Gluten-Free Churro Sugar Cookies (Print Version)

Soft cinnamon-sugar cookies with crisp edges and chewy centers, delivering warm churro flavors in a gluten-free treat ready in 30 minutes.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Churro Sugar Coating

10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

# Step-by-step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
06 - Mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl for coating.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
08 - Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until edges are set and centers appear slightly soft.
10 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The edges turn perfectly crisp while centers stay soft and tender exactly like fresh churros but without any frying mess
  • Gluten-free baking can feel disappointing but these cookies fooled everyone at my last dinner party
  • The cinnamon sugar coating gets into every crevice creating that signature churro experience in cookie form
02 -
  • Gluten-free flour brands behave differently so if your dough feels too wet add 1-2 tablespoons more flour
  • The coating needs to be applied before baking or it will not stick properly to the finished cookies
  • Underbaking slightly produces the softest centers but they will fall apart if removed from the pan too early
03 -
  • Use a cookie scoop for uniform size so they all bake at the same rate
  • Let the coated dough balls sit for 2 minutes before baking to help the sugar adhere better
  • Rotate the baking sheets halfway through if your oven has hot spots

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