chewy molasses cookies with orange sugar

WARNING: There's a lot of pictures of cookies for your eyeballs contained in this post. You may drool. You may cry. You may eat your computer screen. Or at least try. It's the thought that counts, ya know? If you follow me on instagram, maybe you've been hating my stinking guts Little Rascals-style the last few days because of the peeks I posted. Maybe saliva has been forming a steady stream out the side of your mouth since you saw those pictures. I duuuuuuunno. Proceed with caution. And yah, that's all. 

I love when things work. Who doesn't though? I'm trying to get back on the totally gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free train again because I seriously can't eat cookies or cake and fully enjoy it because I know my skin will throw a fit the next morning. What kind of a world is it when you can't eat cake and enjoy it? NOT A GOOD ONE, MY FRIENDS. Not a good one. 

I know Christmastime is kind of a weird time to decide to do this again, but I'm determined and sick of zits. Honestly, I just want to kill them all. OXY POWER!!! ANYways. My family is going all out with buckeyes and frosted sugar cookies and I'm just sitting in the corner eating energy bites. It's horrible. So I decided to attempt to healthify a few Christmas-y recipes. First up, MOLASSES COOKIES. 

We've had this container of blackstrap molasses chilling out in the back of our baking cupboard for it seems like, since the beginning of time. We bought it, my mom probably made gingerbread once upon a time, and then that was the last we saw of it. It's like that jar has been staring at me the last few weeks every time I open up the cupboard to grab a handful of nuts {or chocolate.}, begging to be used. Well little 'ol pal, you are destined for greatness. 

I can't even to begin to explain to you these cookies and how happy I am with them. By some act of God, they're gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free other than the coating. It's ridonk-itonk. For one, they're freaking gorgeous! Hello little orange sparkles, I want to cover my body in you. THEN they're really awesome and chewy and sweet and taste like a legit molasses cookie that's typically loaded with all sorts of crap. 

The only complaint I have {and my family ever-so lovingly pointed out} is that the texture is just a little off. But that's because of gluten-free flour and there's not really much you can do about that slightly gritty texture of brown rice flour. If you're able to find some finer gluten-free flour, use it and you are seriously gonna DIE of heavenliness when you bite into these cookies. The orange sugar forms a crispy little coating, the cookie is chewy on the outside, and soft in the middle. By far the best healthy cookie recipe I've made in a long time. I almost feel guilty calling them healthy because, feed them to any human being, and they'll never know! Be a sneak, it's ok. 

{p.s. if you have any healthy-ish recipes for Christmas cookies you think I should come up with a recipe for/try, please share!}

chewy molasses cookies with orange sugar

3/4 c. brown rice flour

1/2 c. all-purpose gluten free flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

2 tbsp. molasses

1/4 c. pure maple syrup

1 large egg

1 tbsp. melted coconut oil

orange sugar: 

3 tbsp. sugar

zest of one orange

In a large bowl, combine flours, baking powder and baking soda, and spices. Add the wet ingredients and mix until evenly combined. Cover dough and refrigerate for 2+ hours. Once chilled, roll dough into balls {it should make about 12}. If you're using the orange sugar, add the sugar and orange zest to a small bowl and pinch with your finger tips until it's evenly incorporated. Roll the balls in the sugar and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350ºF for about 8-10 minutes. Once they're out of the oven, press down slightly with the back of a spoon. Let cool before moving to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.