Who Owns Vigilant Sweets in Grand Rapids, MI?

Like many small baking businesses in Michigan, Vigilant Sweets is a woman owned company. After living in North Carolina for 12 years and working in early childhood education, she decided to follow her passion for baking and trained as a pastry chef and cake decorator.

After relocating back to Michigan, I started my own home bakery. Like many small business owners, she also works outside of her business. This allows her to keep building Vigilant Sweets with the goal of turning it into a full-time career.

She chose the name “Vigilant Sweets” because of how vigilant she in keeping her family and customers safe from ingredients they can’t eat. In addition, her name Sahirah actually means “vigilant.” Which I think is pretty darn cool!

What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

When my youngest was born 17 years ago, she was very sick. Allergy testing revealed she had 15 food allergies, including wheat/gluten. She’s allergic to wheat and severely intolerant to gluten. Later I was also diagnosed with non-celiac gluten intolerance.

Baking has always been something I loved, and that diagnosis was heartbreaking at first. However, it also gave me purpose. I wanted to create desserts that were safe for our family without sacrificing taste. My goal is to create treats that are just as rich and delicious as the gluten containing versions.

Are Vigilant Sweets baked goods free from other allergens?

Yes. In addition to being gluten free, my baked goods are also 100% dairy free, oat free, and made without nuts. Egg-free/vegan options are available as well, depending on the item.

What steps do you take to ensure that your products are gluten-free?

First, my home baking kitchen is 100% gluten-free, with no gluten containing ingredients used in the home or baking area.

In addition, I only use certified gluten-free ingredients. If a label is ever unclear or questionable, I contact the company directly for clarification before using the product

• Do you use oats or oat milk in your baked goods?
  • I don’t use oats or oat milk because many people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can’t tolerate them. I’m one of those people and can’t tolerate oats, even purity protocol oats, so my baked goods are completely oat free.
• Do you use certified gluten free wheat starch in any of your baked goods?
  • No. I don’t use certified gluten free wheat starch because my daughter and I both have a wheat allergy. I bake with gluten free ingredients that are completely wheat free.

Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business? 

A customer shared that she and her daughter have an autoimmune condition and follow a gluten-free diet to help manage symptoms.

She explained that her daughter will only eat my baked goods and can always tell if a gluten-free product comes from another company. Moments like that mean so much to me. It’s bigger than dessert -. It’s knowing I’m providing something they feel safe eating and genuinely enjoy.

What would you like consumers to know about Vigilant Sweets?

I started this business for families with allergies and dietary restrictions who miss being able to enjoy the same desserts as everyone else. I always want my treats to feel safe and inclusive but also rich, flavorful, and actually delicious. I love being able to give people dessert options they can trust and genuinely look forward to.

How Do We Place a Special Order?

Vigilant Sweets does not have a storefront. I prepare all of my gluten free baked goods in my home. People can order through my website for pickup at a designated location, and I also sell at different markets and pop-ups during the spring and summer. I post all upcoming dates and locations on her social media.

Vigilant Sweets

Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Home Based Business – Pre Order Only

Sells at Various Markets – See Social Media for Info

Preferred Method of Contact – Email

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Phone

Vigilant Sweets is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map! Looking for more local eats? Check out my list of gluten free baked good options at Michigan Farmers Markets.

The post Vigilant Sweets – Gluten Free in Grand Rapids, MI appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Oat Free, Gluten Free Apple Crisp

First and foremost, I don’t use oats in my recipes, because they make me feel ill. Even Purity Protocol Oats cause my stomach to experience less than optimal health.

From listening to other, I’m not the only one. Therefore, I wanted to write a gluten free apple crisp recipe for those in a similar situation. But the question that one is left asking is “What Do You Use for the Topping?”

Enter Matzo Farfel.

What is Matzo Farfel? How Else Can I Use?

I first tried this recipe on a whim, after purchasing Yehuda gluten free Matzo Farfel at the end of Passover. (Always look for great deals on gluten free items at that time!)

Farfel, is simply matzo that’s been broken into pieces. So basically, crackers crumbs. It worked great. However, matzo farfel appears to be seasonal. Therefore, I retested this recipe, using Schar Table Crackers, to make sure it still worked. Answer: YES!

