Dairy-Free Sugar Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Wonderfully soft and full of classic buttery sugar cookie flavor, these dairy-free and gluten-free frosted sugar cookies are not just beautiful, but delicious too! Topped with whipped vanilla buttercream frosting and fun sprinkles, they are the perfect party treat for anyone and everyone.
Note: This post contains affiliate links to which I earn a small commission, but don’t worry there’s no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting CAKED by Katie.
The Best Dairy-Free Frosted Sugar Cookies
Soft, chewy, and topped with the most tasty vanilla frosting, you’re going to love these easy gluten-free and vegan sugar cookies. Here are a few more reasons why.
So Easy To Make – simple ingredients and 20 minutes.
Fun & Creative – enjoy them as is or decorate them to match a party theme! The sky is the limit. Get as creative as you want.
Perfect For Any Occasion -whether it’s a party, a class celebration, or a neighborhood bbq, these sugar cookies feed a crowd and everyone loves them.
Not Too Sweet – store-bought sugar cookies are often way too sweet. These are perfectly balanced.
Dietary/Lifestyle Friendly – whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, or “regular” this recipe can be adjusted to suit your specific lifestyle and/or dietary needs.
Allergy-Friendly Sugar Cookie Ingredients & Substitutions
As always this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free. That said, I do test each recipe with “regular” ingredients and make notes of alternatives or swaps so that everyone can enjoy it.
Here are a few key ingredients for these cookies but make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom recipe card for the complete ingredient list.
Gluten-Free Flour: I made this with Kinnikinnick gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Note that gluten-free flour blends can vary in weight so I recommend measuring by the cup. If you are not gluten-free, swap the flour with regular all-purpose flour.
Brown Sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar. I used light. Cane sugar, coconut sugar, or date sugar will also work.
Dairy-Free Milk: Most of my baking is with unsweetened almond milk but any kind of milk will do the job wonderfully. You may also swap in 1 flax egg or 1 large egg.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract will give you the most flavor, but use whatever you have in your pantry. A little splash of almond extract would be fabulous too!
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Combine the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar and cream together on high for two minutes.
3. Add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix together until smooth and thoroughly combined.
4. Add in the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and mix until a dough forms.
5. Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 8 minutes or until the edges are set and the center appears slightly under-baked.
6. Remove the cookies from the oven and with a flat heavy-bottomed glass press down firmly on each cookie to flatten. Allow to fully cool on the pan.
7. Prepare the frosting by creaming the butter on high speed until light and fluffy.
8. Add in the icing sugar, vanilla, and salt and mix on low until combined. Turn up to high and allow to beat for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
9. Decorate as you desire. Enjoy!
Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe Tips & Tricks
Flour Measurement: Dry cookies are often due to improper flour measurement. If you are not measuring by weight, which I always recommend, be sure to spoon, not scoop, the flour out of the container and into the measuring cup.
Baking Time: To keep these cookies soft and chewy, do not overbake. You want the edges just set. If they’ve turned golden, you’ve baked the cookie too long.
Baking Location: I always recommend baking cookies one sheet at a time on the middle rack. This allows the heat to properly circulate around the cookies for an even bake.
Frosting: Don’t decorate with frosting until the cookies are thoroughly cooled or else you risk melting the frosting.
Flat Cookies: While optional, flattening these sugar cookies create an even chewier texture and a flat surface for easy decorating. The cookies must be flattened as soon as they are removed from the oven. If you wait until they are cooled, they will crack.
Easy Dairy-Free Sugar Cookie Recipe FAQs
Can I Still Make These If I’m Not Dairy-Free or Gluten-Free?
Yes, see the above section for easy ingredient swaps and substitutions.
Am I Able to Half the Recipe?
Absolutely. You can also double or even triple the recipe as well.
What Makes Sugar Cookies So Soft?
The key to a soft melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie is cornstarch.
How Do I Get That Frosting Swirl?
My all-time favorite piping tip is the Wilton 1M and that’s exactly what I used here on these allergy-friendly sugar cookies. Start in the center of the cookie and slowly, in a circular motion, begin to pipe around. Release pressure when you get to the edge of the cookie and pull off quickly.
How To Serve And Store
Enjoy these incredibly scrumptious sugar cookies as is, with a scoop of ice cream, or a cup of coffee or tea.
Store any leftover dairy-free gluten-free frosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Note: these cookies can be frozen both frosted or unfrosted. If storing frosted, do not stack.
The Easiest Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Frosted Sugar Cookies
Full of buttery flavor and wonderfully chewy, these easy dairy-free and gluten-free sugar cookies are a classic sweet treat that everyone enjoys. Topped with a swirl of fluffy frosting and fun sprinkles make these soft sugar cookies the perfect party dessert.
With an adaptable ingredient list, you can tailor this recipe to suit all dietary or lifestyle needs so everyone can enjoy a cookie
I would love to know if you make this chocolate chip cookie cake. If you do, tag me on social media @cakedbykatie and leave this recipe a 5-star rating and review below. I can’t wait to see it!
More Fun Cookie Recipes
- Gluten-Free Monster Cookies (Vegan)
- Funfetti Sugar Cookies
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake (Vegan)
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (Dairy-Free)
- Honey Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
- Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Cookies (Vegan)
- Chocolate Mint Cookies (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
- Gluten-Free Cherry Chip Cookies (Vegan)
Dairy-Free Sugar Cookies (Gluten-Free)
- Total Time: 38 Minutes
- Yield: 18 Cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Wonderfully soft and full of classic buttery sugar cookie flavor, these dairy-free and gluten-free frosted sugar cookies are not just beautiful, but delicious too! Topped with whipped vanilla buttercream frosting and fun sprinkles, they are the perfect party treat for anyone and everyone.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies
- ½ cup (113g) dairy-free salted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (67g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (59ml) dairy-free milk, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (240g) gluten-free flour 1:1 baking blend
- ¼ cup (30g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Vanilla Buttercream
- ½ cup (113g) dairy-free salted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- optional: sprinkles
Instructions
Sugar Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare two large cookie pans with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl with electric beaters, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on high for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add in the milk (or egg if using) and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and combined.
- Add in the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and mix on low until a dough forms.
- With a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, place the cookie dough on the prepared cookie pans and bake for 8 minutes or until the edgers are set but the center is still slightly underbaked.
- Remove from the oven and with a flat heavy bottomed jar or glass, gently press down to flatten each cookie while still hot. Allow to fully cool on the cookie sheet before decorating.
Vanilla Buttercream
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl with electric beaters, cream the butter on high speed for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add in the icing sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and mix on low until combined. Turn the mixer up to high and allow to beat for 5 minutes.
- Decorate the cookies as you desire. I used a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 1m piping tip and piped a buttercream frosting rosette on each cookie and decorated it with bright sprinkles. Enjoy!
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Cook Time: 8 Minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: dairy-free sugar cookies, sugar cookies, frosted sugar cookies, gluten-free sugar cookies, vegan sugar cookies, gluten-free sugar cookie recipe, easy sugar cookies, egg-free sugar cookies, gluten-free frosted sugar cookies, dairy-free frosted sugar cookies
