Gluten Free Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I love these cookies! I first discovered this cookie (originally by Nigella Lawson) before I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and used wheat flour in my baking. Today, I sing a different tune... but turns out they are just as delicious made gluten free and much much better for my tummy :) Hope you enjoy this cookie!

Gluten Free Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose gluten free flour (I like Pamela's Baking Mix or Bob's Red Mill 1 for 1 flour)
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup certified gluten free rolled oats
9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter at room temperature
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup dried cranberries (make sure GF- I use Ocean Spray)
½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
¾ cup white chocolate chips (make sure GF- I use Toll House)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat. In small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt and gluten free rolled oats. In medium bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugars together until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla until fluffy.

Slowly add flour mixture to sugar mixture, blending thoroughly. Stir in cranberries, pecans and white chocolate.

Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls with hands or use a small cookie scoop. Place balls on baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Bake in 350°F oven on middle rack until tops are pale golden brown and cookies look set. 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on tray 5 minutes; cool fully on wire rack. Enjoy!

Gluten Free Black-Eyed Peas with Ham and Spinach

Happy New Year!

I haven't been able to put together any posts lately and it's not because I haven't been cooking. I have been cooking a whole bunch! My 9.5 month old baby is keeping my quite busy and is the best little eater ever (I started her on baby led weaning at about 7 months old). I feel like I am constantly in the kitchen (and the hubby is constantly doing dishes)!

This black eyed peas recipe was straight from the New York Times. It was so good that I can't wait to make it again! I didn't have collard greens so I used spinach, but either will work. I also made a box mix (gasp!) of gluten-free cornbread mix to round out the meal. Super easy and super good!

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Black Eyed Peas with Ham and Spinach

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds black-eyed peas, soaked overnight if possible
2 pounds smoked ham hock, meaty ham bone or slab bacon
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 large onion, peeled and stuck with 2 cloves
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon allspice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 pounds collard greens, cut in 1-inch ribbons (about 8 cups)

DIRECTIONS
Drain peas and put them in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add ham hock or bone (if using slab bacon, cut it into 2-inch chunks), cover with 10 cups water and turn heat to high. Add salt, onion stuck with cloves, bay leaf, black pepper and allspice.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Skim off and discard any foam that rises to the surface. Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until peas are tender. Throughout cooking, add water as necessary, always keeping liquid level 1 inch above surface, stirring with wooden spoon occasionally. Turn off heat. Check broth for salt and adjust seasoning. Mixture should be fairly brothy. With a pair of tongs, remove ham hock, ham bone or bacon. Chop meat and skin in rough pieces and set aside.

Put a large wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until wavy. Add garlic and red pepper and let sizzle without browning. Add collard greens and stir to coat. Season with salt and add 1 cup water, stirring to help wilt greens. Add chopped ham and reduce heat to medium, then cover with lid slightly ajar and cook until greens are soft, about 20 minutes. Check seasoning.

To serve, put greens and meat in low soup bowls, then ladle over hot black-eyed peas. 

 Recipe Source: Black-Eyed Peas with Ham Hock and Collards 

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

These fun cookies are simply delicious peanut butter cookies with a few decorations to appease my 3 year old. She is ALL about holiday decorating and loves cookies. I can't imagine why??!!

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Ingredients:

1⁄2 cup butter, softened
1⁄2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup  brown sugar (don't pack down)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Pamela's baking and pancake mix

Decorations:

Gluten free chocolate covered pretzels (I used Glutino)

M&M's 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 

Cream together the butter and peanut butter. Mix in sugar, egg and vanilla, then add Pamela's Baking combine throughly. 

Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand.

Bake in oven for 17-20 minutes. Edges should be light brown. Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels 

into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer's antlers. Press two brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose. Cool completely before removing from pan with spatula.

  

Gluten-free Andes Chocolate Mint Cookies

The kitchen is my happy place. When I'm stressed out, worn out, need a break from the kiddos, I like to do two things: cook something delightful or go on a run outside. Lately it seems I've done more baking than running and this blog has morphed into a cookie site. I promise to eat healthier in 2016 and run more (1/2 marathon?!) But until then...'Tis the season for holiday baking! I made these cookies with my four nephews in the house. Grab, grab, grab, grab went their little hands. Needless to say they were a hit!

