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My focus this holiday season has been on creating family traditions. With the recent arrival of my second baby, I’ve fallen in love with the idea of creating family recipes that will hopefully last us generations – like the gluten-free cinnamon rolls I plan on making every Christmas morning and the gluten-free Christmas cookies we’ll bake for family and friends.

These gluten-free molasses cookies are classic and totally timeless – yet easy to make in just one-bowl, NO chilling required! It’s these minor tweaks I made over rounds of recipe testing that I hope one day even my great grandkids will appreciate. I also baked these cookies with my toddler last week, and it passed the kid-friendly test with flying colors! He loved rolling the cookies in sugar, and I loved that I only had one bowl to clean. 🙂 Win, win!

a gluten-free molasses cookie with a bite taken out.

What Makes These the BEST Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies

These gluten-free molasses cookies check every box:

  • Soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced like classic bakery-style molasses cookies
  • Made in one bowl with easy pantry-staple ingredients
  • No chilling required—meaning cookies in under 20 minutes
  • Naturally gluten-free, and easily dairy-free/vegan with simple swaps
  • Perfect crackly tops thanks to rolling the dough in sugar
  • A reliable dough that doesn’t spread too much and bakes evenly every time

If you’ve been looking for a gluten-free molasses cookie that tastes exactly like the real thing, this is the recipe you’ll keep forever!

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Molasses: I recommend using unsulphured molasses and avoiding blackstrap molasses – it’s more bitter and a little too thick for this cookie recipe.
  • Gluten-Free Flour: A high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum works best. I love and recommend either the King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour or Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour. If your blend does not contain xanthan gum, add ½ teaspoon.
  • Butter: To make these cookies dairy-free, swap the butter for vegan butter sticks or softened coconut oil.
  • Spices: The spice blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives these cookies their classic “gingersnap meets molasses cookie” flavor. Adjust ginger for more or less spice!
one gluten-free molasses cookie with a bite taken out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store these gluten-free molasses cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days. They also freeze beautifully – store baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months, thawing on the counter before enjoying.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes! Replace the butter with vegan butter or softened coconut oil. The texture remains soft and chewy.

How do I also make these cookies vegan?

Yes – simply use vegan butter and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flax meal + 2.5 tbsp water). Bake time remains the same!

Sam’s Baking Tips

  • Don’t skimp on the spices! Molasses cookies need a strong spice profile.
  • Avoid over-mixing once the flour is added to keep the cookies chewy and tender.
  • Roll in sugar for that perfect crackly top and bakery-style finish!
  • Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These gluten-free molasses cookies are soft, chewy, perfectly spiced, made in one bowl, and require no chilling—a holiday win! They taste just like the classic version, and no one will ever guess they’re gluten-free or dairy-free.

overhead image of gluten-free molasses cookies on a table.
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One-Bowl Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies (no chilling required!)

These soft and chewy gluten-free molasses cookies are packed with warm holiday spices and made in just one bowl – no chilling required! They bake up with perfectly crackled tops, rich molasses flavor, and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture no one will believe is gluten-free. The perfect easy Christmas cookie that’s also dairy-free friendly and ideal for gifting, parties, or cozy winter baking!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Equipment

  • 2 large cookie sheets
  • 1 large bowl

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter softened (or non-dairy butter)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar for a healthier option
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1 egg at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups gluten-free all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Optional:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar for coating the cookies

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Beat butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl with either a hand or stand mixer, until light and fluffy. Add in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract and beat again until combined.
  • Add in the gluten-free flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix again just until a dough forms – careful not to over-mix the cookie dough!
  • Scoop 2 tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll the dough between the palm of your hands to form a smooth ball, then roll the ball in sugar before placing it on your prepared baking sheet.
  • Lightly press down each cookie just a little to flatten it, then bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes. Remove the cookie from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 3g | Sugar: 7g

September is my birthday month! So it’s also the month I add rainbow sprinkles to, well.. everything. And this 5 ingredient birthday cake banana bread is no exception. But also, who knew adding sprinkles to banana bread would make for the most delicious and fun addition ever?! Not sure if I’ll ever not add sprinkles to my banana bread from now on. It’s really THAT good!

This birthday cake banana bread is just one of the recipes I’ll be baking for myself this month. I’ve already made my healthy gluten-free mug cakes a few times – because why not?? they’re SO easy. And as part of a larger celebration I’ll be baking up this gluten-free and dairy-free carrot cake because it’s simply my all-time FAVE. It’s shaping up to be a delicious month, friends! Happy birthday to me. 🙂

slices of birthday cake banana bread.

