Have you been trying to find the best flour for baking? Are you interested in gluten free cooking, or are you just seeking to expand your repertoire? Either way, one flour that is getting a lot of attention for its health benefits, delicious results, and gluten free nutritional profile is brown rice flour. One Purdue study found that when used in baking, brown rice flour yields a crunchier texture and darker color than wheat flour.

Brown Rice Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

This delicious recipe for chocolate chip cookies made from brown rice flour uses xanthan gum to improve the texture. When it comes to baking without gluten, xanthan gum is commonly used to mimic the binding action of gluten, giving gluten free recipes better structure.

Beat 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until fluffy. Beat in two eggs, one at a time, taking care to ensure that everything is well combined. Next whisk together 2 1/3 cups brown rice flour, 1 teaspoon xanthan gum, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Beat this dry mixture into the butter mixture, then blend in 2 cups chocolate chips and 1 1/2 cups of nuts (if desired). Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 1 hour, then scoop tablespoon sized mounds of dough onto baking sheet. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Let rest for 5 minutes, then enjoy!

You will find that using healthy brown rice flour will result in some really interesting changes to your baked good recipes. Why not keep experimenting? Once you understand how different flours behave, you will be that much more competent in the kitchen.

Sources:

• “The Effect of Replacing White Flour with Brown Rice Flour in Chocolate Chip Cookies”, Purdue University

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