[pinit] This is the lighter version (half the fat! nearly half the sugar!) of my Gluten Free Lemon Poppyseed Cookies. I’m sharing two versions, so you can decide which one’s right for you and your family.
They’re both little bites of lemony goodness. And I don’t use anything weird to make them lighter. Following the lead of Cooking Light, I did add a tablespoon of light corn syrup (which is NOT high-fructose corn syrup! it’s just plain glucose syrup) to help the cookie brown. You can try leaving it out, but the cookie will most likely get crunchy before it browns nicely. When you make it yourself, it’s all up to you. Experiment away!
Lighter Gluten Free Lemon Poppyseed Cookies
Ingredients
6 tablespoons (84 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cups (150 g) sugar
1 tablespoon (21 g) light corn syrup (this is NOT high fructose corn syrup!)
2 egg whites (60 g) at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1 lemon), reduced by half
1 3/4 cups (245 g) all-purpose gluten free flour (I used Better Batter)
1 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it)
4 tablespoons (36 g) cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons lemon zest (again, from 1 lemon)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Coarse sugar, for rolling (I used Sugar in the Raw) (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line rimmed baking sheets with unbleached parchment paper and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), cream the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, vanilla and reduced lemon juice, beating well after each addition. In a separate medium-size bowl, place the flour blend, xanthan gum, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest and poppy seeds, and whisk to combine well, working out any clumps in the lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer bowl in 3 batches, beating until just combined after each addition. The dough should be fluffy and light. Transfer the dough to a large piece of plastic wrap, wrap tightly and refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until chilled.
Once the dough has chilled, scoop it by the scant tablespoonful onto the rimmed baking sheets, placing them about 2 inches apart. Roll tightly into balls, roll in the coarse sugar to coat completely, and then press down into a disk a bit thicker than 1/8-inch thick. (The original recipe is pressed into a disk that is 1/4-inch thick, but with so much less butter, these cookies don’t spread much in the oven.) Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown (about 10 minutes). Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
MIchelle says
I love light, crispy cookies, so I decided to try the light version. They are very good! I would not consider these a “lite” food- they are just crisp, delicate cookies that just happen to have less sugar and fat. Thanks!
Nicole Hunn says
Perfect, Michelle! That’s exactly the idea. :)
Michelle says
And I should say that they are not completely crisp- they are light with crisp edges and little soft in the center- delicious!
Lorna says
Can’t wait to try these….have to go to an agility trial this weekend and I bet they would travel well….only I didn’t buy any lemons. I have a big bag of Chai seeds…..wonder what they would be like instead of the poppy seeds. I’ve never used them before and now that I bought them at Costco I’m wondering what to do with them. Love having the option of a lighter version. When does the new cook book come out?
Nicole Hunn says
Not sure about the chia seeds, Lorna. Dried, they’re really really crunchy. I might just be inclined to leave out the seeds entirely. The new cookbook won’t be out for about another year. Still deep in recipe development! :)
Mare Masterson says
Kisses & hugs!!!
Sarah says
Love it! Keep the lighter versions coming. I find them perfectly satisfying and wonderful
Nicole Hunn says
Thanks, Sarah!
John Lachett says
I am sooo making these this weekend. Xantan gum seems to be listed twice. Actually I REALLY want to make the beignets but my waistline simply won’t allow it as of yet. So these (and those dang lite blueberry muffins that I can’t get enough of) are a nice “have” for now. Willpower will give out soon though….
;-)
your GFF,
John L
Nicole Hunn says
You’re right! I listed xanthan gum twice but I fixed it. I can’t claim to have noticed it on my own, I’m afraid. Someone pointed it out on Facebook. :) My waistline understands where your waistline is coming from, John!