What You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

  • Bananas: Overripe bananas provide the natural sweetness and moisture for this recipe. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter your banana bread will be, making them the key ingredient.
  • Eggs: Eggs act as a binder in this recipe, helping the banana bread rise and stay moist. They also contribute to the fluffy texture.
  • Vanilla Extract (Optional): Adding vanilla enhances the sweet, cake-like flavor, but it’s optional if you prefer a more banana-forward taste.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight caramel-y flavor to complement the bananas. It also keeps the bread moist while baking.
  • Self-Rising Flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour with baking powder. This gives the bread structure and helps it rise properly. To make this recipe gluten-free like I did, use a gluten free self-rising flour, I recommend this one.
  • Rainbow Sprinkles: The fun part! Sprinkles give this banana bread a celebratory birthday cake vibe. Be sure to use rainbow sprinkles that hold up well during baking. I use and love these dye-free rainbow sprinkles from Amazon.
5 ingredient gluten-free birthday cake banana bread slices stacked on top of each other.

How to Make 5 Ingredient Birthday Cake Banana Bread

  1. Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing or lining a loaf pan. This ensures the bread doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
  2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash your overripe bananas until smooth. This will be the base for your bread, adding natural sweetness and moisture.
  3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs and vanilla extract (if using), and whisk everything together until fully combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the brown sugar, flour, and rainbow sprinkles to the banana mixture, stirring until no flour pockets remain.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes. The loaf should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
  6. Cool and Glaze: While the bread cools, mix powdered sugar and milk to make the glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled bread for extra sweetness.

How Can I Store the Leftovers?

This banana bread keeps well for 3-4 days at room temperature when covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. If you want it to last longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months!

overhead image of sliced birthday cake banana bread
5 from 1 vote

5 Ingredient Birthday Cake Banana bread

Author: Samantha Russo
This 5 ingredient birthday cake banana bread is not only super easy to make, but it’s also gluten-free and dairy-free! Whether you’re looking for a fun birthday-inspired dessert or just a unique spin on classic banana bread, this recipe delivers in taste and fun factor.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 9×4-inch loaf pan

Ingredients

  • 3 large and overripe bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract optional, but recommended
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups self rising flour (I used gluten-free self-rising flour) or 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour PLUS 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles

For the optional glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a 9×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, then lightly coat the inside of the pan with oil.
  • Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash well with a fork, until mostly smooth.
    birthday cake banana bread step 1
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract (if using) to the bowl the and whisk to combine. Then, add the brown sugar, flour, and sprinkles then mix again until fully combined and no pockets of flour remain.
    birthday cake banana bread step 2
  • Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the bread comes out clean.
  • Remove the birthday cake banana bread from the oven and let it cool while you make the glaze.
  • Add the powdered sugar and milk to a small bowl, then whisk together until smooth. Pour glaze over the cooled banana bread.
    birthday cake banana bread step 3

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice

We’ve been on a big banana bread kick in my house. But the problem was… every time I make a new loaf, it’s gone in a couple days! So I needed a quick, easy, and SIMPLE recipe to get in our banana bread fix without spending too much time in the kitchen. *enter 4 ingredient banana bread.*

And if you’ve been around here a while, you know I’m all about the easy sweet treats! This time last year I went through a huge 5-ingredient edible gluten-free cookie dough phase (major pregancy craving!) and over the summer, I couldn’t stop making my 6-ingredient healthy gluten-free mug cake. There’s just something about having a healthier sweet treat on-hand that leads to happier days and a happier life.

Something else I always have on-hand? Bananas. I pretty much buy a bunch of bananas every week because, again, we just love them in this house. However, we often find ourselves with a few overly ripe bananas by the end of the week. But thanks to this 4 ingredient banana bread recipe, I always have a way to put them to good use!

I made my banana bread gluten-free, but you totally don’t have to! This recipe is also naturally dairy-free which I LOVE. And I should mention, it’s easily made refined sugar-free as well. For all dietary swaps, check out the “adjust this recipe to your dietary needs” section below. Happy 4-ingredient baking, friends!

a slice of 4 ingredient banana bread with a bite taken out.

What You’ll Need to Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread

Bananas: The star of the show! These bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to the bread. The riper, the better – those speckles on the peel are a sign of maximum flavor.