Gluten-free Andes Chocolate Mint Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup white sugar

7tbs butter at room temperature
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups quality GF flour blend (I use Pamela's Baking and Pancake mix)
2 tbs cocoa powder
3/4 bag Andes Mint baking chips (about 7oz)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Cream butter and sugars together. Add vanilla and egg and beat together until light and fluffy. Add flour and cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly. Next add in Andes Mint baking chips.

Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, make 1 tbs balls/scoops of dough and place on lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet (or use a sil-pat).

Bake for 10 minutes or until edges start to slightly darken. Let cool on a rack and then remove cookies from cookie sheet using a spatula. Makes about 24 cookies.

I'm sure St. Nick will love these cookies with a cold glass of milk or Baileys ;) Happy Holidays!

Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Double Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

made with love

These cookies are a mix of white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, oats, and walnuts.
Perfect for the holidays!

Ingredients:
8 tbs butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
1 1/2 cup GF Flour (I use Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix for best results)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
1 cup GF oats

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Cream butter and sugars together. Add vanilla and egg and beat together until well combined.  Add flour, cinnamon, chocolate chips, walnuts and oats. Mix thoroughly.

Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, make 1 tbs balls/scoops of dough and place on lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet (or use a sil-pat).

Bake for 15 minutes or until edges start to golden. Let cool on a rack and then remove cookies from cookie sheet using a spatula. Makes about 24 cookies. Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Gluten-Free Whole Meyer Lemon Almond Cake

Have I ever mentioned that I love baked goods? It's one of the reasons I run a few times a week. I run so I can eat cakey delicious sweets and not feel (too) guilty! Last week I picked up a bag of fresh Meyer lemons at the grocery store without any idea of what I was going to do with them. I pondered lemon bars but wasn't feeling it, so I settled on a lemon almond cake. This cake is made with a few simple ingredients and is certainly delicious and tangy! Hope you enjoy! Recipe was inspired by The View from the Great Island

 Gluten-Free Whole Meyer Lemon Almond Cake
Ingredients:
4 large Meyer Lemons
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3 cups almond meal
1 tsp baking powder

1 tbs vanilla bean paste

for the icing
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 to 2 tbs milk 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325F

Rinse lemons and put them in a saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes.
Drain the lemons and let them cool until you can handle them. Cut open and remove the seeds, but keep everything else. The WHOLE LEMON! Do this on a plate so you can retain the juices. Once you have removed all the seeds, put everything into a food processor or blender. 

Process until finely pureed. You will need roughly one cup of lemon puree for the cake.

Beat the eggs and the sugar until pale in color.
Add in the almond meal, baking powder, vanilla, and lemon puree. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Put batter into a greased and sugared (not floured) 9" springform pan. Smooth out the surface so it is even.
Bake for about 60 minutes, just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then gently release the sides of the pan and remove the cake to finish cooling.

Make the icing while the cake is cooling. Combine the sugar with the butter, vanilla and milk. Beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust the texture by adding more sugar or milk. Spread the icing on the completely cooled cake.

the cooked lemons all chopped up!

The puree

the perfect slice

Baked Gluten Free Vanilla Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

I haven't updated the blog in a long time. Life has been very busy.  I do apologize! Last week I had a craving for a donut. I wasn't a huge donut aficionado before going gluten-free, but it was a nice treat once in a while. These donuts are cakey and flavorful! Hope you enjoy the sweet chocolaty goodness!

I adapted this recipe from the Baking Beauties. The pictures of her donuts are beautiful. Check them out!

For the Donuts (makes 6)
Ingredients:
1/3 cup rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tbs dry instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
2 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
butter for greasing donut pan
donut pan

Directions:
Vanilla Doughnuts:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the rice flour, tapioca flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt. Set aside.
• In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir to combine.
• Spoon the batter into a large resealable bag. Cut a hole in one of the corners of the bag, and pipe the batter into the prepared/greased doughnut pan.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the top of the doughnut bounces back when gently pressed on.
• Let the doughnuts sit in the pan for a few minutes before removing them to a wire cooling rack.
• Let cool slightly before icing.

Chocolate Glaze/Icing Recipe
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tbs cocoa powder
2 tbs milk or water
2 tbs vanilla extract

Mix together the sugar and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Slowly stir in the milk and vanilla, a little at a time, to make a smooth, pourable glaze. Add more milk a little at a time if needed. Drizzle over donuts and enjoy!

