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    Home » Biscuits and Cookies » Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies

    Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies

    Published: Dec 8, 2021 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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    Jump to Recipe Leave Review

    These Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies are so easy to prepare and produce a delicious melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Containing just six ingredients and a few simple steps, these cookies are perfect for an edible gift or to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!

    Round white plate of cookies, sitting on a grey tea towel.
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe:
    • Ingredients in this recipe:
    • Step by step instructions:
    • Tips for success and FAQs:
    • More delicious recipes for you to try:
    • Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies

    Why we love this recipe:

    When you are feeling like something sweet, these Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies are the answer! Baking does not get much easier than these delicious cookies.

    The aroma of freshly baked cookies is always warm and comforting. When you open the oven door to remove these cookies, you will find a delicious, caramel aroma filling the air.

    Make these cookies for your next get-together and everyone will be asking for the recipe.

    We love this recipe because:

    • It is made with just 6 ingredients, and you may find you already have them in your pantry.
    • The recipe can be customised to your liking – add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes before baking, or a drizzle of chocolate once they have cooled.
    • Being both gluten-free and egg free, they are suitable for some dietary requirements.

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    Ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Butter – I use unsalted butter, but lightly salted is fine to use also. Ensure your butter is at room temperature so that it will properly incorporate with the other ingredients.

    Light brown sugar – adds a delicious caramel flavour to the cookies.

    Maple syrup – for the best flavour, use pure maple syrup.

    Vanilla – ensure your vanilla is naturally derived and not synthetically flavoured.

    Gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour – our gluten-free flour blends contain either xanthan or guar gum to stabilise and provide structure to our recipes. If your flour blend already contains either of these gums, there is no need to add more. If you do not require the recipe to be gluten-free, you can use regular flour.

    Baking powder – a little is added to liken the cookies.

    Step by step instructions:

    Steps 1-4 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - the prepared baking tray, butter and sugar in mixing bowl, adding the vanilla and the combined mixture.
    Steps 5-8 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - the mixed cookie dough, the rolled cookie balls, the balls flattered with a fork and the baked cookies.
    1. Start by preheating your oven and preparing your baking tray.
    2. Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl if using electric hand-beaters.
    3. Cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 4 minutes. Add the maple syrup and vanilla and beat to combine.
    4. Add the baking powder to the flour and mix together. Gradually add the flour and baking powder and mix, scraping down the side of the bowl as necessary, until the mixture is just combined.
    5. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl, cover with cling wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes until the mixture has firmed up and is able to be rolled into balls. 
    6. Roll the mixture into small balls about 2 ½ cm/1 inch in diameter and place onto the prepared trays, leaving a little room between each cookie for the heat to circulate.
    7. Using a fork, or your fingertips, press down gently to slightly flatten the cookies. Bake for about 15-18 minutes until the edges are turning a light golden-brown.
    8. Remove the Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies from the oven and set aside for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. 
    Cookies spread out over some baking paper.

    Tips for success and FAQs:

    Cookies or biscuits? In Australia, we more commonly use the British term “biscuit” for the sweet treat we enjoy with tea or coffee. However, in the USA a biscuit is closer to what we call a scone and their sweet treat which may accompany tea, coffee or a glass of milk is a “cookie”. So, whilst in Australia, we may say that a biscuit is a cookie, in the USA a cookie is not a biscuit. We aim to avoid confusion. 

    Ensure your butter is at room temperature, ideally being cool to the touch but able to be spread. It should not be so warm that it is beginning to melt or so cold that it cannot be spread.

    If you are baking on a warm day, you may need to chill the mixture for a little longer.

    I recommend that you weigh the ingredients if possible as it is more accurate and will give a more consistent result.

    How long will the Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies last?

    The cookies will last for up to five days in an airtight container.

    Can you freeze the cookies?

    Yes, these cookies freeze well. We like to wrap them in cling film, and then store them in an airtight container for up to three months.

    Round white plate of cookies, sitting on a grey tea towel.

    More delicious recipes for you to try:

    Here are some more of our favourite cookie recipes:

    • Gluten-Free Almond Cookies
    • Chewy Amaretti Cookies
    • Pecan Snowball Cookies
    • Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Chocolate Almond Cookies
    • Gingernut Cookies

    You will love these Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies. Their ease of preparation and fantastic taste is sure to become your next favourite. Be sure to let me know in the comments below when you have given them a try.

