I thought long and hard about what I would make since I was only going to attempt a few things, not a truckload of recipes. I decided that Christmas isn't Christmas without some shortbread and gingerbread men. And since everyone loves some lemon squares, I threw those in the plan too. Not to brag or anything, but man was I successful! Everything turned out great and delicious and was a big hit with my mom, who is also going GF with me.
First I made the shortbread. I assembled all my ingredients and measured everything out using my kitchen scale. That's the way it's supposed to be done with gluten-free baking, or so I've been told.
See the lights and candle? I also had Christmas music on, trying to get me in the holiday spirit. |
Measuring butter |
Once it was all flat and even, I pricked it with a fork, scored it and shoved it into the oven to bake. It started smelling like shortbread in no time at all and my excitement grew.
It turned out beautifully. I tasted it when it was still warm and was melt in your mouth delicious. GF baking challenge #1 = success.
While the shortbread was baking, I started on the lemon squares. I just wanted pure lemon though so I didn't put in the ginger or cinnamon that the recipe called for. And I was so glad that I didn't. They turned out great with a nice tang that was just perfect.
I got a little lazy with the picture taking though and only got the finished product. Please forgive me. Here are the lemon squares fresh out of the oven.
And then all cut up with a light dusting of icing sugar.
Another success if I dare say so myself.
My last GF baking challenge was gingerbread men. I was a little scared too since they involved being rolled out and cut into shapes. But my mom LOVES gingerbread so I was determined to make them.
I actually made these cookies at my parents house so I had a little helper. We even had matching aprons.
My niece Arissa and I |
And here I am proudly holding up my three decorated cookies. Lots of colour going on!
My sister Cora had leftover icing from making her gingerbread house (more on that in another post) so she happily decorated some of my cookies for me. Thank goodness for some GF candy to go on them.
Everything tasted so good and I am still enjoying all my baking thanks to my freezer. I'm pretty proud of my first attempts at GF baking, aren't you?
Wow, everything looks delicious! Want to come to my house and make those lemon squares for me? I might be willing to go gluten free for it!
ReplyDeleteThat does all look delicious!!! And yep, I'm pretty proud of your first attempt at GF baking, if the pictures came out half as good as the food then I say you nailed it!!!
ReplyDeleteThe gluten free recipes that I've tried have actually been super tasty! But I can definitely see why stopping eating gluten during December would be hard!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you made out ok for your first GF Holiday season! I definitely want to try and make those gingerbread men!!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever have questions, I've been GF for almost 4 years now. :)
Good luck! <3
~ReqEx
P.S. We also have a food blog, wehasaflavor.wordpress.com
Erin - I would love to come to your house and make you those lemon squares! I think they were my favourite thing I made.
ReplyDeleteKatharine - Thanks for thinking my pictures turned out well even if I slacked off with them. And yes, everything tasted as good as it looked.
Weaslewam - I went GF last December too so there was no way I was going to miss out on two Christmas's worth of baking. :P
ReqEx - Thanks for the link to your blog and the offer to answer any questions I may have. I'll probably take you up on that! Let me know how the gingerbread men turn out for you.
All of that looks amazing. I have a recipe for an orange cake I need to get to you, too. It came out almost like a cheesecake, and even my picky brothers and in-laws loved it.
ReplyDeleteDrool... that orange cake sounds so good! I would love the recipe.
ReplyDelete