I know this is a health food blog, but since we are just days away from Valentine’s Day I thought I would kick it off with something sweet. One of the hardest things for me to deal with after shunning gluten is not being able to have cake on my birthday. Pathetic, I know, but hey I’m only human. I have noticed that in the past two years alone the gluten free aisle at Wegman's has grown exponentially but there is always an ingredient or two in their gluten free cake mixes that I can't have *claps hands and squeals in an annoying sing-song voice* Until now-ow..." Ha ha my husband has no excuses this year; I am fully expecting a cake!
I am utterly amazed by the awesomeness that is Cherrybrook Kitchen (even their name is awesome!). From the quality of their products right down to the adorable packaging (yes I am that fickle at times...). Their cake mix is free of gluten, wheat, dairy, egg and nut. As I stood in the grocery store staring at the ingredient list to make sure I wasn't misreading it, I wondered what the HECK do they actually use when they are so limited on ingredients?!
I figured that I would save you the trouble of standing in the middle of the grocery store drawing attention to yourself while grinning like you are holding a golden ticket. The ingredient list is: white rice flour, evaporated cane juice, potato starch, granulated brown sugar, tapioca starch, natural vanilla flavor, leavening (non alluminated baking powder, sodium aluminum phosphate), calcium lactate (no dairy derivatives), xantham gum, sea salt, calcium carbonate, citric acid and guar gum. You have to add margarine (I used butter don’t use plastic food, people!) and water to the cake mix. If you are sensitive to all dairy products, there are plenty of vegan butter substitutes out there (let me know if you need help finding one :). I almost started jumping up and down like a two year old in the aisle because I could eat all of those things! People without food allergies just don't understand that finding a substitute that you can eat that tastes good is like winning the lottery.
Right next to the cake mix on the shelf, was frosting mix. Oh, how I have missed frosting. As most gluten allergy vets can attest to companies manage to stick gluten anywhere and everywhere as a filler (even in the glue for envelopes!). Given this fact, I have not bought much pre-packaged anything in the past couple of years. I have to admit though; I do so miss the carefree days when I could open up a container of frosting and grab a spoon. Yes it's disgusting, but don't be so quick to judge- you know you've done it at least once ;)
As you can see, the Cherrybrook Kitchen Vanilla Frosting mix comes in an equally adorable box and is also wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, and nut free. The ingredients are: confectionary sugar (contains cornstarch), all natural vanilla flavor and sea salt. You have to add butter and rice milk (or any type of milk you prefer) to the mix. Believe me the butter makes the frosting ;)
I also decided to top my cupcakes off with gluten free sprinkles (YESSS!!!)The brand is "Lets Do Sprinkelz" and their sprinkles are gluten free and vegan. The ingredients are: Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Corn Malt Syrup, Water and Natural colors* ("our natural colors are extracts of seeds, vegetables or fruits"). This was a big deal to me because I do not buy anything with food coloring in it for my kids. I took a nutrition class a couple of semesters ago and learned about the horrible things that food coloring can do to your body. *shudder* It's enough to be the topic of a post in and of itself. I might post the link to a few websites about it if anyone is interested. So back to the sprinkles here they are:
Last but not least, I decided to be a good little earth mama and use environmentally friendly cupcake paper liners. The brand is "If You Care." They are made from biodegradable and recycled paper free of toxins; they contain no chlorine and are unbleached.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words here is my photo essay of yumminess:
No hating on the frosting job, people. It's not my strong point ;)
TA DAAA! Now the final test... the toughest judge I know... my two-year old.
Hey Mikey, she likes it!!!
The surest sign that you have struck gold with a recipe? When your toddler screams like you just ripped the head off of her precious ee-ee (stuffed monkey) once the cupcake is gone and she is told that she cannot have another one.
In time, she got over it ;)
I would say that the cupcake venture was successful. The frosting was super creamy (much better after the cupcakes had been refrigerated, plus that way it's not as messy when the kids eat it). Also I have a close friend who is not gluten sensitive and doesn’t live in my house therefore she doesn't have to eat my strange concoctions if she doesn't want to. She loved the cupcakes and said "they taste like gourmet cupcakes."
Give them a try and let me know what you think. Most Wegmans and Feel Rite grocers carry it. If there isn't one of those store near you check out Cherrybrook's website www.cherrybrookkitchen.com or call them at 1-866-I-LUV-CBK. Their customer service department is beyond friendly. I called with a question and actually had a PERSON pick up instead of a recording. I don't know about you but that is reason enough for me to buy this product again -let alone the sugary goodness! They also have pancake, cookie and brownie mixes. Check out their website.
I am now on the hunt for a dehydrator...as soon as I find one and get my hands on it I will be posting about my endeavors with it (unless I burn my house down as my husband so lovingly jests... no cupcakes for him!) Until next time Happy Valentine's Day, eat healthy and have fun doing it!
