--Palm sugar is a low-glycemic sugar made from the sap of the Palmyra palm tree. It works like sugar in cooking and baking and has a caramel-like flavor, and is a tawny brown color. I order it on-line from several different places (currently using NAVITAS organic palm sugar). You might want to check with your health care professional before using this. I have several friends with diabetes who can't use Splenda (one friend ends up in the hospital each time she is unknowingly served Splenda) and use palm sugar in moderation without any problem. But each person is different. --Another sugar substitute I've been trying is SWERVE (made from Erythritol). This product is safe for diabetics. --Almond flour is made from ground almonds. It is high in protein (6 g. per 28 g. serving) and low in carbohydrates (6 g. per 28 g. serving). I purchase it in 5-pound bags from Honeyville Grain Farms (http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/blanchedalmondflour5lb.aspx), but I also sprout and dry whole almonds and grind my own in my little Wonder Mill, Jr., as well as using almond pulp leftover from homemade almond milk I make. I dry the pulp in the dehydrator or use it moist. I make cookies, crackers, and there is even a recipe for Almond Pulp Freezer Fudge I'm going to try. Check out Elana Amsterdam's web site (www.elanaspantry.com) for recipes using almond flour. I've about worn out her cookbook "The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook". She uses agave nectar in most of her recipes, and that's another low-glycemic sweetener you may want to check with your health care professional before using it. --Coconut Flour is a high fiber, low-carb, gluten-free alternative to wheat. You can find lots of recipes using it on-line and I love the book by Bruce Fife, N.D. "Cooking with Coconut Flour". Most of the recipes can be made with alternative sweeteners. Diabetes is rampant in hubby's family, so I work hard at making foods that will hopefully help prevent him from ever getting it. We don't do without our favorite goodies, I just make them with different ingredients. -Grainlady

Here is the recipe that I have many, many times. It's not overly sweet. CREAM CHEESE COOKIES Here's my long time favorite cut out cookie dough. If I remember correctly it was originally in a BH+G magazine in the late 70's. I usually double it in my KA mixer and usually make at least three bowls of the dough. I have a very large tree shape cookie cutter (about 9") and love to make and decorate special cookies for those that love cutouts. This dough is one that you can roll thick, if you like a softer cutout, yet still holds up. 1 1/2 C sugar 1 C unsalted butter 1 8oz pkg cream cheese 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp almond extract 3 1/2 C flour (I like unbleached) 1 tsp baking powder In a mixing bowl cream sugar, butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add egg and flavorings, beat smooth' Stir together the flour and baking powder, add to creamed mixture and mix thoroughly. FOR CUT-OUT COOKIES Chill dough. Roll out on surface dusted with a mixture of 1/2 powered sugar and 1/2 flour, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick depending on your preference. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet ( I line with parchment paper) and bake in a 375� oven 8-10 minutes. Watch for the edges to just barely begin to brown if you like a moist cookie. Cool and frost. COOKIE PRESS COOKIES Divide dough into portions and add desired colors. Force through cookie press onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in a 375� oven 8-10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack. Before baking brush with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with colored sprinkles if desired. Note...I have added about 4 oz of almond paste to the dough when making the cookie press cookies.....yum! FAVORITE ICING FOR CUTOUT COOKIES 2 c powered sugar, sifted 2 Tbsp softened butter 1/4 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp almond extract 1 egg white 1/4 C milk or cream Combine egg white and milk, set aside. Beat together powered sugar, butter and flavorings. Add small amounts of the milk mixture until icing is spreading consistency. Tint with desired colors. Using the egg white will give you a nice finish on the icing, the butter will keep it soft on the inside. Nancy

I have been using your recipe for almost a year now. I love it. My daughter and grandchildren love it, but what surprises me is my little dog loves it. One addition I have tried a few times is: cut up about 6 dried dates into 1/2 cup of water (instead of the milk) and let sit for 15 minutes to rehydrate. Then follow recipe. I also add chopped nuts or chopped dried apples sometimes. I made a batch today and they're in the refrigerator chilling. Then I will try to dip the balls in melted chocolate. My diet allows me to have 8 grams of sugar so I can find dark chocolate with a lot of looking. One other point, I have found that two packets of sugar-free hot chocolate mix equal 6 tbs. of Quick. Thanks again for the recipe - it is wonderful. Monica

Recipe: gluten - free giant double chocolate cookie mottogear4 hours ago Eat this all by yourself, or share! Either way, it's one if the best cookies I've made! If you don't want it gluten free, use all purpose flour instead of the rice flour, and don't use the xanthen gum. ingrediants: •5 tablespoons rice flour (white or brown)• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract• 2 tablespoons softened butter• 2 tablespoons brown sugar• 2 tablespoons white sugar• 1/4 teaspoon xanthen gum• 1 egg yolk• 1 heaping teaspoon cocoa powder• 2-3 tablespoons chocolate chips directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar by hand (of you can use a mixer). Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix to combine. 3. Add rice flour, baking soda, xanthen gum, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips. Shape dough into a circle and place on a baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake in preheated oven for 13-15 minutes. Eat immediately.