DISCLAIMER: This post was developed in sponsored partnership with Best Buy, however, as always, all opinions are genuine.
These Gluten Free Almond Sugar Cookies are perfect for a healthy Mother’s Day dessert- they’re high in fibre, protein and healthy fats and much better for you than typical sugar cookies!
Confession time: I don’t like sugar cookies. My sister used to always be obsessed with simple sugar cookies and short bread cookies, and honestly, I could do without them all. That was all until I met these Gluten Free Almond Sugar Cookies.
As I get to that maternal stage in life (nope, not pregnant yet, I swear), Mother’s Day to me is now not only about my own mom, but also about celebrating so many of my momma friends. This year, I decided to make these Gluten Free Almond Sugar Cookies with the girls of one of my favourite people, Abby Langer. You’ve probably seen her appear in a bunch of my funny YouTube videos. She’s a riot and her kids are too.
So I made a trip to Best Buy to pick up some of the essentials for a fun baking afternoon with the kiddos. I grabbed a Kitchenaid Standmixer (a key tool for any baker), some baking sheets and even a vacuum sealer so that I could make a double batch of the dough to bake off later when I need another cookie fix. Side note: those vacuum sealers are key to making sure I don’t have an excuse to just eat ALL the cookies in one go. While at Best Buy, I picked up a new tripod, and some camera memory cards for myself, plus some ink for my printer at work so I must say, it was a pretty productive one-stop-shopping sesh.
How to Make Gluten Free Almond Sugar Cookies
Okay, back to cookies. Instead of your typical white refined flour, I use all natural almond flour, packed with protein, fibre and healthy fats. It’s a little more sticky to work with because of the extra fat, but as long as you keep your rolling pin and surface well-floured, you should be good to go. Plus, the almond flour makes for a naturally gluten free, and more tender sweet cookie, rather than a dry flavourless one, so they’re delicious even without the fun icing or sprinkles on top.
This is a great activity to do with the kids so that they can all decorate their own cookies for Mom however they want (and have their own treat in the process). Also, if you’re worried about food colouring, there are now lots of organic natural food colours you can buy and use for dying your icing, or you can just leave the cookies plain white for a simpler look!
Now I want to know, what do you plan to make for the moms in your life for mother’s day?
Have you tried these Gluten Free Almond Sugar Cookies?
Do you like baking with your kids?
Leave me a comment below!
Disclaimer: This post was developed in paid partnership with Best Buy, however, all opinions are genuine.
Gluten Free Almond Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Almond Sugar Cookies:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- Flour (gluten free if desired) for rolling
Icing:
- 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Food colouring (natural, if desired)
- Sprinkles candies and coloured sugar for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, cream the butter, maple syrup and brown sugar together until smooth. Then add in the almond flour, vanilla, almond extract, egg, cinnamon and salt. Roll the batter into a ball and chill for 30 minutes.
- Flour your surface and rolling pin and roll out small balls (about 2 – 3 tablespoons each). Roll the batter out to ¼” thick and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Place the cookies on a silpat on a baking sheet 1/2 inch apart and bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Allow to fully cool.
- Meanwhile, sugar, almond milk and almond extract. Mix until combined then divide between a few bowls and colour, as desired. Transfer to piping bags (or plastic baggies).
- When ready to ice the cookies, start by making a “border” with the icing with one colour. Then either using the same colour or a different one, “fill” in the rest of the cookie. Finish with whatever sprinkles or sugars you would like and allow them to fully set.
Video
Updated on April 30th, 2020
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
DEC408 says
How many cookies does this make?
Laura says
Have you tried making a double batch and freezing some of these? I’m curious if they hold up when put in the freezer
Abbey Sharp says
I haven’t tried, but freezing them should be fine!
Nikole says
Honestly I find almond flour one of the best ingredients to bake with. Its not only naturally gluten free but it adds a nice chewy-moist texture to cookies and baked goods 🙂 Its a staple in my kitchen!
Abbey Sharp says
Totally agree! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Marisa says
Yum! I’ve got about 5 pounds of almond flour in the freezer with these cookies written all over it!!
Abbey Sharp says
Perfect! Happy baking 🙂
Holley Grainger says
Homemade iced sugar cookies are the best and I love that you found a way to make them with almond flour. I can’t wait to pin this recipe. I’m sure I’ll be referencing it throughout the year and especially at Christmas.
Abbey Sharp says
Yay! That’s awesome to hear. Thank you so much
Katie Cavuto says
Yummy!! These are my kind of cookie!
Annmarie says
These look delicious! My kiddos would love them!
Abbey Sharp says
Yay! They’re so much fun to make too 🙂
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
Love this! I love those sugar cookies but am always looking for a healthier alternative
Abbey Sharp says
Yes! Exactly. That’s why this recipe is perfect
Esther says
Great idea for Mother’s Day! I will have to make some cookies with my nanny kiddos!
Abbey Sharp says
awesome plan 🙂
Stacey Mattinson says
Totally with you on not being a sugar-cookie lover – but these might convert me. Definitely passing this recipe on to my sister!!
Abbey Sharp says
totally converted me lol.
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
How cute are these?! Perfect for kids to make for mother’s day!
Abbey Sharp says
Yes! Totally. So easy and fun
Marie says
Yum! These sound wonderful, Abbey. It’s been awhile since I made sugar cookies, but always enjoyed making them with my kids.
Abbey Sharp says
Right?! So much fun
Amy Gorin says
The perfect mother’s day treat! 🙂
Abbey Sharp says
Yes 🙂
EA - The Spicy RD says
These look so yummy and I love that they’re gluten free! Nice that you treated yourself at Best Buy too 🙂
Abbey Sharp says
haha yes! Always gotta treat-yo-self 😉
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
We have always loved baking and cooking with our kids. It’s fabulous bonding time! These look fun I have not made sugar cookies in a while
Abbey Sharp says
Yes, perfect bonding time indeed. Thanks for sharing 🙂