Saturday, June 27, 2015

Coconut (flour) Pizzelles

When I was growing up (in the 50s & 60s) I had never heard of Celiac Disease and of course eating gluten-free. Moreover, my mother never baked with anything other than wheat flour.  A few years ago, I was surprised to learned that one of my dearest friend's husband wasn't diagnosed until he was in his 40s that he had this celiac disease and had suffered through the symptoms not knowing what was caused them. Over the last 10-15 years it's definitely become part of our lives to be diligent in distinguishing those affected by the inability to consume products made with wheat.

We see a lot of products that are gluten-free on the shelves and even restaurants are denoting some entrees (especially pizza) that are made without wheat.  I've experimented with many alternatives and want to share with you an incredible produce I use in my baking gluten-free--Coconut Flour.

Coconut flour (which I purchase at Nuts.com) is produced from dried coconut meat; a natural byproduct of coconut milk production.  This soft flour is popular for baking for those following a grain-restrictive diet such as paleo diets or the GAPS or SCD diet.  It offers a gluten-free and protein-rich alternative flour, but that's not all.  Did you know that it's rich in fiber, a good source of lauric acid (a saturated fat thought to support the immune system, thyroid function, and good skin health), and exceptionally good source of Maganese.

This extraordinary absorbent flour means that your ratio exchange IS NOT 1:1 with wheat flour.  In baked goods, you generally want to substitute about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of coconut flour to 1 cup of wheat flour.  This took me a little time to comprehend until I started experimenting with it.  The first recipe was a vanilla cupcake where I used only 1/2 cup of coconut flour instead of the 2 cups of wheat flour called for in the recipe and they turned out perfect!  You can also use coconut flour with wheat flour, substituting 20% of the wheat with it.  Today, I wanted to make one of my favorite cookies--Pizzelles, which is one of my family's favorite cookies!
Coconut (flour) Pizzelles
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
1/4 tsp. Coconut flavoring (or you can do 2 tsp. Vanilla extract)
3/4 cup + 3 T Coconut flour
2 tsp. baking powder

In a stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat eggs until a golden yellow, about 5 minutes.  Turn mixer on low and gradually add the granulated sugar and coconut flavoring.   Add the warm butter while the mixer is on low and beat until combined.  In a separate bowl, mix the coconut flour with the baking powder, using a hand whisk.
Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and slowly add the flour/baking powder mixer, whisking to combine.  This is very important because the coconut flour has a tendency to clump .  When all the flour mixture has been added, let the mixture set about 20-30 minutes to thicken slightly.  Meanwhile, preheat the Pizzelle iron.
I used a small scoop to place the batter on the iron, close the lid and allow to cook until the iron clicks "ready".
The pizzelle iron makes two at a time.  Continue making the pizzelles until you've used all the mixture.  Pizzelles are a wonderful cookie and because they come out slightly soft, you can "mold" them to any shape.  Rolled up or placed in a small ramekin (or over a muffin tin) and make a bowl to serve your favorite ice cream in!

I love making healthy alternatives for my family.  My granddaughters have been visiting all week and we baked a lot. I'm just as concerned that my grands learn healthy alternatives as I was with my daughters and my mother with our family.  In addition, we've also begun a "treehouse" project this past week so they will have a place (free of television & computers) to play and create.
My hubby and I laugh and say this treehouse is nicer than our first apartment!  There will be a pulley on the side to send up healthy treats (like these cookies), as well as swings, and a slide pole.  More photos to follow. Enjoy!

32 comments:

  1. Your pizzelles look beautiful, Susan. I don't have a pizzelle maker, so I'm afraid I won't be making these.
    That treehouse is looking great--your grands are going to love to come to your house! xoxo ♥

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    1. Pizzelles irons are pretty inexpensive (29.99). I fell in love with this cookie over 40 years ago when we lived next door to a family with Italian heritage; this is only my second iron.

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  2. I had not heard of coconut flour but I will put it on my list to get! I love Pizzelles and shaping them while they are warm is such a good idea.
    Great progress on the treehouse---looking forward to more pictures!

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  3. I love coconut flour!! These pizzelles look so BEAUTIFUL, Susan. Awesome treehouse and I look forward to more pictures!
    Happy Sunday!
    Angie

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  4. I never heard of coconut flour, either. always fun to stop by here and learn new things. using this cookie for an ice-cream cup is a great idea.
    the tree house looks like it is going to be bigger than my house. lol!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  5. I have heard of coconut flour, but have never used it before. This recipe sounds yummy!

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  6. I love pizzelles–great idea to make them with coconut flour!

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  7. Coconut flour is new one to me! The pizzelles do truly look yummy...and, I'm envious of your new treehouse, dear friend.

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  8. tastes nothing like traditional pizzelle's or GF for that matter.

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  9. I've been eating and making pizelles for over 30 years and have recently been trying all my baked goods with coconut flour, which I love, but I was more than intimitated with pizzelles. I can't wait to try these. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. 3 Researches PROVE Why Coconut Oil Kills Fat.

    This means that you literally burn fat by consuming Coconut Fats (in addition to coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut oil).

    These 3 studies from big medicinal journals are sure to turn the conventional nutrition world around!

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  11. Having Problems FOLLOWING with your Paleo Diet?

    Do you want to eat some tasty recipes TONIGHT?

    Check out: Paleo Hacks Cookbook.

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  12. Unfortunately, most of the Pizzelle makers that I've seen have a Teflon surface - has anyone seen one that doesn't ?

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    Replies
    1. Purchase the PALMER Pizelle maker, it is by far the best and I have tried all the different brands over the past 40 years that I have made them. Its on Amazon!

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  13. These were HORRIBLE! Wouldn't hold together. I've been making pizzelles for over 20 years, and I've never had a batch turn out this bad.

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  14. I tried the pizzelles this morning and just can't get them to come out clean. To be honest, I just don't have the patience or the time
    . The taste is amazing though - is there something else I can do with the batter?

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  15. Great post about the coconut flour pizzlles.Get Coconut Powder in cheap price

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  16. How do you get them to hold together in the iron? If I leave them in long enough, they burn. So disappointed because I didn't life the graininess of the almond flour pizzelles

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  17. I mixed these pizzelles exactly according to the recipe. I tried many times to make them come out properly. There is no way under any temperature at any amount of time that I could get them to come out of the iron. They just would not hold together. I would suggest that you save the cost of all the butter sugar and eggs…and the coconut flour…so disappointed.

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  18. I had a hard time getting them to come out in one piece at first… but I brushed the iron with light olive oil and it came out better

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