Vanilla Bean Macaroons Drizzled in White Chocolate

The holiday cookie baking continues... These macaroons are really simple to make. I highly recommend investing in vanilla bean paste. It's so fragrant and gives the beautiful little specs of vanilla in every bite.  

                                       

Vanilla Bean Macaroons Drizzled in White Chocolate

Ingredients:

1 tbs vanilla bean paste
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
3 ounces white chocolate (Hershey's white chocolate is gluten free)

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 325º F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.

Add vanilla bean paste to a large bowl along with the egg whites and sugar and whisk until blended. Stir in the shredded coconut until completely coated.

Scoop the coconut mixture onto the lined baking sheet with a cookie scoop or spoon, creating balls about size of heaping tablespoon. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the coconut starts to turn a golden brown on the edges. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

Melt the white chocolate in a double broiler. Add the warm chocolate to a ziplock bag (this is a good alternative to a pastry bag). Squeeze all the chocolate into the corner of the sealed zip lock. Cut off a tiny corner of the plastic bag and pipe/drizzle the chocolate over the macaroons. Let chocolate harden and enjoy!

Makes about 2 dozen macaroons.

after baking 

finished! 

Gluten-Free Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

This is a delightful cookie that many people usually only eat or bake once a year, including myself.  These cookies have the festive holiday flavors of ginger, cinnamon and molasses with just the right amount of chewiness. I'm sure Santa will love them with a cold glass of eggnog! 

Gluten-Free Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
     (my personal favorites are Pamela's Baking Mix, Bella All Purpose Baking Mix, and the GF Bistro)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup black strap molasses
*white granulated sugar for rolling cookies 

Directions

In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and xanthan gum. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses. And beat on medium until combined. 

Next, add the dry mixture to the wet until combined. Cover and refrigerate dough for 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment or a Silpat. 

Scoop out tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll into a ball between palms of hands then roll dough into granulated sugar to lightly coat. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until set. Let cool on a wire rack. Enjoy! 

Makes about 24 cookies.

Gluten Free Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's that time of year again! These cookies are perfect for holiday baking or a cookie exchange :)

                                          Gluten Free Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups GF Flour (I used Cup4Cup)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tbs bourbon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup chopped Andes Creme de Menthe

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment. Beat butter and both sugars until well blended. Mix in vanilla and eggs until creamy. Add in flour, salt and baking soda just until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips and andes mints by hand. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto parchment. Bake 14-16 minutes  or until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely. Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Vanilla Bean Scones

Although it's been ages since I lasted posted...I promise I am still cooking! Turns out having a baby is really time consuming :-) 

I recently discovered vanilla bean paste and it is life changing! you get the rich flavor and little speckles of real vanilla without scraping a vanilla bean! I used Nielson-Massey bourbon vanilla bean paste which is certified gluten free and can be found on Amazon or speciality stores like Williams & Sonoma and Sur la Table. It's so flavorful and easy to incorporate into recipes. 

Vanilla Bean Scones 

Ingredients:
2 cups Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix
1/4 cup Cup 4 Cup Flour 
1/3 cup cane sugar
1 tsp baking powder
4 Tbs butter
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
1 Tbs vanilla bean paste

Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients together. Cut in the butter using two knives. Add the milk, beaten egg and vanilla bean paste. Mix together with a fork or in a mixer. Dough will be thick. Using an ice-cream scoop, drop dollops of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 15-17 minutes or until tops of scones lightly  golden.  Makes 9 or 10 scones. For a perfect tea-time treat, serve with butter and raspberry preserves. Enjoy! 

Lemon Pine Nut Sugar Cookies (gluten free)

Sometimes you need the easiest way to make a fail proof sugar cookie. I recently tried Pamela's Sugar Cookie Mix. Dont get me wrong, I love truly homemade cookies, but sometimes an easy roll and cut cookie is all you have time for.  These cookies are delicious and so simple to make! I added a bit of lemon zest and topped them with pine nuts. The pine nuts give the cookies an additional delicate flavor and extra texture while the subtle lemon makes the cookie not too sweet and sugary! I definitly will be making these again...and even though its been over  three years since I've had a "real" gluten filled sugar cookie, I'm pretty sure these taste like the real deal.

