Gluten Free Cranberry and White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

These Gluten Free Cranberry and White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies have a great chewy texture that is soft in the middle. They don't expand like their gluten filled counterparts but they taste just the same! The cranberries make them tart while the white chocolate adds the perfect amount of sweetness, and the peppermint makes these cookies refreshing! They are perfect for the holidays because of their pop of colour, while the cranberries and peppermint give a nice change to the endless sweet treats that seem to be consumed over the holiday season.

I love cookies! Store bought cookies, homemade cookies, old freezer burnt cookies, anything that resembles a small crunchy and chewy circle of chocolatey, sweet goodness; I don't discriminate against cookies. They make a bad day good, and a good day better!When I think of cookies I immediately think of sugar and chocolate filled treats of joy. As far as I am concerned cookies are not healthy and should never have fruit, raisins, or anything besides chocolate in them. Needless to say I was blown away when I first saw a recipe for white chocolate and cranberry cookies. Cranberries and cookies were not okay with me, even though I loved white chocolate coated cranberries this was a recipe for disaster. Except, it wasn't! White chocolate and dried cranberries are the perfect combination in a cookie! These cookies are still packed with the sweet chocolate that I love, but they have a healthy twist that adds amazing flavour and texture. If you have ever had that disappointing moment of biting into a raisin cookie that you mistook for chocolate chips, these cookies will regain your trust in cookies! 

Peppermint has many therapeutic effects. It is commonly used to treat upset stomach, indigestion, and symptoms of IBS. Because of it's ability to calm the stomach, many people consume peppermint after eating a meal in the form of tea or a mint. However, I have read that it is better to consume the peppermint before a large meal rather than after. In the case of these Cranberry Peppermint Chip Cookies I think its perfectly acceptable to consume dinner before dessert, especially on Christmas. Most people enjoy a large Christmas meal, and then have a large dessert following. Everyone is stuffed full of all their favourites and feel completely exhausted while their body digests. If you're like me and wear your stretchiest pants (since pants are necessary for family occasions in most families - or mine anyways) to dinner and still feel full, you are doing Christmas right! Cranberry Peppermint Chip Cookies are refreshing and the perfect treat to calm down that full stomach in between dinner and dessert, or when you are completely done and need something to help your turkey coma.

Even Santa will enjoy these cookies when he stops by with your presents! Peppermint is great for treating headaches and since the big man stays up all night, deals with eight reindeer, has thousands of elves running around, and has to handle the pressure of not disappointing any children around the world, he has to have a killer migraine by the time he gets home. Hopefully these cookies will make him feel a bit better, but with all that pressure its probably best to leave him a bottle of Advil and some rum!

Gluten Free Cranberry and White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

1/2 Cup Softened Butter

1/3 Cup Apple Sauce

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup White Sugar

2 Eggs

2 Tsp Vanilla

2 Cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Xanthan Gum

2 Tsp Corn Starch

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 Cup White Chocolate Peppermint Chips

          or

          1/2 Cup White Chocolate Chips

          1 Tsp Peppermint Extract

- Combine Butter and Sugar until creamy, add Apple Sauce and Egg and mix well.

- Add Remaining ingredients, but leave out Cranberries and White Chocolate, mix until combined.

- Fold in White Chocolate and Dried Cranberries.

- Place in air tight container and let chill for an hour or more.

- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.

- Roll dough into one inch balls and press down with a fork on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

- Leave space between cookies so they have room to expand.

- Bake for 8-10 minutes and let cool for 15 minutes on tray before transferring. 

- Makes approx. 30 Cookies 

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

Gluten free shortbread cookies are light and buttery. They melt in your mouth as soon as you take the first bite. The chocolate covering adds some sweetness. This gluten free version of the traditional holiday cookie can be enjoyed by everyone, and is sure to be your new holiday favourite! A touch of sprinkles add some Christmas cheer to the holiday table!

Day 9: 12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas Baking

When I think of shortbread cookies I think of a cookie that melts in your mouth, like a light fluffy cloud. Gluten Free flour tends to be heavy and crumbly, and after three batches of shortbread I finally found one that lives up to the texture of traditional shortbread cookies. They are light, airy and melt in your mouth as soon as you taste them. They have great butter flavour, and the chocolate coating adds a bit of sweetness.

