Easy Gluten Free Cinnamon-Sugar Coffee Cake

Easy Gluten Free Cinnamon-Sugar Coffee Cake

This Gluten Free Coffee Cake is SO moist, tasty and easy to make! It’s the perfect afternoon snack, dessert or breakfast for those weekend sleepovers. An instant hit with our family and friends! 🙂
*Thank You to America’s Test Kitchen for sharing this wonderful recipe!!

The Crumb Topping

  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, Melted (1 Stick or 8 Tbsp)
  • 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/3 Cup Dark Brown Sugar (Packed)
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 3/4 tsp Cinnamon
  • 3/4 Cup + 1/3 Cup All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour, Sifted (I use Better Batter GF Multi-Purpose Flour)

The Cake

  • 3/4 Cup + 1/3 Cup All-Purpose GF Flour, Sifted (I use Better Batter GF Multi-Purpose Flour)
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum (use ONLY if your GF Flour Blend doesn’t contain any; Better Batter contains Xanthan Gum, so I do not add it )
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 6 Tbsp Butter, Unsalted (Softened & Cut Into 6 Pieces)
  • 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  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!

**This cake stores well in an air-tight container for about 3 days.

***A HUGE “Thank You” to America’s Test Kitchen for sharing this wonderful recipe!!! 🙂

Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks




Mexican Chicken & Rice Soup

Mexican Chicken & Rice Soup

This soup is warm, hearty and filling…making it perfect for these cold Winter days! I particularly like this soup because it’s not only wonderful on Day 1, but also gets tastier and thicker as time goes by. Top with your favorite toppings, such as avocados, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped onions, lime, etc. Enjoy 🙂

Soup

  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1-2 Garlic Cloves (Finely Chopped)
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Chile Powder
  • 1 Can (14.5 oz) Crushed Tomatoes
  • 6 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 2-3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Cup Rice, uncooked (I use Basmati or Jasmine)
  • Salt (to taste (optional))
  • Pepper (to taste)

Toppings (The Sky is the Limit!)

  • Avocados (Cut into bite-size pieces)
  • Chopped Onions (Green or White…any variety)
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Sour Cream
  • Croutons
  • Lime Juice
  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. In a large Stock Pot (or Dutch Oven), heat the Olive Oil over medium-low. Add the Garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes or until Garlic starts to turn a light golden brown.
  3. Add the spices (Coriander, Cumin and Chile Powder) and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Next, add the Chicken Broth and Tomatoes. Increase the temperature to medium-high or high and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
  5. Once the mixture starts to bubble, decrease the temperature back to medium-low and add the Chicken Breasts. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring often and turning the Chicken Breasts over halfway through to evenly cook.
  6. Remove the Chicken Breasts from the pot, placing on a cutting board to be shredded once it’s cool enough to handle.
  7. While Chicken is cooling a little, add the Rice, Ground Pepper and Salt (if adding). Continue cooking over medium-low heat while you shred the chicken.
  8. Add the shredded Chicken back into the stock pot and continue cooking until the Rice is thoroughly cooked (about 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of Rice you use).
  9. Serve the soup with the assortment of toppings.
    Yummy!
Lunch, Main Dish
Mexican




Quick & Easy Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Cake Donuts

Quick & Easy Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Cake Donuts

Oh my gosh! These donuts (aka: doughnuts) are the BEST Gluten Free Donuts out there! They’re not only scrumptious, but quick and easy to make!!! All you need is a few ingredients (most of which you will already have in your Kitchen), about 30 minutes and you will have delicious, moist doughnuts that aren’t heavy, dry or gritty 🙂
A HUGE thank you to www.loveandzest.com for sharing this wonderful recipe!

Batter for the Donuts

  • 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (Melted)
  • 1/3 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Large Egg (Beaten)
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 Cup Rice Milk (I use original, but Vanilla is fine; You may substitute with Unsweetened Almond or Oat Milk)
  • 1 Cup Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour, sifted (I use King Arthur All-Purpose Measure for Measure)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1-2 Tbsp Cinnamon (If you don’t care for a lot of cinnamon, start with 1 Tbsp)
  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!
Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks




Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach & Bacon

Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach & Bacon

If you’re searching for a tasty Chicken dish for these cold Winter nights that will satisfy just about any palate, look no further! This creamy recipe is not only savory and rich, but hearty and filling! And, if you’re not in the mood for Bacon (who in the world would NOT be?!), just substitute Sundried Tomatoes. This dish is quick and easy to make 🙂
Many thanks to eatwell101 for sharing this delicious recipe!!!

