Delicious Gluten Free Donuts, With Only Three Ingredients

These gluten free pumpkin donuts use only three ingredients. They are as follows: King Arthur Gluten Free Classic Yellow Cake Mix, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. That’s it. You don’t need  the additional ingredients listed on the back of the box. No butter or oil. No eggs. No milk. Just the cake mix, pumpkin puree, and spice. And technically, the spice is optional. 

What Ingredients are in the King Arthur Gluten Free Cake Mix?

King Arthur Gluten Free Classic Yellow Cake Mix contains none of the top 9 allergens, as ingredients. Some of those allergens are present in their facility, so visit King Arthur’s website to learn more about their Allergen Program. It contains sugar, tapioca starch, rice flour, corn starch, emulsifiers made from rice starch and fatty acids, baking powder, salt, natural vanilla flavor and xanthan gum.

Can I Use a Different Gluten Free Cake Mix?

In theory, yes. When I first published this  back in 2017, I used the Really Great Foods Golden Cake Mix. I combined equal ounces of cake mix with an equal amount of pumpkin puree, and they were perfect. Some of the best donuts I’d ever tasted.

However, when I’ve tried this same ratio with other cake mixes, it never turned out as well. I was on a mission to recreate them with a mix I could easy find at the store. 

In other failed attempts, I felt that they pumpkin donut batter was too moist and dense. Therefore, I combined one King Arthur Gluten Free Classic Yellow Cake mix (which is 22 oz) with 16 ounces of pumpkin puree.

Why 16 oz? Because most cans of pumpkin puree contain 15-16 ounces of puree. I really am all about making recipes as easy to follow, as possible. 

Should I Glaze these Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts?

These gluten free pumpkin donuts are perfectly delicious on their own. However, you can add a glaze or coating of cinnamon and sugar, if you like.

However, I find these donuts can kind of sticky if they’re not eaten the same day they are baked. Adding a glaze or coating in melted butter & cinnamon sugar only increase this issue, after 24 hours. 

I chose to do a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the top. I tried to melt the Enjoy Life White Baking Chips, to use a dairy free topping. However, that turned into a HOT MESS. (Literally.)

I found greater success using Guittard’s Choc-Au-Lait white baking chips. (They are not dairy free.) As you can see, my drizzling technique needs some improvement. However, the donuts taste amazing, and that’s all that matters.

Can I Freeze These Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts?

You should definitely be able to freeze this. However, I’d try to do so on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Remember how I said these donuts can be sticky after the first day?

Without parchment paper, these will freeze to the cookie sheet. After freezing the donuts for about 1-2 hours, you should then be able to safely transfer them to a freezer safe plastic bag for long term storage.

I Don’t Have a Donut Pan. Can I Make These in a Muffin Pan?

Yes, you can. In fact, The Big Man’s World has a recipe for 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins on his website. His post also includes ideas for mix-ins. Food.com recommends using an 18 0z cake mix and and a 15 oz can of pumpkin pure. I think the key to baked good success is using less pumpkin than cake mix, in ounces. 

Other Donut and Pumpkin Recipes

The inspiration for these donuts came from The BakerMama’s  Two Ingredient Baked Cake Donuts post. Check it for ideas on making baked goods by simply adding applesauce or mashed bananas.

More in the mood to bake from scratch? Try my basic gluten free donut recipe (with egg and dairy free options), as well as my gluten free donut muffin recipe. 

Searching for more gluten free pumpkin based recipes Try my gluten free (and egg free!) pumpkin chai snickerdoodles, and my grain free pumpkin pie bars.

Following a Whole 30 diet? Try Dessert for Two’s Whole 30 Pumpkin Muffins. (Made with almond & coconut flour.) And of course, if you want a traditional, from scratch donut recipe, check out The Gluten Free Austrian’s Baked Pumpkin Donut recipe. 

