Gluten Free Spritz Cookies Made by Hand

Ingredients:

• 1 cup superfine brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup potato starch
• 1/2 cup tapioca starch
• 1/4 cup sorghum flour
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (or for corn-free dieters: 1 1/2 teaspoons guar gum)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks (1/2 lb./1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature (or buttery spread)
• 7/8 cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional; not nut-free)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flours, starches, gum, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of your mixer, cream butter and sugar; add egg and vanilla; blend until just combined.
4. Add flour mixture a little bit at a time until the mixture reaches the correct consistency (read more below) and blend just until combined.
5. Either use a cookie press (with thinner dough; see "Tips" below); cookie mold pan; or cookie cutter (with rolled out dough). If using a cookie mold pan, just push enough dough to meet the top of the pan, and decorate them with colored sugar as soon as they come out of the oven. If using a cookie press, use the star/rosette plate and press out about 1 1/2" cookies directly onto the cookie sheet. If using a pastry bag, see "Tips" below. No need to grease your baking pan, in any case.
6. Sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles; add a small nut, dried fruit, a third of a sliced glazed cherry, chocolate kiss (Nestle's dark chocolate baking pieces would be a perfect size.), or red or green M&M to center; or dress them up however you wish.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, depending upon size of cookies. Do not allow then to brown. If you see a hint of golden on the bottoms, they are done.
8. Allow the cookies to cool on/in the cookie sheet for 3-5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before storing. Store in ziplock bags or sealed container on the counter for several days, or freeze any them if not consuming them soon. Avoid placing them in the refrigerator, as this dries out gluten free baked goods.

Tips

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