Making the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper cupcake liners. Set aside.
3. Gather the ingredients.
4. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the Oil, Chocolate and Cocoa until chocolate is fully melted (about 2 minutes). Be sure to stir the mixture often to thoroughly mix ingredients and to prevent clumping. Remove from microwave and set aside to cool slightly.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted GF Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Xanthan Gum and Salt. Set aside.
6. In a large bowl, whisk together the Eggs, Vanilla Extract and Sugar until thoroughly blended.
7. Next, whisk the Chocolate mixture and Milk into the Egg Mixture until thoroughly combined.
8. Add the Flour Mixture to the Chocolate/Egg mixture, whisking until smooth and creamy.
9. Using a 2″ cookie scoop or large spoon, scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake tin.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes, rotating the tin halfway through the baking time (my oven tends to run a little on the hot side, so 15 minutes is perfect for me), or until toothpick inserted into the middle of the cupcake comes out clean.
11. Let cool in the cupcake tin for 10-15 minutes before transferring the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Buttercream Icing:

1. In a Stand Mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the Butter, Heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract and Salt together on medium-high until smooth and creamy.
2. Reduce speed to Low and slowly add the Powdered Sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until well-blended.
3. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy (about 5 minutes).
   If adding food coloring, do so halfway through this step and while mixer is turned OFF (I learned this the hard way ;))
4. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, you can begin icing them with the prepared icing/frosting using either a knife or pastry bag fitted with desired tip. Add sprinkles, too!
   
5. Enjoy 🙂
   

1. Gather the ingredients needed for the Lemon Cookie dough.
   
2. Using a Stand Mixer fitted with the Paddle attachment, cream together the Butter, Powdered Sugar and Salt until light and fluffy.
3. Add the Vanilla Extract, Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice to the Butter mixture, mixing until combined.
4. Next, gradually add the GF Flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to the mixing bowl, blending thoroughly between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Once the cookie dough has been thoroughly blended, turn the dough out onto a large cutting board and roll into a log about 9″-10″ in length. Wrap this log tightly in plastic wrap and place in freezer for at least 2 hours.
   
6. When dough is chilled enough for slicing, preheat oven to 350 degrees and remove chilled dough from the freezer.
7. Line a cookie sheet with a nonstick baking mat or Parchment paper. Set aside.
8. Using a sharp knife, slice the dough log into 1/4″ thick sections and place each disc about 2″ apart onto the prepared cookie sheet.
   
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges turn a light golden-brown.
10. Let cookies cool on pan for 1-2 minutes until removing to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before applying the frosting.

Making the Creamy Lemon Frosting

1. Using a Stand Mixer fitted with the Paddle attachment, cream together the softened Cream Cheese and Powdered Sugar until well-blended.
2. Add the Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice and Salt to the Cream Cheese mixture. Continue beating until completely mixed.
3. Transfer the Frosting to a piping bag, fitted with a large star tip. Please Note: this is optional, as you can apply the frosting either using a butter knife or a piping bag (or plastic storage bag) with the end snipped off.
4. When the cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the desired amount of frosting onto each cookie. Enjoy 🙂

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line cookie sheet with a Silpat Baking Pad or parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Using a Stand Mixer fitted with the Paddle attachment, cream together the Butter and Sugars until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Add the vanilla and continue mixing until all is blended, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the Sifted GF Flour, Salt, Baking Powder and Baking Soda.
   Note: please be sure to sift the flour since it helps prevent grittiness.
6. Add the Flour mixture to the Butter mixture. Mix until well-combined.
7. Next, add the Oats and Chocolate Chips and mix until incorporated. Note: add the chopped nuts now if you’re including them.
8. Lastly, add the M&M Candies and Rice Cereal and mix well using a large, sturdy spoon.
9. Using a 2 Tbsp cookie scoop, drop dough balls at least 2″ apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. I only placed 8 cookie dough balls on each baking sheet.
   
10. Bake in preheated oven for 10-14 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Cookies are done when they turn a light golden brown.
11. Let cookies cool for a couple of minutes on baking sheet, before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
12. These cookies store well in an airtight container for 3-5 days, if they last that long! They also ship well…I send these cookies to one of my daughters, who states that they arrive looking like they were just baked 🙂
    
    

Making the Cupcake Batter

1. Gather the ingredients.
   
2. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
   Line cupcake tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the GF Flour, Baking Powder and Salt. Set aside.
4. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the Softened Butter with the Granulated Sugar and Vanilla Extract until light and fluffy.
5. Add the Egg Whites to the Butter mixture, mixing until well-blended.
6. Slowly begin adding the Flour Mixture to the Butter mixture, alternating with the Milk, until all of the ingredients are mixed together and batter is smooth.
7. Pour batter into the prepared cupcake tin, filling each cupcake liner 2/3 full (you may have enough batter for a couple of extra cupcakes).
8. Bake for 15-18 minutes (my oven runs a little bit hot, so my cupcakes are ready in 15 minutes), or until toothpick comes out clean.
   
9. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes before transferring the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Frosting

1. Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Slowly add the powdered sugar to the creamed butter until completely mixed. Increase speed to medium-high and whisk until fluffy.
3. Next, add the Vanilla Extract and Heavy Cream, whisking on medium-high until light and fluffy (you may add extra Heavy Cream, if needed).
4. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes, using whichever tip you desire (I used a Star tip)…or simply spread onto the cupcakes with a butter knife for a smooth effect. Top with Pearl candies or any other sprinkle, etc.
   
5. Enjoy!
   

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Spray an 8″ x 8″ baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Next, fold a 16″ length of Parchment Paper to a width of 7″ and fit it into the baking pan, so that the excess hangs over the edges for easy removal of the cake. Set aside.

Making the topping:

1. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once completely melted, remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Using a whisk, mix in the sugars, salt, cinnamon and egg yolk to the melted butter, thoroughly mixing.
3. Add the GF Flour to the butter mixture, blending well. The mixture will look like ground meat. Set aside.
   

Making the Cake:

1. Place one of your oven racks in the upper-middle position of the oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix the GF Flour, Granulated Sugar, Salt, Xanthan Gum (if needed) and Baking Soda on low until completely blended.
3. Next, add the Butter to the flour mixture, one piece at a time, mixing on low until butter pieces are no longer visible – mixture will resemble coarse sand.
4. Add the Sour Cream, Eggs, Yolk and Vanilla to the Flour mixture and mix on medium-high until batter is light and fluffy.

Putting it Together:

1. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
   
2. Using your hands, break the Topping Mixture into large pea-sized pieces and sprinkle over the top of the batter to completely cover.
   
3. Bake for 35-45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. It’s done when the middle is no longer jiggly and a wooden toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
   
4. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing, using the excess Parchment Paper to lift and pull the cake out.
5. Place on a platter or cutting board to cut and serve. Enjoy!
   

1. Gather the ingredients.
   
2. In a medium to large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
3. Once the butter is melted, add the sugar and cashews.
   
4. Cook over low to medium-low heat until sugar has completely melted, stirring often to completely coat the cashews and to prevent mixture from burning.
5. Turn out onto a sheet of parchment paper to let cool.
   
6. Enjoy as a snack, as a topping on ice cream or mixed in with your favorite yogurt…or give as a special gift!

1. Gather the ingredients.
   
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Spray a 6-count non-stick donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
4. In a large microwave-proof mixing bowl (I use an 8-cup glass measuring bowl with a pour spout for easy transfer of batter to donut pan), melt the butter in the microwave.
5. Using a whisk, stir the Maple Syrup and Vanilla Extract into the melted butter.
6. Add the beaten egg and mix until well blended.
7. Next, mix in the Rice Milk , Salt and Baking Powder until Baking Powder is completely mixed in.
8. Whisk in the sifted GF Flour and mix until completely blended (I sift the flour directly into the batter).
9. Spoon or pour the batter into the greased Donut pan, spreading evenly in each well.
   
10. Bake for 10 minutes.
11. Remove and let sit in pan for about 5 minutes to cool slightly.
    

Making the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

1. While the donuts are cooling, pour the sugar and cinnamon into a large resealable plastic baggie and mix well.
2. When the donuts are slightly cooled, turn the donut pan upside down onto a wire rack and thump the bottom a couple of times to remove the donuts.
3. Add a donut, one-at-a-time, into the resealable baggie and gently shake in the sugar mixture until completely coated.
   
4. Place the finished donuts on a wire rack to let them set/dry. As they cool, the donuts absorb the cinnamon, so try to refrain from pouncing on the donuts as soon as you pull each one out of the baggie…they get better and better as they cool. Enjoy!
   

