Going Gluten-Free

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

I tried yet another recipe from Gluten-Free Baking for the Holidays -- this time it was the sugar cookies.  This recipe, like the others I tried, was simple, required no weird ingredients and turned out beautifully.  I really can't recommend this book enough!  (I bought the book myself and make no money from sales -- in fact, my link goes to the author's website where she will get all the benefit of your purchase.)

And the cookie cutters we used are from IKEA.  They alwasy have cute, inexpensive cookie cutters.

Pinterest -- Gluten Free Recipe File

Do you know about Pinterest?  It's a great way to save recipes from around the web.  I have already created a gluten free board with some great recipes.  Check it out!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies -- Gluten Free!

I found this recipe circulating around the internet in various forms.  Give it a try -- it's super easy and really delicious!

(Gluten-Free) 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Makes about 2 dozen)

1 C. Peanut butter -- I used an organic, all-natural variety

1 C. Sugar -- I used 1/2 C. organic brown sugar and 1/2 C. minimally processed organic granulated sugar

1 Egg

1 Tsp. Baking Soda

1 C. Chocolate Chips

Add all ingredients to a mixer in order, mixing after each addition.  Roll into 1 in. balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Flatten in criss-cross pattern with a fork.  (Mine were a bit crumbly, so I just pushed them back into shape if they fell apart upon flattening.)

Bake at 350º for about 11 minutes or until lightly browned on edges.  Let sit on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack.

Gluten Free Banana Bread

Here is the loaf of banana bread that gave me hope.  Since Maddie was diagnosed with celiac disease, I have attempted a few mixes for baked goods, but haven't made gluten free baked goods truly from scratch.  Maddie has been on a banana kick and asked for banana bread, so I bought some gluten free AP Flour, some Xanthan Gum and decided to give it a try.

Let me say that this was easier than I thought it would be.  Luck was with me in that the Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour that I purchased had a recipe for banana bread right on the package and, other than Xanthan Gum, all the ingredients were things I already had. 

The banana bread is tasty and rose beautifully and now I have the confidence to alter recipes so as to make them gluten free. 

If you are interested, the recipe for the Banana Bread is available at the Bob's Red Mill website.