by many names. Mexican Wedding Cookies. Snowballs. Russian Tea Cakes. On Facebook, people raved about how much they love these cookies. Therefore, I knew I had to include this recipe for Gluten Free Russian Tea Cookies by The Real Food Dietitians! Nuts + powdered sugar = delicious!

Scottish Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Shortbread

Traditional Scottish shortbread starts with Oat Flour. However, I had a follower ask for a shortbread cookie recipe that did not include rice. I found this recipe for Gluten Free Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies by King Arthur Flour. (Which is ironic, because I used Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour to make these, lol.) They came together easily, and my non-gf husband said they tasted delicious!

Italian Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Pizzelles

Many mentioned on Facebook that they miss pizzelles. If you want a quick fix, Bella Lucia makes certified gluten free pizzelles in a range of flavors. However if you want to make a batch with the family, check out this recipe for Gluten Free Pizzelle from my friend, GF Jules.

Polish Gluten Free Christmas Cookies – Kolaczki

Michigan is home to a large Polish community. Therefore, I am no stranger to Kolaczki. Many purchase them from Rumi’s Passion in greater Detroit. However, if your family tradition involves making them, you’ll want to view this Polish Kolaczki Apricot Filled Cookies recipe from The Well Essentials. People use various filings for these Cultural Gluten Free Christmas Cookies, and you don’t have to stick with apricot.

Jewish Gluten Free Cookies – Rugelach

Technically, rugelach are a Jewish dessert. And since Jews celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas, one may not technically call these Christmas cookies. However, some of my Facebook followers stated they make rugelach this time of year. Therefore, I chose to add this recipe for Chocolate Gluten Free Rugelach by Bakerita to the list. Most recipes on her site are gluten, dairy and refined sugar free. (These rugelach, however, do contain dairy.)

What traditional, cultural gluten free Christmas Cookies do you make in your family? Please leave a note, and a recipe link, below! 

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