Almond Sprinkle Cookies. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Hump Day is here!  It started out rough, I won’t lie.  But knowing these were in my kitchen and that made the day a bit better. Last night was super exciting.  My oldest daughter scored enough points to get her varsity letter at her swim meet.  We were very proud parents!  Second year in a row and a very tough season.  Hard work pays off.

Yesterday, I was thinking about making a fun Valentine’s Day cookie for my girls.  It had to be gluten and dairy free for my oldest.  It had to be tasty.  And let’s face it – it had to be sweet!  Achieved!!  My youngest daughter said they are like pillows of deliciousness.  Biggest. Compliment. Ever!  I was thrilled.  You have to try these…

Ingredients:

2 cups + 2 tablespoons of Bob’s Redmill 1 to 1 gluten free flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1.5 cups of confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup of coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup of almond or coconut milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sprinkles

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheet with a Silpat.

Sift the dry ingredients (flour, powder and salt) together.  I did this twice.  Makes the end product light and fluffy.

Then in your stand mixer, paddle attached, blend sugar and oil. Then add your milk and extracts.  Once blended, add your dry ingredients.  Blend until combined and then let it sit for 4 minutes or so.  It will become a bit more firm as it sits.

Scoop out the dough and place it on your baking sheet.  Press the cookies down a bit with your hand.  Then add sprinkles and press those down as well. Bake for 10 minutes and remove.  Let cool.  These cookies will not get golden.  Serve and enjoy!  Store covered in plastic wrap.

Today was just a hard, crappy run.  Please don’t ever think that every run, by every runner is great or even good.  Many, and I mean MANY runs are crappy.  Crappy runs make you appreciate the good ones. They have lessons to learn as much as the good runs.  You need to push harder when you just want to quit.  BUT I don’t quit.  I kept going.  It was ugly and hard but I did it.  My legs are fatigued and my spirit is weary today.  It happens.  We recover and move on.

Recap:

Sunday:  18 outdoors
Monday:  rest
Tuesday: 5 treadmill/weightlifting/core/balance
Wednesday: 8 outdoors – 1 mile warm-up, progressive 2-7 and 1 mile cool-down

Hope your day is spectacular!

— Knead to Cook