Have you ever wondered why you crave sweets whenever you’re stressed out? Well, that’s because the word stressed in reverse is desserts! While this is one of the oldest puns in the book, it never fails to give people a giggle or two. And when you think about it, don’t you want to munch on something sweet every time you feel down? It’s amusing to think that sugars, spice, and everything nice were created for that instant serotonin boost. Life becomes extra worth living thanks to these goods, right?
Speaking of dessert, there are more than a thousand kinds of food to choose from. One of these is chocolate chip cookies. The best part about these cookies is that they have no age limit; whether it’s for a kid or for an adult, cookies are for everyone. And by everyone, this includes even those who prefer gluten-free food. If you’ve ever wondered if making gluten-free chocolate chip cookies is possible, it is! Keep reading to know-how.
What are Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies?
In a nutshell, gluten-free food refers to food without gluten, which is a protein that can be found in wheat and other grains. Some examples of food that are gluten-free are vegetables, meat, eggs, pasta, and even bread. People usually shift to a gluten-free diet whenever they want to address various health concerns such as headaches, weight problems, depression, as well as digestive and chronic complications.
You are probably wondering what the purpose of gluten is. Frankly, it does nothing to your body, as it doesn’t provide any important nutrients. However, it can negatively impact people who have celiac disease, which can worsen when eating something that contains gluten. When triggered, it causes one’s immune system to become inflamed or even damaged. This is one of the reasons why some people have to maintain their gluten-free eating habits.
Now, let’s go back to talking about chocolate chip cookies. Usually, making chocolate chip cookies requires using ingredients with gluten, such as wheat. However, these types of cookies are not for everyone. As a substitute for it, flour is used to make them. There are different kinds of flour; you can opt for buckwheat, chickpea flour, millet flour, sorghum flour—any kind of gluten-free ones.
How To Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
While buying ready-made or baked gluten-free chocolate chip cookies sounds appealing, time will come and you’ll want to try making your own. And that starts by becoming familiar with the ingredients as well as the various steps involved in creating the cookie you’ve been craving for. Lucky for you, here’s the recipe for making gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. Take note of it and enjoy!
Step 1) Prepare the Right Ingredients and A Bowl
With all the necessary ingredients placed near you, start by preparing the dough, water, and sugar. Don’t forget to prepare a bowl as well. Usually, things are easier when you have a handheld mixer or stand mixer. However, using a spoon also makes a great alternative if you have no mixer available to use.
Step 2) Combine the Dough, Water, and Sugar
In the second step, place the remaining ingredients near you. Combine the dough, water, and sugar thoroughly until it forms a cream-like consistency. Beat the egg well. Once you’re done, mix vanilla, baking soda, and xanthan gum. Xanthan gum will make your cookie moist, which is the perfect thing to munch on!
Step 3) Mix the Gluten-Free Flour
Now that you have mixed everything together, one of the last steps is to add gluten-free flour to your mix.
Additional Steps for your Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
For a sweeter, more festive experience in your gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, you can opt to sprinkle gluten-free drop sugar cookie dough in the mix. You can even dip it in chocolate and top it off with sprinkles. You are the boss of your own cookie!
Best Ideas To Serve with Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
When you hear the word cookie, there are so many things you can partner with it. Depending on where your taste buds take you, that simple chocolate chip cookie can be the best dessert experience you have ever had. Here are a few suggestions and combinations you might want to try or have already tried.
Milk and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nothing beats this classic combination of chocolate chip cookies and a warm glass of milk. Whether it’s for a snack or something to comfort you, this is the perfect default combination you should try at least once in your life.
Ice Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Now that you know why you want desserts when you’re stressed, you should also know one of the best things you can partner with your cookie. And that is none other than ice cream! With a wide range of flavors you can choose from, there’s no getting sick and tired of the same flavor over and over again.
Fruits and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Have you ever heard of this combination? As unusual as it sounds, it actually makes a refreshing mix! Imagine the contrasting flavors in every bite, plus the healthy diet you’re trying to stick with. Talk about the perfect way to get fit, right?