Eggs: Eggs play a crucial role in binding the ingredients together, providing structure to the bread. They contribute to the moist and tender texture we all love.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich caramel flavor and sweetness to the banana bread. It complements the bananas perfectly, creating a delightful depth of taste.

Self-Rising Flour: The key to keeping it simple! Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, eliminating the need for additional leavening agents. It ensures your banana bread rises beautifully. But if you don’t have self-rising flour, feel free to use regular flour instead, then add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to the recipe!

Tips and Tricks

  • The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Don’t shy away from those brown speckles!
  • Mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can affect the texture, so keep it simple and stir until everything is blended.
  • Allow your banana bread to cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. This patience ensures a neater slice and preserves the bread’s texture.
sliced 4 ingredient banana bread with a knife on the side.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Swap out the self-rising flour for a gluten-free alternative to make this banana bread gluten-free. I used Beth Blends Grain-Free Flour Blend in my 4 ingredient banana bread and it worked great!

Make it Refined Sugar-Free: Opt for coconut sugar as a substitute for brown sugar for a refined sugar-free option.

Stacked slices of 4 ingredient banana bread, with a hand lifting the top slice.
4.25 from 20 votes

Incredible 4 Ingredient Banana Bread (gluten-free!)

Baking doesn’t have to be complicated, and this 4 ingredient banana bread proves just that! With one bowl and a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a loaf of incredibly moist and delicious banana bread. Best enjoyed as a breakfast, snack, or dessert!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 10 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 9×4-inch loaf pan

Ingredients

  • 3 large and overripe bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour see Notes

Optional Add-Ins

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and grease or line a 9×4-inch loaf pan.
  • Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash well with a fork, until mostly smooth.
  • Add the eggs to the bowl and whisk to combine. Then, add the brown sugar and flour, then mix again until fully combined and no pockets of flour remain.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the bread comes out clean.
  • Remove the banana bread from the oven, then let it cool completely before slicing.

Notes

If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can use all purpose flour instead. But, if you use all purpose flour, make sure to add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3.5g | Fat: 1g | Sugar: 10g

These gluten-free oatmeal chocolate chip cookies will actually change your life. Crispy on the outside, perfectly soft on the inside, and loaded with melty chocolate. One bowl, simple ingredients, and roughly 20 minutes is all you’ll need to bake up a batch of these healthier melt-in-your-mouth cookies!

a stack of gluten-free oatmeal cookies on an upside down cookie sheet.

What You’ll Need To Make Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • ONE Bowl – Don’t we just love a one bowl cookie recipe? The one bowl is to baking what the one pan is to cooking. It simply doesn’t get any quicker and easier than these one bowl oatmeal cookies.

  • Oat Flour – We swap regular flour for gluten-free oat flour in this healthier cookie recipe. I especially love baking with oat flour because it’s so cheap and easy to make! You can also of course buy a bag of already made oat flour from the store, but I always recommend saving your money and quickly making your own. To make oat flour, simply blend rolled oats in a blender or food processor until ground into a flour. Then …that’s it! It actually couldn’t get any easier.

  • Rolled Oats – Most, but not all oats are gluten-free, so make sure the ones you buy definitely are! I used these Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Oats in my cookies, but really any brand of rolled oats will work. Old-fashioned, quick cooking, or instant rolled oats will all bake up the same here. However, steel cut or Irish oats are entirely different and won’t work in these gluten-free oatmeal cookies.

  • Chocolate Chips – I used the Enjoy Life Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in my cookies, but any chocolate chips would taste delicious. I like Enjoy Life because they’re guaranteed gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan, making them a super safe option when baking for a crowd. Though if you can’t get your hands on any chocolate chips, one cup of a chopped chocolate bar would work just as great!

Tips and Tricks

  • Leave these cookies to rest on their baking sheet once baked. They have a tendency to be super soft and delicate straight out of the oven. Therefore, leave them be for at least 5 minutes before attempting to move them.

  • Swap out the chocolate chips for raisins and you’ve got yourself gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies! Also, if taking this option, I recommend adding in one teaspoon of cinnamon to your cookie dough for a hint of spice.

  • Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperate for up to seven days! Also, if after your cookies have cooled you’re still yearning for that fresh-out-of-the-oven cookie experience, simply pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This’ll give you that irresistibly warm, soft, and gooey-ness you crave!
close-up image of a gluten-free oatmeal cookie with a bite taken out

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Dairy-Free: If you know me, you know I always take the dairy-free option! So I made my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies dairy-free by simply replacing the butter in this recipe with non-dairy butter. I use and love the Earth Balance Vegan Buttery sticks for all my dairy-free baking/cooking needs.