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

1 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Icing Sugar

1 Cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

1/2 Cup Arrowroot Flour

1 Tsp Xanthan Gum

1/2 Cup Corn Starch

1 Tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 Degrees

Beat Butter until fluffy.

Add Icing Sugar until creamy.

Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined.

Roll into balls and place on a lined cookie sheet.

Flatten with the bottom of a glass.

Bake for 10-12 Minutes.

Once Cooled, dip in chocolate and cover with sprinkles.

Let chocolate harden before placing in containers for storage.

Chocolate Topping

1 Tbs Butter

1/2 Cup Milk Chocolate Melting Chocolate

Melt in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.

All of the Christmas baking that I have done over the past few weeks has made me think about all of my favourite holiday treats from before I diagnosed with Celiac Disease. There are so many, and some things do not convert as easily into gluten free as others. However, I hope that over the past few days you have found something that will satisfy your Christmas sweet tooth and help you get through the holidays without gluten! There are still three days of baking left! Don't forget to check out the past 8 days of my 12 days of gluten free baking series! See you tomorrow! K.

Day 1: Christmas Coconut Macaroons
Day 2: Gluten Free Rolled Vanilla Chip Cookies
Day 3: Gluten Free Gingersnaps
Day 4: Gluten Free Gingerbread Eggnog Donuts
Day 5: Honey Glazed Honey Brie Cheese
Day 6: Gluten Free Cheesy Crackers
Day 7: Gluten Free Breakfast Omelettes 
Day 8: Gluten Free Toffee Tarts

Gluten Free Gingersnaps

These gingersnaps hold true to their name, they snap perfectly when you bite into them and they are gluten free! They have great flavor, texture, and smell like Christmas! They pair perfectly with a cup of tea and can be enjoyed all winter!

Day 3: 12 Days Of Gluten Free Christmas Baking

When I think about Christmas baking I instantly think of cookies. Cookies are a staple of Christmas!  Many people leave cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve (I always left perogies and cabbage rolls

–and learned that Santa loved good Ukrainian food), children spend time decorating the perfect gingerbread men, and everyone has their favorite cookie that they wait all year to enjoy! Gingersnaps are one of my favorite cookies! I enjoy them with lunch on the ski hill, or as a snack with my afternoon coffee. They are refreshing because they are not to sweet and they leave behind a warm and cozy feeling!

Gingersnaps are a great cookie to enjoy with tea or coffee. They have a nice snap when bitten into, they get their name “snap” from the sound they make when you bite them or break them in half. They are even better when dipped in a warm beverage.  They are light, and can have many uses. I enjoy gingersnaps when my stomach is upset, or when broken up they make a great piecrust! Gingersnaps are supposed to be brittle, so converting them to a gluten free cookie isn’t to hard since gluten free baking can tend to be on the brittle side. These gluten free gingersnaps will not disappoint! The smell of the ginger cooking is warm and inviting, it is sure to fill your home with the holiday spirit.

Gluten Free Gingersnaps

1 Cup Brown Sugar

¾ Cup Butter

1 Egg

¼ Cup Molasses

2 Cups All Purpose Gluten Free Flour

1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1 Tsp Ginger

1 Tsp Cloves

Cream together Butter, Sugar, and Egg

Add Molasses and beat together

In a separate bowl combine all dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients.

Combine together

Chill dough in fridge

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place on lined cookie sheet and press down with a fork.

Bake for 10 minutes

If you have not had a chance yet, do not forget to check out previous posts of the 12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas Baking!

Day 1: Christmas Coconut Macaroons

Day 2: Gluten Free Rolled Vanilla Chip Cookies

See you tomorrow for day 4!

K.

Gluten Free Rolled Vanilla Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Vanilla Chip Cookies are sure to be a new Holiday favorite. They have wonderful flavor and pair great with a glass of milk or eggnog! They roll easily and are addicting, one will not be enough!

Day 2: 12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas Baking

Day 2 is here! Yesterday I posted Christmas Coconut Macaroons, and I am sticking with the cookie theme again today. Cookies are a large part of Christmas baking, everyone has their favourites and they are easy to grab when company stops by or for any Christmas Cookie Swap. When I was first diagnosed with Celiac Disease I missed cookies more than anything. They come in so many varieties and are a great snack to satisfy a sweet tooth. 

