Friend Friday + Grain-free Sugar Cookies

Utah spring is not my favorite. It teases and taunts me with bouts of warm, sunny weather and then spends a week (or two) offering nothing but cold, rainy gloominess. #whattheheck 

Such was the case last Friday. I decided we needed something to cheer up our faces, so...ahem...SUGAR COOKIES. Because I've cut way back on grains and added sugar, my pantry isn't necessarily stocked for sweet treats. So, I decided we'd try out a grain and dairy-free recipe. The children didn't seem to notice a difference and I wasn't going to tell them. ;) I used this recipe.

SUGAR COOKIES

Ingredients: 2 1/2 C almond flour, 1/4 C honey, 1 egg, 2 tsp coconut oil, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp coconut flour

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dough ingredients except coconut flour in a food processor until a dough ball forms (about 30 sec). Flatten the dough ball with your palm and wrap in plastic wrap. Put in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes. Take dough out and place between two pieces of parchment paper. Roll until about 1/4 in thickness, then sprinkle some coconut flour on top. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for about 7 min. (original recipe says 8-10 min) Place on a cooling rack and frost when cooled. 

FROSTING

Ingredients: 6 tbs cashew butter (original recipe calls for coconut butter, but I didn't have that on hand. I think this change made the frosting more of a royal icing consistency.), 1/4 C raw cacao butter, 1/4 C honey, 1/4 C cold coconut milk, food coloring. 

Directions:  Heat cacao butter and cashew butter over low heat until melted. Pour into a bowl and whisk with coconut milk and honey. Set in fridge for 20 minutes, then use a hand mixer to smooth even more. Add any food coloring and frost cookies. 

These cookies were so good, the children's stuffies got a bite! ;)

But really, I thought they were pretty tasty. And there was enough licking the frosting knives and sneaking bites of cookie before they were ready, that I think the children were thoroughly satisfied. #winning 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

-M