Dino Cookies

Bode's going to a summer day camp this week with a dinosaur theme. It's already been a challenge keeping him gluten-free. I called ahead and got the snack list. I let him have the snack on Monday since it was mostly cornmeal and oat flour, although it did have some wheat flour (it was a dino cereal). Tuesday was supposed to be pretzels so i sent him with a bag of GF pretzels. But when we got there i saw the makings for frosted graham crackers with dino fruit snacks. Uuurgh. I asked them to try frosting his pretzels, but from talking to him he got the graham crackers. I feel like i'm treading a fine line between keeping him GF and not making him feel singled-out when he's already in an uncomfortable (for him) environment.

Today the snack schedule says "dino bones sugar cookies." So last night i whipped up some GF sugar cookie dough and this morning i rolled it out and Doug traced and cut out some dinos and a bone. If you can't tell from the picture, there's a dog bone looking cookie, a stegasaurus and a pterydactyl (upside-down in pic). I think they turned out pretty well and are actually tasty.

Here's the recipe:

GF Sugar Cookies

from http://www.glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/

2 1/2 cups of your favorite gluten-free flour (i used millet)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons of xanthan gum
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla (make sure it's gluten-free)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

After you have preheated the oven to 350°, mix all the dry ingredients together and set that bowl aside.

Cream together the shortenings and sugar, preferably with a standing mixer. Then, add the egg and vanilla. Beat these as long as you can. The more airy and whipped they are, the better the cookies will taste.

Add the dry ingredients, along with the nutmeg.

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour (i chilled overnight). This is essential for gluten-free doughs.

When the dough is properly chilled, roll it out to 1/2-inch thickness and cut with your favorite cookie cutters.

Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven.