Paleo Gingerbread Cookie Bites

These Paleo Gingerbread Cookie Bites are soft, chewy, warmly spiced, and much easier than traditional gingerbread cutout cookies. They have all the cozy gingerbread flavor you love in a simple drop-cookie style that’s perfect for holiday baking.

Made with almond flour and warm spices, these gluten-free gingerbread cookies are festive enough for Christmas cookie trays but easy enough for everyday holiday treats.

These cozy gingerbread cookie bites are delicious with a drizzle of icing or added to a holiday cookie tray alongside classic Christmas cookies.

Traditional gingerbread men are festive and fun, but they can also be a lot of work. These cookie bites give you the same cozy gingerbread flavor in a much easier cookie form, plus they're grain-free as well.

Ingredients

• almond flour (finely ground)
• chestnut flour (see substitutions options below)
• granulated sweetener of choice
• butter or coconut oil (softened)
• molasses (use appropriate sweetener sub as needed. See recipe notes for options)
• vanilla extract
• ground ginger
• cinnamon
• cloves
• salt

Instructions

• Place the flours, sweetener, butter, spices and salt in a food processor and process to combine.
• Add molasses and vanilla and pulse until dough forms a big ball.
• Place dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to keep the cookies from spreading as they cook.
• Roll dough into one inch balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
• Store in airtight container.
• Place in the refrigerator if you prefer a hard cookie.

What is Chestnut Flour

After trying chestnut flour in these paleo gingerbread cookies, you'll be won over to it, but you might wonder how else you can use it.  Here are some facts about it to get you more acquainted with what it is and how you might incorporate it into your diet.

Interestingly, just like coconuts aren't technically nuts, chestnuts aren't really nuts, but you should consult with your physician if you're allergic to nuts.

Chestnut Flour—A Great Gluten-free Alternative Flour

Chestnut flour is a gluten-free alternative to regular flour made from ground chestnuts.  Chestnuts are dried and then made into sweet flavored flour in Italy for centuries.

In Tuscany, chestnut flour is considered a staple food, and it is commonly called for in recipes like chestnut flour bread, pie crusts, and more.

Chestnut flour has a slightly sweet flavor.  As a result, it's a perfect fit for recipes involving almonds, chocolate, honey and hazelnuts.  

Baking with Chestnut Flour

Here's some helpful information to know about chestnut flour as it relates to baking with it. Chestnut Flour:

• has fewer carbohydrates than regular white flour but has many of the same baking properties as flour. Chestnuts do not contain the fat content regular nuts have and are instead largely composed of carbohydrates.
• creates a fluffier baked good
• has a distinct taste that has a bit of spiciness to it and
• pairs really well with warm fall flavors, especially ginger

Where Can You Buy Chestnut Flour?

Check with your local natural grocery stores.  You can also order it from Amazon or some other online realtors.

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Recipe and Special Diet Notes

• For dairy-free: Use coconut oil or vegan butter in place of butter or ghee.
• Sweetener Options: Most granulated sweeteners should work well in this recipe, including coconut sugar, maple sugar, monk fruit blends, erythritol blends, or regular sugar. Honey or maple syrup may also work, though the texture may be slightly softer. Use a granulated monk fruit or erythritol blend instead of coconut sugar for lower-carb option.
• For nut-free: The almond flour may be replaced with tiger nut flour, though the texture will vary slightly.
• Chestnut flour substitute: Chestnut flour adds extra warmth and depth of flavor, but additional almond flour works well for an easier pantry-friendly version.
• For softer cookies: Slightly underbake the cookies and let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
• For a festive finish: Drizzle with a simple powdered sweetener glaze or dip part of each cookie in melted white chocolate.

These easy Paleo Gingerbread Cookie Bites bring all the cozy gingerbread flavor you love in a simpler, gluten-free holiday cookie.

Have you ever heard of or used Chestnut Flour before?

Kate Criswell shares other grain-free recipes and tips at www.kateshealthycupboard.com.