                                              Gluten Free Lemon Pine Nut Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
1 bag Pamela's Sugar Cookie Mix
8 TBSP butter
1 egg, large
2 tsp lemon zest
pine nuts for topping

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350°. Soften butter in stand mixer, then add dry mix, egg and lemon zest, mixing until dough comes together. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment. Cut out cookies using cookie cutters.
Lightly press pine nuts into top of cookies before baking. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for 8 to 12 minutes until edges just start to brown. Let cool completely and enjoy!

 

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting (Gluten Free)

                                              Gluten Free Sour Cream Sugar Cookies 
                                                          with Buttercream Frosting 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
2 cup + 3tbs Cup4Cup GF Flour
2/3 cup white rice flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In standing mixer, mix together sour cream, canola oil, sugar, vanilla, egg and egg yolk. Mix on low-medium until smooth. Set aside.

Place remaining dry ingredients in a separate mixing bowl and whisk to combine. With the mixer running on low, slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until completely blended. Remove dough from mixer, roll into a large ball.

Place dough in between two pieces of parchment paper. Roll out dough so dough is about 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out dough. Continue until all dough has been rolled and cut.

Bake cookies in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until just slightly browned around the edges. Allow cookies to cool slightly before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

When cooled, frost cookies and enjoy! Store in an airtight container.

Easy Buttercream Frosting

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-5 tbs 1/2 and 1/2 (enough to get the consistency you want)
coloring (optional)

In a mixing bowl, beat all the ingredients together until smooth. Frost cookies :)

Recipe inspired by the The Baking Beauties

Cherry Clafoutis (gluten-free)

A traditional French dessert... how could you NOT want to eat this?! I am a little sad to say that while spending time in France a few years ago (before my Celiac diagnosis) I didn't get the chance to eat a "real" clafoutis. I did have my fair share of chocolate croissants, strawberry crepes, fresh baguettes and many other treats that, of course, made me feel very sick (but hey, I didn't know any better)!

Today I bring you an easy and delicious French dessert made of sweet cherries and a flan like middle dusted with powdered sugar, all of which is gluten-free!

Cherry Clafoutis

Ingredients:
1lb cherries, pitted (this is that hardest part of the recipe)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk or almond milk
4 tbs butter, melted
1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1/2 cup Pamela's Pancake and Baking Mix
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Spray a glass 9" square pan with non-stick cooking spray and scatter your pitted cherries on the bottom. Place all remaining ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

Pour batter over the cherries and bake for approximately 30 minutes and then cover with foil for the remaining 10-15 minutes of  baking time (so the top doesn't brown too much). Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Eat, Live, Run and Gourmet

                                           

a bowl of pitted cherries

ready for baking

Done! 

Simple Blueberry Peach Pie (gluten-free)

This open pie is so simple to make and tastes fantastic with the sweet ripe fruit of summer.

                                                              Easy Blueberry Peach Pie
Ingredients:
3 cups fresh peaches (peeled and sliced)
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbs cornstarch
1 gluten-free pie crust (I used a thawed GF pie crust from Whole Foods Bakehouse)

Directions:
Gently toss all ingredients together until well coated and pour into gluten-free pie crust.

Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes-- remove from oven and let cool completely. Serve with vanilla ice-cream and enjoy!

Agave Pumpkin Pie with Walnut-Brown Sugar Topping

                                   Agave Pumpkin Pie with Walnut-Brown Sugar Topping

Filling:
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 can (15oz) pure pumpkin
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/3 cup light agave nectar
2 eggs

Pie Crust:
1 unbaked 9" gluten-free pie crust (found at natural food markets)

Topping:
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Add pumpkin and spices. Continue beating until smooth. Add agave nectar and eggs one at a time. Mix until fully incorporated. Pour filling into gluten free pie-crust.

Bake for 10 minutes, reduce temperature to 350°F and bake 30 more minutes. While pie is baking, combine all topping ingredients and blend into fine crumbs. Use a blender or small food chopper to do this.

After 30 minute time, sprinkle topping evenly over top of pie. Continue to bake pie for 10 to 15 minutes longer (or until knife inserted in center comes out clean). Let cool and then refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Can be made 1 day ahead. Tent with foil and chill.

ready for a feast...

Thanksgiving dinner complete with pear and spinach salad, 

lemon-garlic green beans, braised carrots, maple roasted sweet-potatoes,

 GF cornbread stuffing, cranberries, turkey and of course PIE.