Gluten-Free Basic Sugar Cookies

My husband is gluten free, so I made my mother's famous sugar cookies recipe gluten free, and they are the best homemade gluten-free cookies we've ever made. Perfect recipe for Christmas cookies!

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 8 mins
• Total Time: 43 mins
• Calories: 135 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• ½ cup shortening (such as Crisco®)
• 1 drop blue food coloring, or as needed
• 2 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, or as needed
• ¼ teaspoon water, or as needed
• 2 tablespoons sugar sprinkles, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

Stir gluten-free flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl.

Step 3

Beat sugar and shortening with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add beaten eggs, milk, and vanilla extract; beat until light and airy, about 2 minutes. Add gluten-free flour mixture in small batches and stir until dough is just combined.

Step 4

Pat dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 5

Dust rolling pin and cookie cutters with confectioners' sugar. Roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness; cut cookies and place 2 inches apart onto the baking sheets.

Step 6

Whisk egg yolk with food coloring and water in a small bowl. Decorate cookies with mixture using a child's paintbrush. Sprinkle sugar sprinkles on top.

Step 7

Bake in the the preheated oven until edges are golden, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.