Monday, December 19, 2011

Gluten Free No Bake Cookies - Delicious!

Everyone loves a sweet treat sometime.  Unfortunately, those with gluten allergies are limited because wheat flour contains gluten and most baked goods contain wheat flour.  Our son in love has Celiac, so I am always on the hunt for gluten free recipes, especially ones that don't require a bunch of hard to find ingredients.  He also happens to love no bake cookies, and guess who found a gluten free recipe?  This girl!  Thank you Pinterest.  Now, we can eliminate the gluten, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do about the calories.  hahaha

No bake cookies are easy and delicious.   He was so excited yesterday when he found I had made him a huge batch of these cookies to enjoy for the holidays - especially when everyone is enjoying all kinds of delectable goods.  You might want to see my post on peanut brittle from yesterday which is also gluten free!  And, you can  make Rice Krispie  Treats gluten free now because there is a brown rice gluten free version of Rice Krispies available!  It's easy to find gluten free marshmallows (just check the package) and the only other ingredient is butter.  So, you are good to go!  Now, back to the no bake cookies.

You must use gluten free oats to make this recipe gluten free.  I got mine at Trader Joe's.  By the way, did you know that Trader Joe's will give you a list of all their products that are gluten free?  It is pages long, but ever so helpful when shopping.  Walmart has also added lots of gluten free products.  They tend to be pricier than other grocery items since they are "specialty," but Trader Joe's and WalMart's are more affordable.  Just thought I'd let you know that piece of information in case you weren't aware.  Now, back to the no bake cookies.  Sorry I keep getting off track.

Here is what you need for the no bake cookies.

1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (make sure it's gluten free)
1 teaspoon vanilla  (make sure it's gluten free)
3 cups old fashioned gluten free oats
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
2 baking sheets lined with wax paper

Directions:

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat.  Stir in the brown sugar, cream and cocoa and boil for 1 minute.  Remove the saucepan from heat, add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.  Stir in the oats and peanuts.  Drop heaping tablespoons full of the batter onto a wax paper lined baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart and let them cool until set - about 20 minutes.

Storage suggestions  Keep the cookies at room temperature between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container.  

One recipe makes 36 cookies.

These cookies are quick and easy to make and they are really, really good - especially if you like no bake cookies.   This also allows those with gluten allergies a chance to enjoy a sweet treat.  Give these a try even if you don't have gluten allergies.  You could use regular old fashioned oats in place of the gluten free. 

Hope you enjoy this quick and easy recipe that will give you your chocolate and peanut butter fix and they are extra good with a nice cup of coffee!  Yum!!!  Enjoy!!

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Cookies are made of butter and love.  ~Norwegian Proverb