Baking Cookies A Few Days Before Your Holiday Event?

No Fret…

Did you know?

If you’re yearnin’ for crispy cookies, store baked cookies in a sealed container wrapped in parchment paper.  Layer parchment paper in between layers of cookies for a crispy bite when ready to enjoy!

If you’re yearnin’ for soft cookies, place a piece of bread (gluten-free bread for all of us gluten-free folks) in the cookie tin to keep your cookies soft and chewy!

Gingerbread cookies…

Well, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without them.

So, with an entire weekend to spare.

I created my very own ‘Gingerbread Ladies’.

They’re Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan.

And they’re sure to keep your taste buds dancing during this holiday season.

Mine are still dancing.

I’ve eaten’ a few.

Well, a lot. But who’s counting, right?

Hehe…

Whether you enjoy these babies as a dessert, crumbled atop your morning oatmeal, crumbled atop your butternut squash soup or just simply enjoyed dipped into a bit o’ melted dark chocolate.

They’re delish.

Go ahead, take a bite out of my ‘ladies’…

Gluten-Free n’ Vegan Gingerbread Ladies

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 cup stevia for baking
• 1/3 cup Earth Balance Baking Sticks
• 1/3 cup molasses
• Egg substitute for 1 egg
• For Decorating: Agave Nectar, ground nuts, coconut flakes, dried fruit

Directions

• In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients; stir to combine.
• In a separate bowl, combine Earth Balance, molasses and egg; beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until well combined.  Slowly add wet mixture to the dry mixture; stir by had until completely mixed and there are no longer any clumps.
• Cover dough and place into the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough to a 1/6 inch thickness on a flat surface.  Using ‘lady-like’ cookie cutters, cut and place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 12-13 minutes or until browned.
• Remove from oven; set aside to cool.
• Decorate your ladies with a drizzle of agave nectar and a sprinkle of dried fruits, coconut flakes, ground nuts.
• Enjoy!

And here’s a new tidbit for my NYC Foodies to explore:

A new restaurant, SPRIG opened recently in midtown Manhattan.  Has anyone had the opportunity to visit SPRIG yet? Dishes are served with fresh produce from northern California…that’s all I need to hear! I’m hoping to pop into this new spot this week to check out the menu.

AND

For all of you coffee n’ tea fans, Oren’s Daily Roast opened in Times Square.  I’m in love with their teas and I know many who can’t live without their coffee n’ espresso.  The decor is adorable and each Manhattan location has a splendid variety of tasty treats and hot beverages to keep you warm during these chilly days.