Crisp edges, soft chocolate center, and refreshing peppermint make a to-die-for Christmas cookie. The light dusting of powdered sugar reminds me of fresh fallen snow, but so much more edible! These peppermint crinkle cookies are free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts–making the top 8 free AND vegan!
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Why I love crinkle cookies!
I recently attended FABlogCon which was amazing. During a recipe development class, they talked about how most good recipes are your childhood reincarnated. I totally agree. We are all trying to make Grandma’s famous something or other, or remember the comforting cookie that was waiting for us after school.
My mom would often make chocolate crinkle cookies, and I can remember her standing in our kitchen as if it was yesterday. (We won’t get into how long it’s actually been…)
I know it’s not December yet, but I just couldn’t hold back making these a second longer. Christmas baking is officially in full swing at our house.
Since Christmas is all about dressing things up with ribbons and bows, I thought I’d take those beloved crinkle cookies and dress them up with a little peppermint (and of course make them allergy-friendly). Nothing says Christmas like peppermint to me. I took my favorite double choco chip cookie recipe and just tweaked it, since I know that recipe is a home run.
It was seriously hard to not eat these during the photo shoot!
I hope that these cookies will remind you of Christmases past, and warm memories as they fill your belly.
Looking for more gluten free and vegan Christmas treats?
Try these favorites:
- Dairy Free Fudge
- Gluten Free Roll Out Sugar Cookies
- Gluten Free Dairy Free Eggnog Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting
- Rice Krispie Reindeers
Here are some frequently asked questions about these vegan crinkle cookies:
What are crinkle cookies?
Crinkle cookies are a totally chocolate cookie, rolled in powdered sugar. Because the cookies expand as they cook, the powdered sugar ends up looking “cracked” or “crinkled”. You cook them until they’re soft set, so that they’re not a hard biscuit like some Christmas cookies. I like to add peppermint extract to my allergy friendly crinkle cookies so that they have just a touch extra than the typical Christmas crinkle cookie.
Can I make these gluten free crinkle cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough up to a day ahead of time, since holiday preparations are always so busy. Just keep the dough covered when chilling in the fridge ahead of time.
You’ll want to allow the dough to sit out for 15-30 minutes after it’s been chilled, just so that it’s not too hard to scoop out.
How do I store these vegan crinkle cookies after they’ve baked?
We never have them stick around for very long since we inhale these. But, if you do happen to have a few leftover (lucky you!) then keep them room temperature in an air tight container for 2-3 days.
You could also freeze baked crinkle cookies, just be sure to have them in an air-tight container. When you’re ready to eat, sit them on the counter until they come up to room temperature. Warning though: I do find the pretty powdered sugar design doesn’t stay as nice when freezing and thawing.
What if I don’t need this crinkle cookie to be gluten-free? Just dairy and egg free?
If you can have regular flour, then go ahead and use the same amount of flour as called for, and omit the xanthan gum.
Can I use a store-bought gluten-free flour blend?
Yes, I’d recommend Walmart’s blend or Bob’s Red Mill 1:1.
What if I don’t need this crinkle cookie to be dairy free?
If your diet allows for dairy, then go ahead and use the same amount of regular milk as is called for rice milk.
Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies (GF, Vegan, Peanut/Tree nut Free)
Crisp edges, soft chocolate center, and refreshing peppermint make a to-die-for Christmas cookie. The light dusting of powdered sugar reminds me of fresh fallen snow, but so much more edible!
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups basic gluten-free flour mix
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1/3 cup Vanilla Rice Milk (original will also do!)
- 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease a baking sheet, or use a silicone baking mat.
- In a stand mixer, or by hand, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, xanthan, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix thoroughly, being sure to work out any lumps of cocoa powder.
- Next add the oil, rice milk, vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Mix until everything is incorporated, scraping the sides with a spatula as necessary.
- The dough will be slightly sticky and oily, so it's best to use a cookie scoop. Scoop out the dough and place evenly spaced on the cookie sheet.
- Once the dough is formed into balls, roll it in a small bowl of powdered sugar until well coated and then place back on the cookie sheet.
- Be sure to give the cookies some room as they’ll spread a bit when they cook.
- Baker at the center of the oven for 7-9 minutes. Do not overcook, as they will dry easily. If you start to smell them, run for the oven!
- Cookies will still be slightly soft in the center. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies continue to set on the hot pan for another 5 minutes.
- Using a spatula, remove the cookies from the hot pan to finish cooling on a wire baking wrack.
- Enjoy.
- Keep leftovers room temperature, in an air tight container for 2-3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1154Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 584mgCarbohydrates: 193gFiber: 6gSugar: 128gProtein: 11g
Patty Patzman
My Granddaughter is allergic to dairy, eggs and nuts. I am so glad to have found your recipe. My question is; could I substitute crushed candy canes for peppermint extract? If so, how much would you think I would need?
