Review: Deanna's Gluten Free

Last weekend my husband and I drove to Escondido to spectate Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California. I know cycling isn't a big deal in the United States, but my husband and I are BIG fans.

It was an especially hot day (way over 100 degrees) and these guys rode 100 miles with 20,000 feet of climbing. That's a tough athlete!

Leave it to me to find cupcakes at a professional bike race. My husband got us passes to the VIP booth, which was catered by several food companies, including Deanna's GNI Bakery. (I later found out GNI=Gluten Not Included.) I couldn't help but grab a few mini cupcakes "to test for the blog." I tried a red velvet and chocolate one. There's no way I would have known they were gluten-free. The cake was dense and moist, and the frosting was smooth and surprisingly not melted in the extreme heat. So delicious!

Deanna's Gluten Free Store is located in Escondido, CA, but you can also find select items at Ralph's grocery stores and other locations listed here.

Deanna's Gluten Free Store

2250 S. Escondido Blvd., #110

Escondido, CA 92025

Betty Crocker Introduces Gluten-Free Baking Mixes

I can't imagine how sad my life would be without gluten. But that's just me and that fact that I could eat bread products all day long.

I have several friends who avoid all gluten when possible because of allergies. But now they can enjoy eating cupcakes and other desserts more often! Betty Crocker has introduced a line of gluten-free baking mixes. Their website showcases four gluten-free mixes:

Gluten-Free Brownie Mix

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Gluten-Free Devil's Food Cake Mix
Gluten-Free Yellow Cake Mix

Along with their cake mixes, Betty Crocker also provides recipes for gluten-free desserts. Gluten-free Banana Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Frosting, anyone?



Photos: Betty Crocker

Featuring: Earth and Sugar

As far as I know, I haven't tasted an organic cupcake. It's not that I don't want to try one, but I just haven't had the opportunity.


earthandsugar is a bakery that "offers all natural and organic baked goods free of preservatives and refined or processed ingredients. Our homemade treats are made with ingredients such as local organic fresh fruit, organic Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, Green & Black's organic cocoa powder, and many more quality and free trade products." They also carry a line of vegan and gluten-free cupcakes.




earthandsugar is located in Boynton Beach, FL and does custom orders for cupcakes, cookies, and teacake slices. They also sell their items in cafes around their area.




The big news for earthandsugar is that they are preparing to ship their cookies nationwide, which is good for people like me who would love to try their treats, but live as far away from Florida as possible.




earthandsugar is having a Fan Summer Giveaway where you can win one dozen of their organic cookies or vegan and gluten-free cookies (available in chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin)!! Four lucky people will win this prize. One winner will also receive their natural canvas tote printed with a green living expression.




How can you win? Easy...just become a fan of earthandsugar on Facebook between now and August 31, 2010. That's it. I've already entered, so I probably shouldn't be writing about this because it lowers my chances, but oh well.




earthandsugar also informed me that they will soon be offering shipping for their cupcakes. I'm excited to give them a try. I'll keep you updated when that happens.


Photo Credit: PS Photography

Vegan, Gluten-Free Cupcakes Debut at Sprinkles

Over the weekend I saw read some interesting news via Cupcakes Take the Cake. Apparently, Rachel (from CCTC) found out a few months ago that Sprinkles was working on a vegan cupcake.

Well, it's official! The Daily Dish from the LA Times is reporting that, starting today, Sprinkles is now offering both a vegan and gluten-free version of their signature Red Velvet cupcake.

"The vegan red velvet cupcake is made with soy milk, tofu-based cream cheese , and pure coconut oil. Gluten-free red velvet is made with gluten-free flour and topped with Sprinkles' original cream cheese frosting." (Daily Dish)

Congrats to Sprinkles for expanding their line for more people to enjoy their delicious cupcakes!