    Alex xx

    This post was originally published in September 2019. It has been updated with new photos and more information. The recipe has been altered slightly and improved.

    Round white plate of cookies, sitting on a grey tea towel.

    Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies

    These Gluten-Free Caramel Cookies are so easy to prepare and produce a delicious melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Containing just six ingredients and a few simple steps, these cookies are perfect for an edible gift or to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!
    4.96 from 117 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Afternoon Tea, Morning Tea, Sweet Treat
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Chill Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 48 cookies
    Calories: 40kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup (125 g) butter – at room temperature
    • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar – firmly packed
    • 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup See Note 1
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract See Note 2
    • 1 ¼ cup (190 g) gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour See Note 3
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 180 Degrees C (350 F).
      Prepare two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
    • Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using hand-held electric beaters, on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 4 minutes.
    • Add the maple syrup and vanilla and beat to combine.
    • Add the baking powder to the flour and mix together.
      With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour and baking powder and mix, scraping down the side of the bowl as necessary, until the mixture is just combined.
      Use a rubber spatula to mix in any remaining flour.
    • Transfer the mixture to a small bowl, cover with cling wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the mixture has firmed up and is able to be rolled into balls.
    • Roll the mixture into small balls about 2 ½ cm (1 inch) in diameter and place onto the prepared trays, leaving a little room between each cookie for the heat to circulate. (About 1 ½ teaspoon of mixture.)
      Alternatively, you can use a small ice cream scoop. 
    • Using a fork, or your fingertips, press down gently to slightly flatten the cookies. 
    • Bake for about 15-18 minutes until the edges are turning a light golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and set aside for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. 

    Notes

    1. In Australia, the tablespoon is 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries, the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. Please adjust the measurement if necessary.
    2. Use vanilla naturally extracted from vanilla beans, not synthetically flavoured essence.
    3. Our gluten-free flour blends contain either xanthan or guar gum to stabilise and provide structure to our recipes. If your flour blend already contains either of these gums, there is no need to add more. If you do not require the recipe to be gluten-free, you can use regular flour.
    4. Please note, the nutritional information is based on one cookie. The nutritional information is an estimate only. 

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

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    816 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kate

      July 26, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      Have made a single quantity a couple of times before. Sweet and more’ish: However- if you double recipe don’t double the syrup.I probably should have just added another one tablespoon of maple syrup instead of doubling the liquid content. But no worries as we say- they spread out into ‘caramel brittles’ A bit more like Brandy Snaps. But still kept well and made fantastic desert toppers. 😬
      Love them

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        July 29, 2022 at 2:33 pm

        Hi Kate, I’m so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the Caramel Cookies. Thank you for passing on that doubling the recipe was not successful, although delicious nonetheless. I appreciate that you took the time to let us know. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Kate

      March 08, 2022 at 3:04 pm

      This recipe is awesome. So very Easy to make. I keep a batch in the fridge for the GF members of family but all who try these are hooked.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        March 09, 2022 at 7:42 pm

        Hi Kate, thank you for your lovely comments on the GF Caramel Cookies; I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed them. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Cassie

      February 15, 2022 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are THE BEST!
      We baked a batch yesterday and they’re all gone – hubby has requested another batch haha

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        February 16, 2022 at 5:45 pm

        Hi Cassie, thank you for your lovely comments on the GF Caramel Cookies. It’s a great sign that your husband has requested another batch. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Bonnie

      January 05, 2022 at 6:50 am

      5 stars
      OMG!!! Thirty minutes in the refrigerator (plus heat up time for the oven) and these cookies were perfect! Now the hard part….not eating all of them in one sitting. Husband was looking for a good sugar cookie like his Nonni made. These came real close. They are perfectly crispy yet don’t fall apart.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        January 06, 2022 at 10:25 am

        Hi Bonnie, thank you so much for your fantastic feedback on the GF Caramel Cookies. I am delighted that you enjoyed them and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Amanda

      December 14, 2021 at 1:33 am

      5 stars
      Made these last night and they turned out absolutely perfect, great flavor and the best texture!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 14, 2021 at 6:09 pm

        Hi Amanda, I am delighted that you enjoyed the GF Caramel Cookies. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kayla

      December 11, 2021 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      These gluten-free caramel cookies are so yummy! Our family loved them so much!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 14, 2021 at 6:11 pm

        Hi Kayla, I am so pleased that your family enjoyed the GF Caramel Cookies and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂

        Reply
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    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

    Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

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