Gluten Free Fig Butter Almond Cookies

While perusing the isles of my local Trader Joe's I came across something wonderful: Fig Butter.

I have been wanting to use figs in a recipe lately and was totally blown away when I found this little jar calling my name.  I knew it was meant to be.

So home I went with my very own little jar of this yummy puree of figs and sweetness.  But what should I make?

My lover was craving something sweet and crunchy, so I decided to make Fig Butter Almond Cookies.  And, boy I'm sure happy I did.

These cookies somehow became the most delicious creations I have made in a very long time.  The blend of crunchy almond slivers with the perfect ratio of crunchy/crumbly texture.

Your whole house will smell like an Italian kitchen.  Mine sure did.


Gluten Free Fig Butter Almond Cookies
makes 24 cookies

Gluten Free ● Egg Free ● Dairy Free ● Soy Free ● Casein Free

1/4 cup Almond Milk (or other milk)

2 tsp Ground Flaxmeal
2/3 cup Coconut Oil, cold
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 cups Wholesome Chow's All-Purpose Baking Mix
1/2 cup Slivered Almonds
1/2 cup Fig Butter, or 12 halved dried Black Mission Figs

2 glasses of Red Wine

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two cookie sheets.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend milk and flaxmeal until frothy, about 1 minute on medium-high speed.
3. Add coconut oil and sugar.  Beat on high for 2-3 minutes, or until oil and sugar are well incorporated and there aren't very many oil clumps.
4. Add vanilla and apple cider vinegar, beat for another 30 seconds.
5. Add All-Purpose Baking Mix and blend until well incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
6. Add almonds and mix in.
7. Using your clean hands, form golf ball sized cookies and flatten with your palm onto the cookie sheet.  Use your thumb to create a "thumbprint" into the center of each cookie (this is where your fig butter will go).
8. Place 1 tsp of fig butter (or 1/2 of a dried fig) into each thumbprint.
9. Place into preheated oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until bottoms are starting to lightly brown and cookies are starting to firm.
10. Pull from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
11. Pour two glasses of red wine and share your fresh baked cookies with your loved one.

How to make these cookies Un-Gluten Free:

• Eliminate the Apple Cider Vinegar
• Use Organic Unbleached Wheat Flour in place of the All-Purpose Baking Mix.
• Add: 1 tsp Baking Powder and 1/2 tsp Salt.

Question of the day:

What kinds of Vegan Holiday Cookie recipes would you like to see posted in the Vegan Bakerista blog?