My all-time number one favorite Christmas cookie recipe

When I was first diagnosed with celiac disease, I thought about all of the foods I wouldn’t be able to eat anymore. Immediately, my mind went to Christmas. Most of the year, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth or get tempted by baked goods. Christmas is another story.gluten free gingersnap cookiesThe breads and cookies that I have grown up with are part of my history, a family tradition, flavors not found anywhere else. I was worried that I would have to give that up, or that they wouldn’t turn out using gluten-free flour. Thankfully, we were able to get some of the new Cup 4 Cup flour at Williams & Sonoma.  My mom tried it out first with a batch of our family gingersnap cookies.pecan dreams cookie recipeShe brought them over while they were still warm, and they tasted exactly like they were supposed to.  Encouraged, we made a batch of my all-time favorites, pecan dreams.   pecan dreams cookie recipeYou’ve probably seen similar looking cookies at parties and may have made them yourself, but I promise, you’ve never tasted cookies like these before.  They are amazing.  Like little balls of heaven.pecan dreams cookie recipeTo the makers of Cup 4 Cup flour, thank you for letting us keep our holiday traditions alive. pecan dreams cookie recipe

 

Edit: I updated the photos for this post. Much better, eh? 

 

Pecan Dreams Cookies | InspiredRD.com (gluten-free) Pecan Dreams Cookies | InspiredRD.com (gluten-free)

Pecan Dream Cookies

Alysa Bajenaru
My all-time favorite Christmas cookie recipe.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter
  • 5 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 cups flour use gluten-free all-purpose or Cup 4 Cup flour for gluten-free version
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla
  • 2 cups minced pecans
  • Sifted powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In mixer, cream together butter and sugar.
  • Add in flour, vanilla and pecans. Mix well.
  • Roll in small balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes.
  • While still hot, roll cookies in powdered sugar (be careful, they are delicate!)
  • Cool, then roll cookies again.

 

Do you have any “must-have” cookies for the holidays?

 

  • Nicole, RD December 21, 2011 at 9:07 am

    I’m so glad you recreated a gluten-free version of your favorite holiday treat! It’s so important to still have those special ties to what you love no matter what your health demands of you. They look fantastic! Happy Holidays!

  • Tess December 22, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    Im glad you will be able to eat goodies after all!

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  • Kati @ Around the Plate December 23, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    So glad you were able to still enjoy your favorite cookies! That’s awesome! Hope you have a very merry Christmas!

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  • Priya from Dietitian UK December 28, 2012 at 9:07 am

    These sounds yummy! I know exaclty how you feel, I’ve recreated biscotti recently, making it gluten free. You need some special treats this time of year.

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