Print

Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 King Arthur Baking Yellow Cake Mix, 22 oz
• 16 ounces pumpkin puree
• 2-3 tsp pumpkin pie spice optional
• Melted Earth Balance Butter for Dipping approximately 1/2 cup
• Mix of cinnamon and sugar approximately 1 cup sugar with 2 tsp cinnamon
• Melted white chocolate Optional

Instructions

• Using mixer, thoroughly blend cake mix and pureed pumpkin. Add pumpkin pie spice if using. (I roughly used the recipe from Budget Bytes for homemade pumpkin pie spice.)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (By doing this step second, you allow the batter to rest, and allow the flour to absorb all the moisture from the pumpkin.)
• Transfer batter to piping bag or ziploc bag. Cut tip of bag and pipe batter into donut pan. Lightly rap pan on counter to release any air bubbles.
• Bake donuts for 10- 12 minutes, rotating pans half way through. After removing from oven, allow donuts to cool 2-3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Allow all donuts to cool prior to coating in cinnamon and sugar.
• Note- I only recommend dipping the donuts in butter and sugar if you’re going to eat them on the same day. Otherwise, the additional moisture from the butter will make the donuts gummy on the next day 
• Lightly dip donuts in melted Earth Balance Buttery Spreads. Next, lightly dip donuts in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Return donuts to cooling rack to set.
• Additional option. Melt while baking chips and use it as a drizzle on the donuts. I prefer Guittard White Baking Chips. 

*This post contains 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 August 23rd 2017

The post Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

What are Top 9 Food Allergens?

The top 9 food allergens include eggs, dairy, peanut, tree nut, sesame, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. These account for 90% of all food allergies. However, anyone can have an allergy to anything. The FARE fact sheet notes that “40 percent of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food.”

*Sesame joined the list of top 8 food allergens in January of 2023. Some of the items on this list may be free from the top 8, but include sesame. 

What is FALCPA?

The Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires brands to label for these top 9 allergens. This must declare this in the ingredients OR a contains statement. “Contains” statements are not required. Also know that “may contain” statements are not required nor regulated by the FDA. They are not a good predictor of whether a product actually contains an allergen / gluten.

Wheat vs. Gluten

FALCPA declares wheat as an allergen, but not gluten. Please note that rye and barley are not required to be labeled. Therefore always read labels for words such as rye, barley, malt and Brewer’s Yeast. (Brewer’s Yeast is often spent material after making regular beer.) Always, always  read food labels.

Below is a list of products that contain none of the top 9 allergens as ingredients. Most products bear a gluten free certification logo. Certifying organizations in this list include GFCO and the National Celiac Association. This post includes Amazon affiliate links, which gives me part of the sale for advertising. It does not impact the price you pay.

Top 9 Allergen Free Spreads

• Sunbutter – made from Sunflower seeds (Trader Joe’s sells a cheaper version)
• 88 Acres – made from sunflower seeds
• Finally Nut Free Spreads – made from chickpeas
• The Amazing Chickpea – made from chickpeas
• Oat Haus – made from oats, free from top 9 allergens EXCEPT 1 product made with dairy
• Paradise Spreads (Sweet) – made from pea protein

Top 9 Allergen Free Snacks – Seeds and Such

Super Seedz

SuperSeedz come in various flavors, including Sea Salt, Cinnamon & Sugar and Cocoa Joe. They undergo third party testing to verify they are gluten free. Find SuperSeedz on Amazon 

That’s It Snacks

That’s It Snacks are free from the top 12 food allergens. They offer fruit snacks bars, a dried fruit and seed snack mix, and dried fruit truffles. All gluten, dairy, and soy free! Shop directly from their website, or Amazon. 

Greater Knead Bagel Chips

Possibly best known for their bagels, The Greater Knead also makes gluten free bagel chips. They maintain a strict gluten free facility and products go through ELISA testing for gluten. Find the Greater Knead Bagel Chips on Amazon and on the Greater Kneads website.

FitJoy

I finally tried FitJoy Pretzels and Crackers at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in 2024. I’ve heard everyone rave about them, and now I know why! I really loved their Honey Mustard Pretzels. All of their products are gluten free and grain free. Use their store locator to find them near you, or order them through Amazon.

*Note – They now have peanut butter in their production facility.

CHOMPS

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that CHOMPS meat sticks are free from the top 9 allergens. They’re also pork free! Use their store locator to find them near you, or order them on Amazon.

*Note – “While the product itself is allergy-friendly, our sticks are produced in a facility where soy, milk and sesame are also present. The facility is SQF Certified and a strict allergen control process is in place to prevent cross-contamination.”

Top 9 Allergen Free Snacks – Cookies

Partake Foods

Partake Foods recently made news with a large investment from Jay Z. These cookies are certified thru GFCO, and do contain oats. You can order Partake Foods on Amazon or thru their website.

Cybele’s Free to Eat Cookies

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cybele, the owner of Cybele’s Free to Eat, for years. Her snickerdoodles are amazing! They are certified thru GFCO. Find her cookies (and pasta!) on their Amazon landing page. The cookies are available at many Walmart stores, and the pasta is available at Kroger.

