Feeling snappy? Or just craving a gingersnap? ’tis the season! I took a bit of time off to do one of my favourite things – bake!
For some reason the word gingersnap makes me thing of my grandpa (Dad’s side) snapping his fingers with a twinkle in his eyes – in case you wanted to know his name was Jack 🙂 Ginger cookies have always seemed old school but it makes me love them even more.
These ones are so itty bitty and adorable – I was concerned they’d be too small but instead they packed a punch that sent me to timbucto with the ginger flavour – I was impressed but at least managed to keep my hat on!
I wanted to make these cookies to include the celiac people I know. Being someone who loves sweets it’s super tough to not be able to enjoy all the desserts going around! Surprisingly these are not only gluten-free but also whole grain – which also makes the dietitian in me happy.
SIDE FUN FACT!
Typically I could care less if something was going to be whole grain for dessert – if I’m going to eat a sweet they better taste amazing and there is some research that says if we think a dessert is ‘healthy’ we may actually eat more than we would otherwise. (this is why I’d rather have a chocolate bar than a granola bar – I stop eating chocolate bars – I keep eating granola bars).
Anyways – these are delicious – they don’t taste like wanna be cookies. They aren’t jam packed full of sweet – however they are rolled in sugar on the outside and have as I mentioned – have an awesome ginger kick that makes up for it – I’ll likely get a craving for them and will happily eat these again and make them for more than just my gluten-free peeps :).
I was super happy the recipe turned out the first time making them this weekend – because as per usual I was gifting them on Monday:) I didn’t even have to ‘fix’ any mistakes half-way through (except I ran out of ginger… and had to run out and get some more) which is even more exciting! I typically call my food chemist friend when I’m super irritated and we discuss what on earth I did to mess it up. Since I am a ‘why’ person I also really love that this cookbook explains why the specific ingredients are chosen and why the method (and what didn’t work) – which means I tend not to veer off path thinking it won’t make a difference (hence why I’m constantly having to fix recipes in the middle)
SIDE FUN FACT:
One of the things I look for with gluten-free baking in general is to choose flours (and grains for that matter) which are whole grain. Typically we are just trying to figure out what is gluten-free but choosing something that is whole grain is important just like for anyone else as much as possible. I tend to let that go for desserts but for these recipes I’ve loved the flavour and highly recommend. This was the cookbook that introduced me to teff flour which – although expensive – I love the flavour of, is gluten-free and whole grain.
So the cookbook is “how can it be gluten-free 2” but I’m assuming this might be in USD. I haven’t tested all the recipes but the couple I’ve tried I’ve been happy with – and I like their whole grain gluten-free flour mixture. And no this isn’t an ad – I just happen to really like it when I was trying to figure out gluten free baking my brother and sister-in-law helped me find this book so I could cook for the people who have celiac disease and better support my celiac clients.
I still have a lot to learn but I really enjoyed these cookies and look forward to making them again! I love to bake – and even more importantly to me – I like to make sure everyone is included ❤
Happy Tasting!
Irena
PS. Personal Note:
Also – can we just take a minute to realize that WHAATT how is it the end of 2019! And how on earth is it already Christmas Eve! Part of me I swear still thinks it is summer! Also I hope whether you celebrate or not, or if you are finding this holidays season tough that you find some time to do the things you love – (including if that is hibernating).
For me – I’ve been totally exhausted and have a lot on my plate so I was a bit gentle with myself this season. I’ve been cooking and baking a bit the last few days – something I haven’t been letting myself do much this year since I have other work I need to do. That said – this year I’m SUPPPER excited to see my immediate family this evening and tomorrow will be a super fun 15 person dinner with family and the family friends we have collected over the years. We’ve always been the family that have different people join depending on who we know that’s in town – because the holidays for us are all about sharing! As for 2020 – I’ve been doing some reflecting so for now I’ll just say thank you and look for my January post 🙂
Much love,
Irena