Gluten-Free AIP Sugar Cookie Decorating
A colorful frosting recipe designed for decorating AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) sugar cookies using coconut cream, palm shortening, and natural colorings. The base frosting gets its creamy texture from whipped coconut cream and palm shortening, sweetened lightly with honey. Two vibrant variations are included: a green matcha version and a pink pomegranate version. The recipe provides enough frosting to decorate about 2 batches of cookies and includes fun topping suggestions like carob chips, pomegranate seeds, and AIP marshmallows for festive finishing touches.
Ingredients
- ½ cup palm shortening
- ⅓ cup coconut cream, the cream that hardens on top of a can of coconut milk set in the fridge
- 2 tsp light-colored honey
- ½ tsp matcha powder(optional)spirulina powder1:1paleoaip
for green color
- ½ cup palm shortening
- ⅓ cup coconut cream
- 2 tsp pomegranate juice(optional)beet juice1:1paleoaip
for pink color
- 3 tbsp AIP carob chips(optional)cacao chips1:1paleo
if tolerated
- 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds(optional)
- 10 AIP marshmallows, homemade or sweet apricity(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cream together coconut cream, palm shortening, and honey
- 2
Break up coconut cream thoroughly and stir until soft and creamy frosting forms
- 3
Add coloring gradually, starting with half the amount, and stir
- 4
Adjust coloring amount until desired taste and color is reached
- 5
Frost fully cooled sugar cookies with desired frosting
- 6
Decorate as desired with toppings
Good to Know
Refrigerate frosted cookies for up to 3 days in airtight container
Make frosting up to 2 days ahead and store refrigerated
Serve at room temperature for best frosting texture
Common Mistakes
Don't add all coloring at once to avoid overpowering flavor
Ensure cookies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting
Substitutions
for green color
for pink color
if tolerated
FAQ
Can I make this frosting dairy-free?
This frosting is already dairy-free, made with coconut cream and palm shortening instead of butter or cream cheese.
What if my coconut cream won't whip?
Make sure you're using the thick cream from the top of a chilled can. If still soft, refrigerate the mixture before whipping.
How long will decorated cookies keep?
Frosted cookies stay fresh for 3 days refrigerated or 1 day at room temperature in an airtight container.