GLUTEN -FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

When we visited with my cousin Tom and his family last weekend, I had fun shadowing his wife Marilyn around in the kitchen taking pictures of her cooking in her kitchen. She's a great cook and I ate way too much, but it was worth that pound I gained. 

Tom and Marilyn's granddaughter has an autoimmune disease and can't have gluten. Marilyn being a devoted grandmother doesn't want Olivia to miss out though and makes sure she has food she can eat when she comes over. One of the things she made for her was some gluten-free cookies from dough Marilyn had frozen. The recipe makes like 3-1/2 dozen cookies so Marilyn makes the dough up and then freezes the balls. Then whenever she wants to bake a pan of cookies, she just takes out however many she wants to bake, and bakes them for Olivia. I should really do that and then wouldn't have to make so many at a time for just the two of us. Often I will just chose recipes that make 3 dozen or less cookies for that reason. Then if I needed something quickly, I could just take them out of the freezer and bake them.

If you didn't want or need to make the cookies gluten-free, just use the flour you wish. I didn't eat one, but I asked Olivia later if the cookies were good and she smiled and said "they were".

Click here for a printable version of just the recipe.

GLUTEN - FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2-1/4    cups gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour
1            teaspoon baking soda
1            teaspoon salt
1            cup  (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4       cup sugar
3/4       cup packed brown sugar
1            teaspoon vanilla
2           large eggs
2           cups chocolate chips
1            cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.









Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture and beat until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if you are using them.

Roll dough into balls, a heaping tablespoon each. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 11 - 13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Marilyn prepares the dough and forms all of it into balls. She bakes 9 or so at a time for her granddaughter. She freezes the rest and separates them with wax paper in a freezer container. When she wants to make some more for Olivia, she takes out the number she wants to bake and bakes them frozen.