As much as I adore these treats, my search for a gluten-free alternative never stops. Thankfully, with Gluten-free Caramel Delites, I can indulge in that rich, coconutty caramel flavor and satisfy my cravings year-round!

Create this easy recipe in three messy steps. The end result makes it worth it. Did I mention the Gluten-free Caramel Delites are dairy-free too? 😉

Why This Gluten-Free Caramel Delite Cookie Recipe is So Good

• Caramel and Coconut Flavors: The cookies' topping is a gooey mixture of toasted coconut and caramel. In my recipe, the caramel is from melted sugar, but you can substitute melted caramel pieces.
• Melted Chocolate: For this recipe, I used powdered unsweetened chocolate and added coconut oil and sweetened coconut cream. You can also use chocolate chips and melt them with a little coconut oil for creaminess.
• Make them gluten-free: The shortbread cookie is baked with gluten-free flour. We tested this recipe with Bob's Red Mill all-purpose gluten-free baking flour, but you can use regular All-Purpose flour or any 1:1 substitute you prefer.

Tips and Tricks for Making Gluten-Free Caramel Delites Cookies

• You might or might not need Xanthan gum. If you're baking with traditional flour or a gluten-free flour that already includes xanthan gum, then you don't need to add any. If your flour lacks this important gluten-free baking ingredient, you'll want to add it.
• Caramel topping, I melted sugar and cream to make the gooey liquid for the topping. However, there are caramels that you can melt to make it easier. Making the caramels eliminates any extra preservatives.
• Melted chocolate, a chocolate powder, and coconut cream to make the liquid dip. You can use chips and melt with a little coconut oil for a faster process.
• You can use regular butter or vegan butter to bake the shortbread cookies. For this recipe, I used coconut oil instead of butter. I have not tested this recipe with a flax egg just yet, but you can try it if you'd like to make these cookies vegan, too. It works well in our Vegan Pumpkin Cookies recipe.
• Don't overbake the shortbread. When you pull them out of the oven, they will be just undercooked. They'll finish cooking as they cool.

There are so many choices when it comes to gluten-free flours. We typically use a gluten-free all-purpose flour. We have found that Bob's Red Mill (blue bag) Gluten Free Cup for Cup works well with our recipes. It is essential to get the BLUE bag and not the red bag.

More Easy and Fun Dessert Recipes

All of these desserts are gluten-free, and many are vegan too!

• Frosted Vegan Sugar Cookies
• Caramelized Bananas - are amazing over ice cream!
• Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
• Edible Brownie Batter
• Chocolate Covered Pickles - trust me, they're amazing!
• Strawberry Macarons
• Lavender Macarons

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey, if you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review and star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

Print

Gluten-Free Caramel Delites

Sweet caramel and coconut with a sprinkle of chocolate makes this cookie a great edition when searching for Girl Scout cookies out of season.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Vegetarian

Keyword chocolate coconut, coconut caramel, dairy free cookies, gluten free cookies

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 268kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

• 1 Baking pan
• 1 Sauce pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Smooth cookie press
• 1 Rolling Pan
• wax paper
• Plastic Wrap

Ingredients

Shortbread Cookie

• 1 cup coconut oil
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Caramel Sauce

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ cup sweetened coconut cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups toasted unsweetened shredded coconut

Chocolate Base and drizzle

• 1 ½ cups coco powder
• ¾ cup coconut oil
• 1 cup sweetened coconut cream

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Shortbread Cookie

• While you collect ingredients, take the egg out to warm to room temperature.
• In a bowl, combine your dry ingredients of flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder and set aside.
• In a bowl, mix coconut oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla. The coconut oil should be near melted to cream with other ingredients.
• Combine your two bowls to create a dough. The mixture should be dry enough to create a single ball.
• Shape the dough into a flattened disc, wrap well and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• While the dough is chilling, toast your coconut flakes. Lightly grease a baking pan and toss your shredded coconut on the pan to create a thin layer.
• Toast the coconut for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occationally so the shreds do not burn.
  
