inspired // GF snickerdoodles

I can’t think of a better way to roll out the welcome mat than with a plate of warm freshly baked cookies. Plus, I’m just a bundle of nervous pride, excitement, hope and emotion today, so in an effort to channel all of those feelings somewhere, I made a batch of snickerdoodles for President Biden and Vice President Harris (wow, it feels good to finally say that). Or… at least in their honor. I know that the Vice President is an avid home cook and strong believer in the power of food to bring people together; a sentiment I humbly and emphatically share, so it seemed like the best I could do today from my kitchen. My little one snatched a ‘doodle while they were cooling and said “these cookies are amazing!” So that’s endorsement enough for me to think that even the amazing VP might like one or two as she sets off to change the world.

I use a recipe from Mile High Mitts. She’s a fellow Colorado mama so she knows how to bake at altitude. I’ve made this recipe several times and never been disappointed. It’s included here for easy access, but you should check out her site for more sweet high altitude baking recipes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup softened butter or coconut oil

• 1/2 cup sugar + 1/4 cup for topping

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1- 1/2 cups GF flour (I use King Arthur Measure for Measure)

• 1 tsp cream of tartar (or 2 tsp cornstarch in a pinch)

• 1 tsp cinnamon + 1 tbsp for topping

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 and line two baking sheets with parchment

• In a large mixing bowl, add your softened butter or coconut oil, 1/2 cup of the sugar and the brown sugar and beat with a hand mixer for 1-2 minutes until creamed together

• Add the egg and vanilla and lightly beat again

• Add the flour, cream of tartar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt to the bowl and gently mix them together before stirring it all into the butter mixture. Stir well to combine.
  Note! In my experience you will end up with a dry crumbly mixture in the end. It’s ok if it doesn’t look like proper cookie batter, trust me.

• On a small separate plate or bowl, mix remaining cinnamon and sugar together

• Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, pack the mixture together to create little balls (I just pretend it’s play doh) and roll them all over in the sugar mix

• Place them on the baking sheet and give them a little nudge to flatten just slightly

• Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are browning but the center is still not set

• Let them cool and then gobble them up with crumbs flying like Cookie Monster

While my cookies will obvs never make it to the White House or change the world like the amazing Madam Vice President surely will, there is one inspired girl in Boulder who IS making a huge difference with her cookie baking, proving that a GIANT heart, determination and a bake sale actually can make the world a better place. Cookies4Cures is a non-profit dreamed up by an awesome 10-year-old baker with a heart of pure gold. Dana started making cookies to raise money for research of very rare (and totally devastating) pediatric diseases, like SMA and MCTO, and has raised more than $100,000 so far “one cookie at a time.” All of the proceeds go to support amazing organizations like Sophie’s Neighborhood to help fund research and give these beautiful kids a fighting chance. Dana bakes adorable (and delicious!) cookies and charges people “what makes your heart feel good.” How awesome is she?! She and her cookies actually COULD end up at the White House some day.

I have SO MUCH hope today! Between Dana and Kamala and the utterly mesmerizing young poet, Amanda Gorman, and JLo, I am confident that we’re on track to do great things. Hug a bad-ass, inspirational girl or woman in your life today and look forward with hope toward a bright future for everyone. xo