I absolutely love sharing this Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe because it’s one of those treats that feels indulgent yet fresh and light at the same time. The zingy lemon paired with the sweet-tart raspberries gives these cookies a brightness that you won’t find in your usual gluten-free snacks. Plus, they’re dairy-free, which makes them perfect if you’re catering to different dietary needs without skimping on flavor.
When I first tried this recipe, I was thrilled by how easy it was to whip up a batch that everyone in my family could enjoy, even those sensitive to gluten and dairy. You’ll find that these cookies come together quickly and bake beautifully, with a soft, tender crumb and just the right amount of sweetness. They’re ideal for afternoon tea, a quick snack, or even packing in lunchboxes for a special treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Ready in about 25 minutes, perfect when you want homemade without a huge time commitment.
- Allergy-Friendly: Completely gluten-free and dairy-free, making it inclusive for many dietary preferences.
- Bright & Refreshing Flavor: The combo of lemon zest and raspberry yogurt glaze makes these cookies stand out.
- Versatile Snack: Great for gifting, lunchboxes, or just keeping on hand when you want something sweet but wholesome.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a soft, tender cookie with a hint of zing from the lemon and a luscious raspberry glaze on top. I like to use almond flour for richness and coconut flour for that light crumb—plus, the tapioca starch helps with the chewiness.
- Super fine almond flour: Look for finely ground almond flour to keep the texture nice and tender.
- Coconut flour: Adds absorbency and helps keep the cookies light; measure carefully because it’s very absorbent.
- Tapioca starch: Contributes chewiness and a bit of stretch to the cookie crumb.
- Baking soda: A little lift to keep them from being dense.
- Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors without making the cookie taste salty.
- Butter (regular or vegan): Melted for easier mixing and moisture; choose vegan butter if you want fully dairy-free.
- Siggi’s plant-based raspberry blend: This adds natural raspberry flavor and moisture inside both the cookie dough and glaze.
- Coconut sugar: Gently sweetens and adds a slight caramel note without overpowering.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure.
- Lemon zest (from 1 large lemon): Bursts of lemon flavor that lightly perfume each bite.
- Lemon juice: Just a splash to brighten the dough and activate the baking soda.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors for a well-balanced cookie.
- Honey (for frosting): Sweetens the glaze naturally and complements the tartness.
- Crushed freeze-dried raspberries (for frosting): Adds texture, extra raspberry punch, and a pretty pop of color.
Variations
I love experimenting with tweaks here and there to suit the occasion or what’s on hand. You can easily swap or add ingredients to make the Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe your own.
- Lemon Poppy Seed: I’ve added poppy seeds before, which lend a lovely crunch and pair beautifully with the lemon zest.
- Blueberry Swap: Try switching the raspberry yogurt and freeze-dried berries with blueberry versions for a subtle twist.
- Vegan Version: Using flax eggs instead of regular eggs worked well when I tested dairy-free and egg-free variations.
- Extra Zest: When I want a burst of citrus, I sometimes add extra lemon zest to both the cookie dough and glaze for more punch.
How to Make Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper—that way, clean-up’s a breeze. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, and sea salt until fully combined. This ensures all your leavening and flours are well distributed, which really helps the texture come out just right.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, plant-based raspberry yogurt blend, coconut sugar, eggs, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. I find it easiest to get the sugar fully dissolved by whisking well here, so your cookies don’t end up gritty. Once smooth, slowly combine this mixture with your dry ingredients until a soft dough comes together. Be gentle but thorough—don’t overmix, or the cookies can turn a bit dense.
Step 3: Shape and Bake Your Cookies
Use about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie—that easily makes around 16 cookies. I like to roll the dough into balls, then gently flatten each one with my palm to give them that classic cookie shape. Pop them on the baking sheet with some space between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re set and just turning golden on the edges. Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes—overbaking dries them out, and we want soft, chewy perfection.
Step 4: Make the Raspberry Lemon Glaze
While the cookies bake, whisk together the raspberry yogurt, lemon juice, honey, and crushed freeze-dried raspberries to make your frosting. This glaze is what really brings the cookies to life with extra zing and beautiful color. After baking, let the cookies cool completely before spreading or drizzling the glaze on top. Then finish with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest for that final pop.
Pro Tips for Making Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe
- Measure Coconut Flour Precisely: Because it’s so absorbent, I always spoon and level it to avoid dry, crumbly cookies.
- Don’t Overbake: Removing cookies when the edges are set but centers still look a bit soft keeps them chewy after cooling.
- Cool Fully Before Glazing: The yogurt glaze sets best and doesn’t melt off if the cookies are completely cool.
