• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Heal Me Delicious
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Type
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Mains
      • Pasta
      • Quick Meals
      • Salads
      • Sauces
      • Sides
      • Soups
    • Dietary Preference
      • AIP
      • Coconut Free
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
    • Grain-Free Baking
      • Breads
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts
      • Muffins
      • Pastries
    • Caribbean Inspired
  • Resources
    • Guides, eBooks & Courses
    • Grain-free Academy
  • Shop
    • eBooks
    • Courses
  • About
    • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  •  

Paleo/AIP Christmas Sugar Cookies

November 18, 2020 Modified December 28, 2022 By Nicole Charles 14 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links.

These AIP/Paleo Christmas Sugar Cookies are a classic! They’re crispy and delicious, vegan, grain-free and coconut free, and perfect as cut-out cookies all year round!

snowflake shaped cut out grain-free, paleo/AIP sugar cookies on a white piece of parchment paper

This post contains affiliate links.

It’s challenging to find delicious holiday cookie recipes when considering dietary requirements and food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances. Don’t worry, I got you! 😉

These are the best and simplest cut-out sugar cookies ever!

You’ll hardly believe they’re AIP and your friends and family members won’t be able to guess either, I promise!

They’re also paleo, gluten free, grain free, vegan, dairy free, egg free, nut free, refined sugar free, allergy friendly, and taste just as delicious as traditional holiday cut-out sugar cookies.

This recipe is great all year round as you can use any cookie cutter you’d like!

Here are the main ingredients in these AIP/Paleo Cutout Christmas Sugar Cookies

  • cassava flour, tapioca starch – I don’t recommend any substitutions to this grain-free, gluten-free flour combination
  • palm shortening – palm shortening creates a cookie that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can substitute coconut oil for the palm shortening but the texture of the cookie will be a lot drier. My preference is the shortening!
  • maple syrup – the unrefined, natural sweetener that also helps to bind the dough and provides moisture
  • vanilla extract – ensure it’s pure vanilla without any “natural” flavors
  • sea salt
cut out christmas tree cookies with a snowflake cookie cutter on a white parchment paper sheet

Tips for making these vegan, AIP/paleo Christmas Sugar Cookies:

  • For best results, I suggest rolling these to a minimum of 1/4 inch thick so that they don’t crack while baking or post baking.
  • Ensure your cookies are all the same thickness so that they bake evenly.
  • Allow them to cool completely once baked before handling.

Icing your grain-free, Paleo/AIP Cut Out Sugar Cookies

  • First, I portioned out the Vegan Vanilla Buttercream frosting recipe below into five bowls.
  • Then, I added different colors to each by making my own all natural, homemade food dyes:
    • For green icing, I added 1 TBSP of matcha powder
    • To make a yellow icing, I added 1/4 tsp turmeric
    • For a deep pink/red icing, I grated 1/2 a small red beet and squeezed its juices into the icing
    • To make brown icing, I added 1 TBSP carob powder to the icing
  • Pro Tip: The icing doesn’t harden much once it’s set, so ensure that you lay these out flat on a plate/dish to serve rather than stacking them or they will stick together.
  • Check out my AIP frosting post for more suggestions for dairy-free, refined sugar-free, nut-free icing.
hand holding christmas tree cookie decorated with green, brown, pink and yellow icing with more cookies in the background, blurred

FAQs for these gluten-free, paleo/AIP Christmas Sugar Cookies

Can I substitute the cassava flour in these AIP cut-out sugar cookies with another grain-free flour?

No. This combination of grain and gluten free flours creates the best result and I do not recommend any substitutions. If you’re looking for cassava free AIP/paleo holiday cookies, you can try my Gingersnaps, Paleo Chocolate Crinkle Cookies or my Paleo Thumbprint Cookies.

Can I substitute the palm shortening?

Yes. I’ve tested these using melted coconut oil instead of palm shortening. The cookies are slightly more fragile and won’t get lightly golden brown as they bake, but if you can’t find shortening, it is a decent substitute.

How do I store these?

Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month. If freezing, allow to come to room temperature before enjoying.

Can I freeze these AIP/paleo cut-out holiday sugar cookies?

Yes! These freeze really well (even with the icing on them). I make a large batch and freeze them, layering parchment paper between the cookies to prevent the icing from smearing everywhere. Once you remove the cookies from the freezer, lay them flat on a plate and bring to room temperature before serving.

cut out christmas tree and snowflake sugar cookies with icing

Looking for more grain-free, AIP/paleo Holiday cookies? You might enjoy

  • Paleo Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • AIP Gingerbread Cookies
  • AIP/Paleo Holiday Cookie Roundup
  • AIP Linzer Cookies
  • Dairy-free, Paleo/AIP Snickerdoodles

You might like these other festive, AIP/paleo holiday treats:

  • AIP Gingerbread Squares
  • Nut-free Paleo Fruitcake
  • Apple Spice Cake
  • Peppermint Patty Cupcakes

If you try these grain-free AIP/paleo Christmas Sugar Cookies I would love if you could give the recipe a star rating and short review. Be sure to snap a picture of the finished product and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @healmedelicious 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
hand holding christmas tree cookie decorated with green, brown, pink and yellow icing with more cookies in the background, blurred

grain-free, Paleo/AIP Christmas Sugar Cookies (vegan, GF, DF)


★★★★★

5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Nicole
  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 12–14 average-sized cookies 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

These AIP Christmas Sugar Cookies are a classic! They’re crispy and delicious, paleo, vegan, grain-free and coconut free, and can be enjoyed as cut-out cookies all year round! 


Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1/2 cup + 2 TBSP cassava flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup palm shortening
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Vegan Vanilla Icing

  • 1 cup palm shortening
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Icing

  1. In a stand mixer or food processor, combine palm shortening with tapioca starch, maple syrup, vanilla extract and pinch of sea salt. Whisk or pulse until combined. Add natural food colorings as desired.

Cookie Dough

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. In a large bowl combine cassava flour, tapioca starch, baking soda and salt.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or hand held mixer combine palm shortening, maple syrup and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
  4. Use a spatula to fold palm shortening mixture into flour mixture and then your hands to bring the dough together.
  5. Place dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out to a rectangle 1/4-inch thick*
  6. Refrigerate sheet of dough 5-7 minutes.
  7. Cut out cookies from dough using cookie cutter of your choosing.
  8. Transfer cookies on parchment paper to a large baking sheet. Bake in the middle rack of oven for 11-12 minutes until slightly golden.
  9. Allow cookies to cool completely before touching them/removing from cookie sheet, or they will break apart.
  10. Once completely cooled, ice and decorate as desired.

Notes

* Be careful not to roll out the dough too thin or your cookies will crack.  

 
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Cookies

Keywords: aip, paleo, vegan, coconut-free, holiday, cookies, christmas cookies, cut-out cookies

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag @healmedelicious — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Categories: AIP, All Recipes, Coconut Free, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan Tagged With: aip cookies, cookie season, cut out cookies

Previous Post: « Trinidadian-inspired Beef Stew
Next Post: AIP Marshmallows »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky

    December 20, 2022 at 12:45 pm

    the cookies are amazing, and I used them for a thumbprint cookie too, which turned out incredible!
    The icing I had a lot of trouble with. I put some peppermint extract in it to try and get away from the taste of the shortening, which helped, but then the icing separated, so I only iced a few of the cookies. Luckily the cookies are good enough that they’re ok without the icing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Stephanie

    December 14, 2022 at 11:47 pm

    YUM!

    Reply
  3. Kelsey

    December 1, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    This is the best sugar cookie recipe I’ve found for AIP. So simple and so good! It’s my go-to. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. kimberlie

    March 2, 2022 at 12:34 am

    I made these at the 2x amount but ended up with double amount of icing for some reason and I actually used the 1x amount cause I was going to do some un frosted, great dough for the cookies, the icing was a bit struggling as I was trying to get away from the pal shortening taste as it kind of made my stomach woosy but next time I may make them just without the icing all together cause they are a perfect amount of sweet and would be great to dip in my morning dandy blend

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Maria

    December 22, 2021 at 11:12 pm

    These turned out well! I subbed half the maple syrup with date syrup so they were a little darker. The cookies reminded me of graham crackers which I love! I used my own icing. I will definitely make these again! Thanks.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Carrie

    December 6, 2021 at 11:06 pm

    These cookies are absolutely delicious! Having to navigate the holidays this year on AIP was going to be a challenge and these are just one of the recipes that will ease this season and let me feel like I don’t have to sacrifice the traditions of holiday cookies and baking while being on a more limited diet. These will be on our list of cookies to make year after year!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Brooke

    November 14, 2021 at 3:10 am

    I made these tonight and they are so incredible! Thank you so much! I have fought with the AIP diet on and off for years. Your recipes have helped me stick to it this time around. I don’t feel deprived at all and I’m not afraid of getting together with family for the holidays now that I have these bad boys to bring along. Thank you again! <3

    Reply
  8. Ra

    August 14, 2021 at 5:19 am

    Thank you for this allergy free tasty recipe, I’m now able to provide my daughter with allergy free biscuits! My daughter loves them! Much appreciated 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  9. Rebecca

    January 4, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    These cookies were so simple and delicious!! We made a double batch and the kids helped with icing. Everyone loved them. These are for sure going to be a tradition in our house!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      January 4, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks so much for leaving a review Rebecca, so glad you all enjoyed <3

      Reply
  10. Lisa

    December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    Any thoughts on a replacement for vanilla. I have an allergy 🙁

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      December 19, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      You can simply omit!

      Reply
  11. Tonya

    December 19, 2020 at 11:58 am

    I am very happy that you put in an icing recipe. I was researching coconut whipped cream just yesterday. Do you think the coconut cream could be used instead of the palm shortening?

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      December 19, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Tonya! No coconut cream won’t work the same way and needs to be kept cold, but instead of this icing recipe you could just use melted coconut butter which “sets” and firms up at room temperature unlike palm shortening

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Nicole, the recipe developer, food enthusiast and photographer behind Heal Me Delicious. Read More

Tags

AIP AIP appetizers aip desserts Caribbean chickendinner Christmas Sides cinco de mayo cookies cookie season cozy comfort dairy-free desserts drinks easter egg free breakfast fall in love game day gluten free grain-free holiday dessert holidaysides holidayszn just grilling Just In mother's day nourish one-pot meal One Pot paleo pumpkin spice quick weeknight meal Reader Faves side dish snacks soupszn spiceszn spring desserts spring recipes summer desserts summer salad sweet potato valentine's vegan vegan side dish Whole30

Footer

HEAL ME DELICIOUS
Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • Autoimmune Protocol
  • Paleo
  • Vegan
  • Dairy Free
  • Caribbean Inspired
  • Whole30
More
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact Me
  • Newsletter
  • Site disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Copyright © 2023 Heal Me Delicious. All Rights Reserved.