{"id":30162,"date":"2022-11-12T05:24:06","date_gmt":"2022-11-12T10:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondflourblog.com\/?p=30162"},"modified":"2024-01-27T08:01:22","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T13:01:22","slug":"gluten-free-candy-cane-cookies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondflourblog.com\/gluten-free-candy-cane-cookies\/","title":{"rendered":"Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies"},"content":{"rendered":"

These festive Candy Cane Cookies are fun, tasty, easy to make ... and you'd never know they're GF. They have great flavour and texture!<\/p>\n

\"Gluten-Free<\/p>\n

Note: This recipe was first posted on my original blog, Celebration Generation, on November 10, 2014. It was transferred over to this blog on Feb 25, 2021, and most recently updated on 11\/12\/2022.<\/i><\/p>\n

When I was a kid, there were a few foods from the holiday season that come to mind:<\/p>\n

My aunt's Easy Dill Dip<\/a>, Noelle Cookies<\/a>, and Sauerkraut Balls (Piroshki<\/a>)<\/p>\n

... Then, there were the Nanaimo Bars and Confetti Squares<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I don't even associate those with any particular person, maybe it was just whoever got around to it? Those bars were pretty ubiquitous around Christmas time, back home in Winnipeg...<\/p>\n

Anyway, extended-family contributions aside, there were two sweets I associated with my immediate household\u2019s holiday baking: The weird (but awesome) peppermint patties that my maternal host would make. (I later developed my Peppermint Patties<\/a> around the idea.)... and candy cane cookies.<\/p>\n

It's time to make some gluten-free Christmas cookies!<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

My Gluten Free Candy Cane Cookies Recipe<\/h4>\n

Given that I can no longer handle gluten, this version of those candy cane sugar cookies is gluten-free... but you'd never know it. <\/p>\n

As with all of my other Gluten-free Recipes, this candy cane cookie recipe was developed from the ground up, rather than being an adapted normal gluten recipe. <\/p>\n

I chose the flours, other ingredients, and techniques to work together to produce a cookie that not only tastes great, but also has a great texture. <\/p><\/div>\n

These are buttery cookies the way I like them - somewhat soft, rather than crunchy. <\/p>\n

There's none of the chalkiness or weird aftertastes generally associated with gluten-free baking. They just taste like Christmas, and are totally suitable for a mixed crowd, as far as gluten allergies go. <\/p>\n

SO, they\u2019re perfect for making any holiday cookie box, cookie exchange, or Christmas cookie trays a little more inclusive!<\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Gluten-Free<\/p>\n

\n

Ingredients<\/h2>\n

This recipe uses fairly simple ingredients, and should be relatively easy to find them in most larger grocery stores. <\/p>\n

A few notes for you:<\/p>\n

The Gluten Free Flour Mix<\/h4>\n

As with all of my gluten free baking, I use individual flours, rather than an all purpose flour mixture.<\/p>\n

This gives me a lot of control over the flavor and behaviour of the dough, and really gives the best results. <\/p><\/div>\n

It also gives my readers the most consistent results. <\/p>\n

All gluten free flours have different flavours and properties, and the premade mixes have different ingredients and ratios. <\/p>\n

By measuring them separately, you don\u2019t have to worry about which brand you\u2019re using!<\/p>\n

For these cookies, the blend of flours I use involves:\t<\/p>\n

Coconut Flour<\/a>
\nSorghum Flour<\/a>
\nTapioca Starch<\/a> \/ Tapioca Flour<\/a>
\nWhite Rice Flour<\/a>
\nXanthan Gum<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Peppermint Extract<\/h4>\n

Be sure to use actual Peppermint Extract<\/a>, not essential oil.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like your cookies to have just a hint of peppermint flavor, use a bit less flavouring, or go half and half with vanilla extract.<\/p>\n

Not into peppermint, but like the aesthetic of candy cane sugar cookies?<\/p>\n

Feel free to use Pure Vanilla Extract<\/a> or Almond Extract<\/a> instead.\t<\/div>\n

\n

Gel Food Coloring<\/h4>\n

When it comes to painting with food colouring, I prefer to use a nice quality gel based colour, such as Americolor<\/a> (what I used when I was in the USA), or ChefMaster<\/a> (Which is the option more readily available here!).<\/p>\n

If I have some on hand, I\u2019ll add some Americolor White Gel Paste<\/a> to colour the white pieces, but it\u2019s not necessary. <\/p>\n

Without white colouring, the white dough will actually be a brownish ivory colour - still totally identifiable as a candy cane, without colouring it white!<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Everything Else<\/h4>\n

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:<\/p>\n

Granulated sugar
\nUnsalted butter
\nLarge eggs
\nBaking powder
\nSalt<\/p>\n

.... I just don\u2019t have anything to add, as far as these ingredients go!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Gluten-Free<\/p>\n

\n

How to Make Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve been told that people don\u2019t like photos in the recipe card itself, so let me go over the technique here, in the post!<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve made the dough...<\/p>\n

Divide and Tint Your Dough<\/h4>\n

Divide dough into 3 pieces: 2 larger balls of about the same size, and one smaller ball (about half the size of the other two).<\/p>\n

Note: I find that if I don\u2019t do the green ball much smaller than the other two, the amount of green on the final cookie is overwhelming. <\/p>\n

