Cookie Exchange Parties

[Shess0816]

Well, it's getting to be that time of the year again where people have those parties where everyone goes and exchanges cookies and recipies. This is my first Christmas season gluten free. I just got an invitation from my boyfriend's sister (who will likely be my sister-in-law at some point) to come to her cookie exchange party. I know that there is about a 99.99% chance I won't be able to eat anyone else's cookie recipies, but I thought I should go to be supportive and social and bring some of my own gluten free cookies for everyone to try.

So, here's my issue.... I don't have the first idea about how to make cookies! Does anyone have a good gluten free holiday cookie recipe?

Also, how would/does everyone else deal with that type of a party in terms of eating beforehand? Politely declining to try someone else's cookie recipe?

I just don't want to come off as rude! Thanks!

[TrillumHunter]

At the one I attend each year, we don't eat the cookies. People bring appetizers and desserts to share. I would think a savory dish would be very welcome! Even something as simple as a vegetable tray with dip would be good.

I don't bring any cookies because I don't take any! I go to enjoy the company of the women from my parish and catch up. There are always some good things to eat like cheese and dips. No one "cares" that I'm not taking cookies, and, if I'm asked why, they listen attentively.

Go and have fun! Have an eggnog/hot cider/glass of wine and some good conversation.

[missy'smom]

I haven't been up to experimenting with cookies much yet so try to find other naturally gluten-free holiday goodies that don't involve much flour or baking. For example, kiddo and I are going to make meringues this Xmas instead of cookies. He wants to add crushed mints and/or mini chocolate chips. Things like fudge, rice crispy type treats-think about cutting them in holiday shapes or decorating in holiday fashion, many other holiday candies work well. You can also make mini cheesecakes in a mini muffin pan and other treats along those lines. One lady I know packages up homemade muddy buddys/puppy chow or chex mix in celophane bags with ribbons.

[celiac-mommy]

I make about every kind of cookie you can think of. I do use Pamela's pancake/baking mix for a lot of my recipes, but I can convert just about any recipe so if there's something you have in mind, let me know and I'll get you the info you need!

[halfrunner]

I use this sugar cookie recipe from Gluten free cookie school. They're really good. The best part is that you can be flexible. I made DH these cookies with m&m's in them.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

1 c. sugar

1 c. butter (2 sticks)

1 egg

2 1/2 c. Gluten Free Flour All Purpose Flour Mix

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

1. Cream the sugar and butter (for further direction click here).

2. With the mixer still on medium speed, add the egg. Mix until well combined.

3. Sift the Gluten Free Flour Mix, baking soda and cinnamon.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix well.

5. Shape the dough into a ball and place between two sheets of wax paper that have been very lightly floured. Flatten the ball a bit, and then roll out the dough until it is 1/8 inch thick. (more on this next week, if you

[Darn210]

At these sort of things, I usually don't make gluten free cookies . . . I figure that they just won't appreciate the effort (or rather expense) it takes to produce a good gluten free cookie. I go along the same lines as missy's mom and make something that already has gluten free ingredients. My current thing is the carmel chocolate chex crunch (recipe is on the chex website- super easy). I've also done English toffee . . . this is dangerous for me as it is my all time favourite candy. Peppermint bark is also a festive choice.

[MaryJones2]

You could also make naturally gluten-free cookies. I made these Open Original Shared Link years before I knew the word gluten.

[celiac-mommy]

Peppermint bark is also a festive choice.

I've tried to make this a few times and I can't get the layers to stick together, it looks great until you bite into it and then the white chocolate pops off the dark chocolate

[GottaSki]

I'd vote for bringing a gluten-free version of your favorite recipe -- helps show that gluten-free is just as tasty and not a punishment, not to mention you will have some yummy cookies to eat when you get home from the exchange. As for explaining to the other cookie bakers, simple is best. You have Celiac Disease and are unable to eat Gluten and then offer them one of your yummy gluten-free cookies to try.

I make all the same cookies I always have -- I just replace the flour with gluten-free all purpose flour (and adjust for any other gluten-free item that the recipe may call for) -- some recipes taste slightly different, but are still yummy and disappear out of the cookie jar just as quickly as preGF.

I would think that rolled sugar cookies may be the one that doesn't work well with gluten-free, so far in 8 months living gluten-free we've made:

Peanut Butter

Almond Butter

Sugar Cookies - our favorite are more like a sugar crisp

Chocolate Chip

Chocolate - Chocolate Chip

Gingerbread men will be my challenge this month -- we shall see.

[celiac-mommy]

I would think that rolled sugar cookies may be the one that doesn't work well with gluten-free,

With the right recipe it works pretty well actually, but I roll the dough between parchment paper, sticks less

[GottaSki]

With the right recipe it works pretty well actually, but I roll the dough between parchment paper, sticks less

Thanks!

Great idea between parchment - could have used that a time or two with gluten-free flat bread!

[purple]

I haven't been up to experimenting with cookies much yet so try to find other naturally gluten-free holiday goodies that don't involve much flour or baking. For example, kiddo and I are going to make meringues this Xmas instead of cookies. He wants to add crushed mints and/or mini chocolate chips. Things like fudge, rice crispy type treats-think about cutting them in holiday shapes or decorating in holiday fashion, many other holiday candies work well. You can also make mini cheesecakes in a mini muffin pan and other treats along those lines. One lady I know packages up homemade muddy buddys/puppy chow or chex mix in celophane bags with ribbons.

You always have the best ideas....to add to what you suggested...bag up purchased candies to wrap in cellophane, holiday cellophane if you can find it. We used to wrap red and green M&M's in cellophane. How about chocolate covered pretzels or white covered with crushed candy canes sprinkled on top? When my kids were little, we wrapped mini boxes of M&M's and hung them on the tree as ornaments for my day care kids to take home.

All this thinking, I need to make some Rocky Road bars. I made peanut butter fudge for my hubby this morning, but I NEED chocolate something...lol!

[Shess0816]

I use this sugar cookie recipe from Gluten free cookie school. They're really good. The best part is that you can be flexible. I made DH these cookies with m&m's in them.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

1 c. sugar

1 c. butter (2 sticks)

1 egg

2 1/2 c. Gluten Free Flour All Purpose Flour Mix

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

1. Cream the sugar and butter (for further direction click here).

2. With the mixer still on medium speed, add the egg. Mix until well combined.

3. Sift the Gluten Free Flour Mix, baking soda and cinnamon.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix well.

5. Shape the dough into a ball and place between two sheets of wax paper that have been very lightly floured. Flatten the ball a bit, and then roll out the dough until it is 1/8 inch thick. (more on this next week, if you

[Shess0816]

You guys are so awesome!! I always know I can count on this group! The bad thing is, now I'm REALLY hungry!!!

The party is not for another two weeks, so maybe I'll go shopping this weekend a try a few of these ideas out and see which one I can get to come out the best! I'm a pretty good cook, but not the best baker! lol

Thanks again for all the help everyone and keep the ideas coming!!

[purple]

Here are 2 easy recipes for Rocky Road:

Melt together in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring after each minute:

1- 12oz. bag chocolate chips and 1 cup crunchy p.b.

Fold in 4 cups mini marshmallows.

Spread into a buttered 8 or 9" square pan and chill until firm.

Cut into squares.

Melt 2-8oz. milk chocolate candy bars (in the microwave or) in a pan over low heat until smooth.

Remove pan from heat and stir in 3 cups mini marshmallows and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or peanuts. Spread into a buttered 8" pan. Chill until firm. Cut into squares.

[missy'smom]

You always have the best ideas....

Thank you purple, that's very sweet of you to say.

[purple]

Thank you purple, that's very sweet of you to say.

You are very welcome!

[Ahorsesoul]

Either of these little mice would be cute to take, just use gluten free chocolate cookies:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Also check out GlutenFree Fenzy's 25 days of Christmas Cookies.

Open Original Shared Link

[minniejack]

For my five dozen cookies that I had to take (and I was the one organizing the event!) I just made fudge that everyone enjoyed. And I got to keep the tasty treats at home for me and my family.

I'm the type of baker that likes to lick the beaters and I knew the only way to be safe was to use gluten-free flour and I wasn't willing to go to that expense.

My friend brought cheese instead because she doesn't like to bake and the crackers from Sam's club just for me.

[cruelshoes]

If it were me, I would go to the cookie party, and I would bring soomething to share as well. I would make a recipe that was naturally gluten-free, and something non-gluten-free people would be inclined to make in their own home. That way, people get the idea that gluten-free food is not weird or scary, and they might even want to cook it themselves! You get to raise awareness and share sweet treats at the same time.

This is a no-fail cookie recipe with no special ingredients. Non-gluten-free people would love them, and would want the recipe.

Open Original Shared Link

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies II

2 cups creamy peanut butter (I use half natural PB and half regular PB. Don't try to use more than half natural peanut butter. It doesn't set up as well)

1 cup white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 pinch salt

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional white sugar for rolling

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, stir peanut butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place them 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Press a criss-cross into the top using the back of a fork.

3. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are browned. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. I slide the parchment sheet off on to the counter with the cookies on it and allow them to cool completely that way.

[Ahorsesoul]

We get plates of cookies all the time. Of course they are poison cookies so I bless the neighbor with them. Her kids love them. Makes me happy to share. Enjoy the cookie exchange.

I make most of my old cookie recipes with Pamela's Baking/Pancake Mix without any problems.

[Wenmin]

Just made a batch of these last night (old family recipe). They're not really cookies, but rather a type of doughnut.... Once removed from the grease, let them drain for a very short time, then shake them in a ziploc bag of powdered sugar. They are good cold or hot! (you could use a little more milk and drop them by spoonfulls into the grease, I'm sure this would work also...)

Old Fashioned Donuts

Ingredients:

1 egg

1 serving spoon sugar

1 tablespoon milk