Gluten Free Chocolate Truffle Cookies

You must be very special, because I am sharing with you one of my all-time favorite cookies to make at Christmas... literally.  You are not just getting the recipe, but actually have a chance to have these cookies.  At the end of this post, I explain how you can get them.

Gluten Free Chocolate Truffle Cookies

  I have made these Chocolate Truffle Cookies for years and always give them as gifts for my Christmas baking.  This year, for the first time, I have made a gluten free version, and I can't tell any difference.  That is probably because these Gluten Free Chocolate Truffle Cookies only have a 1/2 cup of flour to start with anyway, so replacing that with a gluten free flour blend didn't make a big difference.  Imagine biting into what seems to be a cookie with a bit of a crispy edge, but finding that the inside is very similar to a chocolate truffle, loaded with gooey chocolate chips...but it's still kind of a cookie.  Intrigued? I guess you are going to have to make them too to find out just how amazing these cookies are.  Top them with a dusting of powdered sugar and box or bag them up, and you have a nice gift...that is, if you don't eat them all before you give them away (like we did this year).  I think next time I will make two batches, one for us and one to give! Hey, speaking about giving...how would you like me to make you a batch?

 What are some of your all-time favorite Christmas treats to give or make?  The first person (who lives in the United States) who lets me know their favorite thing to bake at Christmas, will win a batch of these Gluten Free Chocolate Truffle Cookies.  Just comment below!  Anyone else who comments (once again, who lives in the United States) will be part of a random selection (by a third party) to receive a batch too! Make sure and include your e-mail address in your comment so I can contact the winners. So two batches of Gluten Free Chocolate Truffle Cookies are up for grabs, so get to commenting!  Merry Christmas from Goodies Gone Gluten Free.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE COOKIES
Recipe From: Goodies Gone Gluten Free
Slightly Adapted from: Taste of Home
click here for Printable Recipe

4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. baking cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Confectioner's sugar

In a microwave or double broiler, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of chocolate chips and butter; cool for 10 minutes.  In a mixing bowl, beat sugar and eggs for 2 minutes.  Beat in vanilla and the chocolate mixture.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; beat into chocolate mixture.  Stir in remaining chocolate chips.  Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.  Remove about 1 cup of dough.  With lightly floured hands (make sure to use gluten free flour), roll into 1-in. balls.  Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes or until lightly puffed and set.  The tops should not look wet, but cookie will still be a bit soft.  Cool on pan 3-4 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies

It's officially Christmas time!!!  Yea!!  I thought I would kick off the season with these easy to make, yet oh so delicious Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies.  They are just like the Muddy Buddy cereal  snack, but made with peanut butter cookies, and just like Muddy Buddies, they are coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter and tossed with powdered sugar.  You won't believe the explosion in your mouth when you take your first bite of these babies!  Make sure, though, to have a glass of milk in hand when eating these Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies!

Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies

 To make it real easy, I started with a gluten free cookie mix, but you could make your own peanut butter cookies.  I used the Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Cookie Mix and followed the directions on the back to make them into peanut butter cookies.

 I have a real hard time when the stores start displaying Christmas things early (like October), and find myself fighting giving in to it all through November, just because I want it to be special all December long and not feel overdone by the time Christmas comes.  I feel it is official now that December 1st has rolled along to fully give in to the season...and boy have I!  The tree is up, the decorations are out and the baking shall begin!  I have so many wonderful treats to share with you this season, so buckle up we are in for a ride (I won't say it is a bumpy ride, though).

Merry Christmas, friends!  Enjoy!

GLUTEN FREE MUDDY BUDDY COOKIES
Recipe From:  Goodies Gone Gluten Free
Adapted from:  Betty Crocker
Click here for printable recipes

1 box of gluten free peanut butter cookie mix or homemade made according to directions
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz.)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

Make cookies according to package directions for peanut butter cookies.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and place dough 2 inches apart.  Bake as directed, until edges are light golden brown.  Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.  Cool completely.

In small microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter uncovered on high 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Place 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar in a 1-gallon resealable food-storage bag; set aside.  Place 12 cooled cookies in large bowl.  Pour 1/3 of chocolate mixture over cookies in bowl.  Using rubber spatula, toss cookies gently to coat.  Place cookies in bag with powdered sugar; seal bag.  Gently turn bag to coat remaining chocolate mixture; repeat again until all cookies are coated, adding additional powdered sugar to bag as needed.