Sometimes God can take something difficult and turn it into something you grow to love.

I am a #allergymom.  My kids have a lot of food allergies.  Which means that every time we go to someone’s house….I have to make sure they know about all of the allergies.  I hate going to potlucks because it means I have to be super sensitive and make sure that I know what is in all of the dishes everyone brings.  And every time my kids have a party, I have to make sure I bring them something they can eat.

While it is annoying and causes me worry and anxiety every time my kids are at someone else’s house…I have learned to be grateful.  I am grateful that my kids are mostly healthy and that they don’t have a difficult disease.  I have a friend from my childhood neighborhood whose son is going through Chemo treatment right now.  I can’t even imagine how difficult and heart-wrenching that must be.  And while it is annoying that I feel like I need to be at all of the parties at school and volunteer to bring food EVERYWHERE I go….I love that I get to be at all of the parties!  And even more so….my kids LOVE that I am at all of their parties.

It also has forced me to become more of a cook and baker.  I have always enjoyed cooking, but the last 13 years has made me get out of my comfort zone.  I have figured out some great recipes that are safe for my kids and are delicious!  In fact, I like them even better than the originals.  So I am thankful that I GET to make cookies for my kids often and that I am constantly baking and making yummy food.  We eat so much healthier than we would if we didn’t have allergies (except for the cookies).

Baking and cooking has become my way to show love.  Just had a baby…I will shower you with wine cake and home-made chicken pot pie.  Have a birthday???  I will make you a blackberry sour cream pie.  Going on winter retreat with the youth group…I will make cookies.

That is what prompted today’s batch of cookies.  My oldest is off to Winter Camp with his youth group!  And while I am a little nervous that he will struggle with getting enough to eat (he is 13 and CONSTANTLY hungry and he is allergic to Eggs…which are in SO many things), my way of showering him with love today as he walked out the door was to hand him a gigantic bag of warm, freshly baked cookies that I know he can safely eat.

Eggs aren’t the only dietary restriction we have.  Poor Jameson.  He can’t have eggs or dairy (or peanuts but those are easier to avoid).  Just when I had kind of figured out how to bake without eggs, dairy is thrown into the mix!  Do you know that dairy is in EVERYTHING…including McDonald’s french fries????

I like to joke that we are vegans who eat meat.  We can’t have dairy or eggs, but we can have meat. Funny….right?

So if you are vegan, or out of eggs, or just want to eat cookie dough without worrying about getting salmonella…then this recipe is for you!

This is mom’s famous cookie recipe with Lisa’s allergy adjustments.

1 cup shortening
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup applesauce (this is my egg replacement)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 package dairy free chocolate chips (Thank heavens for Trader Joe’s chocolate chips.  No dairy and only $1.99 per package)

Mix together.  If you have time and inclination you can mix the dry ingredients and then add them to the wet ingredients….but let’s be honest….I ain’t got time for that.  So I just mix it all together.

Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes.  Or if you make giant cookies (my favorite), use 1/4 cup dough per cookie and bake for 10-11 minutes.

These cookies bake up so deliciously and are nice and soft with a crispy outside.  Perfection.

Anyone else have kids with allergies?  Want more recipes?  Let me know!