  • Make it Vegan: To make these cookies vegan, take the dairy-free option above and use your favorite egg substitute in place of the egg in this easy cookie recipe. While I haven’t tested this version myself just yet, a flax egg might work. Also, this Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer may also do the trick!
5 from 1 vote

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These gluten-free oatmeal chocolate chip cookies will actually change your life. Crispy on the outside, perfectly soft on the inside, and loaded with melty chocolate. One bowl, simple ingredients, and roughly 20 minutes is all you’ll need to bake up a batch of these healthier melt-in-your-mouth cookies!
Print Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened (I used non-dairy butter)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips, optional (but recommended!)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Beat together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar in a large bowl with either a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, beat to combine.
  • Add oat flour, baking soda, and salt into butter mixture and beat until a dough forms. Then, fold in rolled oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout.
  • Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough about 2-inches apart on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

Rich in flavor, yet delicate in texture, gingerbread cookies are a classic Christmas holiday hit! These gluten-free gingerbread cookies are soft, chewy and flavorful from the molasses and warm spices. Dairy-free option is also included, so everyone can enjoy!

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

I love the holiday season, especially for all the food and desserts that come with it. Gingerbread cookies are one of the Christmas cookies that I love to make this time of year. Since my gingerbread cookies recipe is both gluten-free and dairy-free, it’s super friendly to dietary restrictions and baked slightly crisp with a soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced middle!

Main Ingredients Needed To Make Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

  • All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour

  • Butter – Dairy or non-dairy is fine depending on your preference, but I used non-dairy.

  • Egg

  • Baking Soda

  • Brown Sugar

  • Molasses – if you don’t know what molasses is: a syrupy byproduct of sugars from sugarcane and sugar beets.

  • Spices – ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground allspice, salt

  • For the icing: powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract

Tips When Making Gingerbread Cookies

  • To make vegan, use 2 flax eggs! To make one flax egg you will simply mix 2.5 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Once it’s thick, you’ll use the flax mixture just as you would a regular egg.

  • You could substitute the molasses with maple syrup if you need something more “on hand,” but I definitely prefer it with molasses!

  • Blackstrap molasses provides a richer flavor and deeper color. Regular unsulphured molasses can be substituted for a lighter color and flavor.

  • Get your friends and family involved with the gingerbread cookie decorations (while sipping on big mugs of vegan hot chocolate). There’s no better way to get in the Christmas spirit!

  • Be creative! Turn these gingerbread cookies into a snowman, yeti, teddy bear and more.

What to use on GINGERBREAD Cookies For Decorations?

  • Shredded coconut: This can help to mimic snow when decorating your cookies (especially great when making house-shaped cookies).
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Cream cheese frosting: Instead of the simple glaze, combine plain vegan cream cheese with powdered sugar.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertsCuisine: American, Christmas
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

10

minutes
Total time

1

hour 

20

minutes

Rich in flavor, yet delicate in texture, gingerbread cookies are a classic Christmas holiday hit! These gluten-free gingerbread cookies are soft, chewy and flavorful from the molasses and warm spices. Dairy-free option is also included, so everyone can enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons Butter (softened)

  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

  • 1/2 Cup Molasses

  • 1 Egg (at room temperature)

  • 2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour

  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

  • 1 Tablespoon Ground Ginger

  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

  • 1 Teaspoon Nutmeg

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Allspice

  • For the icing:
  • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar

  • 2 Tablespoons Milk

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions

  • Beat butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl with either a hand or stand mixer, until light and fluffy. Add in molasses and egg, beat until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together gluten-free flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Add flour mixture into butter mixture and beat until a dough forms. Cover dough and let chill in fridge for at least one hour.
  • Once ready to bake, preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Place dough on a floured surface and roll until ¼-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes from dough and carefully transfer shapes to prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake cookies for about 7 minutes, then remove, and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Make icing by whisking all ingredients together in a small bowl. Add food coloring if you’d like, then use to decorate cookies.

Notes

  • To Store: Once the glaze has dried, store the vegan cookies in a cookie tin for 2-3 weeks.
  • To Freeze: Once the cookies are cooled place the undecorated cookies in a plastic freezer bag and place them in the freezer.  The cookies can be frozen for up to six months.

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