• Once the coconut shreds are toasted, set aside to cool.
• After 30 minutes, bring the disk out and allow to warm to room temperature; about 10 minutes.
• Using wax paper or flour, roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Take a round object at least 2 inches in diameter to create the outside of the cookie. In the middle, cutout a ½ inch diameter circle to create the doughnut like shape.
• Transfer each doughnut-like cookie to a greased pan for baking. about 1 inch apart.
  
• Gather all scraps of dough an repeat the last two steps until all the dough is on the pans read for baking
• Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes. The look will be on the light side, and do not overbake.
  
• Remove from pan and cool on a wrack or plate.

Caramel Coconut Sauce

• In a sauce pan at medium heat, mix the water and sugar. Allow the mixture to come to a low bubble, and remove from heat.
  
• Off heat, add coconut oil, sweetened coconut cream, salt, and vanilla.
• Add the toasted coconut and mix well.
  

Chocolate base and drizzle

• In a bowl, add powdered unsweetened chocolate, melted coconut oil, sweetened coconut cream. (Add sugar as needed to sweeten to taste)
• Mix well and set aside for creating the cookie

Create the Gluten-Free Caramel Delite

• On two baking sheets, line with wax paper.
• Dip bottom of a cookie in the melted chocolate and place it on the wax paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
  
• With a tablespoon, add about 1 ½ tablespoons of the Caramel Coconut sauce to each cookie.
• After each cookie is dipped and sauced, drizzle the remaining chocolate on each cookie.
  
• Place pans in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes for the chocolate to set.
• Once chocolate is set, place cookies in an airtight container for about 3 days. About 5 to 7 in the refrigerator.
  

Notes

• You might or might not need Xanthan gum. If you're baking with traditional flour or a gluten-free flour that already includes xanthan gum, then you don't need to add any. If your flour lacks this important gluten-free baking ingredient, you'll want to add it.
• Caramel topping, I melted sugar and cream to make the gooey liquid for the topping. However, there are caramels that you can melt to make it easier. Making the caramels eliminates any extra preservatives.
• Melted chocolate, a chocolate powder, and coconut cream to make the liquid dip. You can use chips and melt with a little coconut oil for a faster process.
• Drizzle process: Either dip a fork into the chocolate and drizzle it over each cookie. OR, you can use a Ziploc bag, place the remaining chocolate into the bag, cut the tip, and drizzle over each cookie.
• You can use regular butter or vegan butter to bake the shortbread cookies. For this recipe, I used coconut oil instead of butter. I have not tested this recipe with a flax egg just yet, but you can try it if you'd like to make these cookies vegan, too. 
• Don't overbake the shortbread. When you pull the cookies out of the oven, they will be just undercooked. They'll finish cooking as they cool.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! If you make this recipe, I'd love for you to give it a quick review and star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

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The Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven is one of the latest additions to the Cosori product line. This Cosori product has 12 presets and can cook all types of food in various ways!

When my traditional toaster oven died, I knew I wanted to replace it with a toaster oven that doubles as an air fryer. I get so many questions if my air fryer recipes work in air fryer ovens. I turned to my favorite brand, Cosori, and they had an Air Fryer Oven that would fit the bill! 

What is so great about the Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven?

Actually, there are LOTS of things that are great! 

