Happy election day, USofA! Today is a stressful day for millions of Americans – those especially whose rights, to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (and love) are teetering on the edge of oblivion. We have already voted, in two different states – Kendra in Oregon and me in California. Ballots cast into the great pit of representative democracy (heads up, the US has never been a true, cut and clean direct democracy, for better or for worse). We voted on behalf of so many who aren’t eligible but who support every detail of the running of this country nonetheless and deserve our support in kind. We voted on behalf of friends and family who have every right to love whoever they want, be whoever they truly are, and do so without violence directed at them. We vote for everyone who isn’t white, because, quite frankly, this country is not ever a safe space unless you’re a straight, cis, white man. This election day, and the days that follow, may be even more dangerous for all of those out there who aren’t white, straight, cis, and male, so check in on your friends and loved ones and help anywhere you can.
We’ve been baking a lot (we always bake a lot, but now more than usual) so here’s an attempt at a patriotic bake. Patriotism has been twisted and made to perpetuate the self-righteous and hateful actions of far too many in the last few years, and we’ve fucking had it. If you’re eligible to vote – VOTE. Sitting out is sitting on the oppressor’s bench, even if you aren’t “playing.” So just do it. There are millions who would love to have that privilege, so do it for them, if for nothing else. A reminder, too, that this isn’t just about electing a new president – it’s about affecting change at a local and state level, because every level counts! We’re all directly, immediately effected by the people in power in local governments especially, so consider those votes with equal gravitas.
If you’re also stress-baking for you, friends, housemates, family, neighbors, we’ve got a boat load of recipes for you. These gluten free peanut butter monster cookies are a start, or go big and make this coffee chocolate walnut layer cake, or seasonal with this apple brandy bundt cake, or with these pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Or say to hell with it and make this ultra-rich chocolate tart with peanut butter buttercream and choco+pb ganache. It’s gonna be a DAY, folks, so hang in there.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Monster Cookies
Equipment
- Electric mixer
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup salted butter room temperature
- 1 1/4 Cup brown sugar
- 1/2 Cup white sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 Cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 Cup golden flaxseed meal
- 1 Cup gluten free 1-1 flour mix with xanthan gum added (if it doesn't have xanthan gum, add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum)
- 1 Cup arrowroot starch
- 1 Cup packed blanched almond meal
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 Cups peanut butter M&Ms
- 1 Cup chopped roasted salted peanuts
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 325° Fahrenheit. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray or butter. Then, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and sugar until smooth and lighter. Add the eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter and beat to combine. Then add the flaxseed meal, flour, arrowroot starch, almond flour, baking powder, and salt and stir with a spatula until completely combined. Finally, add in two cups of the peanut M&Ms and chopped peanuts and stir to combine.
- Scoop cookie batter out by the 1/4 cup, slightly flatten, and place three M&Ms on top of each flattened cookie before baking for 15-17 minutes or until just golden around the very edges (do not over-bake). Let cookies cool completely before removing from cookie sheets, then serve!
Tag @sisterssansgluten on Instagram if you snap a photo of your cookies!
Food photography and styling by Amelia Farber
