kitchen creations: roll-out sugar cookies+valentine's day

I know what some people are thinking. It is best known as a Hallmark holiday and for people who want to spend a ton of money on flowers, chocolate and expensive dinners. Here are two things you should know about me right now: 1. I used to work for Hallmark in college and loved it and 2. I LOVE Valentine's Day.

Actually, I have loved this holiday since I was in first grade. And, from what I remember, I loved decorating my shoebox with stickers and cut-out hearts, and I especially loved writing Valentine's day cards to everyone in my class especially to a certain boy that all the girls had a first grade crush on. But, it didn't stop there. See, I have a HUGE sweet tooth. (I get it from my dad.) And, I loved that on this specific holiday there was more than enough chocolate, cupcakes and sugar cookies to feed an army of first graders. Wrapped and iced in pink and red colored things. I remember thinking, could this holiday get any better?!

Well, I am no longer seven years old (although for those class parties with the delicious treats, I kind of wish I was). However, I still love all the scrumptious deserts. Especially the sugar cookies iced in pink icing and topped with fun sprinkles. Thanks to our good friends, Ryan and Jamie, Bryan and I now own a VERY awesome gluten-free baking cookbook. And, it just so happens there is a recipe for roll-out sugar cookies!

So, naturally, my friend, Stacey and I spent yesterday afternoon baking sugar cookies. Thank goodness she is an expert baker and did not allow me to burn down Bryan and I's kitchen. Not only did we make these cookies from scratch, we made Martha Stewart's Royal Icing recipe as well. Internet, I THINK I DIED AND WENT TO SUGAR HEAVEN. These cookies are SO good, they put regular sugar cookies to shame.

Enjoy sugar cookies...gluten-free style...

(Recipe from Easy Gluten-Free Baking by Elizabeth Barbone)


Roll-Out Sugar Cookies

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups of white rice flour (plus more for dusting)
1 cup of sweet rice flour (we used sweet sorghum flour...worked just as great)
1/2 cup of cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup water, as needed


1. In a small bowl, whisk together dry ingredients

2. In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (Use medium speed on handheld and stand mixers.) Add eggs, 1 at a time, blending well after each addition. Add dry ingredients and vanilla' blend until dough forms. (If a sandy mass forms instead of a dough ball, add 1/4 cup water and mix for 30 seconds. If the dough comes together on its own, omit the water for the recipe.)


3. Divide the dough in half. Pat dough into rounds, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and chill for 4 hours or overnight.


4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove dough from the refrigerator and allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

5. Generously dust a clean, dry work surface with rice flour. Roll dough about 1/4 inch thick. Using assorted cookie cutters, cut dough in desired shapes. Place cookies on prepared sheets.




6. Bake first sheet of cookies until lightly golden brown. Baking time with vary depending on size of cookie. (Our cookies were medium sized and took about 6 minutes per sheet.)


7. Remove cookie sheet from oven and cool on wire racks for 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer cookies directly onto racks to cool completely. While first sheet is cooling, bake second sheet of cookies.

8. Ice cooled cookies! (I think this is VERY necessary!)



Yield will vary based on size of cookies; makes about 3 dozen 3-inch cookies. (Sounds about right.)

You better believe I snuck one bite or three cookies in while we were icing. However, the rest were saved for our co-workers and Bryan's co-workers.

So...maybe this is a very Hallmark holiday, but I plan on wearing my red, eating sugary treats ALL day long, telling Bryan I love him one million and one times and celebrating love and happiness. Happy Valentine's Day! Especially to my ever so amazing husband!