Keto Gingerbread Cookies

Crispy edges, warm spices, and the perfect soft bite, these keto gingerbread cookies are everything you love about the holiday season, with zero sugar and just the right crunch. Whether you go for classic round shapes or gingerbread men, this recipe makes it easy to get festive with holiday treats in under 30 minutes.

Round low-carb gingerbread cookies have 2.4g net carbs each (makes 6). Shaped cookies have 1.2g net carbs each (makes 12).

How This Recipe Helps You

If you’re new to keto baking or just want a win this season, this gingerbread cookie recipe might be for you!

One simple dough, one bowl, and no need for perfect skills. You can press out quick rounds or roll and cut festive shapes. Either way, these sugar-free gingerbread cookies bake fast and taste like cozy, spiced joy. 

No gluten, no sugar, and no pressure to be Pinterest-perfect. Just warm cookies that make you feel proud, not stressed.

Quick Recipe Recap

In true Rally Rus style, these keto Christmas cookies are simple, fun, and flexible. Made with a blend of almond and coconut flour, butter, granular sweetener, and classic spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. No molasses or gluten needed.

The dough comes together in one bowl and is beginner-friendly, whether you roll it out or shape it by hand. Bakes in under 12 minutes, and pairs beautifully with a quick powdered sweetener icing.

Each cookie has just 1–2g net carbs, depending on the shape. No fancy tools required to make them festive and delicious.

Instructions

1. Crack the egg into a large bowl and beat it with a fork or hand mixer
2. Add melted (but not hot) butter and vanilla, mix for about 1 minute
3. Add all the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, baking powder, and spices
4. Mix until a thick dough forms. An electric hand mixer works best

Basic Round Keto Cookies

1. Divide the dough into 6 equal parts
2. Roll each into a ball, then press down to form cookie shapes
3. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them out slightly.
4. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden around the edges
5. Let them cool completely before decorating

Gingerbread Men (Advanced)

1. Sprinkle coconut flour on a silicone baking mat. Make sure it’s oven-safe like this one
2. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. A rolling pin with thickness rings like this one makes it super easy
3. Cut shapes using a gingerbread cookie cutter like this simple set
4. Don’t move the cookies. Instead, peel away the extra dough around them
5. Leave the shapes right on the silicone mat and move the whole mat onto a baking sheet
6. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes until just golden
7. Let cool completely before decorating

How to Make the Icing

1. All you need is powdered sweetener, a little water, and a steady-ish hand.
2. Add water just a few drops at a time and mix until the texture is thick but pipeable.
3. If it gets too runny, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes. That helped me a lot.
4. I used a basic piping bag set, but a zip-top bag with the corner snipped works too.
5. Optional: Top with crushed freeze-dried berries. They hide any icing mistakes, add crunch, and honestly look amazing! The blueberries make the perfect shirt buttons and the red berries give a great color pop.

Troubleshooting & Decorating Tips (From My First Time)

• Dough too sticky? Add coconut flour one spoon at a time.
• Never use almond flour on the mat, it sticks. Coconut flour is your friend.
• Dough too soft? Chill it before rolling or cutting.
• No cookie cutters? Use any small round cutter or lid.
• Making round cookies? Roll into balls and press them into shape. The dough won’t spread much on its own.
• Is the icing too runny? Use less water and chill for 5 minutes to thicken.
• Is the icing too hard to pipe? Make a double batch for easier squeezing.
• No piping tools? Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped or a toothpick.
• Messy decorations? Crushed freeze-dried berries hide everything.
• Blueberries make great little shirt buttons, and red berries give a bright, festive pop.
• Chill the dough wrapped in plastic wrap for clean shapes.

Storage Tips

• Store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days
• Freeze undecorated cookies up to 3 months
• Decorated cookies last longer in the fridge, just layer gently

Should You Make Round or Shaped?

• If you’re new to baking or not into decorating, go for the round cookies. They’re easy, fast, and still feel festive with a swirl of icing or a simple smiley face.
• Want a little challenge? Try the gingerbread men. They’re fun to make and surprisingly forgiving – even if your piping isn’t Pinterest-perfect.

When my friend first saw mine, I joked, “If I can’t beat ’em, I’ll make ’em laugh.”
So I added smiles and berries to hide the mess, and honestly?

They turned out cute, funny, and full of personality.

Because perfect isn’t the goal here, joy is!

What to Serve With

These cookies are cozy, lightly spiced, and not too sweet, which makes them perfect with:

• Hot drinks like coffee, black tea, herbal tea, or spiced chai
• A scoop of keto ice cream (vanilla or cinnamon works great)
• A smear of frosting for a more dessert-like treat

If you’re decorating the whole cookie (not just adding faces or swirls), you’ll want a sturdier icing. Here are two great options to try:

• Keto Royal Icing Buttercream – Holds its shape, glossy, and buttery smooth
• Keto Cream Cheese Chocolate Frosting – Rich, chocolatey, and beginner-friendly

Both work beautifully if you want to turn these into full dessert-style cookies or a giftable holiday tray.

Conclusion

I’ve always made round cookies and never felt confident enough to decorate shapes. But for this one, I did it and you can too. Even if your piping isn’t perfect, they’re still full of love and flavor.

I’ve been keto since 2019 and lost 50 lbs by keeping things simple, flexible, and fun. These cookies are a perfect example of that.

More Keto Recipes to Try

Traditional Keto Cookies & Treats

• Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Keto Lemon Sugar Cookies
• Keto Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies
• Keto White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
• 3 Ingredient Keto Nutella Cookies
• 3 Ingredient Keto Peanut Butter Cookies

Christmas & Festive Keto Recipes

• Mini Keto Gingerbread Cheesecakes
• Keto Gingerbread Cottage Cheese Balls
• Keto Green Bean and Mushroom Casserole​

FAQ

Q: How do I stop the dough from sticking?

​A: Dust your mat or parchment with coconut flour, not almond. It dries and lifts better.

Q: Can I add molasses for flavor?

​​A: Yes. A drop or two of blackstrap molasses adds depth without spiking carbs.

Q: Can I swap the sweetener or make it taste deeper?

​A: Yes. Try monk fruit sweetener or brown sugar substitute like brown Swerve. A drop of molasses also works if you track it.