When I made these cookies I wanted something that was crumbly, but not in the usual gluten free way. I wanted them to taste like the pre packaged store bough cookies, and I think these hit the mark. They are gluten free, have amazing flavor, and crumble in the right way without being dry. They pair perfectly with  a glass of milk, and Santa Clause will love them when he shows up on Christmas!

Rolled Gluten Free Vanilla Chip Cookies

1/3 Cup Butter

½ Cup Sugar

½ Cup Coconut Flour

½ Cup All Purpose Gluten Free Flour

1 Egg

½ Tsp Baking soda

1 Tsp Xanthan Gum

1 Tsp Vanilla

½ Cup Vanilla Christmas Chips

Beat together Butter, Sugar, and Egg

Mix in remaining ingredients, adding the chips when mixing is almost complete.

Divide the dough in half and roll into two logs approx 1.5 Inches in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap, and let chill in fridge overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

Slice Cookies 1/3 inch thick

Bake for 12 Minutes

Makes approx. 30 Cookies

Christmas is full of family traditions. Many families bake goodies together during the holiday season. This can be hard for a person adjusting to having Celiac Disease, or a gluten intolerance. But there are so many option for Gluten Free baking that they no longer have to feel left out or discouraged. Make Gluten Free baking apart of your holiday regimen and everyone will feel the love and spirit of Christmas!

Have a Great Day, 

See you tomorrow for day 3!

K.

Christmas Coconut Macaroons

These Christmas Coconut Macaroons are soft and chewy! They are quick and easy to make and the base only requires three ingredients which makes them fuss free! They can be enjoyed plain, or with whatever toppings you prefer!

Day 1: 12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas Baking

Its December! That means the holidays are upon us and it is time to start baking yummy goodies, tasty treats, and all those sugary cookies that usually lead to a New Years diet. While this sounds like a sugar induced coma for most, for a person struggling with Celiac Disease this means a month of fear of being glutenized and constantly drooling over something that is forbidden! Many of these goodies are not gluten free, and sometimes a person can feel left out while everyone else enjoys a Christmas snack. Today kicks off 12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas Baking! I will be posting the recipes of many holiday favorites, but as gluten free for all the fellow celiac sufferers that are unsure of what they are going to eat this Holiday Season! I have been busy baking, mixing, and experimenting and I cannot wait to share all these holiday treats with you over the next few days! There is something for everyone!

When Christmas rolls around I always make sure to take gluten free baking anywhere I go. It’s a great gift for any hostess, and ensures that I will be able to eat something at the party. And you never know who else suffers from gluten intolerance, so you might just make someone’s day by making gluten free treats accessible to them! And that is exactly what Christmas is about, spreading cheer and happiness everywhere you go!

Coconut macaroons are great anytime of year. They are quick and easy to make in a pinch and do not require many ingredients. They are chewy, sweet and can be topped however you like. I like mine loaded with jam and chocolate, but sometimes they are just as rewarding when enjoyed plain!

Christmas Coconut Macaroons

2 ½ Cups Flaked Coconut

2/3 Cups Canned Condensed Milk

1 Tsp Vanilla

½ Cup Jam (Raspberry Blackberry Freezer Jam)

1/3 Cup Chocolate Wafers

-Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

-Line two Cookie Sheets with Parchment Paper

-Use a 2 inch cookie cutter to shape the cookies, place an ice cream scoop amount of batter into the cookie cutter and fill the circle.

-Bake for 10 minutes until the edges begin to brown.

-Let cool on wire racks.

-Put a tablespoon of jam on each cookie. I used my homemade Raspberry Blackberry Freezer Jam, but you can whichever you prefer.

-Melt the Chocolate Wafers and spread approx ½ a tablespoon on top of the jam.

-Let set on wire racks for approx 30 Minutes and transfer into storage containers.

Makes approx. 10 Cookies

These cookies are fairly large, a smaller round cookie

cutter would result in more, smaller cookies. However, if topped with ice cream or sorbet these cookies would make a wonderful dessert for the celiac at the dinner table!

I hope everyone gets a chance to try these cookies! Stay tuned because there are still 11 days of gluten free Christmas baking to come! I love baking and cooking, so if there is anything in particular you want to see or are struggling with in the kitchen this year leave a comment and I will do my best to assist!

I am off to study for my last final this winter season, and eat a few cookies while I do it!

Have a good day!

K.