Should you want to try farfel, outside of Passover season, it appears to be availble on Mercato. However, since it’s just broken up matzo, you could “make some” yourself.

You can find the Whole Yehuda Gluten Free Matzo at most Kroger stores. It’s pricey, but Yehuda Gluten Free Matzo is tasty, and we often buy it for a special treat. I buy my Schar Table Crackers at Meijer stores.

What Dish Should I Bake This In?

I’ve made this Gluten Free Apple Crisp in two different types of baking dishes. The first time, I made them in the Staub Mini Cocottes, which Staub sent to me, for free. They made great individual desserts. However, it filled three ramekins, and there are two of us, and left us asking who got the extra one!

The second time I made this in my Pampered Chef Small Oval Baker. Unfortunately, it is discontinued. Which is sad, because I use it a lot, and it was the inspiration behind my Breakfast Casserole for Two.

Therefore, I recommend the Staub 7.5 x 6 inch rectangular baker as a substitute. (Amazon affiliate link) That is, if you want to make it in just one dish. It’s the smaller sibling to the 10.5 x 7.5 inch baking dish, in which I made my Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes.

Can I Make this Without Dairy or Eggs? Or Grains?

This gluten free apple crisp for two contains no eggs, as written. To make it dairy free, I’d simply recommend using a butter substitute. Miyoko’s is a good one, as is Earth Balance Buttery Baking Sticks.

Need this to be grain free? I would try this Paleo Apple Crisp from Texanerin. Want to use oats in your crisp? Try this Classic Apple Crisp recipe from Iowa Girl Eats.

A side note on the caramel sauce you see in the pictures. It was homemade, but really more of a “butterscotch” than a caramel. Still delicious, either way. (And highly recommend it on top of this desset.)

For a better recipe, try this Homemade Salted Caramel recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Need it dairy free? Try this Salted Caramel Sauce from Downshiftology.

Other Gluten Free Apple Desserts

Did you recently purchase a lot of apples? My website contains quite a few apple based recipes. If you’re looking for more “mini” recipes, try my. Small Gluten Free Applesauce Bundt Cake. Other recipes that are good for this season, are my Gluten Free French Apple Cake, my Gluten Free Apple Dumplings, and my Gluten Free Mini Apple Cheesecake.

I recently bought 12 lbs of apples, and have a lot of baking on my mind. First, I want to try this Instant Pot Applesauce recipe from Evolving Table. I’m tempted to sub gluten free flour in this Apple Pie Pizza recipe from Dessert for Two. (She’s the inspiration behind all my “small batch” cooking.) What other apple recipes should I try? Anything you’re looking for?

Print

Gluten Free Apple Crisp for Two

Equipment

• Staub Ceramic Baking Dish Set, 3pc, Dark Blue
• Yehuda Matzo Squares Gluten-Free 10.5 Ounce Pack of 3
• Dreamfarm Sharple | Self-Sharpening Vegetable Speed Peeler

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 2 apples peeled and chopped
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp gluten free all purpose flour blend
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• pinch of salt

For the topping

• 4 tbsp butter melted
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/3 crushed GF crackers or gluten free matzo farfel
• 1/4 c gluten free all purpose flour blend

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Peel and chop two medium sizes apples. Use whichever kind you prefer. I often use gala, because that's what we like to eat. 
• In a medium size mixing bowl, combine chopped apples and 1 tsp lemon juice. Mix together to coat all the apple bits. 
• To that same bowl, add 1 tbsp gluten free all purpose flour, white sguar, maple syrup and spices. Set aside. 
• In a small mixing bowl, place 4 tbsp butter, and melt in microwave for 30 seconds. Remove, and add brown sugar, cinnamon and sugar. Stir to combine. 
• Next, add the crushed crackers (or matzo farfel) to the melted butter mixture, and stir until all the crushed crackers are moistened. Feel free to break up any larger bits of crackers. 
• Next, add 1/4 c gluten free all purpose flour to the butter and cracker mixture, and stir until all ingredients are combined. 
• Place apple mixture in a small baking dish, or 3 large ramekins. Top with butter and cracker mixture, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 
• Best served warm, especially with a bit of ice cream.

** Both Staub and Schar sent me free products. This post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

Originally Published October 2020

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