Rule Breaker Snacks*

On the Rule Breaker Snacks website, they state that they do not use soy. However, their FAQ page warns that when they tested for soy, results came back at 274 parts per billion of soy. (Testing rules are usually PPM, not PPB.) Therefore families who restrict soy may want to consider this info. Order Rule Breaker Snacks on Amazon or thru their website. They are certified gluten free thru GFCO.

Allergy Smart Cookies

I actually met the owner of Allergy Smart many years ago at a House Wares show. These cookies are gluten free and free from the top 9 allergens. Please know that they do contain oats. Use their store locator (I’ve recently seen them at Fresh Thyme) or order them on Amazon.

Top 9 Allergen Free Snacks – Other Baked Goods

All Free Bakery

For those who love O’Dough’s bread, they started a new gluten free brownie line called All Free Bakery. Like their breads, they are certified gluten free thru GFCO. Order directly from the O’Dough’s website or buy at Fresh Thyme.

Red Plate Foods

Red Plate Foods products are gluten free, vegan, and free from the top 9 food allergens. They offer whoopie pies, cupcakes, cookies, muffins and more. In Michigan you can find their products at Better Health, Fresh Thyme, Meijer, and even NCG cinemas! You can order Red Plate cookies on Amazon, as well as their vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate granola.

Paradise Spreads

I met the owner of Paradise Spreads at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in 2024. I loved that her snack packs contain gluten free pretzels. Spreads come in different flavors such as chocolate, salted caramel, and strawberry.

Right now they’re available at some stores in Indiana. You can also order from them directly their website.

Top 9 Allergen Free Snacks -Frozen Treats

Better Bites Bakery

Better Bites Bakery, based in Austin Texas, started due to their own food allergies. Their  cupcakes, Do Bites, and cake balls are certified thru GFCO. Order directly from the Better Bites Bakery website or buy at Whole Foods or Super Target. They are now also available on Amazon. Temporarily Not in Production.

Top 9 Allergen Free Bars and Other Treats

Free Yumm Foods

Free Yumm Foods products do not bear a separate gluten free certification label. However, they are produced in a dedicated gluten free facility. The Free Yumm website states that they use purity protocol oats in their bars. Find Free Yumm on Amazon.

Made Good Foods

Made Good Foods is another faithful camp contributor. Certified thru GFCO, they make crispy rice treats, mini cookies and granola products. They state that they use purity protocol oats. Find Made Good Foods on Amazon and in stores.

Blake’s Seed Based

My cousin’s husband bought these Blake’s Seed Based Crispy Treats while we were in Seattle, and I LOVED them. Blake’s also sells sunflower seeds, seed bars and granola bars. Their products are free from the top 9 allergens, including sesame. Find them in stores, or on Amazon. 

88 Acres

88 Acres products are free from the top 9 allergens, and them some! They also contain no sulfites, no corn, no GMOs, no palm oil, and no artificial sweeteners. They make snack bars and nut free spreads. Their chocolate sunflower seed spread is my FAVORITE. Find them in stores, and on Amazon. 

Friendly Grains

I’ve always loved these Crunchy Rollers, unaware that they’re free from the top 9 allergens. And I had no clue that they came in various flavors! The Cinnamon Churro ones are pretty tasty. You can order directly from their website, or they’re also available on Amazon.

Top 9 Allergen Free Candy and Chocolates

Yum Earth

Yum Earth has been offering top 9 allergen free snacks for many years now. While their licorice isn’t quite like Twizzlers Pull-And-Peel, it’s still a fun and chewy snacks. They also make suckers, Giggles (similar to Skittles), fruit snacks, lollipops, and more. You can order directly from their website, or from Amazon.

Yum Earth has recently disclosed that they use gluten free wheat starch to shape their candies.

The Froot Thief

The Froot Thief is a fun fruit roll-up kind of snack. Right now they come in three flavors – strawberry, apple, and mango. The Strawberry flavor is currently available at Costco, Plum Market and Fresh Thyme. You can order them on Amazon.

Free 2 B

Free 2 B makes top 8 allergen free chocolate dessert cups, chocolate chips, and more. Famous for Sun Cups, they also make a dairy free caramel cup! They are certified thru the National Celiac Association. Order directly from the Free 2 B website. They are now also available on Amazon. Can’t wait for delivery? Find them near you with their store locator.

