Gluten Free Santa Caps

In my family a large part of getting into the holiday spirit is baking together; usually our baking brigade starts at Thanksgiving and goes right through Christmas :) We have generations of festive recipes, but most of them are not very healthy. These Santa Caps are a favorite of mine because: A) they include fresh fruit and B) they are not too large (practically bite size). This year I made them gluten free with both the cookie recipe and the frosting. They are very easy and tasty! Enjoy

Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Recipe

What You Will Need:

ü 1/2 cup butter at room temperature

ü 1/4 cup granulated sugar

ü 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

ü 1 tsp vanilla extract

ü 1 large egg

ü 1 cup + 2 Tbsp gluten free flour blend

ü 1/2 tsp each baking soda, baking powder and salt

To Get from A to B:

ü Mix butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl

ü Add egg and vanilla and mix again until well combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed.

ü Add gluten free baking mix, baking soda, baking powder & salt and mix again. When done the mixture should appear "doughy."

ü Cover and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4-6 hours) until thoroughly chilled.

ü Preheat oven to 350 degrees

ü Scoop out rounded Tablespoon amounts of dough, roll them into balls and place them 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.

ü Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just slightly golden brown.

Gluten Free Frosting Recipe:

What You Will Need:

ü 1 cup unsalted butter softened

ü 3 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar, sifted  

ü 1/4 teaspoon table salt

ü 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

ü Around 4 tablespoons milk

To Get From A To B:

ü Beat the butter in a mixer on medium speed until the butter has broken down and begins to look whipped.

ü Stop the mixer and add in your sifted powdered sugar. Cover your mixer and bowl with a towel and turn your mixer on the lowest speed for 30 seconds to a minute. -Increase the speed to medium and add the vanilla, salt, and 2 tbsp. of the milk. Beat for 3 minutes on medium.

ü You’re done! Need thicker icing? Add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time

To Asemble Santa Caps:

ü Slice the tops off of fresh strawberries and place the strawberries onto cooled sugar cookies

ü Spoon frosting into a ziplock bag and cut a little hole into the corner of the bag

ü Pipe the frosting around the base of the strawberry (onto the cookie that is sticking out from under it)

ü Also put a small dab of frosting onto the top of the strawberry

ü Serve and Enjoy!!