This is a toughy, I have tried different gluten-free products, baking mixes, cake mixes and flour mixes over the years (I will list my recommendations in another blog!) and yet I am always on the taste-test look out for the best of the best gluten-free products, especially baking mixes so I can bake my own favorite recipes. Like the ones I miss after going gluten-free.
For awhile Pamela's baking mix was my choice for all purpose baking, but now, I tend to like Betty Crocker's Bisquick. It's always good to add other flours if you like to experiement and add grains for health. I even like to shake in some flax seed meal when baking for added health benefits.
Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Bisquick and Betty Crocker Cake Mixes
Pros: good all purpose use, good taste
Cons: Small box, High price: over $5.00, Not a lot of health benefits
Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix &
Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownies Mix
Pros: Tastey, Yummy, Delicious! Makes goey or cakey brownies (2 or 3 eggs), good soft or crisp cookies- small or large cookies.
Cons: Under $5 would be better price, Brownie mix sticks to pan so butter/oil it up good first, I'd like a easy sugar cookie mix that I could vary for other cookie favorites.
Betty Crocker has done a great job with her quick and easy baking boxes available at big grocery chains, if not ask if your store will carry it. They are small boxes of the cake and Bisquick, but the size for cookies and brownies is just right. For a 2 layer cake you need to buy two mixes- to make a cake will cost around $10.00. Betty Crocker Frosting is gluten-free (check the label to verify), but I like to make my own with simple ingredients- butter, vanilla, cocoa, powder sugar, milk. I will post more recipes in other blogs.
BIG TIP!
For Moist Baked Goods:
If you can have diary- add a tablespoon of gf sour cream to all your baked goods, especially cookies and cakes.
For lower fat- substitute sour cream with a tablespoon of low fat/non-fat gf yogurt (plain/vanilla).
For dairy free eaters- add a tablespoon of applesauce (or pearsauce if you can't have apples).
If it calls for butter- and you cannot have dairy (casein free) substitute your dairies with oil (Canola or light olive oil or coconut oil might be best since it has a thicker consistency plus nice taste-experiment with this one)
Sugar-free? My favorite all natural sweetener is Stevia. Stevia is extra sweet, so you won't need as much. Also white grape juice from concentrate, all natural jellies, and natural Rice syrup, Agave or Maple syrups. Of course, use your best judgement as far as mixing your dry and wet ingredients to the desired consistency for baking. You may also need to experiment some with this.
I'm always on the look out for good tips and information on gluten-free foods, and will share anything I find to be worthwhile gluten-free reading. I stumbled on this site and found a good post about gluten-free grains:
http://glutenfreemommy.com/gluten-free-grains-101-the-best-flour-blend/
Let me know any comments or your thoughts about your favorite gluten-free mixes!
For awhile Pamela's baking mix was my choice for all purpose baking, but now, I tend to like Betty Crocker's Bisquick. It's always good to add other flours if you like to experiement and add grains for health. I even like to shake in some flax seed meal when baking for added health benefits.
Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Bisquick and Betty Crocker Cake Mixes
Pros: good all purpose use, good taste
Cons: Small box, High price: over $5.00, Not a lot of health benefits
Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix &
Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownies Mix
Pros: Tastey, Yummy, Delicious! Makes goey or cakey brownies (2 or 3 eggs), good soft or crisp cookies- small or large cookies.
Cons: Under $5 would be better price, Brownie mix sticks to pan so butter/oil it up good first, I'd like a easy sugar cookie mix that I could vary for other cookie favorites.
Betty Crocker has done a great job with her quick and easy baking boxes available at big grocery chains, if not ask if your store will carry it. They are small boxes of the cake and Bisquick, but the size for cookies and brownies is just right. For a 2 layer cake you need to buy two mixes- to make a cake will cost around $10.00. Betty Crocker Frosting is gluten-free (check the label to verify), but I like to make my own with simple ingredients- butter, vanilla, cocoa, powder sugar, milk. I will post more recipes in other blogs.
BIG TIP!
For Moist Baked Goods:
If you can have diary- add a tablespoon of gf sour cream to all your baked goods, especially cookies and cakes.
For lower fat- substitute sour cream with a tablespoon of low fat/non-fat gf yogurt (plain/vanilla).
For dairy free eaters- add a tablespoon of applesauce (or pearsauce if you can't have apples).
If it calls for butter- and you cannot have dairy (casein free) substitute your dairies with oil (Canola or light olive oil or coconut oil might be best since it has a thicker consistency plus nice taste-experiment with this one)
Sugar-free? My favorite all natural sweetener is Stevia. Stevia is extra sweet, so you won't need as much. Also white grape juice from concentrate, all natural jellies, and natural Rice syrup, Agave or Maple syrups. Of course, use your best judgement as far as mixing your dry and wet ingredients to the desired consistency for baking. You may also need to experiment some with this.
I'm always on the look out for good tips and information on gluten-free foods, and will share anything I find to be worthwhile gluten-free reading. I stumbled on this site and found a good post about gluten-free grains:
http://glutenfreemommy.com/gluten-free-grains-101-the-best-flour-blend/
Let me know any comments or your thoughts about your favorite gluten-free mixes!
