Oh! Gluten Free Toasted Oatmeal Cookies

Gluten Free Guru — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:30:00 GMT

As a child, one of my favorite cookies was the Toasted Oatmeal Cookies my mom would bake. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I thought I would never be able to enjoy this fabulous treat from my childhood again. I am absolutely thrilled that I have been able to convert my favorite cookie as a child, to such a wonderful gluten free treat. When gluten free oats were first introduced into the market, I was apprehensive about trying them. Even as I was baking my first batch of oatmeal cookies, I was nervous. Through my research on gluten free oats, I became aware that the added fiber in oats could cause a few digestive symptoms as first. After the first pan of Toasted Oatmeal Cookies came out of the oven I indulged myself and had a cookie...well not just one cookie, several. I was so thrilled with the results of my cookies that I was ecstatic! I'm not really sure how many cookies I did eat that night, possibly 4, 5 maybe 6! My system was definitely not used to that amount of fiber. I gave myself a couple of day for my digestive system to recover. These oatmeal cookies are fabulous. The buttery, nutty flavor is intensified by toasting the oats first. I must confess, since that first day I have opened the cookie jar and had another cookie or two. Thankfully, I have been able to control my love of cookies...and my digestive system is thankful! As I share this recipe, I feel that I need to give you this disclaimer; start out slowly when eating gluten free oats. Come visit us at Gluten Free Guru Inc. for more recipes, products, links and more.

Eating gluten free oats is definitely a personal deicion. Consult your physician or dietitian about your gluten free diet and oats. Here's what experts are saying about gluten free oats. Gluten Free Oats.

Gluten Free, Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
3/4 cup Butter
2 1/2 cups Gluten Free Oats
1/2 cup, minus 1 Tablespoons Gluten Free Flour Blend
1 Tablespoon Sweet Rice Flour
1 teaspoon Ground, Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
1 cup Packed, Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 teaspoon Gluten Free Vanilla

Preheat over to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium skillet, over medium heat add butter. Stir butter continuously until lightly browned, making sure not to burn. Add oats and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until golden brown. Remove skillet from heat and cool.

In a small bowl combine flours, cinnamon, baking soda and xanthan gum.

In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, egg and vanilla. Mix sugar and eggs with electric mixer on high, until light in color. Stir in oats and flour mixture and mix until well combined. Drop rounded teaspoons 2 1/2" apart onto an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. These cookies will be soft when taken out of the oven but will get crunchy when cooled.

** Gluten Free Flour Blend-For this recipe, I used the traditional gluten free blend of brown rice flour, potato starch and tapioca flour. The choice of gluten free flours and consistency can vary from recipe to recipe and baker to baker. You may need to experiment with different blends until you find your favorite.

** Dairy-I have not tried the recipe without using butter. However, you may chose to experiment with organic shortening in place of the butter to make this cookie diary free.

Come visit us at Gluten Free Guru, Inc.

Winding up a wonderful year.

Gluten Free Guru — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:17:00 GMT

We are winding up what has been an incredible year at Gluten Free Guru, Inc. We have met so many wonderful people throughout the country. The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on our gluten free adventures over the past year. Now after several years of cooking and baking gluten free, we have altered our most favorite holiday recipes to make them gluten free. Several years ago we started the tradition, of making a homemade gingerbread house. The first year we had additional challenges as we created a gingerbread house with no gluten, no dairy, no egg, and no soy, no artificial anything…and when at all possible, organic! Trying to make a gingerbread house stand on its own without royal icing was an experiment all on its own. We were so proud of our creation, even though it leaned to one side. Our house had such character and to say the least…could not be duplicated. The house was complete with stained glass windows made from melted organic lollipops. This year we continued our tradition and were thrilled that we were able to use eggs this year. With a bustling business, our gingerbread house was not quite as elaborate as in previous years. So I decided to take a deep breath, skip the organic candy and use the leftover stash of gluten free Halloween candy. We turned on Christmas music and enjoyed the time together. Children decorated the gingerbread house with overwhelming excitement. The art of perfection presents it's self in so many different ways. The smell of ginger and spice filled the air and our hearts. Life doesn't' get more perfect than feeling the warmth of tradition...our new gluten free tradition! Come visit our website at www.glutenfreeguru.com.

Gluten Free Guru Blog

Oh! Gluten Free Toasted Oatmeal Cookies

Winding up a wonderful year.