Irresistible Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies: Your Allergy-Friendly Christmas Treat!

Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie with perfectly crisp edges, a delightfully soft chocolate center, and a refreshing burst of peppermint – that’s the magic of these Christmas crinkle cookies! The delicate dusting of powdered sugar on top isn’t just a visual treat; it instantly evokes images of fresh, glistening snow, making these holiday treats even more enchanting and, of course, wonderfully edible. What makes these peppermint crinkle cookies truly special is their incredible allergen-friendly profile: they are completely free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. This means they are top 8 allergen-free AND vegan, ensuring that everyone can join in the festive joy of homemade holiday baking without worry.

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Why We Adore Crinkle Cookies, Especially During the Holidays

There’s something uniquely comforting about crinkle cookies, isn’t there? They often transport us back to cherished childhood memories. I recently attended a FABlogCon session where the discussion revolved around how the best recipes often feel like a reincarnation of our childhood. This resonated deeply with me. Many of us are tirelessly trying to recreate a beloved family recipe or recapture the simple joy of a comforting cookie waiting for us after school. For me, that cookie was often a classic chocolate crinkle cookie, lovingly baked by my mom. I can vividly picture her in our kitchen, as if it were only yesterday – though a good number of years have certainly passed since then!

While it might not technically be December yet, the festive spirit has completely taken over our home, and Christmas baking is already in full swing! I simply couldn’t wait any longer to share these delightful peppermint crinkle cookies with you. Christmas is all about adding a touch of sparkle, with ribbons and bows adorning everything. So, I decided to take those cherished childhood chocolate crinkle cookies and give them a beautiful holiday makeover with a hint of refreshing peppermint, while also ensuring they were completely allergy-friendly. For me, nothing says “Christmas” quite like the invigorating flavor of peppermint paired with rich chocolate.

To ensure these cookies were an absolute triumph, I adapted my tried-and-true double chocolate chip cookie recipe, which has always been a home run in our household. The result? A batch of cookies so incredibly tempting, it was a genuine challenge to resist eating them all during the photoshoot! My heartfelt hope is that these delicious gluten-free vegan crinkle cookies will evoke warm memories of Christmases past and fill your belly with joy and comfort, just as they do for us.

Discover More Gluten-Free and Vegan Christmas Treats

The holiday season is a time for indulgence, and those with allergies or dietary preferences shouldn’t miss out on any of the deliciousness. If you’re looking for more incredible gluten-free and vegan Christmas treats to fill your cookie platters and dessert tables, explore some of these cherished favorites from our collection:

Rich and Creamy Dairy-Free Fudge
Perfect Gluten-Free Roll-Out Sugar Cookies
Festive Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Eggnog Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting
Adorable Allergy-Friendly Rice Krispie Reindeers
Refreshing Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Peppermint Pie
Cozy Crock Pot Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

And if your diet allows for butter and eggs, you might also enjoy these delightful Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies by the talented blogger Thyme and Joy. There’s a crinkle cookie for everyone!

Here are some frequently asked questions about these wonderful vegan crinkle cookies, designed to help you bake them to perfection!

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Crinkle Cookies

What Exactly Are Crinkle Cookies?

Crinkle cookies are a classic favorite, celebrated for their unique appearance and delightful texture. At their heart, they are typically a rich, fudgy chocolate cookie dough, which is then generously rolled in a blanket of powdered sugar before baking. As these cookies bake and expand in the oven, the powdered sugar coating breaks apart, creating those beautiful, signature “cracked” or “crinkled” patterns that give them their name. We bake them until they are just soft-set, ensuring a wonderfully tender and moist interior, rather than a hard, crisp biscuit often found in other Christmas cookies. For an extra festive touch, I love to add peppermint extract to my allergy-friendly crinkle cookies, giving them a refreshing twist that elevates them beyond the traditional chocolate crinkle cookie, making them truly perfect for the holiday season.

Can I Prepare These Gluten-Free Crinkle Cookies Ahead of Time?

Absolutely, and I highly recommend it, especially with the busy nature of holiday preparations! You can prepare the cookie dough up to a day in advance. Simply ensure the dough is well-covered when chilling it in the refrigerator. This not only saves you time on baking day but can also deepen the flavors. When you’re ready to bake, remember to let the chilled dough sit out at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. This makes it much easier to scoop and roll into perfect cookie balls, as it won’t be overly hard from the cold.