Megan Lavin
Hi Patty, What a nice grandmother you are! I’ve never personally put crushed candy canes inside the cookie, so it’s hard to say. I’d probably leave the cookie as is, because it’s a tender cookie, and then dip the cookies in a safe melted chocolate (like Enjoy Life) and adhere the peppermint candies to the wet chocolate. But, it never hurts to experiment. If you do try placing them in the cookie, let me know how it goes.
Kristin
I just made these and the dough was really crumbly. Should I have added more milk or oil or equal parts? or is it supposed to be crumbly? I could roll them in balls but had to really press them together. They seem to come out okay but don’t spread at all.
Megan Lavin
Hi Kristin. I’m sorry you had that experience. That’s so frustrating when you try a new recipe and it doesn’t work out. I’d suggest watching the video on my chocolate orange cookies–it uses the same base, just uses orange instead of peppermint, and you can see what the dough should look like: https://allergyawesomeness.com/chocolate-orange-cookies/. My two questions would be: what flour blend did you use (if you use a different one, they can absorb more moisture and dry out the dough). And, how did you measure your flour? Make sure you use the scoop and level method. If you pack your flour in the measuring cup, you’re actually getting more than 1 cup and it will dry out the recipe. I hope it works better for you next time.
CarolE
Great recipe – thank you! Warning, however, for those of you who haven’t used your peppermint extract in a long time – it apparently gets stronger as time goes by. My cookies are overpoweringly pepperminty – you can eat one but then need a break. Will make them with a new bottle of peppermint extract next time, or a LOT less of my current peppermint!
Thanks again, for the great easy recipe!
Megan Lavin
You’re welcome and thanks for the tip!
Jean
Hi. Thank you so much for recipes!
I tried the crinkles today but mine didn’t become flat like on picture. I am not a baker but I thought it was easy. I just wished mine turned out the same as your picture. What actually went wrong?
Megan Lavin
If they puffed it’s most likely due to your flour. Which flour did you use? You can always take a cup dipped in powdered sugar and gently press them down right after taking them from the oven if you want them flatter.
Jean
I used the King arthur’s gluten free flour. I used the same flour for the allergy free chocolate cupcakes i made recently and it tasted good. Also, is there a way i could make them a little sweeter? What can I substitute for the peppermint extract? My family is not a fan of minty pastries.
Megan Lavin
I prefer to not have the dough too sweet since they’re rolled in powdered sugar. You can try upping the sugar if you want them sweeter. And, you can omit the peppermint extract and just have them as chocolate cookies. You can also add chocolate chips, my kids love when I do that.
Janice R Wittmershaus
My cookies did not spread. They stayed in a ball shape. The only thing I did different was to use olive oil. Any suggestions? Otherwise the cookies were delicious!
allergyawesomeness@gmail.com
Did you use my gluten free flour blend? That often happens when you use a different flour. If the first batch is too thick, and doesn’t spread, you can try adding some more rice milk. Or, you can take a glass cup, and when they’re done smoosh/flatten them. 🙂
Jenna
I made these the other day because they sounded delicious and they turned out great! I subbed oatmilk for rice milk but kept everything else the same. I don’t cook for anyone who has allergies but I’m sensitive to gluten so I appreciate that your recipes are gluten free. Everyone I shared these with was amazed at how soft the cookies were! I’ll definitely be making these again 🙂 thanks for the recipe
allergyawesomeness@gmail.com
You’re so welcome. Yes, I love a good, soft cookie and I’m glad you did too!
Amber
What could I sub the earth balance spread with ? My son can’t have any seed/ nut oil.
Thank you
allergyawesomeness@gmail.com
Canola oil
Kayte
That’s so true – I often try to re-create the recipes I loved as a kid. These look delicious, can’t wait to try them!
allergyawesomeness@gmail.com
Thanks Kayte! Yes, good food PLUS memories are the best 🙂
Micah
Hi there!
Can I substitute the canola oil for something else? Olive or Avacado oil, coconut oil?
And I substitute the rice milk for vanilla almond or coconut milk?
allergyawesomeness@gmail.com
I wouldn’t do coconut oil, since it hardens at lower temperatures. I haven’t tested it with anything else, but I would assume another oil should be fine. And yes, coconut or almond milk should work.
Amy
I used a mixture of coconut oil, ghee, butter, and avocado oil (obviously I was scraping together 1/3 cup of any kind of fat, haha).
Brittany M
Can you use regular flour? If you do use regular flour, do you still need to add the xamthum gum, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar? My son is allergic to eggs and nuts but not gluten so regular flour is all I have.
allergyawesomeness@gmail.com
Hi Brittany! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, you can sub out regular flour 1:1. You won’t need xanthan gum (only ever needed when there is no gluten). However, you will still need baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. Hope you like them!