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Dairy Free Sweet Vanilla Icing {Perfect for Cookie Decorating!)

By Kelly · 19 Comments

Grain-Free Heart Cookie Cutouts

You could ask my kids about my little happy dance and shouts of “eureka!” Or you can just take my word for it that I was a just a wee-bit overexcited (to say the least) when I finally found a way to make a delicious dairy-free, refined-sugar-free icing perfect for decorating cookies!

What makes this icing so wonderful is the fact that its consistency allows for easy decorating without running and spreading. In fact, this icing will even firm up at room temperature within an hour or so, making packing them up to give to your favorite sweeties a lot less messy.

EverydayGrainFreeBakingThis delightful recipe is just one of more than 100 irresistible grain-free, dairy-free recipes in my new cookbook – Everyday Grain-Free Baking!

From breads, biscuits and muffins to savory snacks and decadent treats, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, beautiful color photographs and helpful tips & tidbits to make all of your GF baking adventures a delicious success!

Click here to get a SNEAK PEEK of the book!

Print
Sweet Vanilla Icing (Dairy Free)

Yield: 1 cup of icing

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut butter (not coconut oil)
  • 1/2 cup coconut cream (see recipe instructions below)
  • 1/4 tsp unflavored gelatin
  • 1 tbsp coconut milk (or water)
  • 3 tbsp pure honey
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: natural food coloring or fine-ground dried strawberries

Instructions

  1. For the Coconut Cream: Place one can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This will result in the coconut cream rising to the surface. Measure out 1/2 cup of the cream at the top of the can. Reserve the remainder for another use.
  2. In a small bowl, add 1 tbsp of coconut milk (or water) to 1/4 tsp of unflavored gelatin. Whisk well; set aside.
  3. In a small saucepan, add the coconut cream, coconut butter, honey and vanilla. Warm over low heat just until coconut butter is melted. Whisk well to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Then, whisk in the gelatin and remove from the heat.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight.
  5. Remove icing mixture from fridge. If you've allowed it to sit in fridge overnight, you'll need to let it sit for a bit as it will be very hard. Once it softens a bit, if you'd like to add color, separate the icing into separate mixing bowls and add desired colors. Or use fine-ground dried strawberries to add color and flavor.
  6. Then, using a stand mixer with whisk attachment (or electric hand mixer), whip the icing until it becomes light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes on high). Be sure to rinse whisk (beaters) well and dry, before mixing the next color.
  7. Transfer icing to a pastry bag with writing tip insert. Or place in ziplock baggies and snip corners to decorate.
  8. Keep icing in the fridge until ready to use. (Icing can be made one day in advance. Again, if it's been left in fridge for more than a couple hours it will be very hard, so allow it to sit at room temp for a bit until it softens. Then decorate.)
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https://thenourishinghome.com/2014/02/dairy-free-sugar-free-sweet-vanilla-icing/

Curious about these adorable heart cookies? Those are a special guest recipe post I’m sharing over at Honeyville Farms. Inspired by those classic little conversation heart candies, these delicious heart-shaped cookies are certain to bring smiles to the faces of those you love – not only because they’re absolutely adorable, but more important because they taste great too!

Grain Free Conversation Heart Cookies

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Decadent Fudgy Brownies (GF)
Cookie Dough Bites Gift-in-a-Jar (GF)
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Filed Under: Cookies/Bars/Brownies, Other Desserts ·

Cookie Dough Bites Gift-in-a-Jar (GF)

By Kelly · 3 Comments

Cookie Bites Gift-in-a-Jar

Continuing with our theme of beautiful and thoughtful homemade gifts in a jar … I’m sharing a super simple cookie recipe that totally went viral. Yes, my Raw Cookie Dough Bites have been, and continue to be, one of the most viewed recipes on this site. And for good reason … they are in one word, “YUMMY!”

And they make a delicious and nutritious gift, especially for those who are living a gluten-free or grain-free lifestyle. But again, these certainly should not be reserved for just those who are GF. I’ve found that even the most skeptical healthy food phobes find these little gems absolutely irresistible!

Looking for even more great grain-free gift in a jar ideas? Check out “The Best Homemade Holiday Gifts-in-a-Jar” – my special guest post at Keeper of the Home.

