National Cookie Day Is Coming Up on Dec. 4

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwired - December 02, 2014) - Did you know that Thursday, Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day? Good news for cookie lovers. On the other hand, cookies are a notorious source of problematic ingredients for individuals with diet sensitivities. 

According to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), an estimated 15 million Americans are subject to food allergies. If you or one of your family members are one of these individuals -- you may want to consider some alternatives so that Cookie Day can be celebrated in your home.

Kirkman®, a leading manufacturer of nutritional supplements specially formulated for those with food allergies and sensitivities, also offers a variety of foods for sensitive individuals. Below are two that are incorporated perfectly into a recipe you can use for National Cookie Day.

• No Sugar - Sugar Substitute: A sugar substitute from sucralose, which can be used in the exact proportions of regular sugar. Sucralose has been subjected to one of the most extensive and thorough safety testing programs ever conducted on a new food additive.

• Paskesz Real Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These are the perfect treat because they are casein-, gluten-, soy- and dairy-free. They can be used in baking or as a delicious chocolate treat by themselves.

Soft & Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (Adapted from MinimalistBaker.com)

Makes 24 servings

Ingredients - 

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature (or margarine for dairy allergies)
• ¼ cup Kirkman's No Sugar - Sugar Substitute
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg (or an egg substitute when necessary)
• 1 cup gluten-free flour blend
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Paskesz Real Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (available from Kirkman®)

Directions -

1. Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar substitute in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add egg and vanilla. Beat again until well combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
3. Add remaining powdered ingredients. It won't be so thick that you can't continue mixing it but it should appear "doughy."
4. Stir in chocolate chips, cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 to 6 hours until thoroughly chilled. You should be able to roll the dough into balls before baking.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
6. Once chilled, scoop out rounded tablespoon amounts of dough, roll them into balls and place them 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are just slightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days. Freeze for longer-term storage.

About Kirkman®

Kirkman® is the leading manufacturer of nutritional supplements for individuals with special sensitivities and dietary requirements. Founded in 1949, Kirkman® is also the oldest nutritional supplement company serving the special needs community. This experience has allowed Kirkman® to pioneer effective products in many areas of nutritional supplementation for individuals with special health needs. Kirkman® distinguishes itself from other nutraceutical companies with its Ultra Tested® protocol for purity testing, which calls for testing every raw ingredient in every product it manufactures for more than 950 environmental contaminants. To learn more about Kirkman®, visit the company's website at www.kirkmangroup.com.