Gingerbread Cookies


zested orange with a microplane
dry ingredient for gluten free gingerbread cookie
wet ingredients for gluten free gingerbread cookie
wrapped and chilled gluten free gingerbread cookie dough
rolling gluten free gingerbread cookie dough
cut-out gluten free gingerbread cookies

Description

The last time I made gingerbread cookies, I was making a replica of a building and could care less about the taste and texture. It was work, not delicious fun. And because I love frosted sugar cookies so much, this holiday favorite fell off my radar. Boy, have I been missing out! This molasses enriched, ginger and spice flavored gluten free cookie is now one of my favorites. A cup of coffee, Christmas morning and this cookie......

Ingredients

6 oz
Butter (Room Temperature)
1 2⁄3 c
Sugar
1
Orange (Zest Only)
4 c
Cheatin' Wheat Gluten Free Flour
1 1⁄2 t
Baking Powder
1⁄2 t
Baking Soda
1 T
Dry Ground Ginger
1⁄2 t
Ground Nutmeg
1⁄2 t
Ground Allspice
2 t
Ground Cinnamon
1⁄4 t
Ground Cloves
1⁄4 t
Ground Black Pepper (Optional)
1⁄2 t
Salt
2 t
Xanthan Gum
2
Eggs
1⁄2 c
Molasses
1
Lemon (Juiced)
Source: Adapted from Alex Guarnaschelli
Prep time: 45 minutesCooking time: 10 minutesTotal time: 55 minutes

Instructions

Dough:
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attchament, cream the butter, sugar and orange zest until smooth and fluffy, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, dry ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, salt and xanthan gum. Be sure to blend thoroughly. Set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, molasses and lemon juice.

When the butter and sugar are ready, add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed.

Add the egg mixture and paddle on low until a smooth dough forms.

Divide the cookie dough in half and press into two flat discs using plastic wrap.

Chill at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Cookies:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove only one disc of dough from the fridge at a time. This means only half of the dough is getting warm as you roll it.

Lightly dust a flat surface with powdered sugar. Gently roll the first half of the dough about 1/2-inch thick.

Cut the shapes, making as few scraps as possible. If necessary, use a metal spatula to gently transfer them to a baking sheet. Leave a little room between the cookies. Cookies on the same tray should be similar in size. Put any trays with cut-out cookies in the fridge while they are waiting to be baked. This will help keep the cookies from spreading.

Repeat with the other half of the dough. Bake until brown around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Baking times will vary depening on the thickness of the dough and the shape of the cookie you make.

Form any scraps into a ball, press it flat and chill in the refrigerator. Repeat the rolling and baking procedure.