Holiday baking is a tradition in a lot of homes, but it can feel frustrating when someone in the family eats gluten-free. Many gluten-free cookies come out gritty, dry, or crumbly, and getting a from-scratch recipe right can take a lot of trial and error. The good news is that gluten-free holiday cookies don’t have to be a compromise.
Here’s how to make gluten-free cookie baking simple this season, with ideas for decorating, sharing, and keeping gluten-free treats separate from the rest.
Why Gluten-Free Cookies Are Tricky
Gluten gives traditional cookies their structure and chew. When you remove it, you need the right blend of alternative flours and binders to make up the difference. Too much of one flour can leave a sandy texture. Too little binder can make cookies fall apart. That’s why many home bakers find gluten-free recipes unpredictable, especially during a busy holiday season when there’s no time for do-overs.
Start With Dough That’s Already Right
The easiest way to skip the guesswork is to start with a gluten-free dough made by people who’ve already solved the texture problem. That’s Just Nuts gluten-free cookie dough was created to prove that gluten-free can be delicious. It uses a carefully chosen blend of gluten-free ingredients for cookies that aren’t gritty, so many guests won’t realize they’re eating gluten-free.
That’s Just Nuts comes in four flavors:
- Chocolate Chip: the classic that works for any occasion
- Peanut Butter: rich, nutty, and a natural partner for chocolate
- Oatmeal Raisin: a cozy, old-fashioned favorite
- Sugar: a blank canvas for holiday decorating
Follow the package directions for baking, then add your own holiday touches.
Holiday Ideas for Every Flavor
A ready-made dough doesn’t mean your cookies have to look store-bought. A few simple ideas:
- Sugar cookies: Bake, cool completely, then decorate with icing and sprinkles. Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking for easy snickerdoodles.
- Chocolate chip: Press crushed peppermint or holiday-colored candies into the tops right after baking, or drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate.
- Peanut butter: Press a chocolate candy into the center of each cookie as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- Oatmeal raisin: Serve with a light drizzle of icing or sandwich two cookies around a layer of frosting.
Whenever you add toppings, check the labels. Some sprinkles, candies, and decorations contain gluten or are made on shared equipment.
Keep Gluten-Free Cookies Separate
If you’re baking for someone who needs to avoid gluten, how you bake matters as much as what you bake. A few habits help limit cross-contact:
- Bake gluten-free cookies first, before any wheat flour comes out
- Wipe down counters and wash mixing bowls, utensils, and baking sheets thoroughly
- Line pans with fresh parchment paper
- Use separate decorating supplies, including piping bags and sprinkle containers
- Store gluten-free cookies in their own labeled container
Guests with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity may have stricter needs, so it’s always worth asking what’s safe for them. We take the same care at our events. Read more about how we handle food safety and allergen protocols.
Don’t Forget Santa’s Plate
If your family leaves cookies out on Christmas Eve, gluten-free dough makes it easy for everyone to help. Kids can scoop, bake, and decorate a batch together, and there’s no worry about who can eat the leftovers the next morning.
Where to Buy That’s Just Nuts Locally
That’s Just Nuts gluten-free cookie dough is available in select locations of these retailers:
- Price Cutter
- Hy-Vee
- Walmart
- Harter House
- Sam’s Club
- The Pie Box in Nixa
Availability varies by store. If your local store doesn’t carry it yet, ask the store to add it. You can also order online or call (417) 866-4630, option 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gluten-free cookies taste as good as regular cookies?
Yes. The right blend of gluten-free ingredients makes cookies that aren’t gritty or crumbly. That’s Just Nuts was made specifically to prove gluten-free cookies can be delicious.
Can I decorate gluten-free sugar cookies?
Yes. Bake and cool the cookies completely, then decorate with icing and sprinkles. Check the labels on decorations, since some contain gluten.
How do I avoid cross-contact when baking gluten-free cookies?
Bake gluten-free cookies first, clean all surfaces and tools, line pans with fresh parchment, and use separate decorating supplies and storage containers.
Where can I buy That’s Just Nuts cookie dough?
That’s Just Nuts is sold at select Price Cutter, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Harter House, and Sam’s Club locations, and at The Pie Box in Nixa. You can also order online.
What flavors does That’s Just Nuts come in?
That’s Just Nuts comes in chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and sugar.