Desserts

I get so much joy when I cook for others, so last Saturday I threw a little dinner party at my house with two of my close friends. There are so many positives to this:

Positives: I love to cook and bake, It makes me happy, allows me to escape the pain, I can eat a safe meal with friends, I can try out a new recipe, my friends love my cooking, and most importantly,  we always have a good time together.

Today I am going to share with you the dessert I made for the dinner party. It was a cake recipe my mom got from a friend, which I converted to be gluten/dairy free. When making the recipe I had to Read More »

I may have. just discovered the BEST or the WORST thing ever.

Did you know peppermint bark is one of the easiest things to make? Why didn’t I ever know this? I thought the fact that you had to melt then cool…then melt…then crack and sprinkle toppings on, meant that I would be running around screaming What’s the next step?! before the chocolate hardened, like it was some type of rocket science.

Turns out I was totally wrong.

This recipe, given to me by Kathleen over at Celiac Baby, is one of the easiest things to make. It looks pretty fancy too, if I must say. I hope you like candy canes and chocolate, because it’s.about.to.go.down. Read More »

(Taken from Food Network and Adapted)

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour ( I used Jules Gluten Free)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (Omit if you use Earth Balance Butter Sticks)
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature (I used Earth Balance)
1/3 cup evaporated cane juice
1 large egg
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Make Sure GF) Read More »

Santa Hat Cupcakes courtesy of Lauryn Cohen

I know you might think I’m clever, but really, I’m not. Full credit goes to Lauryn Cohen, aka Bella Baker, who came up with this cute concept. Lauren is the queen of sweet and is known for her uniquely creative treats and crafts. She recently launched a holiday baking guide (entitled Sweet Gifts Holiday Baking and Crafting Guide– available nationwide) filled with innovative and delicious recipes for the holidays.

Lauryn was nice enough to share one of her creations with The Family Chef. In this recipe, she calls for a red velvet cupcake (you will find a gluten-free, no-dye recipe in my upcoming cookbook). You can always use a basic vanilla (gluten-free).

Here is her technique for making super cute holiday cupcakes for your friends or family. Read More »

Last April I attended the Nourished conference. This was an amazing experience for me and I am still thankful I had the opportunity to attend. Because I had school, my parents and I flew into Chicago the day of the conference and arrived at the “nick of time.” 

I quickly grabbed my badge, and walked into the first session room I saw. At the time I had no idea there were multiple sessions going on, but as a new blogger this session was perfect for me. The session was taught by Mary Fran Wiley of FrannyCakes and was all about Blogging 101. This was probably the one session that stuck with me the most, and was essentially what inspired me to Read More »

Shoe Fly Pie. Photo: Bird-In-Hand Bakery, Bird-In-Hand.com

Just 70-some miles west of Philadelphia is Lancaster, home of outlets, Franklin and Marshall College, the Amish and Shoe Fly Pie. Sadly, it’s impossible to find gluten-free pies there, but never fear…just make your own!

Ingredients
Piecrust:
• 2 1/4 cups gluten-free flour mix*
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shortening Read More »

You don’t have to build your cookies in a tree shape – but, boy it looks cute and festive!

Let’s be honest, If there was no Jules Gluten Free Flour there would be no family recipes recreated, no homemade cookies or cakes, and no way I could enjoy something special from time to time. I may be a exaggerating a bit here, but Jules’ flour is a product I {and my mom} are so thankful for. It was the product that gave me the courage to get back to baking after becoming discouraged, and has now allowed me to take risks in the kitchen. 

Like many of my virtual friends I have never met Jules, but she is one of the “gluten-free celebrities” I want to meet one day. Not only am I thankful for her flour, but I am also so thankful for all the support she has given me over the last two years of blogging, often Read More »

This gluten free recipe for pecan pie is incredibly sweet and delicious. Don’t be intimidated about making homemade pie crust. A food processor makes the task fast and easy- just keep your butter or shortening chilled and use ice water.

The rich pecan filling is mixed in a blender, making this a fast and easy favorite.

Tip – An 8 or 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom makes a nice-looking crimped crust and makes cutting pies easy too. Read More »

When I was little I loved American Girl dolls. It seems like yesterday that I was picking out my first doll, after my “Twin Doll” sadly lost her head four times. I can remember my mom suggesting I get Samantha because she was the one that looked closest to me. However, the doll I chose was Molly because she had glasses just like me. I loved that doll, I read all the books which went along with her; even dressed up as Molly for Halloween one year.

One year we threw a birthday party for Molly. My mom being the creative person she is went all out! We made homemade headbands; an idea from one of my American Girl Magazines and ate dishes of food that Molly would have enjoy during the era in which she lived. It’s one of those childhood memories I won’t forget.

Over break I received eggs from Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs; a company I met at this year’s summer Food Fete. My brother laughed when he asked what was in the package and I excitedly responded Read More »

Gluten Free Peach Blueberry Tart Photo: Teri Lee Gruss

Gluten-Free Peach Blueberry Tart takes advantage of two fantastic seasonal fruits, all wrapped into one delicious gluten-free tart shell. Add a scoop of fresh vanilla ice cream to a slice of Gluten-Free Peach Blueberry Tart for a real summer treat.

If you’d rather make this as a pie no problem- substitute a 9-inch pie plate for the tart pan.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• Pastry for 9-inch 2 crust pie (recipe link below)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose gluten-free flour mix
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg Read More »