Pudding makes these gluten free sugar cookies soft and full of sweet vanilla flavor. Easy to make and there's no need to refrigerate the dough! Vegan option included.
This post was sponsored by Vivian’s Live Again. This post may also contain affiliate links, please see my full disclosure.
Finally, a great-tasting gluten free sugar cookie recipe!
Sugar cookies are a staple in any kitchen. I think we all have memories of rolling out the dough, cutting it out with the current holiday's shaped cookie cutters, and anxiously waiting for them to come out of the oven so they could be frosted and decorated.
Now you can enjoy gluten free sugar cookies too - all the softness and flavor you remember, but without the gluten! This gluten free sugar cookie recipe is quick and simple to make, and the dough is easy to handle.
Over the years, I have tried MANY sugar cookie recipes, tweaking them to try to mimick the ones I used to make before our family needed to eat gluten free.
My attempts always ended up in grainy cookies (I know you've been there!) or dough that was too sticky to work with. Until one day, I had a brilliant idea to use prepared pudding in the sugar cookie dough.
The result? Perfectly soft gluten free sugar cookies without a beautiful vanilla flavor and, perhaps most importantly, NO gritty texture. Hallelujah!
Use any prepared pudding to make soft and tasty gluten free sugar cookies
It's important to note that you can use any gluten free pudding for this recipe. If you need a dairy free option, we love Vivian's Live Again which sets well in dairy free milk.
You can also use Jell-O brand (or any other brand that is labelled gluten free), or even make a homemade vanilla pudding ahead of time. The key is to use prepared pudding, which adds extra moisture to the gluten free dough. This eliminates any gritty texture and makes a beautiful, workable dough.
Can this recipe be used to make vegan gluten free sugar cookies?
Absolutely! While it's easy to sub a dairy free pudding to make these gluten free sugar cookies dairy free too, I did make a few other adjustments for a vegan (dairy free and egg free) version as well. You can find the vegan gluten free sugar cookies recipe here.
If you're looking for more gluten free cookie recipes that actually taste good, check out this roundup of the Best Gluten Free Christmas Cookies!
Need Frosting Inspiration?
I used this Easy Gluten Free Cookie Icing from gfJules to decorate our cookies.
You could also use this Easy Homemade American Buttercream from Flippin' Delicious (use dairy free option on recipe if needed), or this Healthier Vanilla Buttercream (lower sugar) from Veggie Balance.
Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream shortening and sugar together for 1 minute.
- Add egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Add pudding and mix on medium until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix for 1 minute. Dough should be just slightly sticky. If it's too thick/crumbly, add additional pudding or dairy free milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until you have the right consistency.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Roll dough out to desired thickness (I did about ¼") on a surface that is lightly dusted with gluten free flour (again, I used Thrive) and cut into desired shapes.
- Arrange cookies on cookie sheet lined with Silpat or parchment paper 1-2 inches apart and bake 8-10 minutes until they appear set and the bottom edges are just barely (just barely!) starting to turn a golden brown.
- Let cool on cookie sheet a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Frost with your favorite frosting and decorate as you like.
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
These look so great! I love soft cookies like this, the texture looks perfect!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Thanks so much Emily, they're my favorite too!
Raia says
Those look gorgeous! I never would have thought to put pudding in sugar cookies....
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Thanks Raia, when I thought of the idea I was so excited to try it! And they didn't disappoint!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Christmas cooking baking isn't complete without some sugar cookies!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
I agree Rebecca! I love that these are free from gluten, and dairy, and there's even a vegan option so everyone can enjoy!
Sabrina | The Tomato Tart says
How adorable are these. Look amazing and festive. Yum!!!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Thanks Sabrina! They're so fun.
Amie says
So go ahead and make the pudding and have it set before using in this recipe?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Yep, you got it!
Sharon @What The Fork says
Not only is this a delicious looking recipe, but I have to say I love all of the shapes in these photos!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Thanks so much Sharon!
Brianna Hobbs says
I can't wait to try adding pudding mix to my sugar cookies. Great idea! I just love Vivian's Live Again products.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
We do too, Brianna! Enjoy!
