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11/20/2013

Gluten Free Maple Sugar Cookies

One thing that people usually do not know about me is that despite the fact that I do not eat gluten, dairy (eggs not included), and hardly any sugar (especially cane sugar), I love baking, especially cookies. I find the process of baking to be extremely calming and it is something I am actually quite good at, which makes it all the more enjoyable. I also like figuring out how I can modify recipes to fit my dietary restrictions (it makes me feel like a scientist or something...I am lame, I know). That being said, I have never done a recipe post before or even photographed food so I am a little nervous!

I do know that these Gluten Free Maple Sugar Cookies are extremely delicious (I had multiple people test them just to be sure) and that they are also extremely easy to make!

Here is the recipe :

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Gluten Free Maple Sugar Cookies

Makes 24 cookies
  • 1/4 cup Butter/dairy free alternative (these were made using Earth Balance's Vegan Buttery Sticks)
  • 2 Tbsp Honey
  • 1/2 cup Maple Sugar (plus extra for dusting/icing)
  • 1/2 cup MapleSyrup (plus extra if adding icing)
  • 1-1/2 tsp Vanilla
  • 1-3/4 cups GF All Purpose Baking Flour
  • 3/4 tsp Xanthan Gum
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 large Egg White

Directions :
  1. In a Vitamix or a food processor blend butter (at room temperature, not melted), honey, maple sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
  2. Add flour, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and egg white, blending until mixture is well combined. 
    *If using electric mixer, blend ingredients, then add water if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  3. Shape dough into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  5. Using a cookie scoop, shape the dough into 24 one-inch balls and roll in sifted maple sugar.
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  7. Place 2” apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (or a greased cookie sheet).
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  9. Bake 10 minutes or until edges are set. Rotate the position of the pan halfway through baking for even heat distribution.
  10. Remove from oven; wait two minutes before transferring to a rack to cool.
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    Four of the cookies I flattened with the back of a spoon
Icing (optional) :

  • After the cookies have cooled completely, sift a few table spoons of maple sugar into a small bowl and add a small amount of maple syrup. Combine with a spoon. Quantities of both maple sugar and maple syrup depend on how thick you want the icing to be and how much you want to make (if you want the icing to be thicker, add less maple syrup/if you want the icing to be more of a glaze, add more maple syrup).
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After the icing has hardened, store cookies in an airtight container.

Done!


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This is a modified version of Bob's Red Mill's recipe for Gluten Free Sugar Cookies, which you can find here!

11/17/2013

Leather Pants

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Top : Gap // Shoes : Converse //

I recently picked up this pair of leather pants and I am kind of obsessed...

11/16/2013

Byredo Parfums' Gypsy Water

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November is a dark and cold month and surrounding yourself with things that make you happy (and that are useful) is important. Byredo's Gypsy Water makes me happy (Byredo's branding and package design makes me happy too)!

11/07/2013

Nice for November

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"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee."
–FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, Twin Peaks
Here are a few presents that I would give to myself...

11/04/2013

Vintage Children's Halloween Costume + Hermès

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Dress : Vintage // Thigh highs : Agent Provocateur // Shoes : H&M // Bag and scarf : Hermès //

I recently found this dress while I was out helping my mother shop for antique furniture. It was hanging on the front of a rack of children's halloween costumes in a vintage clothing store. ...I am sure that any normal person would probably be put off by the children's halloween costume section at a vintage store but I am not that normal and I absolutely adore this dress.

The dress is cotton and velvet and on its own looks a little bit like something you would wear if you were visiting a prairie or taking part in a civil war reenactment; however, if you add a structured bag and a scarf (the scarf will prevent the look from feeling too structured) everything will come together quite nicely.

11/02/2013

Instagram October

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October through my instagram.

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder. With each passing day you can notice the beauty of fall disappearing into the quiet, bleakness of winter.

I try to surround myself with things that are beautiful, practical, and simple... knit socks, lovely blankets, good books and magazines that are well designed, beauty products with lovely packaging, nice candles (candles are so important this time of year), cashmere sweaters...you know, those types of things.

Either way,
Happy November!