It’s not easy to follow a gluten-free diet, especially during the holidays. Christmas is when we all have “visions of sugarplums”—or cookies, pies, and cheesecakes. But what about the millions of people who cannot tolerate gluten, a natural protein found in wheat flour. Do they need to avoid the breads, cookies, and cakes that are part of your holiday celebrations? Absolutely not. This book has come to the rescue.
There’s no magic wand that can be waved over a baked good to make it free from gluten, nor is there any one product that can replace wheat flour on a one-to-one basis. But with just a few ingredients—all of them totally natural— your baked goods can be as delicious as any made previously with wheat flour but with one exception: Everyone you love can now enjoy them.
And what delicious treats you’ll find in this book!
If cookies are your Christmas favorite, you’ll find dozens of recipes, from crispy sugar cookies that can be decorated with icing and candies to classic drop cookies, bar cookies, and several varieties of brownies.
We’ve got an assortment of breads, from popovers and scones, to biscuits and muffins, and Gooey Pecan Sticky Buns perfect for Christmas morning.
You’ll find treats that are already gluten-free, such as meringues and macaroons. And candy and fudge—perfect for making on the stovetop while something else bakes in the oven—make thoughtful gifts for gluten-free folks.
If you’ve been baking gluten-free goodies for years, I hope you’ll find some new recipes here to tantalize family and friends. But if you’re new to the world of recipes calling for rice flour and potato starch instead of all-purpose flour, you’ll find some useful guidance on the hows and whys of gluten-free baking to help you convert cherished family favorites to a gluten-free regimen as well as finding new recipes everyone will enjoy.
Christmas is a time of giving, and what could be a better gift to those who must eliminate gluten from their diets than a feast for their eyes and their tummies?
Happy baking, and merry Christmas!
Ellen Brown
Providence, RI