Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (2024)

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Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies!

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (1)

These Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies - from my book, "More Than Poutine" - have the texture & flavour of the original Winnipeg favourite!

Note: This recipe was first posted on my original blog, Celebration Generation, on May 19, 2020. It was transferred over to this blog - existing comments and all - on Feb 26, 2021

This recipe is from my cookbook, “More Than Poutine: Favourite Foods from my Home and Native Land”, and it’s for the gluten-free version of my Imperial Cookies recipe. Every recipe in that book - aside from I think 2 - have alternate instructions to make a fantastic gluten-free version of the original.

Don’t need gluten-free? Check the notes in the recipe for how to adjust this recipe to make my traditional, gluteny version!

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (2)

What are Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies?

Imperial Cookies are a traditional sandwich cookie in Winnipeg - you can buy them anywhere, there! Gas stations, bakeries, pretty much every coffee shop... as a dessert at many of the delis, etc.

They’re a sandwich cookie made of two shortbread (or sugar) cookies, raspberry jam filling, and a white glaze flavoured that’s usually flavoured with almond extract.

There is almost always - I swear it’s a requirement - a red dot or blotch of some sort in the middle of the glazed top cookie. (More on this in a little bit).

Usually, the cookies are made with a scalloped edge, as pictured. (I use this Wilton Round Cookie Cutter Setfor not only these cookies, but many other cookies and crackers!), though you can use a smooth edge if you like.

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (3)

An Imperial Cookie by Any Other Name...

While “Imperial Cookies” are fairly specific/regional to Winnipeg, the cookie type itself can be found in various parts of the world... just not by the same name!

Gluten-Free Empire Cookies

Empire Cookies are what they’re known as in pretty much the rest of North America, with one small caveat: The frosting of Empire Cookies tends to be vanilla flavoured, rather than almond.

The almond flavour really ties the whole thing together, IMHO.

Gluten-Free Empire Biscuits

As you may guess by the name, this is what similar cookies are called over in the United Kingdom.

Additionally, they’re more likely to be made from shortbread when found over there, whereas the Winnipeg version tends to be a sugar cookie.

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (4)

Imperial Cookie Variations

Realistically, there’s only so far you can veer from the basics, before it’s something not identifiable as an Imperial cookie. That said, there are two main ways you can tinker with this recipe, without really offending the purists. (Maybe!)

The Filling

Raspberry Jam is traditional, and it’s absolutely the default... but you can definitely get away with using any red type of jam or jelly.

Strawberry or red currant works really well!

Personally, I’ll take it a step further: My favourite jam to use in this is blackcurrant.

After 12 years in the US - with very limited access to blackcurrant anything - I’ll put it in anything I can! Also, I just like it better than raspberry.

Yes, it’s purple... but sometimes the tastebuds want what the tastebuds want... tradition be damned 🙂

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (5)

The ... Accent

That little red dot on top is pretty much a requirement, but what you use for it is a little more freestyle. A few options:

Icing

When whipping up the glaze, set aside a very small amount - about a tablespoon - to tint with red food colouring.

Once tinted, transfer to a pastry bag with a small hole cut in the tip - or is fixed with a small round tip - to pipe the dots once the white glaze is down.

Piping Gel

Piping Gel is a clear, frosting-type gel product that you can buy in the cake decorating section of pretty much any grocery store.

It tends to come in little tubes that you can pipe directly from, and is the easiest option for getting the red dot.

One caveat: It doesn’t tend to dry out, so stacking cookies with gel paste will make a mess of it.

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (6)

Maraschino Cherries

If you’re using maraschino cherries for this, be sure to drain them well, chop them, then blot the chopped bits with paper towel, as excess moisture will ruin the clean look of the cookie.

As a note: I’ve found that you’re more likely to find cherries - either glaceed or maraschino - on these cookies when they’re outside of Winnipeg (“Empire Cookies”), than when they’re in Winnipeg.

Glaceed Cherries

I find glaceed cherries to be inedible and highly offensive, but some people love them - and they’re a popular choice for the red spot on these cookies.

You can buy the glaceed cherries already chopped up, or cut up whole ones.

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (7)

More Canadian Recipes!

Looking for more recipes from the ‘great white north’? Look no further!

Chow Chow Relish
Gluten-Free Bacon Poutine Pizza
Gluten-Free Beaver Tail Recipe
Gluten Free Butter Tart Bars
Gluten-Free Butter Tarts
Gluten-Free Cod Au Gratin

Gluten-Free Chicken Mushroom Tourtiere
Gluten-Free Nanaimo Bar Brownies
Gluten-Free Puffed Rice Bars
Gluten-Free Schmoo Torte
Gluten-Free Tourtiere

Looking for even more Canadian recipes? Check out our full Gluten-Free Canadian Recipes list!

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (8)

Share the Love!

Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @BeyondFlourBlog - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!

Also, be sure to subscribe to my free email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense.

Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (9)

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (10)

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5 from 3 votes

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies

Imperial Cookies are a Winnipeg favourite. This Gluten-Free version - from "More Than Poutine" has all of the texture and flavour, with none of the gluten!

Prep Time25 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Chilling time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Canadian, Gluten-free

Servings: 25 3" Sandwich Cookies

Calories: 200kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Cookies:

To Assemble:

  • ½ cup Raspberry jam
  • 2 ½ cups Icing powdered/confectioner sugar
  • Pinch Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Almond extract
  • 2-3 tablespoon Hot water
  • Red food colouring gel icing, or finally chopped candied cherries

Instructions

  • In a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add in eggs and egg white, a little at a time, beating well between each addition. Add vanilla extract, and mix until well incorporated and smooth.