Mary says
These look fantastic! It seems more xanthum gum is needed for the cookies. The one I use Bob’s Red Mill calls for 1/4 tsp per cup. Should I just follow those guidelines? Thanks!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Hi Mary! Great question. If you're using a mix that doesn't contain any xanthan gum (a homemade mix, GF Mama's, etc.), then you'll use the 1 tsp called for in the recipe which equals 1/4 tsp per cup of flour. If you're using a mix that has xanthan gum blended in (Grandpa's Kitchen, Cup4Cup, etc.) then you'll simply omit the added xanthan gum. Does that answer your question? -Celeste
Dana says
Can you omit the pudding?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Hi Dana! This recipe was developed to include the pudding, I wouldn't recommend omitting it. It is what gives these cookies their lovely soft texture 🙂 -Celeste
zoe says
I'm wondering how these are vegan when an egg is used? They do look good though!
"Pudding makes these Vegan, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free cookies soft and full of sweet vanilla flavor. These gluten free sugar cookies are easy to make and there's need to refrigerate the dough!"
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
There is a link to a vegan version of this recipe. Sorry for the confusion! Here's the Vegan recipe: https://thereislifeafterwheat.com/2016/12/gluten-free-vegan-sugar-cookies/
JLL says
Could regular flour be used (not needing GF, but need dairy free)?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
I haven't tried it, but you could give it a shot. I would try reducing the flour by 1/4 cup to start and adding more if necessary. -Celeste
Rozelyn DeSagun says
I haven't made sugar cookies since my kids were diagnosed with food allergies. That was 7 years ago! This looks really easy to make and will be fun with the kids involved. Just need to substitute the egg. Do you know if flax goo or a powdered egg replacement will work?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Hi Rozelyn, I'm so glad you get to make sugar cookies with the kids again! I have a vegan recipe too that is just as good and doesn't require an egg substitute - here it is: https://thereislifeafterwheat.com/2016/12/gluten-free-vegan-sugar-cookies/ ENJOY! -Celeste
Maria says
These sound amazing!
I have a question when u mean prepared pudding mix what does that mean? I make the pudding then add to the recipe or do I use just the powder?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Mix up the pudding as directed on the package and add that in - not the powder. Enjoy! -Celeste
Rita Marker says
thank you for asking this question
Ashley says
Hi! These look amazing!
Do you know if you can substitute butter for the shortening?
Does it matter what type of dairy-free milk you use to make the pudding? Can you use regular milk if you don't care about the dairy?
I'm not worried about them being vegan or dairy-free, but I am trying to make it gluten-free!
Thanks!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Hi Ashley, you can use butter instead and any prepared vanilla pudding should work. -Celeste
Cassidy @ Cassidys Craveable Creations says
These look so beautiful and perfect! I've never heard of adding vanilla pudding to sugar cookies - what a great idea!!!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
It is definitely a unique idea, thank you! -Celeste
Ali says
Wow, these look awesome! I'm new to the gluten free world, and am SO glad I found your site! I haven't tried any of those flours listed. I have better batter, king Arthur, and pamela's. Which one would you start with?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Better Batter or Pamela's should work great! Those are two of my favs 🙂 Happy baking! -Celeste
Suzanne says
This looks so good! The pudding is interesting! Do you use that in any other gf doughs?
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do the cookies keep long?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
They are great for 2-3 days, you can freeze for longer if needed. Store in a sealed plastic bag.
Neera says
Can you substitute butter for the shorten? If so would it be the same amount? So glad I’ve found your recipe they all look so delicious and I’m excited to try so many things!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Hi Neera! I haven't tried using butter, but I am guessing it will work just fine. Happy Baking, so excited for you to try the cookies!
Christina Foraker says
Does this require a dough mixer attachment? Or can this be mixed by hand? (Sorry, I’ve found so many recipes that require using the mixer, and I don’t have one)
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
A hand mixer will work too 🙂
Steph F says
These are amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Baking & decorating Christmas cookies has become a part of our family tradition - this recipe will now be our go-to!