Gluten Free/Vegan Chocolate Cutout Cookies

These chocolate cutout cookies are gluten free and vegan, allowing everyone to have a bit of Christmas cheer! They are delicious and perfect for eating around the holidays or any time of the year.

If you love chocolate and pretty cookies that you can decorate, then you are going to be a huge fan of these cookies! They are soft and chewy and perfect with a full chocolate flavor!

Gluten Free/Vegan Chocolate Cutout Cookies

• 2 Tablespoons Applesauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 Tablespoons Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Rice Flour (I used superfine Asian, might require a bit less with regular rice flour)
• 1/4 Cup Tapioca Starch
• 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, combine applesauce and baking soda. Set aside for a few minutes.
3. In a medium size mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, sugar, rice flour, tapioca starch, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, and salt. Whisk together.
4. Add the applesauce mixture, oil, and vanilla to dry ingredients and mix until combined. Will be very dry and crumbly.
5. Pat dough together and roll out between two sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into desired shapes.
6. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes. Makes about a dozen cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.
7. Cool and frost with a powdered sugar/water glaze, if desired.

Enjoy!

-Bethany

12 Gluten Free Desserts Perfect For The Holidays

From chocolate cookies to crunchy peanut butter cups, these 12 gluten free holiday desserts will keep you and your guests happy and full!

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to bake cookies and make fudge and all kinds of treats. Below I have listed twelve amazing gluten free desserts that are sure to make your holidays special.

1. Chocolate Kiss Cookies. These cookies have a rich chocolate flavor and are so pretty they will make any holiday treat tray better.

2. Chocolate Brownie Peanut Butter Cups. These are a fun take on peanut butter cups with a delicious chocolate twist, and you and your guests will love them. They would also make a great gift idea!

3. Gluten Free/Vegan Chocolate Cookies. If you are a vegan, or you know a vegan, then these delicious cookies are the perfect treat for you to make around the holidays, or anytime!

4. Two Ingredient White Chocolate Cups. These little cups are simple to make and have a great white chocolate flavor. Put sprinkles on top and they will look festive!

5. Peanut Butter Pretzel Puppy Chow. This is a fun take on the classic puppy chow and is perfect for serving at a casual get together. 

6. Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies have the perfect look for Christmas and are super tasty.

7. Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bites. These little guys couldn't be any cuter or easier to make!

8. Four Ingredient Mint Chocolate Fudge. Fudge is the perfect treat for this time of the year, and this fudge is simple to make and full of mint and chocolate deliciousness.

9. Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. They are not only pretty, but they are also delicious and perfect for any chocolate lover!

10. Crunchy M&M Peanut Butter Cups. Another fun take on the classic peanut butter cup, these treats are extra special and perfect for gifting or serving to guests.

11. Chocolate Chip Vanilla Snowball Cookies. Treat yourself to a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treat with these snowball cookies.

12. Easy Mint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. What is better than an easy to put together dessert? These cookies look and taste like you have put a lot of work into them even while being easy!

Happy holiday baking!

-Bethany

Four Ingredient Mint Chocolate Fudge

This four ingredient mint chocolate fudge is not only easy, but it is tasty, too! It is the perfect little treat for St. Patrick's Day or any time of the year!

You will love how quick it is to throw this fudge together. It only takes four ingredients, and it comes together in minutes. The hard part is just in waiting for it to set in the fridge!

Four Ingredient Mint Chocolate Fudge

• 3 Cups Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Andes Creme De Menthe Thins

1. Line an 8x8 baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
2. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring, until melted. Stir in vanilla.
3. Pour fudge into pan and spread out.
4. Unwrap as many Andes mints as you would like to use and chop them up. Press all over the top of the fudge.
5. Refrigerate fudge until firm, then slice and eat. Keep leftovers in the fridge.

Enjoy!
-Bethany

Linking up to Sunday Fitnesss and Food Link-Up found here and here.

11 Easy Gluten Free Valentine's Day Treats

Whether you want to do some baking for your significant other, your children, nieces and nephews, or even just yourself, you can make Valentine's Day extra special with these 11 gluten free treats!

Give any or all of these treats a try this Valentine's Day, or any time of the year, and you will be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

1. Mug Brownie. If you don't have a lot of time, but you still want to do something special for the one you love, then you can make this mug brownie. It just takes a couple of minutes to throw together from start to finish, as it is made in the microwave, but yet it is still a very decadent and delicious treat.

2. Easy Chocolate Cupcakes. These aren't as quick as the mug brownie, but they are nearly as easy! They are the perfect gluten free chocolate cupcakes, and you really can't go wrong with them.


3. Chocolate Cherry Cups. They are a special treat (pictured above), and they are much easier to make than you might think!

4. Double Chocolate Shortbread Bars. Double the chocolate. You just can't go wrong with these!

5. Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies are chewy and delicious, and the red food coloring gives them a festive look.

6. Double Chocolate Pudding Cookies. These cookies (pictured above) are so soft and chocolately. They are sure to make anyone's Valentine's Day better!

7. Chocolate Brownie and Peanut Butter Ice Cream. Need I say more? This ice cream incorporates all of the delicious, decadent foods that you could want on Valentine's Day into one bowl of creamy deliciousness.

8. Caramel Brownies. Don't just settle for any brownies on Valentine's Day. Add some caramel, and make the treat even better!

9. Salted White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. They are sweet. Salty. And an easy no bake treat (pictured above) that will look like you've spent more time on than you actually have to.

10. Red Velvet Cupcakes. They are so light and moist that no one will ever guess that they are gluten free!

11. Hot Chocolate Cookies. Why not add some marshmallows on top of your chocolate cookies for this special day?

 Enjoy!
-Bethany

Joining in on Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup found here and here.

Snickerdoodle Fudge - Just in Time for Valentines Day!

If you are a fan of quick-and-easy desserts, this fudge is sure to make you happy. It is the perfect recipe Valentines day, allowing you to make something special without taking a whole lot of time to do so.

Not only is it easy, it is also creamy and delicious, tasting and looking like you've put a lot of time and effort into it.

Make everyone happy - including yourself - this Valentines day, when you throw together this quick-and-easy Snickerdoodle Fudge.

Snickerdoodle Fudge

• 2 Cups White Chocolate Chips
• 1 (16 oz.) Can Vanilla Frosting
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• Cinnamon and Sugar

1. Pour white chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring occasionally.
2. Add frosting to melted chips and stir until combined, then add the cinnamon and stir again.
3. Pour into a 9x9 pan that is lined with foil, or a smaller pan for thicker fudge, and top with a cinnamon and sugar mixture.
4. Let cool and then cut into small pieces.

Adapted from this recipe.

I hope you enjoy this fudge as much as I did!

-Bethany