These nut‑free gingerbread cookies are festive, simple, and delicious — and you’d never guess they’re paleo and AIP. Made with cassava and coconut flours and sweetened with maple syrup.
Gingerbread cookies always put me in a cheerful, holiday mood. I love cutting out shapes, watching them puff up in the oven, and decorating them with music playing in the background. These nut‑free gingerbread cookies capture all of that joy — they’re easy to make, hold their shape, and are perfect for decorating.
AIP and Paleo Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
These cookies use cassava flour and coconut flour, are sweetened with maple syrup, and contain no refined sugar. The ingredients are healthier than a traditional recipe, but the cookies still have the classic spice and chew you expect. The dough is pliable and easy to roll, so you can cut out adorable gluten‑free gingerbread men with minimal fuss.
Coconut Butter Icing
Store‑bought paleo icing can be hard to find and usually doesn’t set like traditional icing. Fortunately, a simple homemade icing works beautifully: coconut butter, coconut oil, and a bit of honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option). When melted and mixed, coconut butter becomes easy to pipe or drizzle and firms up as it cools.
Notes for successful icing:
- Use a high‑quality coconut butter that melts smoothly. Some low‑quality brands can separate when heated.
- Melt the coconut butter slowly. Microwave in 10‑second intervals or place the jar in a bowl of hot water for several minutes, stirring until smooth.
- Work quickly when decorating — the icing will set as it cools.
Tips For Making These Paleo Gingerbread Men
- Mix only until the ingredients are combined. Over‑mixing can affect the texture.
- The dough will be soft at first; chilling for 20 minutes helps it firm up for rolling. If you prefer drop cookies, skip chilling and portion directly onto the baking sheet.
- Let the cookies cool completely before icing so the coconut butter doesn’t melt on contact.
Other recipes you might love…
- AIP & Paleo Sugar Cookies
- Cranberry Pistachio Paleo Chocolate Cookie
- Nut‑Free Cassava Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free)
- Paleo & Vegan Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Paleo Nut Free Gingerbread Cookies (AIP‑Friendly, Vegan Option)
Rate
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cassava flour, plus more for rolling
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, or ghee for paleo
- 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses
Icing
- 1/4 cup coconut butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp honey, or maple syrup for vegan option
Instructions
-
In a large bowl, whisk together cassava flour, coconut flour, baking soda, sea salt, ground ginger, and cinnamon.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, coconut oil, and blackstrap molasses.
-
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until a dough forms.
-
Wrap the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so it firms up for rolling.
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment and roll to an even 1/4‑inch thickness.
-
Cut shapes and transfer them gently to the prepared baking sheet with a spatula. Repeat with remaining dough.
-
Bake for 10–11 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned but the centers remain slightly soft.
-
Cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before decorating.
-
To make the icing, melt coconut butter slowly (microwave in 10‑second intervals or place the jar in hot water). Stir in coconut oil and honey or maple syrup until smooth.
-
Drizzle or pipe the icing onto cooled cookies. Work quickly, as the coconut butter will set as it cools.
-
Allow the icing to fully harden before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
, Calories: 134kcal
, Carbohydrates: 11g
, Protein: 1g
, Fat: 10g
, Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate when you share your cookies!