The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Peppermint Crinkle Cookies: A Festive & Allergy-Safe Christmas Recipe

Crisp edges give way to a soft, decadent chocolate center, all infused with refreshing peppermint—a truly irresistible Christmas cookie experience. The delicate dusting of powdered sugar on these cookies evokes the serene beauty of fresh fallen snow, but in a much more delicious and comforting form! These delightful peppermint crinkle cookies are meticulously crafted to be free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making them a fantastic top 8 allergen-free and completely vegan treat that everyone can enjoy during the festive season.

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Why Peppermint Crinkle Cookies Are a Holiday Must-Have

There’s something uniquely comforting about holiday baking, isn’t there? It often transports us back to cherished childhood memories, to kitchens filled with laughter and the aroma of freshly baked goods. Many of our favorite recipes are, in essence, reincarnations of those nostalgic flavors from our youth. We all strive to recreate Grandma’s famous pie or the comforting cookies that awaited us after a long day at school. For me, chocolate crinkle cookies hold a special place in my heart.

I vividly remember my mom in our kitchen, making batches of classic chocolate crinkle cookies. The memory is as clear as if it were yesterday, though many years have passed since then. This year, even though December hasn’t officially arrived, I simply couldn’t resist getting into the Christmas spirit a little early. The holiday baking season is undeniably in full swing at our house, and I’m embracing every festive moment of it.

Christmas is synonymous with dressing things up—whether it’s our homes with twinkling lights, or gifts with ribbons and bows. So, I decided to take those beloved crinkle cookies from my childhood and give them a festive makeover with a touch of bright, refreshing peppermint. And, of course, a crucial part of this transformation was ensuring they were completely allergy-friendly, so everyone could partake in the holiday cheer. To me, nothing encapsulates the essence of Christmas quite like the invigorating taste of peppermint. I started with my tried-and-true double chocolate chip cookie recipe, which is always a crowd-pleaser, and adapted it to create these seasonal wonders. The result is truly spectacular, and it was genuinely challenging to refrain from eating them all during the photoshoot!

My deepest hope is that these allergy-friendly peppermint crinkle cookies will not only fill your belly with deliciousness but also warm your heart, reminding you of Christmases past and helping you create new, joyful memories with loved ones.

More Allergy-Friendly Christmas Treats to Explore

If you’re on the hunt for additional delicious gluten-free and vegan Christmas treats to make your holiday season extra special, be sure to check out these favorites from our collection:

Dairy-Free Fudge: A rich, creamy, and decadent treat that melts in your mouth.
Gluten-Free Roll Out Sugar Cookies: Perfect for decorating and customizing for any holiday occasion.
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Eggnog Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting: Capture the classic holiday flavor in a delightful cupcake.
Rice Krispie Reindeers: A fun and easy project for kids and adults alike.
Peppermint Pie: A cool and refreshing dessert that’s perfect after a big holiday meal.
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate: The ultimate warm beverage for cozy winter evenings.

For those whose diets allow for butter and eggs, these Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies by the wonderful blogger Thyme and Joy also offer a delightful twist on the classic crinkle cookie, bringing a bright, citrusy flavor to your holiday cookie platter.

Here are some frequently asked questions about these wonderfully vegan and gluten-free crinkle cookies:

Understanding Crinkle Cookies: The Magic Behind the Cracks

Crinkle cookies are a distinct type of chocolate cookie known for their unique, cracked appearance, which is achieved by rolling the dough in powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies expand in the oven, the powdered sugar coating “cracks” or “crinkles,” creating a beautiful, snowy pattern. The key to their perfect texture is to bake them until they are just soft-set, ensuring they remain chewy and moist, rather than becoming a hard, crunchy biscuit like some traditional Christmas cookies. For my allergy-friendly version, I love to incorporate peppermint extract, which adds a refreshing zing that elevates these beyond a typical holiday crinkle cookie, making them truly special and festive.

Can These Gluten-Free Crinkle Cookies Be Prepared in Advance?

Absolutely! The busy holiday season often calls for recipes that can be prepared ahead of time, and these gluten-free crinkle cookies are perfect for that. You can mix the cookie dough up to a day in advance. Simply cover the dough tightly and chill it in the refrigerator. This not only helps with holiday prep but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully. When you’re ready to bake, let the chilled dough sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. This will make it much easier to scoop and roll into perfect balls, ensuring your crinkles are just right.

Storing Your Vegan Peppermint Crinkle Cookies for Maximum Freshness

In our house, these delicious vegan crinkle cookies never last long enough to need long-term storage, as they are usually devoured almost immediately! However, if you’re fortunate enough to have a few leftovers (lucky you!), proper storage will help maintain their delightful texture and flavor. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, baked crinkle cookies can be frozen. Place them in a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw on the counter until they reach room temperature. A small word of caution: while freezing is convenient, the beautiful powdered sugar design might not look quite as pristine after freezing and thawing, but the taste will still be wonderful!

Gluten-Free Flour Substitutions for Crinkle Cookies: What You Need to Know

This recipe is designed to be gluten-free, using a specific gluten-free flour blend. If your dietary needs allow for regular all-purpose flour and you don’t require the cookies to be gluten-free, you can certainly use the same specified amount of standard flour. In this case, you would omit the xanthan gum, as it’s typically added to gluten-free baked goods to provide elasticity and binding properties that gluten usually provides. For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, using a high-quality gluten-free flour mix is key. I’ve developed this recipe to work wonderfully with such blends, ensuring the perfect cookie texture and flavor.

Using Store-Bought Gluten-Free Flour Blends: Recommendations

Yes, you can absolutely use a store-bought gluten-free flour blend for these peppermint crinkle cookies. Not all blends are created equal, so I recommend choosing a reliable, all-purpose gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking. Specifically, Walmart’s brand gluten-free blend or Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour are excellent choices that yield consistent and delicious results in this recipe. These blends often contain a balanced mix of flours and starches, sometimes with xanthan gum already included, which simplifies the baking process.

Dairy-Free Substitutions for Crinkle Cookies: Ensuring Vegan Friendly Results

This recipe is crafted to be entirely dairy-free, utilizing vanilla rice milk to achieve a rich and creamy texture without any dairy products. If your diet permits dairy and you don’t need the cookies to be dairy-free, you can easily substitute the rice milk with an equal amount of regular cow’s milk. The measurements will remain the same, and the cookies will still be absolutely delicious. However, to keep these truly vegan and allergy-friendly, sticking with rice milk or another plant-based milk (such as almond milk or soy milk, if not avoiding those allergens) is essential. The vanilla rice milk adds a subtle sweetness and creaminess that perfectly complements the chocolate and peppermint flavors.

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!

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: 1

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