Gluten Free Sugar Free Cookies

Gluten Free Sugar Free Pistachio Date Cookie Slices Recipe

I am so in love with this particular gluten-free recipe right now. First of all, it is a gluten-free cookie that is also sugar free. How much do we love that? It can also very easily become dairy-free and by doing so it becomes vegan!

Secondly it is simple! I have been working on cutting back on the number of various flours and starches I use in gluten-free baking. The goal of course is to still have pastry-quality dough with fewer ingredients. This recipe uses one flour, one starch and one gum. Simple! To make it even simpler, just use whatever gluten-free flour you like or have on hand as long it contains some xanthan or guar gum. Also the food processor does almost all the work. I really love that!

But most importantly, it makes scrumptious, just sweet enough, sophisticated yet fun, nutritious cookies. Yes, nutritious, sugar free cookies! Packed with heart-healthy pistachios, and mineral and fiber rich naturally sweet dates, these Pistachio Date Cookie Slices are just what I want in a cookie these days – guilt free!

The cookies are not too sweet which I like but if you have more of a sweet tooth add two tablespoons of honey to the filling along with the pistachios and brush the top of the cookie slices with another tablespoon of honey while the cookies cool. For a sweeter recipe that is still vegan use agave nectar instead of honey.

Can you see why I just love this recipe?

Gluten Free Suagr Free Pistachio Date Cookies

5 from 1 vote
Gluten Free Sugar Free Cookies
Print Recipe

Gluten Free Sugar Free Pistachio Date Cookie Slices Recipe

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 cookie slices
Calories: 265kcal
Author: Gluten Free & More

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups dates - chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2/3 cup roasted - salted pistachios, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons honey or agave nectar - optional
  • 1 1/3 cups superfine brown or white rice flour
  • 1/3 cup tapioca starch
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan or guar gum
  • ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
  • ¾ cup cold unsalted butter or dairy free butter substitute - cut into small pieces
  • 4– 8 tablespoons cold water
  • 1– 2 teaspoons milk (dairy free is fine)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Combine the dates, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the pistachios and, if you want a sweeter cookie, 2 tablespoons of honey or agave. Cover the saucepan and let the mixture cool while preparing the dough.
  • Combine the flour, tapioca starch, xanthan or guar gum, salt and butter (or butter substitute) in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. With the machine running, add cold water, one tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together in a soft but not sticky dough. (If dough gets too sticky just dust it with a little more rice flour.) Cut the dough into two even pieces and roll each piece on a lightly floured surface into 12 by 8 inch rectangles. Place one on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Spread the pistachio date mixture to within ½ inch of the dough edges. Brush the edges with water and top with the remaining sheet of dough. Press to seal the edges. Score the top into 12 even slices with a knife and glaze the top with milk. Bake for 30 -35 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, brush the top with a tablespoon of honey or agave. Let cool on a wire rack.
  • Cut into slices and serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Sugar Free Pistachio Date Cookie Slices Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 265 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Cholesterol 39mg13%
Sodium 16mg1%
Potassium 187mg5%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 355IU7%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner’s. This blog accepts free manufacturers’ samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Affiliate links may be included in this post.

Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.
Tags: Cookies Dairy Free Dates Pistachios
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  1. July 19, 2011

    These look great Carol. I love how they’re cute little pockets. And I love pistachios. Win-win!

  2. July 19, 2011

    Man, these look FANTASTIC!!!!! I’ll have to give them a try and then try them using dried figs instead of dates since I seem to have a lot of those.

    Thanks!

  3. July 20, 2011

    These look amazing! I especially love that they are not only gluten-free, but sugar-free also. Love your work Carol :-)

  4. July 20, 2011

    They do look both scrumptious and sophisticated, Carol! :-)

    xo,
    Shirley

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  6. July 25, 2011

    We have a biscuit that are friut pillow and they look very similar to these. So exciting to have some gluten free ones for me to try!

    1. July 25, 2011

      Thanks, I think they could be filled with all sorts of things. Love to hear what you come up with!

  7. July 29, 2011

    This looks so good. I want to figure out how to make it for me!

    1. July 31, 2011

      It’s the rice right? Can you do millet or sorghum? That should work.

  8. August 1, 2011

    these look fantastic, i love how they are cut into long strips… it looks so elegant!

  9. Paula
    August 23, 2011

    It looks like a have a gigantic [gluten&sugar free] pop tart in the oven! hah!

  10. Aries
    August 28, 2011

    These look amazing. What happens if the xanthan or guar gum is omitted? I’m not familiar with butter substitute products: would something like applesauce and flaxseed be good enough? I feel like I’m learning in chemistry class all over again.

    1. August 28, 2011

      I know what you mean! In this dough and the way the recipe is prepared, I am afraid the the dough might fall apart without any gum however if you feel like expiramenting then I decrease the rice flour to one cup and double the amount of tapioca starch, that should do it. It is also a very simple dough – not sure if it would work properly with applesauce and flax but again, you could try. Earth Balance is the butter substitute I prefer, I get the soyfree kind. It is available at most natural foods stores and now it is even in my regular grocery store. Let me know if you try any of these alterations and if so how they turn out. xo, c

  11. Aries
    August 31, 2011

    Thank you so much for this info. Once I was diagnosed by my rheumatologist and then put on this diet by my pain management doctor, I felt like I had been dropped on another planet. I really appreciate how you make this all so accessible.

    1. August 31, 2011

      Ah, that’s so niice. I wish you all the luck with the transition and hope you reap the rewards of better health!

  12. September 28, 2011

    These look absolutely fantastic, Carol! I have a ton of dates from the farmers’ market too that could be put to good use with this recipe :) I’m definitely going to try these this weekend. Thanks for the great recipe.

    1. September 28, 2011

      Thanks Cara, enjoy!

  13. donna
    December 3, 2011

    Those look amazing! I cannot hve rice flour however i can use tapioca any sub for the rise? I as well feel like dropped on another planet, so overwhelming

    1. December 4, 2011

      I understand the feeling – it is especially hard to be gf and not be able to eat rice. What I would suggest you try is sorghum flour but only use 1 cup and I would increase the tapioca to 2/3 cup. The thing is to not be intimidated, be willing to get in there and play. Trust me, this whole gf thing gets so much easier!

  14. May 18, 2012

    Carol, this recipes looks amazing! Dates are one of my favorite foods and pistachios one of my favorite nuts. One of my favorite snacks is putting dates and nuts with seasonal berries on fage yogurt. Amazingly satisfying when you find the right combination of whole food items. I don’t have to be GF but prefer to as much as possible, so am still trying out different things. Can you find the sorghum flour, etc. at most health food stores (ie., Whole foods), or do I have to order it?

    Looking forward to checking out your other recipes!

    Pam

    1. Gluten Free & More
      May 18, 2012

      Hi Pam I am right there with you! Yes, you can find sorghum and all the other stuff at most health food stores (Bob’s Red Mill makes a good wsweet sorghum flour) and even at some progressive grocery stores. Good luck!!!

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  17. Teddi
    March 25, 2013

    I made these today and I don’t do a lot of gluten free baking, but I couldn’t resist. They were fabulous!!! My husband misses date filled cookies and he loved them. I cut them into bars instead of slices so they will be more lunch bag friendly. Thanks so much for the recipe. I can’t wait to try this flaky pastry with other fillings.

    1. Gluten Free & More
      March 29, 2013

      My pleasure Teddi, so happy you liked them!

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