Danny's Giant Ginger Cookies | Paleo & Gluten Free

Original Recipe | Mary Leota Taylor & Danny DeCiryan • Photography & Text | ShainaDeCiryan.com • From Experivida.com | December 18th, 2014

The evolution of our family's favorite holiday cookie

This recipe originated from my grandma Mary Leota, who wrote down the following version of her famous ginger cookie recipe in November 1998. My dad Danny has been experimenting with gluten free baking for the past 15 years, and has deliciously adapted grandma's recipe to be gluten free! A few winters ago he spilled extra cloves in it, and it was a hit! Cloves are a very nutrient dense spice, and contain eugenols which have anti-inflammatory properties.

Why does gluten free/paleo inspired baking matter?

Choosing a gluten free diet is not easy- especially around the winter holidays when many a kitchen fills with the sumptuous smells of baked delights. Luckily, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years or you're just a regular cookie monster- you can treat your family & friends (and yourself!) to a batch of these tasty ginger cookies without feeling the icky effects of gluten.Even if you've never been diagnosed with Celiacs disease, you may enjoy some great benefits to taking wheat out of your diet and returning to cleaner, healthier, unprocessed foods. The rise of mono-agriculture and farm subsidies have made wheat a cheap & easy food choice for those of us in developed countries. But this fluffy carb is doing us no favors nutritionally as a society. If you're new to being gluten free or wondering what all the fuss is about, be sure to check back soon for a post about it. We'll be adding some of the books, podcasts and websites that are a great start to educating yourself about it. Many people dismiss gluten free diets as a fad, which I agree with- it has become a buzzword that many people don't properly research or understand. However, so far in the research and biohacking experiments we've done, eliminating wheat and gluten from our diet has noticeable benefits to us as individuals. Everyone has a different reaction to it based on their body chemistry, which is one thing that I love about the biohacking movement- it means you need to test out for yourself what is best for you!

Danny's Giant Ginger Cookies 

Makes about 25 4x1.5" ginger cookies: Gluten Free, Paleo Friendly, Low Sugar


INGREDIENTS

4 1/2 Cup Gluten Free Baking Mix Flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground organic Ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp ground organic Saigon cinnamon
4 tsp ground organic cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups shortening (do not use butter or margarine)
3/4 cup palm sugar*
2 pastured organic eggs
1/2 cup unsulfured blackstrap molasses
1/4 cup turbinado sugar


METHOD

o In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside
o In a large mixing bowl whip shortening until softened
o Gradually add palm sugar (see note below) and beat until fluffy
o Add eggs and molasses beat well
o Add 1/2 of the flour mixture and beat until well combined
o Stir remaining flour in with a wooden spoon
o Using an ice cream scoop shape dough into 1 1/2" to 2" balls and roll in the turbinado sugar; place      on an ungreased (or airflow) cookie sheet with 2 1/2" spacing.
o Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 - 14 or until light browned or puffed.
o Let stand 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
o Enjoy with tea, coconut ice cream or cinnamon hot cocoa!






*Palm Sugar source - http://chezpim.com/pantry/palm_sugar



We hope you enjoy the recipe! Do you have a favorite cookie that you've adapted to be Gluten Free or more paleo, low sugar friendly? If so share the GF love! Happy Baking. From our family to yours- Happy Holidays!