• The Oven has 12 presets
  1. Toast
  2. Bagel
  3. Pizza
  4. Bake
  5. Roast
  6. Air fry (MY FAVORITE)
  7. Broil
  8. Cookies
  9. Rotisserie
  10. Dehydrate
  11. Ferment
  12. Keep Warm

You are honestly looking at a complete flavor spectrum when you cook with this Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven! Other great things about it:

• XL Capacity: 30L large capacity fits 6 slices of toast, a 13-inch pizza, and 5 pounds of chicken, large capacity could feed 5-7 people, an excellent choice for a big family or treating friends at home, features three rack positions, to expand the room with equipped accessories
• Rapid-Heat Circulation: 360° heat circulation, 2-speed fan, and five innovative heating elements, food could get applicable power from programmable elements
• LED Display: High-precision LED screen for clear reading (that helps with these aging eyes!) and easy dial controls. Interior light will turn on automatically 1 minute before the cooking is done, press button to manually turn the light back off. I really like this feature. I love the light turning on in the last minute. It gives me a heads up its almost gone, but I can get a clear view if what I am cooking might need more time in the oven.
• Fully Equipped Accessories: Crumb tray, air fryer basket, food tray, wire rack, rotisserie fork set, and rotisserie handle included. 
• Easy to Clean: Sleek brushed stainless-steel appearance, solid nonstick interior, and high-quality glass door, the appliance can be cleaned with a moist mop. Removable crumb tray helps avoid stains and other buildups. I have cleaned all parts of my Oven and I agree, its super easy to clean!

Did you know that we have a sister site that is all about air frying? We have veg and meat recipes there! You'll have to check out our Sweet and Spicy Chicken and our Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken.

Let's talk! Do you have an air fryer? What do you think about this Cosori Air Fryer Oven? Drop me a comment below telling me!

• Cosori Air Fryer Review
• Cosori Air Fryer Review
• Air Fryer French Toast
• Fried Egg Avocado Toast
• Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast

The post Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven Review appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Different Types of Vegetarians

People choose to assume a Vegetarian lifestyle for many reasons. Some of these reasons are moral, while others may be based on religious beliefs, or even for better health.

Whatever the reasons, becoming a Vegetarian isn’t difficult, but you do need to make some educated decisions on how to proceed with your diet.

In general, a Vegetarian doesn’t eat meat.

They eliminate beef, pork, poultry, fish and seafood from their diet while providing plant-based foods to replace these during meals. There are different types of Vegetarians, though, and some may include foods that others choose to eliminate.

What are the different types of vegetarians? 

There are 6 main types of vegetarians actually, 7 if you include vegan. Here is more information about each kind.

Here is a quick run down:

• vegetarian
• lacto vegetarian
• ovo vegetarian
• flexitarian
• pesco vegetarian
• pollo vegetarian
• vegan

Vegetarian

Vegetarian, also Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian – This is the type most people practice.

• Does not eat meat
• Can eat dairy and eggs

So if you are wondering, can vegetarians eat dairy? The answer is generally, yes.

Although this diet is healthier than a meat-based diet, the Lacto Ovo needs to keep an eye on the amount of cholesterol they consume. Dairy and eggs contain a significant amount of cholesterol. The easiest way to avoid too much cholesterol is to eat plant-based sources of protein.

Lacto Vegetarian

Lacto Vegetarian – same as above, but this vegetarian does not eat eggs. The same warning for cholesterol applies. Those who eat dairy products in excess may find that their cholesterol is high.

• No meat
• No eggs
• Does eat dairy

Ovo Vegetarian

Ovo Vegetarian – Same as above, but does not consume dairy products. Again, watch your cholesterol intake. Those who follow this diet may get much of their protein from eggs, which is a high cholesterol food.

• No meat
• No eggs
• No Dairy

There is some argument as to whether the next three types are Vegetarians at all, but they are trying to eat a plant-based diet, and it’s still healthier than a meat-based diet.

You might consider these to be semi-vegetarian diet choices. These versions have been included to show the range of choice available. They may also include eggs and dairy, or they may exclude them.

The Flexitarian

The Flexitarian – This is a ‘I’m a Vegetarian most of the time, but I still eat meat occasionally’ diet. They follow the principles of Vegetarianism but eat meat when they want to. Still better than a meat-based diet, but non-committal.

