What do the holidays mean to you? For me, the core memories of being with those I love shine through especially brightly at the holiday season.
I am especially reminded of Christmas Eve at my grandmother’s house. There were always meatballs in the crock pot, cookies on a tiered tray (which she always topped with a bow for extra festiveness) and a loud, love-filled house with people coming and going as their schedule allowed. It was a combination of the people there, the foods, and the immense feeling of joy that became intertwined.
When I became a mom, these traditions became even more important for me to pass on. One of our traditions definitely involves baking. The variety of cookies often change but one that is a family favorite is a chocolate crinkle cookie. My mother-in-law introduced us to these and when she did, we were in the thick of a biomedical treatment for our son and his diet was one that did not include gluten, dairy, or soy. So, I took her beloved recipe and I adapted it!
I’m sharing it with you because these are family favorite, in fact, I am signing off to go make a batch to cook up for Christmas eve! (Santa loves these too š)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil
4 oz unsweetened chocolate (each ounce consists of 1 tbsp melted coconut oil mixed with 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder)
2 cups crystallized coconut sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups gluten free flour blend
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Powdered sugar for rolling cookies in
Instructions:
- Mix oil, chocolate and sugar together in a mixer.
- Add one egg at a time until each is thoroughly mixed. Add vanilla.
- Add in flour, baking powder and salt into mixture.
- Chill overnight.
- When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees, roll by the teaspoonful into balls.
- Drop into a small bowl with powdered sugar, roll to coat, place on baking sheet with parchment.
- Place about 2″ apart and bake 10 – 12 minutes.
- Do not over bake. Makes about 6 dozen.
These are best when eaten fresh. You can save the raw batter and heat up smaller batches over the course of a few days if you prefer.
Feel free to adapt as your special diet dictates. I have not made these with almond flour or coconut flour, but they work so well with just about any 1:1 gluten free baking mix.
Whatever your holidays include, I am wishing all the best for you and your family, at this special time and always.