Is there a cookie recipe that you typically make during the holidays? Maybe one that you are known for? I’ve got one. I ALWAYS make chocolate chip cookies. Yes, always. Just ask anyone in my family or close friends. They have come to expect them during the holidays, and I love making them. Yum!
It’s actually not my own recipe, but for some reason mine often turn out different than others, and are the…well…the best cookie…ever. You’ve probably heard of the recipe, Toll House cookies?
I’m not sure why they are different. Possibly the butter I use? The fact that I sift the flour and sift it after I’ve measured it? I could even stir it different. It’s a mystery.
I’ve made these chocolate chip cookies for years, and I know the recipe by heart. When I was little, I helped my mom make them, and I took over the task of making them all by myself probably when I was about 8 years old. I’ve since passed it on to my daughter (who LOVES baking).
Since I’ve been living on my own, I’ve made these cookies at Christmas and given them as gifts in a tin or pretty container. I make them most years, and I love sharing them with family and friends. People look forward to them and are so disappointed if I happen to take a year off (kids do that to you).
Since I’ve been on my health journey, the ingredients have changed a little. I’ve tried many variations of flours and butters, with eggs or with an egg substitute, and the one thing that does stay consistent is that they are delicious. They may not exactly the same as the original but pretty darn close. Very, very close and still the best EVER!
One thing I have learned is that you can take most recipes and make them healthier, even if it’s just a little. Of course, cookies aren’t a health food but I’m always up for a healthier version. Aren’t you?
My most recent version is dairy and gluten free. Both dairy and gluten are known to cause inflammation in the body. One of my sons has stomach problems when he eats wheat and dairy, and I’m, of course, happy to accommodate him. I don’t like to eat wheat much myself and definitely stay away from dairy, so indulging him is also indulging myself. 🙂
TIPS & SUGGESTIONS
– In this recipe I use an all-purpose gluten free flour blend that does not contain xantham gum. If yours doesn’t contain it, be sure to add it. So I know how much xantham gum to use, I keep an old bag of Bob’s Redmill GF flour to use as reference (especially since I don’t always use Bob’s), and you can also find the information here:
http://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/using-gluten-free-all-purpose-baking-flour/. I often use Trader Joe’s brand since that’s where I shop most often, and I find that it’s not as grainy. Now, I don’t know this for a fact, but I’ve heard from other bloggers that TJ’s may be Kings Arthur Gluten Free Flour.
– For another gluten free alternative, you can substitute one cup of the all-purpose flour for one cup of gluten free oats, ground into a powder.
– My favorite vegan butter substitute is Earth Balance Organic Vegan Butter. I prefer it over other brands as it’s non-GMO and contains no trans fats. It comes in convenient sticks or a tub and a soy free version. If using the tub, cut the butter in quarters. Each quarter is 1/2 cup or 1 stick. If you prefer to use real butter, note that it will yield a crispier cookie. I highly recommend staying away from all margarines as they’re highly processed and loaded with trans fats.
– Now, a cookie wouldn’t be a cookie without sugar. I use raw cane sugar, also known as turbinado, and it does add a slightly crunchy texture to the cookie. Any sugar will do though. Try to select the least processed you can and preferably organic.
– I often make these cookies without eggs, using an egg substitute. My favorite for baking is Ener-g Egg Replacer. You can find it HERE or at your local health food store. If you don’t use the eggs or butter, then they will also be VEGAN!
– I also look for chocolate chips with the fewest ingredients and dairy free. I love the Costco brand chocolate chips, Ghirardelli, or my beloved Trader Joe’s brand.
– Vanilla extract and baking soda can potentially contain gluten. So if you’re completely gluten free, be sure to check the label for ingredients and possibly cross contaminations.
– Use organic ingredients whenever possible. 😉
BEST EVER GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Prep time: 15 mins
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour, 15 min
Yields approximately 4 dozen, depending on the cookie size (or how much dough you’ve eaten:))
INGREDIENTS
- 2-1/4 cups gluten free flour
- 1/2 tsp xantham gum (if not already an ingredient in your flour blend)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup Earth Balance (or butter)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or I use raw sugar, which yields a slightly crunchy texture)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1-2 cups chocolate chips, depending on how chocolaty you like them
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 375˚.
- Place the Earth Balance (or butter) in a medium to large bowl, cut into pieces and allow it to soften, usually a half hour.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Cream ingredients together.
- Add the eggs and blend well.
- Measure the dry ingredients. Using a sifter (or a fine mesh strainer), sift the baking soda, salt, xantham gum, and 1/4 cup of the flour into the wet mixture and mix well. Then sift in the remaining flour. Stir until well blended.
- Add the chocolate chips and blend well.
- Using either a spoon or a cookie scoop, scoop the batter onto a non-stick cookie sheet (I like to line my baking sheets with silicone mats or with parchment paper for ease of cleaning). On a typical cookie sheet, you can place 12 cookies on the sheet — 3 across, 4 down.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are light brown in color. The longer baked, the crunchier the cookie.
- Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes.
- Enjoy! {In moderation, of course. :)}
- These cookies will last about 2-3 days in an airtight container or at least a month in the freezer. They are absolutely delicious frozen!
If you make these following my instructions, I’d love to hear how they turn out in the comments below! Are you known for a particular cookie? Please, do tell me your favorites!
Wishing you a beautiful and joyous holiday!
oxo,
Want more recipes? Click HERE to sign-up for my free newsletter for recipes, health tips and inspiration, delivered directly to your inbox!
Ready to take control of your health? Join me in my 21-day Clean Up Your Diet Life Program. It’s online, in your email in-box, in the comfort of your own home, and at your own pace. You’ll be learning how to make your life better with healthy food and simple (but effective!) lifestyle changes. Click HERE to learn more. I absolutely LOVE this program, and I know you will too. <3