At half the amount, it ends up seeming to be an equal amount to the other two, in the end!<\/i><\/div>\n

Add food coloring to the balls - red food coloring to one of the larger dough balls, white to the other (optional), and green to the remaining dough (the smallest piece).<\/p>\n

Knead in until coloring is evenly incorporated in each dough ball. <\/p>\n

Note: I like to wear nitrile gloves for this step, because gel food colouring is no joke! I start with the white piece of dough, to avoid accidentally transferring other colors to it. Then red, then green.<\/i><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Once the doughs are all tinted as you want them, wrap each of the pieces of dough - separately - in plastic wrap, chill for 1 hour.<\/p>\n

\"Lumps<\/p>\n

\n

Divide and Conquer!<\/h4>\n

Preheat oven to 375F, line cookie sheets with parchment paper, and wash your hands!<\/p>\n

Divide each dough ball into 4 equal pieces, and each of those 4 pieces into 4 pieces. You should have 16 pieces of each color.
\nYou can divide the first 4 pieces each into the next 4 pieces right from the cut state, or you can roll each of the original 4 into a long rope, and divide it from there.\t<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

When I was first developing and photographing, I miscalculated on how big the cookies were going to be - I thought I was originally going to end up with 16 cookies, not 32.<\/p>\n

So, I divided the original 4 into the 16 by rolling, as I thought that was *it* for the dividing. ANYWAY.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Roll Your Candy Cane Cookies!<\/h4>\n

There are two different techniques you can use here. One will produce a smooth Candy Cane Cookie, and the other will produce a cookie with a fun, rope type texture. (I've got video demonstrating both techniques a bit further down, also!)<\/p>\n

Smooth Candy Canes<\/h5>\n

Take 1 each of the 3 colours, and roll them out to long snakes of dough, about 10\" in length. Aim to get them relatively even in thickness throughout the length of each rope.<\/p>\n

Line the dough up as shown, gently squish together to adhere.<\/p>\n

Roll the joined dough pieces together gently, just to secure and form a single, rounded rope about 11-12\" in length.<\/p>\n

Cut your rope into 2 equal lengths of about 6\" each.<\/p>\n

Gently twist each length to form the spiral design, then shape the twisted ropes into a candy cane shape.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Place each on a prepared baking sheet as you finish them.<\/p>\n

\"Candy<\/p>\n

\n
Rope Candy Canes<\/h5>\n

Take 1 each of the 3 colours, and roll them out to long snakes of dough, about 12\" in length. Aim to get them relatively even in thickness throughout the length of each rope.<\/p>\n

Cut each rope into 2 equal lengths of about 6\" each.<\/p>\n

Take one each of the 3 colours of 6\" dough rope, stack and gently twist to form the spiral design.<\/p>\n

Shape into a candy cane shape.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

Place on prepared baking sheets as you finish them.<\/p>\n

Bake Your Christmas Cookies!<\/h4>\n

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom.<\/p>\n

Cool for 5 minutes or so before transferring them off the pan, allow to cool to room temperature.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Candy<\/p>\n

Once completely cooled to room temperature, store in a single later in an airtight container until serving.<\/p>\n

Enjoy! <\/p><\/div>\n

\""Gluten-Free<\/p>\n

\n

More Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes!<\/h2>\n

Looking for something festive - for the whole family? Here are some great options!<\/p>\n

Cranberry Chicken<\/a>
\nCranberry Jello Salad<\/a>
\nGluten-Free Fruitcake <\/a>
\nGluten Free Fruitcake Cookies <\/a>
\nGluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies <\/a>
\nGluten Free Gingerbread Scones<\/a>
\nGluten Free Maple Pumpkin Pie <\/a>
\nGluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Mini Doughnuts <\/a>
\nGluten Free Paska [Easter Bread]<\/a>
\nGluten-Free Sauerkraut Buns [Pyrizhky]<\/a>
\nGluten Free Stuffing Recipe <\/a>
\nPumpkin Cheese Ball - Classier Version<\/a>
\nPumpkin Cheese Ball - Trashier Version<\/a>
\nRoasted Carrots & Parsnips<\/a>
\nSlow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Fruit Sauce<\/a>
\nSweet Potato Souffle<\/a>
\nTurkey Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\"Gluten-Free<\/p>\n

\n

Share the Love!<\/h2>\n

Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you post it to Bluesky, be sure to tag us - @CelebrationGen<\/a>. We're also on Pinterest<\/a>, so you can save all your favourite recipes to a board!<\/p>\n

Also, be sure to subscribe to my free email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense.<\/p>\n

Finally, if you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment!\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Gluten-Free<\/p>\n

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\"Gluten-Free<\/div>\n\t
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Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
These Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies are fun, easy to make, festive... and you'd never know they're GF. They have great flavour and texture!<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Prep Time<\/span>25 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Cook Time<\/span>10 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Chilling Time<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hr<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Total Time<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hr<\/span> 35 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Course: <\/span>Dessert, Snack<\/span><\/div>
Cuisine: <\/span>Gluten-free, Holiday<\/span><\/div>
Diet: <\/span>Gluten Free<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
Servings: <\/span>32<\/span> Cookies<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Calories: <\/span>111<\/span>kcal<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

Equipment<\/h3>