Red Hot Cookies (Gluten-Free & Vegan Option)

Big, chewy, and full of fun red hots! These easy one-bowl red hot cookies are soft on the inside with the perfect crispy edge, not to mention they’re loaded with flavorful cinnamon red hot candies. Bonus: The recipe can be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or regular.

Note: This post contains affiliate links to which I earn a small commission, but don’t worry, there is no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting CAKED by Katie.

The Best Red Hot Cookies

Super chewy, big bakery-style cinnamon red hot cookies are ridiculously yummy. Easy to make with only one bowl and no chill time required, this fun, flavourful cookie recipe is a Valentine’s Day must. Here’s why:

• The Best Texture – So chewy with the perfect caramelized edges.
• Red Hots – The ideal red hot candy-to-bite ratio. Yum!
• Easy To Make – 9 ingredients, 1 bowl, and no chilling required.
• Dietary/Lifestyle Friendly – This recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your specific lifestyle and dietary needs, whether vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, or “regular.”

Red Hot Cookies Ingredients & Substitutions

This recipe was tested with regular, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients. Here are the important ingredient alternatives or swaps for everyone to enjoy a cookie.

• Flour: Use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour 1:1 baking blend containing xanthan gum.
• Sugar: This recipe calls for granulated white sugar. If desired, you can substitute this with organic cane, coconut sugar, or monk fruit.
• Butter: Salted brick-style butter in any format, plant-based or regular, will work. Coconut oil can also be used but the flavor profile will change.
• Red Hot Candies: If necessary, double-check your red hots to ensure they are gluten-free and/or plant-based. I used a cheap no-name brand from Superstore. 
• Sour Cream: Regular or plant-based will both work. The higher the fat content the better. You can also use plain Greek yogurt

Easy Red Hot Cookies Step-By-Step Instructions

You’ll need a large mixing bowl, a spatula, parchment paper, and a large cookie sheet.

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and combined.
3. Add in the sour creamand mix until combined. Note that the mixture might appear “curdled.” It’s okay, it simply means the ingredients were at different temperatures. It will come together at the next step.
4. Measure in the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until a soft dough forms. 
5. Add in the red hot candies and mix until just combined.
6. With a large 3 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough, 2 inches apart, onto the prepared cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly underbaked. Be careful not to overbake. Let fully cool on the cookie sheet. Enjoy!

Pro Tip: Want a perfectly round cookie? Press errant cookie edges or melted red hots in with a butter knife as soon as they are out of the oven and still hot.

Red Hot Candy Cookie Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Flour Measurement: Dry crumbly cookies are often caused by improper flour measurement. If you are not measuring by weight, which I always recommend, spoon, not scoop, the flour out of the container and into the measuring cup. 
• Scrape The Bowl: During the mixing process, scrape the sides of the bowl several times to ensure all the butter is properly aerated.
• Baking Time: To keep these cookies chewy, do not over-bake. You want the edges just set. If they are hard or dark golden, you have baked the cookies too long.
• Baking Location: I always recommend baking cookies one sheet at a time in the middle rack; this allows the heat to circulate evenly around the cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make These Gluten-Free or Vegan?

Yes! Swap the ingredients for their gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, etc, counterparts. For more details, see the above section titled Ingredients & Substitutions.

Am I Able to Double the Recipe?

It doubles, triples, and even quadruples like a dream! Bonus: you can half it too.

Can I Make These Cookies Smaller?

You can use a smaller cookie scoop for these amazing cinnamon candy cookies. Keep the oven temperature at 350ºF and check them at the 8-minute mark.

How To Store Cinnamon Red Hot Cookies

These spicy sweet cookies are a dream to freeze. They are good frozen for up to 3 months. Alternatively, please place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Pro Tip: Want the softest cookies even on day 5? Put a slice of gluten-free bread (or regular bread if you are not making it gluten-free) in an airtight container. The cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread and remain incredibly soft.

The Easiest Red Hots Cookie Recipe

Full of bold sweet and spicy cinnamon flavor, this incredible recipe is almost too good to be true. A mouthful of tasty red hot cookie yum in every soft and chewy bite!

With an adaptable ingredient list, you can tailor this recipe to suit vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, or just plain regular cookie needs, creating the most amazing cookie everyone can enjoy.

I would love to know if you make this spectacular cookie recipe. 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 Flavorful Cookie Recipes

Freshly baked cookies will never disappoint. Here are a few of my favorite flavourful cookie recipes:

• Gluten-Free Rockstar Cookies (Vegan)
• Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Cookies (Vegan)
• Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photos & recipe updated January 15, 2026

Print