How Should I Store These Vegan Crinkle Cookies Once They’re Baked?

Truth be told, these delectable vegan crinkle cookies rarely last long in our house – they’re usually devoured almost instantly! But if you do happen to have a few delightful leftovers (consider yourself lucky!), the best way to keep them fresh is to store them at room temperature in an airtight container. They will maintain their deliciousness for about 2-3 days this way. If you need to store them for longer, you can certainly freeze baked crinkle cookies. Just make sure they are placed in a freezer-safe, airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply place them on the counter to thaw until they reach room temperature. A small word of caution, though: while still delicious, I’ve found that the beautiful powdered sugar “crinkle” design doesn’t always look quite as pristine after being frozen and thawed, but the taste remains fantastic!

What if I Don’t Need These Crinkle Cookies to Be Gluten-Free, Just Dairy and Egg-Free?

If your diet allows for regular wheat flour and you only need these cookies to be dairy-free and egg-free, you can easily adapt the recipe. Simply use the same amount of all-purpose flour as specified for the gluten-free flour mix in the recipe. In this case, you can completely omit the xanthan gum, as regular flour contains its own gluten, which provides the necessary structure and binding properties that xanthan gum usually provides in gluten-free baking. All other ingredients and steps remain the same, ensuring you still get that wonderful chewy texture and festive flavor.

Can I Use a Store-Bought Gluten-Free Flour Blend for These?

Yes, absolutely! Using a high-quality store-bought gluten-free flour blend can make baking these cookies even more convenient. I particularly recommend blends that are designed for a 1:1 substitution. Walmart’s gluten-free flour blend is a great, accessible option, and Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour is another excellent choice that consistently delivers fantastic results in gluten-free baking. These blends typically contain a mix of different flours and starches, along with xanthan gum, so you’ll want to check the ingredients. If your chosen blend already contains xanthan gum, you can reduce or omit the additional xanthan gum called for in my recipe. Always follow the package instructions of your chosen blend for best results.

What if I Don’t Need This Crinkle Cookie Recipe to Be Dairy-Free?

If dairy is not an issue for your diet and you’re simply looking for a gluten-free and egg-free crinkle cookie (or just love the sound of these!), you can easily substitute the rice milk. Feel free to use the same amount of regular cow’s milk (such as whole milk, 2%, or skim) in place of the vanilla rice milk specified in the recipe. The milk contributes to the moisture and texture of the cookie, so any liquid dairy milk will work perfectly as a substitute, maintaining the integrity and deliciousness of these delightful holiday treats.

Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies (GF, Vegan, Peanut/Tree nut Free)

Yield:
18

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
7 minutes

Total Time:
22 minutes

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!

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°F (160°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet, or line it with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or by hand in a large bowl, combine the gluten-free flour mix, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, xanthan gum, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all dry ingredients are well combined, ensuring to break up any lumps of cocoa powder for a smooth batter.
Next, add the canola oil, vanilla rice milk, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the dry ingredients.
Mix on low speed (or by hand) until everything is fully incorporated and a cohesive dough forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary to ensure all ingredients are mixed evenly.
The dough will be slightly sticky and a bit oily, which is perfectly normal for crinkle cookies. For best results and easy handling, use a cookie scoop (about 1.5-2 tablespoons) to portion out the dough. Place the scooped dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheet.
Once the dough is formed into balls, gently roll each one in a small bowl filled with powdered sugar until it is thoroughly coated. Ensure a generous coating for those signature crinkles, then place the coated balls back on the cookie sheet.
Be sure to leave adequate space between the cookies on the baking sheet, as they will spread a bit as they bake, allowing for proper crinkle formation.
Bake the cookies in the center of the preheated oven for 7-9 minutes. It’s crucial not to overcook them, as gluten-free and vegan cookies can dry out easily. Keep a close watch; if you start to smell them strongly, they’re likely done or very close!
The cookies will still be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. Carefully take the pan out and let the cookies continue to set and firm up on the hot baking pan for another 5 minutes. This residual heat helps them finish baking without becoming dry.
After 5 minutes, using a thin spatula, carefully transfer the cookies from the hot pan to a wire baking rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom and allows for air circulation.
Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the delicious taste of Christmas!
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days to maintain their freshness and soft texture.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 1154Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 584mgCarbohydrates: 193gFiber: 6gSugar: 128gProtein: 11g