Gluten-free desserts

[EllenC]

I have a friend who recently found out she is allergic to gluten. Wheat is now a complete no-no in her diet. However, she is a normal human and wants dessert. She eats flourless chocolate cake and I have converted a wonderful butter cookie recipe to use rice flour but the reality is that woman cannot live by shortbread alone.

I am kinda taking this as a fun challenge and thought I would start by asking my favorite website full of foodies - do any of you have ideas for recipes (I know Marlene - I will take responsibility for putting them in the archive.) or how to convert recipes to other types of flours. I am at a loss here because she wants pastry, and flour (and gluten!) is one of the key building blocks.

Please help.

Thanks.

[Marlene]

(I know Marlene - I will take responsibility for putting them in the archive.)

Can she have spelt flour?

Also, here is a Flourless Chocolate Torte which is absolutely decadent.

Edited March 27, 2004 by Marlene (log)

[beccaboo]

People with gluten intolerance can't have any of those wheat relatives like spelt and kamut, and they can't have rye. They also can't have oats, I've heard, because even though oats don't really have gluten they might pick some up during processing.

[Ling]

She could try macaroons.

[dannyboy]

Ellen,

Here are a few useful links to hopefully get you and your friend started.

This one has umpteen links to endless resources for supplies, recipes, etc.

This one is a great magazine that is another endless resource. Their website has some pretty good recipies, as do the actual magazines.

Good luck and have fun!

[davidthomas8779]

My wife and kids have the same issue with gluten. We have bought some great gluten free baking books and the stuff works (pause while reading to mimic me going to the shelf to get them)

Gluten Free Gourmet Bakes Bread (Bette Hagman)

Gluten Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Health (Bette Hagman)

Gluten Free Kitchen (ROben Ryberg)

We also keep meringues and macaroons on hand for easy dessert.

[EllenC]

Thank you everybody for the great responses. I am totally having fun looking at all the links and information. I knew eGulleteers would have answers.

[scott123]

Cheesecake doesn't need flour. Make the crust out of crushed nuts instead of graham crackers.

[foodie52]

Check out Bob's Red Mill : they have an extensive gluten-free line.

Look here:Bob's

[bleachboy]

Cheesecake doesn't need flour. Make the crust out of crushed nuts instead of graham crackers.

Word.

[Sentiamo]

IMO, a dense, moist, rich Chocolate Almond cake is the way to go!!

I have one that is superb. Pour on a Ganache and away you go!

PM me if ya want the recipe.

[jackal10]

Almond cake:

4 oz ground almonds

5 oz sugar

four eggs

Beat the eggs and sugar until white (use a food processer)

Gently fold in the ground almonds

Bake at 350F for 50 minutes

[lorinda]

I am toying with making some of my tarts (made with pate sucre) with gluten free flour, for a friend who is gluten intolerant. I was wondering if anyone has tried this (ie, using gluten free flour mix) and what the results are like, and whether it is worth doing.

TIA

[gfron1]

You should be able to find some good leads in the Pastry & Baking Index Special Diets section HERE.

[plafield]

I am toying with making some of my tarts (made with pate sucre) with gluten free flour, for a friend who is gluten intolerant. I was wondering if anyone has tried this (ie, using gluten free flour mix) and what the results are like, and whether it is worth doing. 

TIA

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My daughter has celiacs so I've been doing lots of gluten free baking for years. Generally I find that the best desserts are ones that don't call for flour to begin with. Flourless chocolate cakes, meringue desserts, cheesecakes, creme brulee or pots de creme etc. Barbara's gluten free baking mix is the best I've found to substitute for regular flour and will make great cookies, pancakes, biscuits and banana bread, but nothing does really well for regular pie crust. Sometimes I buy good quality gluten free cookies (gingersnaps are great) and make a cookie crumb crust for pumpkin pie or cheesecake.

[lorinda]

My daughter has celiacs so I've been doing lots of gluten free baking for years. Generally I find that the best desserts are ones that don't call for flour to begin with. Flourless chocolate cakes, meringue desserts, cheesecakes, creme brulee or pots de creme etc. Barbara's gluten free baking mix is the best I've found to substitute for regular flour and will make great cookies, pancakes, biscuits and banana bread, but nothing does really well for regular pie crust. Sometimes I buy good quality gluten free cookies (gingersnaps are great) and make a cookie crumb crust for pumpkin pie or cheesecake.

←

Thank you plafield for your response. Over the weekend I made a flourless choc cake and frangipane tarts (pastry made with gluten free flour); the tarts turned out surprisingly well. In fact, it was a bonus that the flour doesn't seem to brown as readily.

[tsquare]

do take a look at Gluten Free Girl's website. Lots of recipes - and she has a cookbook out too!