- Use Fresh Lemon Zest: I learned that pre-zested lemon loses its punch, so zest fresh for every batch.
How to Serve Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cookies with a little extra lemon zest for bright color and fresh citrus aroma. Sometimes I sprinkle crushed freeze-dried raspberries over the glaze, which adds a delicate crunch and beautiful pop of pink. If you’re feeling fancy, a tiny mint leaf can add an appealing contrast that makes these cookies look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Because these cookies are light and fruity, I often serve them with a cup of herbal tea—like chamomile or lemon ginger. They also pair wonderfully with a tangy dairy-free yogurt parfait or a refreshing glass of iced green tea for a balanced snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies on a pastel-colored platter garnished with edible flowers and fresh raspberries. Another fun idea is to sandwich two cookies with a little dairy-free lemon cream cheese filling. It’s a delightful twist that makes these cookies perfect for a brunch or tea party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days without losing their flavor. The dairy-free glaze holds up well chilled and even tastes better after a day or two once the flavors meld.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen these cookies both with and without the glaze. I prefer freezing them plain in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw at room temperature and add the glaze fresh. This keeps the glaze from sogging up but lets you enjoy your cookies anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to bring back a bit of warmth and softness without overcooking. Avoid microwaving if possible because it can make gluten-free cookies rubbery. If you froze them without glaze, add the frosting after warming.
FAQs
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Can I substitute the almond flour with another flour?
You can try substituting with oat flour or a gluten-free flour blend, but almond flour gives the best texture and richness. Using other flours might change the moisture level and could require adjusting wet ingredients. I recommend sticking to almond flour if possible for this recipe’s success.
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Is there a vegan alternative for the eggs?
Yes! I’ve used flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) as an egg substitute with good results. Just mix the flax eggs and let them sit for around 5 minutes to thicken before adding to the wet ingredients.
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What is Siggi’s plant-based raspberry blend?
It’s a dairy-free yogurt alternative that combines raspberries with plant-based ingredients, adding natural fruit flavor and moisture to the cookies. If you don’t have this exact brand, you can substitute with any raspberry-flavored dairy-free yogurt, like coconut yogurt.
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Can I make these cookies nut-free?
Because almond flour is a key ingredient, replacing it is tricky if you want to maintain the same texture. You might experiment with sunflower seed flour or pumpkin seed flour, but I haven’t tested this myself. If you do, let me know how it turns out!
Final Thoughts
This Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines healthfulness with real flavor and fun to eat. I always appreciate a treat that my whole family can enjoy without worrying about allergens or additives. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be surprised at just how moist, flavorful, and easy these cookies are to make, and I bet they’ll quickly become your new favorite snack, too!
PrintRaspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 25-27 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delightfully tangy and naturally sweet, these Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Cookies are a gluten-free and dairy-free treat perfect for any occasion. Made with a blend of almond and coconut flours, flavored with fresh lemon zest and juice, and topped with a luscious raspberry-lemon glaze, these cookies offer both a burst of fruity flavor and a tender, chewy texture. Ideal for those seeking a wholesome yet indulgent dessert without gluten or dairy.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup super fine almond flour
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter (regular or vegan), melted
- 1/4 cup Siggi’s plant-based raspberry blend yogurt
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 2 eggs
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting/Glaze
- 1/3 cup Siggi’s plant-based raspberry blend yogurt
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp honey
- 2–3 tbsp crushed freeze dried raspberries
- Lemon zest, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, and a pinch of sea salt. Whisk together to evenly distribute all the dry components.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, Siggi’s plant-based raspberry yogurt, coconut sugar, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. Make sure it is well incorporated but do not overmix.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie (approximately yields 16 cookies). Shape each portion with your hands and slightly flatten to form cookie discs.
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until they are set and slightly golden around the edges.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cookies bake, mix together the plant-based raspberry yogurt, lemon juice, honey, and crushed freeze dried raspberries in a small bowl to create a flavorful glaze.
- Cool and Glaze: Once the cookies have completely cooled on a wire rack, spread the raspberry-lemon glaze across the tops. Sprinkle with extra lemon zest for a fresh finishing touch.
- Store: Store the glazed cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and ensure the honey is substituted with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Make sure the cookies are fully cooled before glazing to prevent melting the frosting.
- Freeze dried raspberries can be found in specialty grocery stores or online, adding concentrated raspberry flavor without extra moisture.
- These cookies store well refrigerated but can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust sweetness to taste by modifying the amount of coconut sugar or honey in the recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg