Thursday, April 23, 2015

Gluten Free Sandwich Cookies

Here is a recipe that is simple and delicious.....gluten free sugar cookies! These you can do anything with after you've made them. My boyfriend's mother has tweaked the original recipe, so credit for this recipe goes to her and MOMables (for the original sugar cookie recipe). This recipe is to make sandwich cookies using the sugar cookies and homemade (or store-bought) icing.  

Ingredients: 

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1 table spoon water or milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if you all-purpose flour has it)
2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour + more for rolling/dusting
1 small bowl
1 small glass with a round bottom

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter at medium speed
2. Add the egg, water (or milk), vanilla, salt and cinnamon (if using). Blend until mixed well.
3. Add the xanthan gum (if using) and flour. Mix at a low speed until well combined. 
4. Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST one hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
6. Roll the dough into 1/2-1" balls and put them onto the parchment paper
7. Dip a glass into a bowl of sugar and flatten the balls. Make sure to not make them super thin, but about 1/4" high.
8. Start with 7 minutes in the oven, and cook until the edges are a soft brown.


Now for the icing!


Ingredients

1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix it up until smooth.


Now you just icing the one side of a cookie, then choose another cookies about the same size and make a sandwich. TADA! Now you know how to make one of my favorite gluten free cookies. Enjoy!




sources: http://www.cooqiglutenfree.com/recipes/sugar-cookies

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Gluten Free Shops

You've started the gluten free diet, but now what? Now you must do something that some find to be extremely satisfying....SHOPPING!

Now, there are many stores that carry gluten free products, or have their very own gluten free aisle. Stores like this include:

        • Giant Eagle
        • Aldi's 
        • Shop N' Save
        • Walmart
        • Wholefoods Market


Usually, if the story carry's many different products, you will most likely find a gluten free section. If not, you will have to look through the ingredients on different foods to make sure they are gluten free. It's like a scavenger hunt for food! 

Gluten free spaghetti is always a delicious, easy meal. Usually the store-bought sauce will be gluten free, however if you make your own make sure to watch what ingredients you are using. And gluten free bread turned into garlic bread is quite delicious. 

Shopping for gluten free food is not the end of the world. In the long run, the food you buy will make you feel much better and even start a healthy lifestyle for you. Enjoy!

photograph source: https://www.stuffed-pepper.com/great-gluten-free-divide/