Thursday, February 24, 2011

GLUTEN-FREE ALMOND BUTTER BEAUTY COOKIES

almond butter beauties

Have you heard of monster cookies?  Paula Deen makes them, and so does the Pioneer Woman.  They’re loaded with peanut butter, MandM’s, nuts, chocolate chips, and just about anything you can think of.   What’s interesting about monster cookies is that most versions have no flour, just oats. 
almond butter beauties (6)

Well, this is my almond butter version, actually a compilation of several recipes plus my own tweaks.   And instead of calling them monsters, I’m calling them beauties, not because they’re particularly attractive, but because I like them.    In fact, I’m amazed at how much I like them.   They are a gluten-free whole-grain cookie.   The edges are crispy-crunchy, the insides are soft and chewy, and they’re not overly sweet.   I can tell you they are going to be one of my go-to cookies from now on, not just because they’re a slightly healthier cookie, but  because they don’t taste like a healthy cookie.  Don’t get me wrong.  I know they’re not really healthy, they’re a sweet treat.  But, comparatively speaking, they’ll do less collateral damage than the real thing, yet they’ll satisfy.

Gluten-Free Almond Butter Beauty Cookies
Source:  Judy’s Kitchen
Rating:  9 out of 10
INGREDIENTS: 
1-1/2 cups oats, packed (3/4 cup quick oats, +3/4 cup old-fashioned oats)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. sea salt
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, soft
1/2 tsp. dark corn syrup
about 1/2 cup almond butter (120 grams)
6 Tbsp. sugar (I used 1-1/2 Tbsp. NuNaturals Stevia)
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup almond toffee bits
1/4 cup each toasted sliced almonds + toasted chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350F.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In mini food processor, pulverize 1/2 cups oats (1/4 cup quick oats + 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats). 

Whisk together in medium bowl all the oats (pulverized and not), baking soda and salt.  In large bowl, using electric mixer, beat together butter, corn syrup, almond butter, sugars, vanilla and egg till well combined and smooth. 
almond butter beauties (2)

On low speed, mix in oat mixture until barely combined.   Stir in chocolate chips, toffee bits, and nuts.  (This will be easier if you have a heavy-duty mixer like a KitchenAid.  Otherwise, your mixer should be able to handle a stiff dough.) 
almond butter beauties (3) 
Form into 2” balls and place on prepared cookie sheet. 
almond butter beauties (4)

Press dough down to flatten slightly. almond butter beauties (5)
Bake about 8-9 minutes, or till cookies are barely done.  Let cookies cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.  Yield:  12 (3”) cookies, about 3/8” thick.

11 comments:

The Food Hound said...

I would agree- these are beauties, not monsters! Love the picture of the oozing chocolate, as well as the addition of toffee chips!

From the Kitchen said...

I call them "delicious". Love the fact that they should mail well. I'm always looking for treats to send off to the boys to remind them of mom's kitchen!

Best,
Bonnie

Diane said...

These sound delicious, I am going to try these out. Diane

Marge said...

lovely beauties :o) These sound great & I'll be making them soon - thanks for the post....maybe I'll add cranberries :o)

Susan McClaskey said...

Your cookies look very good. I've also scrolled down and looked at some of your other posts and every one lookes like something I'd like to try. Yum! Thanks for visiting Buttermilk Cottage and please come back often.
Best,
Susan

Big Dude said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment

Anonymous said...

Yum! I love nut butter, no flour cookies! They are so easy and taste so delicious. I've never tried them with almond butter. I'll have to add it to my to do list!

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

These look delicious! Would you please pass 2 and a large glass of cold milk! Mmmmm! Have a great weekend!

teresa said...

these are such wonderful looking cookies!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Wow, those are some gorgeous cookies, Judy! Love the chocolate oooozing out of them! YUM-MO!

Anonymous said...

I love them a lot! I made them with gf oats & they turned out really well! Thanks!!

I also have cookies, gf on my blog using almond butter. Maybe, you will lovethem too. here is the link:

http://sophiesfoodiefiles.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/sophies-gluten-free-triple-coconut-almond-butter-soft-cookies-with-dark-chocolate-chips/