Chocolate Eclair Cake

Oreo Balls

8 oz. package Gluten Free chocolate cream-filled cookies, crushed

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

14 oz. package white melting chocolate chips

Sprinkles

1. Beat the cream cheese until fluffy.  Add the chocolate cream-filled cookies and beat until well combined.

2. Roll into small balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.  Place in the freezer for at least 1 hour.

3. In a double boiler, melt white chocolate chips (I used pink colored white chocolate for Valentine's Day).  Continuously stir until melted and continue stirring to prevent burning. 

4.  With a fork, cover the oreo balls.  Shake off the excess chocolate and, using a tooth pick, gently place back onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.  Sprinkle with decoration immediately, before the chocolate hardens.  Chill in the refridgerator for at least one hour.  Serve.

“Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”

- Craig Claiborne

October is National Cookie Month.  Celebrate with this fall cookie classic.

Nestle's Oatmeal Scotchies

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies

1 1/4 c. Gluten Free all-purpose flour*

1/4 tsp. xanthum gum

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. butter or margarine, softened

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. Gluten Free quick or old-fashioned oats*

1 2/3 c. Butterscotch flavored morsels

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine flour, xanthum gum, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.  Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in oats and morsels.  Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.

3.  Bake for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies, or 9 to 10 minutes for crispy cookies.  Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

*I used Gluten Free Pantry's Gluten Free all-purpose flour and Bob's Red Mill's Gluten Free quick cooking oats for this recipe.

"Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness."                             - Jane Austen

All-American Apple Pie

Gluten Free Pie Crust*

Filling: 2/3 c. sugar ½ tsp. cinnamon 2 Tbsp. water 2 Tbsp. lemon juice ¼ tsp. nutmeg 2 Tbsp. margarine 5-6 medium sliced apples

Crumb Topping: ½ c. firmly packed brown sugar ½ c. softened margarine 1 c. Gluten Free all-purpose flour*

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. To Make Pie Crust: Follow package directions. 

3. To Make Filling: In large bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss with apples. Add water and lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated and spoon into unbaked pie crust. Dot with butter.

4. To Make Crumb Topping: Using a pastry cutter, mix topping ingredients until crumbly in texture. Sprinkle over apples. 

5. Place pie on a cookie sheet, covered with aluminum foil, to catch juices that may spill over.  Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Top with ice cream and serve.

*I used Gluten Free Pantry's perfect pie crust mix and all-purpose flour for this recipe.

Cook's Tip: This recipe can be made into a delicious gluten free apple crisp by omitting the crust.

Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

"Do you have a kinder, more adaptable friend in the food world than soup? Who soothes you when you are ill?  Soup does its loyal best, no matter what undignified conditions are imposed upon it."  - Judith Martin

1 pkg. boneless, skinless chicken strips

4 cups water

3/4 tsp. poultry seasoning

1/4 tsp. thyme

1/4 cup diced onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 cups chicken broth

3 cups pre-cooked rice pasta (fettucini or spirals)

1. Combine first four ingredients in Dutch oven; bring to a boil and cook about 20 minutes.

2. Remove chicken and add remaining ingredients, except pasta. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Coarsely chop chicken.

3. In separate pot, cook rice pasta according to directions. Drain.

4. Add chicken and cooked noodles to soup. Simmer additional 5 minutes. Serve.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Recipe from the blog Life as a Lofthouse

The chicken coating:

3-4 boneless chicken breasts

salt + pepper

1 cup cornstarch

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup canola oil

The sweet and sour sauce:

3/4 cup sugar

4 Tbsp ketchup

1/2 cup vinegar

1 Tbsp Gluten Free soy sauce

1 tsp garlic salt

1. Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. 

2. Rinse your chicken breasts in water and then cut into cubes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the eggs.  Heat your 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet and cook your chicken until browned but not cooked through.

3. Place the chicken in a 9x13 greased baking dish. Mix all of your sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a bowl with a whisk and then pour evenly over the chicken. 

4. Bake for one hour and during the baking process you will need to turn the chicken every 15 minutes.