  • Mix flours, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, baking powder, ans salt together. Carefully mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until fully incorporated. Wrap dough in plastic film, chill for 1 hour.

  • Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C), line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Dust work surface generously with corn starch, roll cookie dough out to about ¼" thick (can be slightly thicker).

  • Use cookie cutters to cut out 3" scalloped rounds, place cookies 2" apart on prepared baking sheets.

  • Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until bottoms look lightly golden.

  • Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for at least 5 minutes before moving. Cookies need to cool completely before sandwiching.

  • While waiting for the cookies to cool, make your glaze: Use a fork to whisk together icing sugar and salt. Add almond extract and enough hot water to make a thin glaze.

  • Flip half of the cookies over, spread underside with jam. Top each with one of the remaining cookies.

  • Spread top of each cookie sandwich with glaze, place a dot of red frosting (dyed remaining glaze), gel icing, or a piece of cherry while glaze is still wet.

  • Allow cookies to sit, undisturbed, until set.

Notes

For the Gluten Version:

Omit brown rice flour, sorgham flour, coconut flour, tapioca starch, and xanthan gum. Use 2 ½ cups of All Purpose Flour instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (11)

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Gluten-Free Imperial Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What holds gluten-free cookies together? ›

Binding agents (such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or flax) help give gluten-free baked goods the elasticity needed to create structure — so if your favorite gluten-free flour mix doesn't contain one, you'll probably want to add one.

Why are my gluten-free cookies falling apart? ›

Let Your Dough Chill Out

Chilling helps the flours and xanthan gum absorb liquid, which makes the dough sturdier and easier to handle. Without a proper rest, your cookies are likely to crumble.

How can I improve my gluten-free cookie texture? ›

You need a binding agent in your gluten-free cookies recipe; otherwise, your cookies will fall apart. Some flour blends may already contain a binding agent, so double-check the list of ingredients. If it doesn't, you can add flaxseeds, xanthan gum, or guar gum.

How to get rid of grittiness in gluten-free cookies? ›

Letting your cookie dough sit for 60 minutes can make the difference between a cookie with a gritty mouthfeel and one that you would never guess is gluten-free.

What is the best flour for gluten-free cookies? ›

Oat Flour. With its creamy, earthy flavor and delicate texture, gluten-free oat flour is a staple of my gluten-free baking recipes. It bakes up soft and smooth, adding necessary starch to many GF baked goods and keeping them moist and tender due to its high fat content and stable protein structure.

Do I need to add xanthan gum to gluten free flour for cookies? ›

Xanthan Gum adds thickness and viscosity to gluten-free breads and other baked goods. Without xanthan gum, your gluten-free baked goods would be dry, crumbly and flat. Because xanthan gum is gluten-free and vegan, it's the preferred thickener for those home bakers with food allergies.

Should you chill gluten free cookie dough before baking? ›

5- Chill your dough well before baking.

It reduces stickiness of gluten free doughs and also can enhance the flavor, but again, it's not necessary with gfJules Flour or Cookie Mixes. If you find your cookies are too crispy for your liking, do not chill the dough before baking.

Why do gluten-free cookies taste weird? ›

Any taste differences also depend on which flour or flours are used and in what proportions. The variety of gluten-free flours is advantageous in that they can be blended to achieve the results that bakers want. Baking with gluten-free flour will produce some slight differences in taste or texture.

How to make gluten free cookie dough less crumbly? ›

Use a Binder. Binders like xanthan gum and guar gum provide structure in gluten-free baking to make up for the missing gluten. This prevents cookies from being too crumbly plus it also helps with freshness.

Is there a trick to baking with gluten-free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

How to tell when gluten-free cookies are done? ›

While visual cues like the toothpick test and pressing the top of the cake will still help, the best way to determine if your baked goods are perfectly done is with a timer and oven thermometer. This is because gluten-free treats often look underdone and slightly wet inside after baking.

How much longer do you bake with gluten-free flour? ›

Gluten-free goods tend to brown faster and take longer to cook through. So they need to be baked at a slightly lower temperature, for a slightly longer time. Every recipe is different, but in general, try lowering the temperature by 25 degrees and baking the item for 15 minutes longer.

Which gluten-free flour is not gritty? ›

Transform your gluten-free recipes with Gluten Free Mamas Almond Flour. Its velvety, non-gritty texture and subtle, nutty flavor make your baked goods deliciously moist and fluffy every time!

Why are my gluten-free cookies always flat? ›

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure.

How to make gluten-free cookies rise? ›

2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of gluten-free flour is necessary to ensure proper leavening. Baking soda and buttermilk can be used to leaven instead of baking powder, but 1-1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar should be added for each 1/2 teaspoon baking soda used.

What are the binding agents for gluten-free cookies? ›

Guar Gum Powder: A Binding Miracle

guar gum powder acts as a binding agent by increasing the viscosity of dough and batter, much like gluten does in traditional baking. This enhanced viscosity provides the necessary structure for baked goods to rise, hold their shape, and maintain a pleasing texture.

How do you keep gluten-free cookies from spreading? ›

Chill the Dough

Put your cookie dough, already rolled dough or even an entire cookie sheet with cut cookies on it in the fridge when it's too soft. This helps cut cookies hold their shape and overall decreases spreading during baking.

What holds gluten free dough together? ›

The three most common binders are xanthan gum, guar gum and psyllium husk powder. Each one works in a slightly different way to help create the structure we need to hold baked goods together.

What ingredient holds cookies together? ›

Flour is the main ingredient that provides structure in a cookie – without it, there would be no cookie! The gluten in flour forms a web of sorts – the framework that catches the air bubbles/gasses given off during rising. This helps provide the structure.

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