Gluten-Free Allspice Gingerbread

Festive, spice cookies made with gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond meal. A great holiday treat for those on wheat-restricted diets.

Wrap and Roll - Stack flat, frosting-free cookies like these by the dozen and wrap them in cellophane. Then, roll a piece of cardboard or construction paper around the outside of the cookies and fasten it closed with tape, ribbon or other decorative wrappings.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 1/3 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour mix*
1 cup almond meal or almond flour
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum powder** (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup natural, unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
Colored sugar, for decoration

Cooking Directions:

1. In medium bowl, combine flour mix, almond meal, xanthan, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper and salt; set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; blend well. Add dry ingredients in three batches, blending just until fully incorporated. Dough will be stiff.
3. Divide dough into two balls, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to 3 days.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Remove one dough disc from refrigerator and roll out between two pieces of parchment paper or on lightly gluten-free floured work surface to 1/8-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle cutouts with colored sugar, if desired.
6. Bake 9 to 13 minutes, until edges of cookies are crisp. Cool cookies on sheet 2 to 3 minutes. Remove cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
7. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

*Gluten-free flour mix and almond meal or almond flour can be found in the gluten-free or natural food section of most stores.

**Xanthan gum powder will improve texture of cookies but is not required to make this recipe. It can be found in health food stores and baking or gourmet markets.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.