Those of us with gluten sensitivities may no longer eat some of the foods we love. Even a simple sandwich made with wheat bread can put us in distress, particularly if we have celiac disease. If you are sensitive to the gluten used in wheat flours, you may have omitted many foods from your diet. Now that gluten free substitutes and recipes for using them are readily available, we can return to the foods we love.
Gluten-free baking flour allows those with gluten sensitivities to enjoy those comforting recipes that many of us have given up to avoid the pain and discomfort.
These sources of gluten-free recipes may help those with other issues, such as lactose intolerance. Gluten free baking allows us to enjoy those foods we thought were just a fond memory. Baking with gluten free flour and replacing milk, margarine and other dairy products leads to many healthy recipes that can make us happy.
Breads
Just having sandwich bread that doesn’t give you stomach cramps or create other issues is really priceless for those who are bothered by gluten. Author Danielle Walker has an online list of bread recipes, including this one for basic toast or sandwich bread. Not only are these recipes gluten free, most do not contain refined sugar, dairy products or yeast.
Crockpot Recipes
A quick check of the Pinterest boards provides a variety of recipes for those who want to go gluten-free. Recipes for breakfast treats made with almond or other grain-free flours are readily available here. Some are easy to put together while others take a little more time. An innovative means of gluten-free breakfast foods is making them in the crockpot, such as Crockpot Banana Bread.
Cookies and Cake
While we’re baking, we can’t forget about the cookies. Used as an afterschool treat for the kids and a nibble of comfort before bedtime for adults, cookies are another favorite that can aggravate celiac. Several sources of gluten free cookies can be found at The Detoxinista, including this recipe for chocolate chip cookies made with coconut flour.
No baking list is complete without adding a cake recipe. On the blog All Day I Dream About Food, Carolyn offers a Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake recipe that looks truly amazing. This creation is gluten free and low carb; made with hazelnut flour, oil and extracts. It is just another example of what you can create once you learn the basics of baking gluten free.
Gluten-Free Baking
Products you’ll need before baking gluten free will include gluten-free flours. It is necessary to have xanthyn gum as it replaces the gluten. You may also need organic honey, coconut oil, almond butter and unflavored gelatin. Almond, rice, coconut, hazelnut and tapioca flours are available at whole food type stores, or you can order them online at several sites. Many of the recipes listed above explain the differences in using these flours.
Gluten free baking requires the use of parchment paper, in most cases. Follow recipes exactly until you’ve tried them a few times before experimenting with different ingredients.
