Impress your valentine! 

These Vegan & Gluten-Free Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect way to show someone you care. These cookies have a soft texture, are infused with fresh lemon zest, and finished with a bright lemon glaze. The irresistible jam center makes them a sweet, festive treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion!

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 3 hours chilling)
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Total Time: ~3 hours 30 minutes
• Servings: 14 cookies

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) vegan butter, room temperature
• ⅔ cup (80g) powdered sugar
• 2 cups (296g) gluten-free all-purpose flour (see notes below)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6-8 tablespoons jam (raspberry, strawberry, apricot, etc.)

Lemon Glaze (Optional)

• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice (adjust for desired consistency)

Instructions

1. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the vegan butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the gluten-free flour, salt, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until well combined.

3. Chill: Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the dough in the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Or if you're in a rush, flatten the dough on a small baking tray, cover it with plastic wrap, and freeze for 30 minutes.

4. Preheat & Prepare: Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line one baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Shape & Indent: Using a medium cookie scoop or scale, portion out the dough (40g of dough per cookie) and roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place each ball on the lined baking sheet, leaving enough space between them. Use the back of a measuring spoon (or your hand) to flatten the cookies then use a spoon (or your thumb) to gently create a heart indent in each cookie.

6. Fill with Jam: Carefully spoon jam into each indent. Avoid overfilling—keep the jam level with the rim of the indentation.

7. Bake: Bake for about 14 minutes, or until the cookies are just beginning to turn golden around the edges. The tops of the cookies should be matte when they are finished baking. If you are unsure if they are done baking, err on the side of underbaked to avoid a dry cookie.

8. Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies sit for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Make the Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until you reach a smooth, drizzle-worthy consistency.

10. Glaze & Serve: Once the cookies have fully cooled, use a spoon or fork to drizzle the lemon glaze over each cookie. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes & Tips

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Different brands vary in ingredients and ratios, so results can differ if you substitute flours. For best results, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour (We used King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour).
• Chilling the Dough: Chilling is essential for maintaining the shape of these cookies during baking. If the dough is too warm, the cookies may spread.

If you’re looking for a moist and chocolatey dessert that accommodates multiple dietary needs, this recipe is for you. Below, you’ll find two separate sections: one for the cake and one for the frosting. Both are free of gluten, eggs, and dairy but still deliver the rich, chocolaty flavors everyone craves!

Looking for a Halloween treat that’s both festive and safe for kids with allergies? We’ve got you covered with a spooky twist on a classic: Dirt & Worms! Halloween can be a tricky time for families navigating food allergies, with so many treats containing hidden allergens. But this recipe ensures everyone can join in on the fun without worry. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just making a fun treat for your little ones at home, this top 11 allergen-free version of Dirt & Worms is both delicious and worry-free.

The best part? It's made with a creamy avocado based pudding for healthy fats, and uses Safely Delicious Mocha bites to create the “dirt” crumbs—perfect for layering with gummy worms to complete the spooky look. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up this treat while keeping it healthy and allergen-free. So, if you’re looking for a Halloween recipe that’s safe for kids with allergies (and still a hit with all their friends), this one is a must-try.

Ready to dig in? Keep scrolling for the full recipe and step-by-step instructions!

Allergen-Free Dirt & Worms Recipe

Pudding:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup allergen-free milk (such as oat, almond, or soy milk)
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (for thickening)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup maple syrup (or any liquid sweetener of your choice)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Dirt:

• 4 allergen-free chocolate sandwich cookies (crushed) (we used Kinnikinnick Sandwich Creme Cookies, Chocolate)
• 1/4 cup Safely Delicious Mocha Bites (or Krumblz!)

Worms:

• Allergen-free gummy worms (we used Surf Sweets Gummy Worms)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pudding: In a small bowl, whisk together the allergen-free milk and tapioca starch until smooth, creating a slurry. This helps thicken the pudding without lumps.

   In a food processor, combine the avocados, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, tapioca starch slurry, and maple syrup. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust the sweetness or thickness to your preference (if too thick, add a splash of allergen-free milk).

2. Make the Dirt: Place the chocolate sandwich cookies and Mocha Bites in a plastic bag and crush them into a course, sandy texture using a rolling pin or food processor. This is the “dirt” for your layers.

3. Assemble the Cups:

   • Start by spooning a layer of the avocado pudding into the bottom of your serving cups
   • Add a layer of “dirt” mixture on top of the pudding.
   • Place a few gummy worms on top of the dirt.
   • Repeat the process to create a second layer: more pudding, more dirt, and more worms on top.

Feel free to comment or let us know if you have any questions!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

-The Safely Delicious Team