Your Favorite Dip and Chocolate Chip Cookie
Whoever thought of this is a genius! No matter what your favorite dip is, (plus points if it’s something sweet), it has a high probability of being your new favorite duo. So cast those worries aside, and go give this combination a try!
There are many more combinations you have yet to try, and all you have to do is be creative enough to think of every way to get the most out of every bite you make on your chocolate chip cookie.
Nutrition & Health Benefits of Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
There are many reasons why more and more people are switching to a gluten-free diet in general, not just when it comes to cookies. This is because of the various health benefits it offers, which is a must-read if you’re still hesitant or curious about gluten, cookies, and everything in between.
- Helps improve energy levels. Some people are sensitive to gluten, which is why consuming food with gluten in it often results in chronic fatigue. This is because it causes intestines to become inflamed, which can progress into anemia when shrugged off. One of the benefits of eating gluten free chocolate chip cookies is more energy, as your insides heal faster and have faster nutrient absorption.
- Helps with healthy weight gain. Celiac disease, as mentioned earlier, has symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, and many more. When symptoms like this persist, it can result in nutritional deficiencies that can cause drastic weight loss. With the combination of chocolate and gluten free ingredients, you can slowly recover and be well on your way towards weight gain.
- Eliminates or lessens the risk of depression. There is a reason why people prefer to eat something sweet when going through something stressful or rough. This is because sweets help stimulate happy hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. When it comes to the gluten-free ingredient itself, various studies show that it can drastically reduce the symptoms of depression.
- Eliminates bloating.
- Helps achieve healthier and glowing skin.
- Offers a healthier alternative to wheat or grains.
- Helps reduce the risk of worsening of Celiac Disease.
- Reduces joint pain.
- Reduces the frequency of headaches.
Bottom Line
All in all, going gluten-free isn’t an easy step to make especially if you’ve spent all these years with the usual wheat and grain ingredients. Some of the things that you may notice involve a difference in flavor, texture, and appearance overall. While you may seem hesitant with this change at first, keep in mind that this is one of the healthiest ways to enjoy your sweet dessert. A good munch can go a long way, especially when it comes to your mood. As other people say, never underestimate the power of a well-made dessert.
Additionally, whether this is a big change you made in your life or is something that you are forced to live with, there are many ways to enjoy the food that others do without sacrificing its taste and quality. Just like how this article has presented to you an alternative, there are more than one ways to do it. Remember that you are the boss of your own cookie, and that life is too short not to try and bake your own cookies.
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Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter If you’re hesitant as to what butter you’re going to use, you can opt for dairy-free or vegan butter or you can choose to use softened dairy butter.
- ¾ cups White Sugar
- 1 Eggs
- 1 tbsp Milk In choosing the sugar for your gluten free chocolate chip cookies, granulated sugar works best.
- 1 tbsp Baking Soda This is one of the most important ingredients when making your cookies, as it helps your cookies to spread out.
- ⅓ tbsp Xanthan gum As mentioned before, xanthan gum will make your chocolate chip cookies moist, so this is a big must in your ingredients list.
- 2 tbsp Vanilla extract There are many extracts out there, so choose according to the flavor you want. There is a wide range to choose from such as almond extract, coconut extract, banana extract, and many more. Choose according to your preference and craving.
- ⅓ tbsp Gluten Free Flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Prepare 2 baking sheets with a baking mat and line it properly. Mix the butter and sugar, and add egg to the mix until well combined.
- Add the salt, vanilla, baking powder, gluten-free flour, baking soda, xanthan gum, and mix it all together. Check if there are any lumps and make sure that it is thoroughly mixed.
- Using an 11/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, roll the dough in extra sugar, and lay it on the baking sheet that has been prepared. Instead of dipping each cookie dough ball, you may just sprinkle it with a little sugar.
- Bake your gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for 8-10 minutes. Check or monitor it from time to time.
- Leave to cool. You can also opt to leave it overnight and reheat as you please.
Notes
- How do you make gluten-free cookies moist?
- How can I improve the “browning” of my chocolate chip cookies?
