If you’ve been searching for a delightful treat that combines nostalgia with nourishing ingredients, look no further! This Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe brings classic Italian cookie flavors into the modern kitchen with a wholesome twist. Soft, lightly tangy, and adorned with a sweet glaze and sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for anyone craving a comforting baked good without compromising on health or dietary needs. Each bite offers a beautiful balance of chewy texture and subtle citrus notes, all while being gluten-free and thoughtfully made for a healthier lifestyle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, clean ingredients is the key to this recipe’s magic. Each component is carefully chosen to enhance the flavor, texture, and appearance of your cookies while keeping them gluten-free and wholesome.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness, helping the cookies rise perfectly.
- Coconut oil: Adds a subtle tropical flavor and healthy fats, melted and cooled for easy mixing.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor profile.
- Lemon extract: Offers a refreshing citrus zing that brightens every bite.
- Coconut sugar: A natural sweetener that creates a gentle caramel undertone.
- Cottage cheese: Adds moisture and a tender crumb, working beautifully with dairy’s creamy texture.
- Greek yogurt: Contributes tanginess and keeps the cookies wonderfully moist.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents that give the cookies a light and airy lift.
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour: The perfect gluten-free blend ensuring your cookies have the classic soft texture.
- Powdered sugar: For the glaze, providing a smooth, sweet finish.
- Milk: Helps achieve the ideal glaze consistency.
- Sprinkles: Add a fun, colorful touch that makes these cookies as festive as they are tasty.
How to Make Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This small step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the tray effortlessly.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly until fluffy. Whisk in the melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and coconut sugar until everything is smooth and well blended. This mixture is going to be the flavorful base that binds your cookies together.
Step 3: Add Dairy and Leavening Agents
Stir in the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, baking powder, and baking soda gently. These ingredients help create the tender, moist structure unique to Anginetti cookies while giving them a lovely rise.
Step 4: Incorporate the Flour
Gradually add Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour to your wet ingredients. Mix until the batter thickens and takes on a slightly chunky texture due to the cottage cheese. This step defines the dough consistency, so don’t overmix—just enough to bring it all together.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Using about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie, drop spoonfuls onto your prepared baking sheets. For a polished look, gently roll each portion into a smooth ball. This will help your cookies bake evenly and look beautiful after glazing.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, watching closely toward the end. You want them set and just turning a light golden color, ensuring they’re baked through while still remaining soft and tender inside.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. Let them cool fully before glazing; warm cookies can cause the icing to melt and lose its delightful texture.
Step 8: Prepare and Apply the Glaze
Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth to create the perfect glaze consistency. Dip the tops of your cooled cookies into the glaze and quickly add sprinkles to decorate. This simple touch turns your cookies into festive little delights.
Step 9: Let the Icing Set
Allow the glaze to harden for about an hour at room temperature. Once set, your Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe is ready to nibble on or share with friends and family.
How to Serve Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
The glaze and sprinkles are classic finishing touches, but feel free to get creative! Consider adding finely chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or a dusting of lemon zest atop the glaze to heighten texture and flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of herbal tea, a frothy cappuccino, or even fresh fruit salad. Their light texture and slight tang can balance richer or creamier beverages and desserts beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Present these cookies on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for a charming, homestyle vibe. For parties, arrange them in colorful cupcake liners or stack them in a decorative jar with a ribbon for a lovely gift idea. The vibrant sprinkles also make them a fantastic choice for festive occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep your leftover cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Storing them properly helps maintain their soft, tender texture and keeps the glaze from absorbing moisture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze well! Place cooled and glazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
If you prefer warm cookies, gently warm them in the oven at 300°F (149°C) for 5-7 minutes, but avoid reheating too long to prevent drying out the glaze and the cookie itself.
FAQs
Can I use a different gluten-free flour blend?
Absolutely! While this recipe calls for Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour, you can experiment with other blends. Just ensure they contain xanthan gum or another binding agent to help with texture and structure.
Is it necessary to use both baking powder and baking soda?
Yes, the combination helps balance the acidity from the yogurt and lemon extract and provides the ideal rise and light texture characteristic of Anginetti cookies.
Will these cookies be dairy-free if I substitute ingredients?
Since cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are key to moisture and flavor, you’d need suitable dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt and vegan cream cheese to keep the texture similar, but the flavor will vary somewhat.
How long does the glaze stay fresh?
The glaze hardens within an hour and stays fresh for up to 3 days when cookies are stored properly. It provides a slight snap when bitten into, which many find delightful.
Can I omit the sprinkles?
Definitely! Sprinkles add a festive touch and a little crunch but skipping them won’t affect the delicious taste of your Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe a try. It’s a charming treat that brings so much joy to the kitchen and your taste buds without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. Whether for a quiet afternoon snack or a special celebration, these cookies offer that perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and wholesome goodness that keeps everyone coming back for more. Happy baking!
Print
Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Healthy Gluten-Free Anginetti Cookies deliver a delightful twist on a classic Italian cookie while using wholesome ingredients. Made with gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt, these cookies are soft, slightly tangy, and naturally sweetened. The light glaze and sprinkles add a festive touch perfect for any occasion, all while being suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup milk
Dry Ingredients
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
Toppings
- Sprinkles (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners. This preparation prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Beat Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. Whisk in the melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and coconut sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dairy and Leavening: Stir in the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, baking powder, and baking soda gently to distribute evenly without overmixing.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the gluten-free flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until the batter thickens and has a slightly chunky texture due to the cottage cheese.
- Form Cookies: Using about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie, drop portions onto the prepared baking sheets. Optionally, roll them into balls for a rounded, neat appearance.
- Bake: Place the trays in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Watch closely during the last few minutes to ensure cookies are set and lightly golden but not burnt.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: Mix the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the tops of cooled cookies into the glaze and immediately add sprinkles for decoration.
- Set the Glaze: Allow the icing to harden for about an hour. Store the cookies in an airtight container afterward to keep them fresh.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients where possible for better mixing.
- The cottage cheese adds moisture and a slight tang—don’t substitute without adjusting moisture content.
- Ensure cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent melting the icing.
- Gluten-free flour blends can vary; if the dough is too sticky or dry, adjust by adding a tablespoon of flour or yogurt as needed.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
