Gluten free iced gems are a delightful treat that will transport you back to childhood. These crisp vanilla mini biscuits topped with colorful royal icing are not only gluten-free but also irresistibly charming. Whether you’re looking for a sweet snack or a fun baking project, these homemade iced gems are sure to please.

Inspired by Becky Excell’s gluten-free iced gems, this guide uses original wording and keeps the little biscuit-and-icing format. Check every ingredient for suitability and use clean equipment.

Images are AI-generated illustrations of the recipe, not photographs of a tested batch.

Why You’ll Love These Gluten Free Iced Gems

• Perfectly crispy and sweet, satisfying your snack cravings.
• Easy to make with simple, gluten-free ingredients.
• Fun to decorate with colorful royal icing peaks.
• Ideal for sharing at parties or as a delightful gift.
• Compact size makes them a perfect on-the-go treat.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Iced Gems

• 30g softened butter
• 30g caster sugar
• 15ml milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 90g gluten-free plain flour blend
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum (omit if blend includes gum)
• 40g pasteurized egg white
• 225g icing sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla for white portion
• Pink gel and raspberry flavoring (optional)
• Purple gel and blackcurrant flavoring (optional)

Ensure all ingredients, including colors and flavorings, are labeled gluten-free and use clean equipment to avoid cross-contamination.

How to Make Gluten Free Iced Gems — Step by Step

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a bowl, combine softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the milk and vanilla, incorporating well into the creamed butter and sugar.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: Gradually blend in the gluten-free flour and xanthan gum, forming a rollable dough.
4. Roll and Cut: Roll to 6mm on lightly floured parchment, cut 2cm rounds, reroll scraps, and transfer to a parchment-lined baking tray.
5. Bake the Biscuits: Preheat oven to 190C conventional/170C fan (375F conventional) and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
6. Prepare the Icing: Whisk pasteurized egg white with icing sugar until thick and smooth, about 5 minutes. Split into thirds: add 1/4 tsp vanilla to white, a tiny amount of pink gel and raspberry flavoring to pink, and purple gel and blackcurrant flavoring to lavender. Use concentrated flavorings sparingly according to their label. If too stiff, add water 1/4 tsp at a time; retain a firm peak.
7. Pipe the Icing: Fit piping bags with an open-star tip. Pipe one small peak onto each cooled biscuit, allowing icing to touch the base before lifting. Dry on a parchment-lined tray at 90C conventional/70C fan (195F conventional) for 45-60 minutes, until hard and dry. Cool completely before storing. This heat dries icing; it does not replace pasteurization.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Gluten Free Iced Gems

• Ensure the dough is rollable but not sticky; add milk sparingly if needed.
• Use pasteurized egg white suitable for royal icing; low oven drying is not a validated pasteurization step.
• Allow biscuits to cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
• Store in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

Storage and Make-Ahead

Store completely cooled and dried iced gems in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended as it may alter the texture and crispness of the biscuits. Reheating is unnecessary, simply enjoy at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these gluten free iced gems vegan?

For a vegan variation, both the dairy in the biscuits and egg white in the icing need replacements: use firm plant-based butter and plant milk, and aquafaba for the icing. This variation has not been tested here; piping and drying may differ. Check colors and flavorings too.

What makes these biscuits gluten free vanilla biscuits?

The biscuit bases use a gluten-free plain flour blend. Also check sugar, vanilla, colors and flavorings, and prevent cross-contact on utensils and work surfaces. Gluten-free does not mean free of other allergens: this version contains milk and egg.

Are homemade iced gems easy to customize?

Absolutely! You can play around with different icing colors and flavors to personalize your homemade iced gems.

How do I ensure my gluten free royal icing biscuits are safe?

Use pasteurized egg white, ingredients labeled gluten-free, and clean utensils, trays and work surfaces. Ingredient labels alone do not prevent cross-contact during preparation.

We hope you enjoy making and eating these delightful gluten free iced gems. Don’t forget to leave a comment below, share your creations, and join our Facebook group for more gluten-free recipes and tips!