Gluten-free Coconut-Lemon Cookies

Holiday parties are always uncomfortable for those of us with celiac disease. How many times have you experienced that awkward moment at a party when you realize there is NOTHING on the buffet table that you can eat?

I have found that it helps me if I can bring something to the party that is gluten-free. Then I know there will be at least one thing available for me to eat. I just ask the host/hostess if I may bring a gluten-free dessert and that usually opens the door for more discussion about what other foods are being served and if I might need to bring a main dish I can eat.

Here is an easy-to-make recipe for some cookies I think will work perfectly for gluten-free party snacking.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (plus extra for rolling)
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons butter, gently melted (not hot)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (I used dried lemon zest)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Combine the almond flour, 1 cup shredded coconut, coconut flour, and sea salt until thoroughly mixed. I used a food processor to chop up the coconut into smaller bits then transferred it back into a mixing bowl. If you have a large food processor you can probably mix the dough it in as well.

I used my food processor to chop up the coconut and mix the dry ingredients.

Add the honey, coconut oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir until dough forms.

I mixed in the wet and dry ingredients in a large bowl with my hands to make a nice ball of dough.

Pinch off small portions of the dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Coat the balls in the extra shredded coconut if desired. I had trouble getting the coconut to stick to the outside of the balls, so a made a small divot in the top and smashed some coconut down into it.

Coconunt-Lemon cookies on parchment paper ready to bake.

Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 250ºF for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through the cooking time.

The cookies didn’t spread out while baking and turned a nice golden brown.

Cool completely before serving. Store the cookies in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Gluten-free Coconut-Lemon cookies ready to taste.

You can also enjoy these as a no-bake snack by putting the dough in the refrigerator until firm rather than baking it.

Makes about 24 cookies

Adapted from Lemon Meltaways in the Spring 2014 issue of Simply Gluten Free magazine.

 

Milo says….

I don’t know what you are eating, but I WANT some!