🍪 Gluten-free Vanilla Wafers Recipe
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Description:
Indulge in the delightful simplicity of homemade gluten-free vanilla wafers, perfect for various sweet treats like rum balls or simply enjoyed on their own. This recipe, a modification of Bette Hagman’s original, ensures a crispy, tender bite every time, making it a staple for those with dietary restrictions or anyone craving a delicious cookie fix.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup margarine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
Instructions:
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Preheat: Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). This ensures the perfect baking temperature for golden-brown wafers.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract. This forms the base of your gluten-free flour mixture, providing structure and flavor to the wafers.
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Cream Wet Ingredients: In a separate larger bowl, cream together the margarine, butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and egg, along with the vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
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Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, add a splash of water to achieve the right consistency. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to resemble pastry dough, tender and easy to work with.
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Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small, 1-inch balls, and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving about 3 inches of space between each cookie. This ensures they have room to spread and bake evenly.
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Flatten: Using a moistened fork, gently flatten each ball to about 1/8 inch thick. This not only creates the classic waffle texture but also ensures even baking throughout.
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Bake: Slide the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 6 to 10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
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Cool: Once baked to perfection, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and achieve the perfect crispness.
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Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade gluten-free vanilla wafers are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as is, or use them as a delicious base for desserts like rum balls or ice cream sandwiches. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 62.8
- Total Fat: 2.9g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 5.9mg
- Sodium: 74.1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 8.6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugars: 3.2g
- Protein: 0.7g
Indulge in the delicate sweetness and irresistible crunch of these homemade gluten-free vanilla wafers. Whether you’re catering to dietary restrictions or simply craving a classic cookie, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Enjoy the simplicity and satisfaction of baking your own treats from scratch, and savor every bite of these delectable wafers! 🍪
