Peppermint Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookie_Gluten-Free, Soft and Delicious:

Gluten Free Cookie Soft and Delicious

Baking season is upon us once again so why not try a new recipe this year. 
I did, I took a new cookie recipe and adapted it to our needs and what I had on hand. 
This version of peppermint hot chocolate brownie cookie is gluten free, soft and delicious. Add it to your Christmas baking list, and to your recipe box so you can make this gluten free minty cookie any time through out the year.

Ingredients to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookie_Gluten-Free, Soft and Delicious:

·       2/3 cup olive oil

·       1½ cups organic monk fruit in raw blend; or 3/4 cup monk fruit in the raw blend & 3/4 coconut sugar for a sweeter cookie

·       1 T. water or crème de menthe

·       1 t. vanilla or crème de menthe

·       6 drops of Organic Peppermint Oil, essential oil not extract

·       2 eggs

·       1/3 cup dark cacao powder

·       ½ t. Himalayan salt

·       ¼ t. baking soda

·       1½ cups Bob Red Mills, Gluten Free all-purpose flour or Bob Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour

·       3/4-1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookie_Gluten-Free, Soft and Delicious:

1.     Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2.     In a large bowl, combine the olive oil and stevia/sugar blend.

3.     Mix in the water/crème de menthe, vanilla/crème de menthe and peppermint oil. Add the eggs and continue to blend.

4.     The recipe called to combine all dry products in another bowl; however, I have always found this an unnecessary step. Gradually add the cacao powder, salt, baking soda and gluten free flour. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.

5.     Stir in the dark chocolate chips.

6.     Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes for a soft cookie.

7.     Let the cookies cool slightly, and then dive in to get that nice minty chocolate flavor.

8.     I got 21 cookies so adjust accordingly to the size you make yours.

Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread

Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread

Oh my, I thought I had written about making gluten free Zucchini Bread just to realize I had not. Well this is an even extra special Zucchini Bread as it is taking the old Teegarden Church ladies recipe and adapting it gluten-free for my sisters in which I love with all my heart.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread:

• 2-cups fresh tender zucchini; shredded
• 2-cups coconut sugar
• 1-cup olive or coconut oil
• 1 Tsp cinnamon, ginger and cloves
• ½ tsp Himalayan salt
• 1 tsp soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½  tsp xanthium gum
• 3-cup of all-purpose Gluten-Free flour; use your favorite blend (I prefer Bob Red Mills all purpose or Bob Red Mill's 1 to 1 blend)
  
• 1-1 ½-cups nuts; chopped and optional
• Dark chocolate chips; optional
  
• Lemon-sugar glaze optional

Instructions to make Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread:

1.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees if you do not have a timer 10-15 minutes will suffice.

2.     Using a big mixing bowl add the ingredients in the way they are listed making sure to add the flour last. A one-bowl method saving clean up time is always the best.

3.     Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes.

Since my sisters and I love quick bread such as banana and zucchini, I have adapted this gluten-free recipe to have strawberries in one, lemon and sugar glaze for another and plain zucchini bread.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

When it comes to making pumpkin bread, Bob Evans Restaurant ranks right up at the top. However, it is not Gluten-Free and people with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance cannot indulge.

Taking regular recipes and revamping them can be a challenge and a bit more expensive but worth it, especially if you do not want to be restricted from eating sweet breads.

Personally, I feel that Bob Red Mills all-purpose flour taste great, as well as eliminating the guesswork out of what gluten-free flours to use. Everyone has their own favorite gluten-free blend, in fact the original recipe simply used white rice flour, therefore don’t hesitate in using the trial and fail method until you get your recipes the way you like them.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread:

• 2 ½ cups Bob Red Mills all-purpose or 1 to 1 Bob Red Mills flour
  
• ½-cup tapioca flour
• 5 tsp gluten-free pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• 2 mixing bowls
• 4 large eggs
• 1-cup olive oil
• ½ cup orange juice
• Electric mixer
• 3 cups coconut sugar
• 1-15 ounce can pumpkin puree`( I prefer homegrown puree`)
• Dark chocolate chips; dairy free, optional but fantastic
  
• Gluten-free cooking spray
• 2 (9-inch by 5-inch) loaf pans

Instructions for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

 

1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a timer on your oven, 20-30 minutes will suffice.

2. Using non-stick spray, lightly coat the loaf pans.

3. Using a large mixing bowl combine all the dry ingredients. Using a whisk or a spoon, mix the dry ingredients until well blended.

4. Taking the other mixing bowl beat the eggs, olive oil and orange juice. Add the sugar and pumpkin puree` and mix until blended.

5. Add the pumpkin mix into the flour mix, and with electric mixer on the medium setting, beat until smooth.

6. Pour the batter into 2 loaf pans and bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. ***to make cupcakes; fill 3/4 full and bake for 30 minutes.
   

7. Allow the bread to cool for a couple of minutes, slice and enjoy.