Whoopie Pies

Aren't these cute? They are a specialty of my friend, whose son has celiac disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley.

It is extremely challenging to eat gluten-free because not only must you avoid all bread products, it is hidden in so many processed foods including soy sauce, ketchup, chips, cold cuts and anything labeled with "caramel coloring," "natural flavors," MSG and "modified food starch." Take a look at a couple of labels and you'll realize how many products contain gluten.

My hats off to her for finding alternative ways to bake so her son can be included in holiday and birthday festivites!

Ingredients

1 C Gluten Free Flour
1/4 C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 C Sugar
1/4 C Solid Vegetable Shortening
1 Egg White
1/2 C Low-Fat Milk
3/4 C GF Marshmallow Spread (Wal-Mart Great Value Brand States GF right on the can)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Mix on medium speed, beat the sugar, shortening , and egg white in a medium bowl until fluffy and well blended, about two minutes. Stir in the flour mixture, then the milk, until just blended.
2. Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto large, ungreased baking sheet, making 36 cookies. Bake until top springs back when lightly touched, 5-7 minutes. Cool on the sheets on a rack. Spoon 2 tsp of marshmallow spread on the bottoms of half the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies.