Oatmeal Heart Cookies (gluten-free + vegan)
Ali Segersten
I just couldn't let Valentine's Day go by this year without making heart cut-out cookies with my children. I did it every year with my mom and have made it a tradition with my children now as well. This year I created a new cut-out cookie recipe—a delicious, gluten-free and egg-free cookie made from rolled oats. This is a no-fail cookie recipe! No matter how much the dough is handled by little hands, the cookies are still perfect. As you can see below, the little hands really like to help......
This recipe is made in a food processor, which makes the dough-making process take less than 10 minutes to prepare. My 7-year old daughter made these the other night to share with her class for their Valentine's celebration. She thought they were very simple and said that her friends all like them except for one boy. :)
The dough may or may not need to be chilled depending on how solid your coconut oil is. If it is soft you will need to chill the dough for 20 to 30 minutes. If the oil is very hard then no need to chill the dough. You'll know by the way it forms a ball. If the dough is soft and doesn't form a ball when handled then it needs to be chilled. Also, you can make the dough ahead of time, cover, and chill until needed. You'll want to let it sit at room temp until it is soft enough to be rolled.
The kids have been really busy making Valentines. I cut out plenty of red hearts for my 2-year old twin boys to decorate. They worked hard with their crayons and stamps while my daughters used everything fancy and frilly to create theirs.
Oatmeal Heart Cut-Out Cookies
I created this recipe without xanthan gum and it worked beautifully. The binding action comes from the arrowroot and the oats. I think there are many possibilities to modify this recipe. For example, adding one tablespoon of ground cinnamon to the dough would be delicious! Or dust each heart with cinnamon before baking. For the chocolate lovers out there, the cookies can be dipped in a chocolate glaze after baking. I like them better plain, but you decide.
Dry Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the dry ingredients into a food processor fitted with the "s" blade. Process until very finely ground (not as fine as oat flour, still a little coarse).
- Add wet ingredients, process until the mixture forms a cohesive ball. It may take a few minutes but it will happen. Pulse the processor if needed.
- Remove dough, finish forming into a ball with your hands. Chill the dough if it is too soft for 20 to 30 minutes. Then place on parchment or waxed paper for rolling. Roll out dough. Cut into heart shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 15 to 16 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- Dip in a glaze made from about 3 ounces dark chocolate, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon sweetener. (Melted and whisked together over low heat).
Yield: 2 dozen cookies
Use this recipe in our Meal Planner
About the Author
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 2000 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.Nourishing Meals Newsletter
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