If you’re searching for a crave-worthy treat that everyone at the table can enjoy, these Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies are about to become your new go-to dessert. Chewy around the edges and decadently soft in the middle, these beauties are rich with cocoa flavor, sparkling with sugar, and astonishingly simple to make with just a handful of pantry staples. Whether you’re gluten-free or just after a perfect chocolate cookie, you’ll fall in love with how effortlessly these come together—and disappear!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This lineup of ingredients proves that sometimes the best bakes come from the simplest parts of your pantry. Each brings its own role to the table, whether it’s adding texture, deep chocolate flavor, or sweet, fragrant notes. Gather your favorites and let’s dive in!

Gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum): The backbone of these Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies, providing essential structure while keeping them irresistibly tender.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Lends rich, chocolaty depth and that dark, alluring color every chocolate cookie should have.
Baking soda: Just a touch helps the cookies rise ever so slightly for the perfect bite.
Salt: Enhances and balances the flavors, ensuring the chocolate and sweetness really shine.
Unsalted butter (softened): For that melt-in-your-mouth texture and an extra hint of buttery goodness.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness in the dough and creates that irresistible, sparkly finish.
Large egg: Binds everything together and lends a soft, chewy middle.
Vanilla extract: A splash makes the chocolate flavor pop and infuses warmth.
Milk (dairy or non-dairy): Helps create dough that’s just moist enough to scoop and roll with ease.
Additional sugar for rolling: Delivers that classic, crunchy, sparkled exterior.

How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F—this way it’s hot and ready when the dough is done. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to keep things fuss-free and to help the cookies bake evenly and release easily later on.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and your Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies will have a uniform, decadent flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale—about 2 to 3 minutes should do the trick. Proper creaming is key for that perfect cookie texture and helps set the stage for a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk. The dough will become smooth and creamy, and you’ll notice the vanilla starting to make the whole kitchen smell delightful!

Step 5: Combine and Form the Dough

Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft, chocolatey dough forms. At this point, the dough should hold together well and be easy to scoop—if it feels too sticky, a tiny sprinkle of extra flour will help.

Step 6: Scoop, Roll, and Sugar Coat

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls between your palms. Roll each one in a bowl of granulated sugar, making sure they get a nice, even coating—this step is what gives Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies their signature sparkling finish.

Step 7: Flatten and Bake

Place each dough ball on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies—they do need some room to spread. Gently press down on each ball with the flat bottom of a glass to get that classic crinkle-top look. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers still look a touch soft.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes (they’ll continue to firm up as they cool), then transfer them to a wire rack to cool all the way. The texture is absolute perfection once they’re fully cooled!

How to Serve Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

A simple coating of granulated sugar gives these cookies all the shimmer they need, but if you want to step things up, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the warm cookies or drizzle with a little melted chocolate once cooled for an extra-special touch.

Side Dishes

To make snack time feel like a real occasion, serve your Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies with a glass of cold milk (dairy or non-dairy both work wonders), a mug of strong coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for instant cookie sandwiches.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn cookie time into a festive moment by stacking the cookies on a pretty cake stand, wrapping them in cellophane bags with ribbon for sweet gifts, or making an ice cream sandwich bar so everyone can build their own decadent treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days—they’ll stay soft and delicious, perfect for sneaking a cookie (or two) with your afternoon coffee.

Freezing

Both the baked cookies and the unbaked cookie dough freeze beautifully! Stack cooled cookies in a freezer bag for up to three months, or freeze portioned, sugared dough balls to bake straight from the freezer whenever a chocolate craving strikes.

Reheating

If you love your cookies slightly warm, pop one or two in the microwave for 7–10 seconds—or for bigger batches, a few minutes in a low oven will revive their fresh-from-the-oven taste.

FAQs

Can I use a different gluten-free flour blend?

Absolutely! Any high-quality gluten-free all-purpose blend should work well, but be sure it includes xanthan gum as this really helps hold the Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies together.

Do these cookies taste as good as regular chocolate sugar cookies?

Friends and family say they’re every bit as delicious as traditional versions—rich, chewy, and perfectly chocolatey with none of the gluten, just all the indulgence!

Can I make these cookies dairy-free too?

Definitely! Simply use a dairy-free butter substitute and non-dairy milk (like almond or oat), and you’ll have Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies that are also entirely dairy-free.

How do I make perfectly round cookies?

Rolling the dough into smooth balls and flattening gently with the bottom of a glass creates a classic cookie shape. Want even more uniformity? Use a cookie scoop for equal portions every time.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

You sure can! Stir in up to 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a handful of dried cherries for a personalized twist that makes every batch of Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies your own.

Final Thoughts

There’s something especially joyful about baking a batch of Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies to share with people you love—or just to treat yourself! I hope you’ll find that with their crinkly tops, soft centers, and irresistible chocolate aroma, these cookies become an instant favorite in your kitchen. Give them a try and let the smiles (and crumbs) begin!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these rich and decadent Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies. With a soft and chewy texture, these cookies are a delightful treat for any chocolate lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
additional sugar for rolling

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
Mix the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, coat in sugar, place on baking sheet, flatten with glass, and bake for 9–11 minutes.
Cool and enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend for best results.
Cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
For added flavor, consider incorporating espresso powder or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American