• Eats meat occasionally
• Can eat dairy and eggs

Pesco Vegetarian

PescoVegetarian – This type, also known as a Pescatarian, eats fish as part of their diet. (A Vegetarian that eats fish). This is still a healthier option than a red meat based diet but isn’t without its own risks. Seafood contains many harmful pollutants and chemicals which have been ingested by the fish and can cause mercury poisoning, as well as other illnesses.

So, if you were wondering, "do vegetarians eat fish?" the answer is yes, but only the PescoVegetarians will. All others avoid them.

• No red or white meat
• Can eat fish

Pollo-Vegetarian

Pollo-Vegetarian – In this variation, chicken is part of the meal plan, but no red meat or seafood. Do vegetarians eat chicken? Generally, no, but this type would.

• No red meat
• No seafood
• Can eat chicken

Vegan Lifestyle Diets

The next group of dietary choices is based on a Vegan Lifestyle. Whereas Vegetarianism, in general, is considered a nutrition or diet choice, Veganism is more of a lifestyle choice.

Vegans tend to make this choice for moral reasons, mostly based on the ethical treatment of animals used to provide food. They feel that even animals that aren’t killed to provide food are not necessarily treated humanely, and this trickles down to insects, including bees.

Generally, Whole Food Vegans do not consume any type of meat or seafood. They also do not consume dairy products or eggs and avoid honey and beeswax products. They only eat plant-based foods. All animal-based foods are off limits. And yes, you can get your nutrition from this type of diet.

Vegans often don’t wear leather, silk or wool, as they are products derived from animals. The biggest issue with a Vegan diet is the ‘hidden’ animal products, like gelatin, that are used in foods, and will require some label-reading, especially in the beginning.

What are the different types of vegans?

There are also variations within the Vegan Lifestyle. Here are some of the choices:

Beegan – Although Vegans feel that taking honey from bees may harm them, Beegans don’t feel this way. They eat the same plant-based diet, plus honey.

Raw Food Vegan – Raw Food Vegans don’t heat any foods above 116 degrees F, as they feel that higher temperatures destroy the nutritional value. You may hear these folks referred to as “raw foodists”.

Macro-Biotic – This diet is based on Japanese diet and nutrition, as well as some religious beliefs included. It gained popularity in the 1960s and has its own nutritional food pyramid. It avoids any processed foods, meats, etc., as well as heavily spiced foods and alcohol. Macro-biotic diets are popular among many celebrities.

Junk Food Vegan – This diet consists of anything that doesn’t contain meat, eggs, or dairy. Believe it or not, many junk foods don’t contain any of these ingredients, like Oreos and potato chips. As with all things, moderation is the key, and you still need to consume a well- balanced diet to maintain good health.

How to Start Eating Healthier

When deciding to eat healthier, you may want to start with a diet like the Common Vegetarian diet and work your way to a Vegan Diet.

This way of eating includes many choices that will appeal to you, and what you eat doesn’t need to feel restrictive or boring. The choice of which types of vegetarians you relate to is up to you, but in any case, your lifestyle will be enhanced with better nutritional choices. 

Another element to add into your daily life to to be mindful, positive and manifest what you want to see. If you want to be healthier and make better choices, you need to fully believe that you! We've recently been introduced to the technique on TikTok!

Looking for some meal ideas? We have plenty of good main dishes, side dishes and dessert recipes!

If you are stuck and not sure what to make, I suggest you check out Gumbo, a new site I recently found! Gumbo is a revolutionary new recipe search engine that uses that finds delicious meals based on the ingredients you have at home. Using Gumbo you can reduce your food waste, save money on your weekly grocery bills, and discover exciting new dishes that cater to your preferences and dietary restrictions. I've enjoyed using Gumbo to find new, tasty recipes with the ingredients I already have on hand!

Let's talk! Where do you fall in all the levels of vegetarianism? How long have you been a vegetarian?

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Let's talk! Where do you fall in all the levels of vegetarianism? How long have you been a vegetarian?

The post Different Types of Vegetarians - The Basics appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.