Raw Cookie Dough Bites in a Jar (Grain-Free)

Simply layer the ingredients in a wide-mouth half-pint (1 cup) mason jar in the following order:

• 3 tbsp unsweetened finely shredded coconut
• 3 tbsp organic raw cacao nibs
• 1/3 cup, plus 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Finishing the gift:
Cut out festive paper in circles the same size as the jar top; place paper on top of the circle seal and then screw the lid over the paper. Add decorative ribbon and a gift tag.

Be sure to include the baking instructions (see below).
I like to print the directions out and place them into the Christmas card we give along with the gift jar. To make it extra festive, I place both the card and gift jar in a recycled gift bag.

——————————–

Instructions for Making Raw Cacao-Coconut Cookie Bites
You will need the following ingredients to make these delicious & healthy grain-free raw cookie dough bites:

• 1/2 cup creamy unsalted raw almond butter (or sunflower seed butter)
• 1/4 cup pure raw sage honey
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. In a large bowl, mix together the raw almond butter, honey and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
2. Next, dump the contents of the jar into the bowl and use a large spoon to mix together until well blended. Then, using your hands, knead the dough to further combine all the ingredients together.
3. Scoop out teaspoon-size portions and roll into balls using your hands to form the cookie bites. Place cookie bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Refrigerate cookie bites for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. Or, place the entire baking sheet of cookies into the freezer for about 2 hours. Once frozen, you can transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container and simply thaw-out the desired amount of cookies for a couple of minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!

Storage: This gift-in-a-jar can be stored in the pantry for 2-3 weeks. Yield: 1 1/2 dozen cookie bites.

You Might Also Like:

Double Chocolate Banana Bars
Dairy Free Sweet Vanilla Icing {Perfect for Cookie Decorating!)
Raw Cookie Dough Bites (GF)

Filed Under: Cookies/Bars/Brownies ·

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (GF)

By Kelly · 6 Comments

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies TNH
Every kid wants a cookie in his lunchbox – and let’s face it, so do most of us adults too! That’s why, I enjoy creating healthier treats that taste great without compromising good nutrition.

With back-to-school just around the corner, I thought it would be a great time to share this new-found favorite with you and your kiddos. These oh-so-chocolately cookies are a simple variation of my ever-popular Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

Super convenient – they can be frozen and placed directly into your child’s lunchbox for a quick and easy lunchbox treat that keeps both of you smiling!

Double ChocoChip Close Up TNH
For more kid-friendly lunch box ideas, be sure to check out “Back-to-School Lunchbox Ideas & Healthy Snacks.”

Print
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (GF)

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup rapadura (or coconut sugar)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened fair trade cacao powder
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 scant tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
  • 3/4 cup fair trade chocolate chips (65% cacao or higher)
  • 1/2 cup crispy walnut pieces (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  2. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix together the butter, coconut oil and rapadura in a large bowl until very creamy (like frosting).
  3. Next, add the cocoa powder, vanilla and egg, mixing until well incorporated.
  4. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Then, slowly mix in the blanched almond flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until well blended.
  5. Using a spoon, fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using.
  6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about three-inches apart on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. (For thinner, flatter cookies, use your fingers or palm of your hand to flatten the dough balls just a bit.)
  7. Bake approximately 9-10 minutes. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Time-Saving Tip: For quick, healthy lunchbox treats, freeze the cookies right on the baking sheet and then transfer frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container. Then you can easily take out what you need and place directly into your child’s lunchbox – no need to thaw.

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https://thenourishinghome.com/2013/08/double-chocolate-chip-cookies-gf/

*Disclosure: If you opt to purchase using the affiliate links in this post, a small portion of the sale goes to support The Nourishing Home at no additional cost to you. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you do, you are helping to support the free resources, meal plans and recipes here at The Nourishing Home. Thank you!

Looking for more scrumptious almond flour cookie recipes? 
Here are a few top reader favorites…
• Super Cinnamony Snickerdoodles(GF)
• No-Sugar “Sugar” Cookie Cut-Outs(GF)
• Simple & Delicious Thumbprint Cookies(GF)

Happy Summer! Joyfully Serving HIM, Kelly

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Frozen Banana Bites – Summer Fun with the Kids!
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Filed Under: Cookies/Bars/Brownies, Kid Friendly Recipes ·

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My New Cookbook is Here!

Welcome to The Nourishing Home!

I’m so glad you’re here and want you to feel right at home! My heart in creating this blog is to help you by sharing helpful meal planning strategies and nourishing GF recipes that are healthy, easy and delicious with thanksgiving to God! [Read More …]







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