Gluten Free 3 Ingredient Walnut Cookies

 Gluten Free 3 Ingredient Walnut Cookies

Looking for the perfect cookies for Christmas, Easter, or any special occasion?  These cookies are perfect.  They are gluten-free, lactose-free, oil-free, butter-free, and great for anyone in your circle who is sensitive to gluten.   They are so simple to make that you can whip them up in a few minutes!  These cookies have egg white, walnuts, and sugar...that's it!  Simple ingredients for a cookie packed with tons of walnut flavor.  As an additional ingredient, I usually like to add just a dab of vanilla or almond extract.  These cookies taste wonderful without it, but they usually add just a pop of flavor to make them perfect.  You can also make these cookies out of pecans and they will come out just as delicious.  When making these cookies, a food processor is essential.  You will need to ground up the walnuts with a food processor to create a flour-like consistency.  Then, you will mix the flour with sugar.  I use Costco's organic sugar or any organic sugar I have on hand.  In a separate bowl have the egg whites of 2 eggs and gradually add to the flour mixture.  You may not use all the egg whites so just add a little at a time until the mixture sticks together and you can form golf ball-sized cookie balls.  You can roll them in powdered sugar and place on a baking tray with parchment paper.  The parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan and makes cleaning a breeze.  I also love to place a walnut on the top of the cookie for decoration and it also helps to flatten the cookie out a bit.  These cookies have a marzipan consistency when finished.  Also, you do not want to touch them as they are cooking since they will crumble.  You need to wait until the cookies are completely cool before handling them.  I usually like to have them cool on the cookie tray and won't even touch them before then.  

When it comes to health benefits, walnuts are very impressive.  Walnuts are rich in nutrients and healthy fats.  Walnuts can help to reduce blood pressure and are excellent for brain health!  Walnuts offer protection from cancer and assist with weight regulation.  

Ingredients:

3 cups walnuts, ground in food processor

2/3 cup organic sugar

2 egg whites

1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract

Instructions:

1. Ground the walnuts in a food processor until a flour-like consistency is obtained.
2. Mix the ground walnuts with the sugar.
3. Add a dab of vanilla or walnut extract.
4. Add egg whites until the mixture sticks together and you can form golf-ball-sized cookie balls.
5. Roll cookies in powdered sugar.
6. Place cookies on parchment lined baking sheet and press a walnut into the top of cookies to flatten.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
8. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes before handling.

Enjoy these delicious and simple cookies!  I know you will love them as much as I do and reap the health benefits of walnuts!  Enjoy!