  • 6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Rinsed and patted dry with paper towels)
  • 2 tsp Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Butter (salted or unsalted)
  • 3 tsp Garlic (chopped (I use the already chopped garlic in a jar from the produce section))
  • 1/3 Cup Chicken Broth
  • 5-6 Crispy Bacon Strips (If you’re substituting Sundried Tomatoes, use as much or as little as you want (I usually add about 5 Tablespoons))
  • 1 3/4 Cup Half & Half (You may also use Heavy Cream or Skim Milk)
  • 3 Cups Spinach Leaves (Fresh)
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese (Shredded)
  • Crushed Chili Pepper Flakes (Optional)
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch (mixed with 1 Tablespoon water if you need/want a thicker sauce)
  1. Gather your ingredients.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the Olive Oil over low to medium heat (our cooktop runs quite hot, so I cook this between Low and Medium heat).
  3. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add to the skillet, adjusting the temperature to brown both sides. Cook about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the breasts. Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet, once they’re cooked and set aside (you may place them in a warm oven).
  4. Next, add the butter to the skillet, mixing with the leftover chicken juices. Once melted, add the garlic and cook for approximately 1 minute.
  5. Add the Chicken Broth to the butter and garlic mixture in the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes to reduce down slightly. Add the Bacon (or the Sundried Tomatoes) and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  6. Add the Half & Half (or Heavy Cream or Skim Milk) to the skillet and continue cooking over Low Heat until mixture starts to bubble, stirring frequently. Add the Basil and Oregano (and salt & pepper to taste, optional).
  7. Add the Spinach and Parmesan Cheese and simmer until Spinach has wilted and cheese has melted. At this stage, if you want a thicker sauce, add the Cornstarch & Water mixture, mixing well. Continue simmering and stirring often.
  8. Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, add the chicken breasts back into the skillet, coating well with the sauce. Add the chili pepper flakes, if using.
  9. Heat for a few minutes to warm the chicken. Top each breast with the savory garlic sauce and extra Bacon, if desired. Serve over steamed rice and your favorite veggie. Enjoy!
Main Dish




Gluten Free Pan-Fried Flounder with Lemon-Caper Sauce

Gluten Free Pan-Fried Flounder with Lemon-Caper Sauce

A light and tasty Lemon-Caper Sauce makes any mild-flavored fish pop with flavor! You may use Flounder, Tilapia, Cod, or whatever fish is readily available in your area for this quick & easy recipe, which I adapted from one of Giada De Laurentiis’ recipes. This recipe is quickly becoming a family favorite…I hope your friends and family enjoy it as well 🙂

  • 4 Fillets Any Mild-Flavored Fish (I have used Flounder and Tilapia)
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (Divided)
  • 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Room Temp (You may use salted butter instead of adding the optional 1/4 teaspoon butter )
  • 1/3 Cup Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Cup Capers (Rinsed and drained)
  • 1 Clove Garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock
  • 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice (Fresh or bottled)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Pepper Paste (I use Gourmet Garden, found in the Produce section)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Oregano (Dried or 1 teaspoon fresh)
  • 1-2 Tablespoons Italian Parsley, Chopped (Fresh)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt (Optional)
  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Rinse fish fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside near cooktop.
  3. In a large, non-stick frying pan add 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil and 1 Tablespoon Butter. Heat over medium to medium-high heat.
  4. Place the flour (and salt, if using) in a shallow bowl, large enough to hold the flour and to drag the fish fillets through. I set up a little “work station” to make things easier – please see photo.
  5. Once the butter has fully melted, dredge 2 of the fish fillets through the flour, fully coating both sides, and gently shake off any excess flour. Then place the fish into the frying pan and cook over Medium heat for 2-3 minutes on the first side (until edges begin to turn brown). Gently flip the fish over using a large spatula and cooking spoon. Cook for another 30-45 seconds.
  6. Remove the 2 cooked fish fillets to a plate, while you repeat this process with the other 2 fillets…adding 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil and 1 Tablespoon Butter, etc.
  7. When all 4 fillets are finished cooking and removed from the pan, add the capers and the garlic to the skillet. Continue cooking over Medium heat for about 30 seconds.
  8. Next, add the Chicken Stock and Lemon Juice, stirring well. Cook over Low heat for about 2 minutes or until mixture has reduced slightly.
  9. Add the remaining 2 Tablespoons of Butter, the Chili Pepper Paste and Oregano, mixing well. Heat for 1 minute.
  10. Plate each Fish Fillet and spoon the sauce over the fillets and sprinkle with the Parsley.
  11. Serve with your favorite vegetable and side…Enjoy!
Main Dish




Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows

Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows

There’s nothing better than a Hot Cup of Cocoa with Homemade Marshmallows, a good Book and a Crackling Fire on a cold Winter’s night! This recipe can be easily tweaked by adding different flavored Gelatins or Extracts, adding hot cocoa powder to the powdered sugar to make chocolate marshmallows and cutting the marshmallows into fun designs using cookie cutters! Let your imagination soar 🙂 Thank you to dinnerthendessert.com for this awesome recipe!

  • 3 1/4 oz. packets Unflavored Gelatin (3/4 oz. Total)
  • 1/2 + 1/2 Cup Water (1 Cup Total)
  • 1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract (Can substitute different extract flavors)
  • 1/2 Cup Confectioner’s Sugar (Divided)
  • 1 Candy Thermometer (I know this isn’t an ingredient, but please make sure you have one of these before beginning)
  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!
Desserts, Snacks




Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites (Gluten Free)

Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites (Gluten Free)

These little Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites are the BEST Gluten Free cookies that I have ever tasted!!! I thought I would never say this, but I actually prefer these without icing! They are, of course, delicious and quite sinful with or without the icing 🙂

Ingredients for the Cookie

  • 1/2 Cup Butter, Unsalted (1 Stick)
  • 1 1/2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (I used “Enjoy Life” Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (allergy friendly), but Nestle is just fine!)
  • 1 1/2 Cups Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour (I used “King Arthur” Cup-for-Cup GF All-Purpose Flour)
  • 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (I used Hershey’s Cocoa (100% Cacao))
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 1/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Ingredients for the Icing

  • 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted
  • 2 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Hershey’s Cocoa)
  • 1/4 Cup Hot Water (Hot Water from the tap…not boiling)
  • 1/2 tsp Vanila Extract
  • Decorative Sprinkles

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!

Note: Instead of adding Icing to these cookies, try rolling them in Confectioner’s Sugar before baking or leave plain 🙂

Desserts, Snacks




Spicy Pasta in Creamy Pink Sauce (Gluten Free)

Spicy Pasta in Creamy Pink Sauce (Gluten Free)

This recipe was an instant hit with my family! Inspired by Giada De Laurentiis, this Creamy Pasta Recipe can be the Main Dish or a Side. It’s SO quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for those busy nights! Enjoy 🙂

  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Chopped Garlic
  • 2 Shallots (Finely Chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Chile Flakes
  • 1 12-13 oz. Uncooked Pasta (Gluten Free) (I used Gluten Free Spiral Pasta, but any Pasta you have on-hand will do.)
  • 1/2 Cup Dry White Wine (I used Barefoot’s Pinot Grigio)
  • 1 Cup Tomato Puree
  • 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream or Half & Half (Bring to room temperature)
  • 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated or Shredded)
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Basil, chopped (I used semi-dried Basil (found in the Produce Section))
  1. Gather your ingredients.
  2. Fill a Large Pot with water and 1 tsp. Salt. Place on burner and set on high heat.
  3. While water is heating up, place a large skillet on cooktop and add the Olive Oil, Garlic, Shallots and Salt. Heat over medium-low until Shallots are a light, golden brown (about 5 minutes).
  4. Add the Chile Flakes to the large skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes to bring out the flavor of the Chile Flakes.
  5. Once the water for the Pasta has come to a boil, add the Uncooked Pasta and cook according to the package instructions, minus 2 minutes. Do not drain!
  6. While the Pasta is cooking, add the Wine to the large skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture has been reduced by half.
  7. Next, add the Tomato Puree and Cream to the large skillet, combining well. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  8. Once the Pasta is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer the Pasta from the water to the large skillet. Add 3/4 cups of the Parmesan Cheese and gently stir to thoroughly coat the Pasta with the Sauce and Parmesan.
  9. Top with the remaining Parmesan Cheese and Basil right before serving…Enjoy!
Main Dish, Side Dish
Italian




Butter Cookie Chocolate Batons (Gluten Free)

Butter Cookie Chocolate Batons (Gluten Free)