1. Gather the ingredients.
   
2. Sprinkle 1/4 Cup of the Confectioner’s Sugar into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Set aside.
3. Add the 3 Packets of Gelatin and 1/2 cup Water to the bowl of your Standing Mixer.
4. Meanwhile, in a medium heavy saucepan, fitted with the Candy Thermometer, combine the Sugar, Corn Syrup, Salt and 1/2 Cup Water. Heat over Medium Heat, whisking until all of the Sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking until temperature reaches 240 degrees F. (Note: you do not need to whisk the entire time…let the mixture boil on its own after the sugar has dissolved, but do not leave unattended).
5. Once the Sugar mixture has reached 240 degrees, turn off heat and leave the pot on the stove while you turn your Standing Mixer on to the Low setting.
6. Slowly and carefully add the Sugar mixture to the Gelatin mixture in the Standing Mixer and blend for about 2 minutes, until thoroughly mixed.
7. Next, increase the speed to High and mix for approximately 10 minutes, or until mixture has reached the consistency of Marshmallow Fluff.
8. Add the Vanilla (or whatever flavor you desire) Extract and mix for another minute to thoroughly blend.
9. Pour the Marshmallow mixture into the prepared 9″ x 13″ Baking Dish, spreading with a spatula to smooth out the surface.
   
10. With the remaining 1/4 Cup Confectioner’s Sugar, sprinkle evenly over the top of the Marshmallow mixture. Place somewhere to let rest and firm up for 24 hours.
11. Once the Marshmallow has firmed up, remove from the baking dish and place on a cutting surface.
    
12. Using a sharp knife, cut into squares or use cookie cutters to make different-themed shapes (dip knife and/or cookie cutters into Confectioner’s Sugar to help prevent sticking).
    
13. Enjoy with a Hot Cup of Cocoa, a good book and a roaring fire!
    

Making the Cookies

1. Gather the ingredients.
   
2. In a small heavy pot, melt the 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter on Low. Once the butter is melted, add the 1 1/2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels and continue heating over low until the chocolate is melted. Mixture should be smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients (Flour, Cocoa Powder, Baking Powder and Salt). Mix well and set aside.
4. Either using a Standing or Handheld Mixer, beat the Eggs, Brown Sugar and Vanilla Extract on low until blended.
5. Add the cooled Chocolate mixture to the Egg mixture and mix on Low until blended.
6. Next, add the Flour mixture 1/2 Cup at a time to the Wet Mixture and beat on Low until well blended. The dough will be thick, like Brownies. Cover the bowl with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
7. Once the dough has “hardened” to the consistency of modeling clay, remove the dough from the refrigerator.
8. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
9. Line 1-2 cookie sheets with Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats and set aside.
10. Using a Small Cookie Scoop, scoop out dough and roll into balls. Place them 2″ apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
    
11. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until they start to form cracks on their tops.
    
12. Let cookies sit on cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    

Making the Icing

1. While the cookies are cooling, combine the 4 Tablespoons melted Butter, 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder, 1/4 Cup Hot Water, Vanilla Extract and 2 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar. Mix on Low until well blended. If mixture is too thick, add a little bit of water (1 Tablespoon at a time) until icing is a little runny.
2. Next, keeping the cooled cookies on the cooling rack, place rack on a cookie sheet or paper towels to catch the run-off icing.
3. Spoon desired amount of icing onto 2-3 cookies at a time and then add sprinkles….icing sets up quickly, so only apply icing to a few cookies at a time.
   
4. Continue applying the icing and decorative sprinkles to the rest of the cookies until done.
   Enjoy!
   

Getting Ready!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line 1-2 cookie sheets with a silpat cooking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Gather your ingredients.
   

Making the Cookie Dough

1. Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a stand or handheld mixer ~ about 2-3 minutes. Scrape sides.
2. Add the whole egg and yolk to the butter mixture one at a time ~ mix for 1-2 minutes.
3. Stir in vanilla extract until just blended.
4. In a medium or large mixing bowl, combine the GF flour, salt and baking powder. Blend well.
5. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture 1/2 cup at a time, being sure to scrape the sides between each flour addition.
6. Dough should feel soft and not sticky.

Making the Batons (Kids LOVE doing this part!)

1. Fit a pastry bag with a large rosette or star tip.
2. Spoon the cookie dough into the pastry bag.
3. Squeeze the dough into 2″ batons (logs) onto the prepared cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a golden brown color.
5. Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets for about 3 minutes before transferring to the cooling racks.

Making the Chocolate Dip

1. In a heavy saucepan, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Heat over low heat until completely melted and smooth ~ stirring with a wooden spoon or whisk to prevent clumping.
2. When the chocolate and butter are ready, remove from heat and add the milk, one tablespoon at a time. Whisk or stir well after each addition of milk.

Putting it all Together (The FUN Part!)

1. Once all of the cookies are completely cooled, dip each end into the melted chocolate mixture and then the sprinkles (put the sprinkles into a cereal bowl for ample dipping room).
   
2. Lay each decorated cookie onto a cooling rack to let the chocolate cool and set.
   
3. Use different colored sprinkles to mix things up!
   
4. Or leave some with just the chocolate for those who don’t prefer sprinkles.