Here’s everyone’s favorite cookie regardless of season, and to dress them up for Christmas, substitute red and green candy-coated chocolate candies for the classic chips.
Yield: 2 to 3 dozen
Active time: 15 minutes
Start to finish: 30 minutes
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
11/4 cups brown rice flour
1/2 cup sweet rice flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (12-ounce) bag bittersweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats. Place walnuts on a baking sheet, and toast for 5 to 7 minutes, or until lightly browned.
2. Combine brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, cornstarch, baking soda, xanthan gum, and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk well.
3. Combine sugar and butter and in another mixing bowl and beat at low speed with an electric mixer. Increase the speed to high, and beat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat for 1 minute.
4. Slowly add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, and beat until stiff dough forms. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips.
5. Drop 1-tablespoon amounts of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between cookies.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly brown. Cool cookies on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variation
Substitute macadamia nuts for walnuts and substitute white chocolate chips for bittersweet chocolate chips.