I have been making these yummy cookies with my children for about 20 years and they are definitely one of our favorites. When our children were younger, they loved squeezing the dough into batons and dipping them in the chocolate and sprinkles! The cookie dough is like a shortbread butter cookie. Combined with the melted semi-sweet chocolate and non-pareils makes them irresistible. I hope you enjoy making these with your little (and grown) ones as much as I did and still do 🙂

Equipment Needed:

  • 1 Stand or handheld Mixer
  • 1-2 Large Mixing Bowls
  • 1-2 Cookie Sheets
  • 1 Large Star Tip
  • 1 Pastry Bag (I used a Sturdy Disposable one for easier cleanup)
  • 1 Small Heavy Saucepan
  • 1-2 Cooling Racks

Cookie Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Butter, softened
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 Egg Yolk
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 2 1/2 Cups Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour (I used King Arthur’s Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Chocolate Dip

  • 1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter, salted
  • 2 Tablespoons Milk (I used Skim, but any % is fine)
  • Colored Sprinkles (Non Pareils)

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.
Desserts, Snacks




Moravian Sugar Cake ~ Gluten Free!!!

Moravian Sugar Cake

I just updated this recipe and it’s now Gluten-Free 🙂 This is my all-time favorite Christmas treat and I couldn’t go without it just because of my Gluten allergy, so I rolled up my sleeves and headed into my kitchen to come up with a GF version! I hope you all approve 🙂 The crispy Brown Sugar-Cinnamon topping combined with the buttery, tender yeast cake is seriously addictive! Perfect for Christmas morning, New Years Eve, and Holiday Gifts for your special friends and family 🙂
A huge “Thank You” to pastrychefonline.com for sharing the original version of this Wonderful Recipe!!!

For the Dough

  • 1/2 Cup Warm Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Dried Yeast
  • 1 Cup Mashed Potatoes (Unseasoned – no skin, butter, milk or seasonings)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 11 Tablespoons Salted Butter, Melted ((1 Stick + 3 Tablespoons))
  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 4 Cups All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour (Divided; check to see if your GF flour blend contains Xanthan Gum, if so great, but if not add 2 tsp. Xanthan Gum )
  • *2 tsp Xanthan Gum (*Add ONLY if your GF flour blend does NOT contain Xanthan Gum ~ 1/2 tsp xanthan gum per 1 cup GF flour for cakes, muffins, quick breads)

For the Topping

  • 8 Tablespoons Salted Butter, Melted
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon Salt

Making the Dough

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. In the bowl of your standing mixer, combine the warm water and yeast. Using the paddle attachment, stir for about 1 minute or until yeast is completely dissolved.
  3. Next, add the mashed potatoes, salt, sugar, melted butter, milk, eggs and 2 cups of the flour. Mix well on low.
  4. Change the paddle attachment to the dough hook. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour and mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the sides as needed. Dough should be very sticky and stretchy when pulling dough between your fingers. Add a little bit of extra flour if dough doesn’t feel like it has enough body…wetter is better than dry!
  5. Smooth the top of the dough with an oiled rubber spatula and cover bowl with a towel. Set in a warm area of your kitchen and let rise for about 1 1/2 – 2 hours. (Dough should double in size).
  6. Spray 2 jelly roll pans with non-stick spray.
  7. Divide the dough in half between the 2 jelly roll pans. Spray the dough and your hands with the non-stick spray and begin patting and stretching the dough until it fills each pan – alternate between the pans to allow the dough to relax and stretch on its own.
  8. Spray the dough with non-stick spray and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm area to let rise once again, about 1 hour.

Making the topping

  1. Place the oven racks in top third and bottom third of your oven. Preheat to 400 degrees.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix very well.

Putting it all Together

  1. Once the dough in the pans has risen and become puffy, dimple the dough thoroughly using your greased fingers – do not worry if you puncture all the way through to the pan.
  2. Next, brush the tops of the dough with 4 Tablespoons of the melted butter per pan. Butter should pool in the dimples that you created.
  3. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture onto each of the cakes until you can no longer see the dough.
  4. Place the cakes on the oven racks (one on the top rack and one on the bottom rack). Bake for 7 minutes.
  5. Switch the cakes on the racks. Bake for another 7 minutes.
  6. Let cakes cool in the pans for about 5 minutes.
  7. Using a large spatula and your hands, transfer to cooling racks – this keeps the bottoms from getting soggy.
  8. Serve warm or wrap very well in freeze-proof bags to freeze for up to 2 months.
  9. Enjoy these yummy cakes throughout the holidays!
  10. They make the PERFECT Holiday Gifts for friends and family 🙂
Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks, Sweet Breads