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Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies

May 31, 2017
Incite your baking spirit this Halloween and indulge in our cauldron of gluten-free cookies, bites, and bars. Before you dive in, familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of gluten-free baking. Get to know gluten-free flours, as many of our recipes utilize varieties such as sorghum flour and white rice flour. Because gluten-free flour lacks the elasticity of all-purpose flour, we often use xanthan gum as a necessary binder. You can also boost the spooky factor in many of our recipes by adding simple ingredients such as Halloween-themed sprinkles, nonpareils, candy corn, and more. We’ve recommended widely available gluten-free products to simplify your shopping, but always check labels for safety regardless. 
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Almond Butter Chocolate Truffles

Photo: Katherine Flynn
View Recipe: Almond Butter Chocolate Truffle

Coat these chewy two-bite treats with any gluten-free toppings you have on hand, such as coconut flakes and chopped nuts, and serve them as a simple, crowd-pleasing sweet. Make sure you’re using gluten-free oats (such as Bob’s Red Mill) for this recipe.

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Brownie Energy Bites

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Brownie Energy Bites

Dates are the secret sweet ingredient in these nutty brownie balls, which contain no added sugar. Pack them as an energy-boosting snack during the day or serve up a platter at your next party. Unsweetened cocoa powder should be gluten-free, but always check the label to be sure.

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Chocolate-Pumpkin Mini Muffins

View Recipe: Chocolate-Pumpkin Mini Muffins

These pint-sized flourless muffins are loaded are antioxidants and essential nutrients, thanks to the powerhouse trio of pumpkin, flaxseed, and bittersweet chocolate. With three muffins per serving, you can’t go wrong by whipping up a batch for your next Halloween celebration.

 

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Chickpea Cookie Dough

Photo: Katherine Flynn
View Recipe: Chickpea Cookie Dough

This gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and no-bake nostalgic indulgence is totally safe to spoon straight from the food processor—in fact, we encourage it. Chickpeas may sound unconventional, but they pack protein and lend a pleasing nutty texture and flavor. For a variation, form the mixture into balls and freeze to make cookie dough truffles.

 

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Chocolate-Frosted Cookies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate-Frosted Cookies

These gluten-free sugar cookies get a generous drizzle of bittersweet chocolate after they’re baked. For a Halloween twist, place a single candy corn on top of each cookie before the chocolate sets.

 

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Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

These autumn-themed bars incorporate potato starch, a neutral-flavored, gluten-free starch that mixes well with other gluten-free flours. Toast the pecan halves to add extra toasty nuttiness. 

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Maple-Pecan Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Bars

These pecan pie-inspired bar cookies capture the very best of fall. Don’t forget to line the baking pan with parchment paper before baking, since gluten-free dough and crusts tend to be on the stickier side.

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Roll-Out Holiday Cookies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Roll-Out Holiday Cookies
You’ll want to keep this versatile recipe close, no matter the occasion or holiday. For Halloween, break out your favorite spooky cookie cutters for kids and let them get creative. Swap out the sugar sprinkles for orange and black nonpareils to make these cookies extra festive.

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Snickerdoodles

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Snickerdoodles
Commonly used in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking, protein-packed garbanzo bean flour (also called chickpea flour) boosts the nutrition of any baked good. This versatile flour lends a sweet, nutty flavor to this gluten-free spin on traditional snickerdoodles.
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Chewy Oat and Fruit Granola Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chewy Oat and Fruit Granola Bars
Oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, apricots, and dates combine for a healthy and gluten-free alternative to store-bought granola bars. Bake up a batch for trick-or-treaters on Halloween for a change of pace from sugary candy bars. (Parents will thank you!).

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Chocolate-Walnut-Graham Cracker Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate-Walnut-Graham Cracker Bars

To give these indulgent bars an even consistency, chop the walnuts the same size as the chocolate chips. If you can’t find gluten-free graham cracker crumbs at the grocery store, you can easily order them online as whole crackers and crush them yourself.

 

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Salted Caramel Brownies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Salted Caramel Brownies
Every celebration calls for a decadent brownie, and whether you’re gluten-free or not, this show-stopping recipe should be in your arsenal. Two layers of bittersweet chocolate and a luscious caramel sauce and make this the ultimate salty-sweet indulgence.
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Candy Corn M&M's

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Candy Corn M&M's Chewy Crispy Bars

You probably have most of the ingredients on hand already to tackle these kid-friendly bar treats. Some rice cereals contain malt flavoring, which is derived from barley, so make sure you’re using a gluten-free variety, such as Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal.

 

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PB, Banana, and Oat Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: PB, Banana, and Oat Cookies

With omega-3 rich flaxseed meal, fiber from oats in two forms, potassium-packed banana, and anti-oxidant-rich chocolate, these bite-sized cookies show that gluten-free baking can invite the an opportunity for nutrient-packed ingredients.

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Mini Pumpkin Spice Cheesecakes

View Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Spice Cheesecakes

Bake these adorable, fall-spiced cheesecakes in mini muffin tins for perfect portioning. Make sure you’re using gluten-free gingerbread cookies, such as Tate’s Gluten Free Ginger Zinger Cookies.

 

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