Have you noticed how "gluten free" labels are popping up everywhere? I didn't know much about what gluten free was, but I had seen it at the grocery store. When I decided to start my bakery, many friends and family asked me if I would bake gluten free items. At first I said no, but after thinking about it for a while, I realized this was an opportunity to make my baked goods accessible to a whole new part of the market.
So I started doing my research and I noticed there weren't many options out there for people with gluten allergies. There were only three bakeries in the Twin Cities that were dedicated to gluten free baked goods and two of the three were already closed. I knew this was my chance to make delicious baked goodies for those with gluten allergies. Since then I have been trying new recipes, some were successful, many were not.
The one thing I have found in my search for tasty gluten free treats is that it takes many attempts to get it to taste good. Some of the first recipes I tried tasted gummy and smelled awful. That scared me because I thought if all gluten free baking tastes like this, I can't sell it! Luckily it took just a few more tweaks and I finally have some recipes that are not only yummy, but can stand up next to my regular recipes.
My gluten free chocolate cake recipe is, dare I say it, better than my regular one! Those who have tried it can't believe its gluten free. I have a feeling they are used to tasting what my first recipes tasted like, gummy and stale. This recipe is rich and decadent with an intense cocoa flavor.
One very important thing to keep in mind when baking gluten free cakes and cupcakes is to make sure that no regular flour comes into contact with your pans, bowls or spoons. This is essential! Everytime I bake for my friends I make sure that everything I use has been cleaned and sanitized. Besides that, baking gluten free cakes can be both rewarding and delicious. If you have any friends with gluten allergies, let them know there are bakeries out there willing to make decadent treats for them. They no longer have to miss out at a wedding or a birthday party. And since my gluten free cakes taste so good, now the party host can order a gluten free cake that EVERYONE can enjoy, because no one should miss out on cake.......ever!
Stay Sweet!!
Lymarie Jimenez
