Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten Free AND Vegan!)

I think I may be the only person in Portland without dietary restrictions. I swear, everyone here is either vegetarian or flexitarian or gluten intolerant... it's like an episode of Portlandia. But real life.

I recently made dessert for a get-together where I knew there would be vegan and gluten-free eaters. Now, I make tons of recipes that are gluten free. Or vegan. But not both – and I figured out why when I was trying to decide what to bring to the party. It's hard to find a good recipe that follows both restrictions! Luckily I found a yummy-looking thumbprint cookie recipe after some intense google searching, and put my own twist on it – including adding the homemade apple butter that I can't get enough of.

And seriously, you wouldn't have known these treats were vegan or gluten free! They were a huge hit, and I can't wait to make them again with different jam and butter flavors.

Gluten Free + Vegan Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies 

Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies

2 1/2 cups Arrowhead Gluten-free all purpose baking mix
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp course salt
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 T vanilla extract
1 T agave nectar
2 T Bob's Redmill egg replacer mixed with 6 T warm water until frothy (should be equivalent of 2 eggs)
3-5 T vanilla almond milk (can replace with soy or whatever you have on hand)
About 1 cup of apple butter for filling

Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Beat in shortening, sugar, vanilla, agave and egg replacer. Add in almond milk as needed to make dough smooth. Cover dough and let chill for 1 hour. In the meantime, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350F. Once dough is chilled, roll small balls of dough (approx 1 heaping T) and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Gently press down on the ball with your thumb to form an indent, and dollop your apple butter – or jam of any kind – into the indent. Bake for 20-23 minutes until cookies are golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Recipe adapted from the Gluten-Free Goddess' Thumbprint Cookies with Buckwheat Flour and Brown Sugar.