No Whey Chocolate

I previously mentioned No Whey Chocolates in my Easter Candy blog post. Their products are made in a top 8 allergen free and gluten free facility, per their website. Order thru there of find No Whey Chocolates on Amazon

Pascha Chocolate

Pascha Chocolate makes a large line of top 8 allergen free chocolate bars, certified thru GFCO. Their website states soy is present in their facility, but not in their products. Order directly from the Pascha Chocolate website. Find their entire product line on Amazon.

Top 9 Allergen Free Pantry Staples

Little Northern Bakehouse

Fun Fact- Based on ingredients, I’m fairly certain Little Northern Bakehouse makes the gluten free bread for Aldi. Made in Canada, they’re available at Fresh Thyme stores. Little Northern Bakehouse doesn’t have direct order on their website, but you can order the full range of their products, including bagels and pizza crusts, on Amazon.

Queen’s St Bakery

Made in Canada, and available at Whole Foods and Meijer stores, Queen St. Bakery offers assorted bagels and breads. They’re free from the top 9 allergens, including sesame. Use their store locator to find them near you. You can order directly from their website.

Looking for more than just snacks? Check out my post of easy top 8 allergen free meals, sides and desserts! From chili, to buddha bowls, to donuts, you’ll find something that everyone can indulge in! Know of any top 8 free snacks I missed? Please leave a note in the comments! 

Originally Published 2022

The post Top 9 Allergen Free Snacks : Savory & Sweet appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Every person should visit Marquette at least once in their life. Located in Michigan’s majestic Upper Peninsula, it’s located on the banks of Lake Superior, and home to Presque Isle Park. It’s also home to the iconic Ore Dock, which is popular with photographers.

For those with Celiac Disease, a new “must visit” is the recently opened, Honey Haven Baking Company. This dedicated gluten free bakery gets its name from its popular Honey Sourdough Sandwich Bread made with local honey.

I recently communicated with Bailey Knight, owner of this new gluten free paradise. Read below about the mission of her bakery, and where you can find her gluten free goodies.

1. What inspired you to become a dedicated gluten free baker?

I have loved baking for as long as I can remember. It is very fun to experiment and
taste test all at the same time. My focus for gluten-free is because I have Celiac
Disease.

I was diagnosed at 24 after struggling my whole life without a clue what was causing my issues. I knew our area needed more gluten-free options and that a bakery could bring so much joy to those who can’t have baked goods from non-dedicated gluten-free bakeries.

2. Are there other highlights of your baked goods? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc.?

All of our baked goods are gluten, dairy, egg, peanut, sesame, and soy free. We
do not use nuts in our baking, but do not label ourselves nut-free due to Coconut
Oil being in our buttercream and muffins. (Technically coconuts are a fruit.) We recently switched from oat milk to rice milk in our baked goods, so our baked goods would be accessible to those who are oat intolerant.

3. What steps do you take to guarantee your products are gluten-free?

We are a dedicated Gluten-Free bakery. All of our products are gluten-free,
and there is a strict no-gluten policy for all staff who work here. We only use certified gluten free flour blends, including King Arthur’s Measure for Measure flour blend. We are also in the process of seeking gluten free certification for our bakery.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by Honey Haven Baking Company?

For this, I would like to share the story of my son and how I started to get back into
baking. I had given up bread and all things baked goods when I was diagnosed with
Celiac. When my youngest son was no longer able to have dairy, both of our lives
changed drastically.

My then 2-year-old is a huge chocolate lover, specifically milk chocolate. I knew I needed to come up with a solution so that he could still have the things he loves, like chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake, that I could safely bake without using regular flour. Through this journey, I created my first round of Gluten, Dairy, Egg, and Soy-Free bread and chocolate cake.

The joy on my son’s face when he got that first chocolate cupcake is something I will never forget. Now, my son will never have to miss out on a cupcake for his birthday, a slice of fresh bread at dinner, or a chocolate chip cookie as a treat.

5. What would you like consumers to know about Honey Haven Baking Company?

I would like for people to know that we are very dedicated to offering inclusive
options for those with food allergies. Our mission is to make sure that all can feel
included in any occasion. We hope to start offering shipping in the months to come.

Also, we hope to encourage local restaurants to stock our gluten free bread and buns. So far, Slap Shot Negaunee offers our gluten free bread for sandwiches. Hopefully we’ll be able to update you soon on restaurants that offer our buns for burgers!

Honey Haven Baking Company Location and Hours

603 N 3rd St. Marquette, MI, 49855
Hours Tuesday-Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
906-251-8043 – (Best contact method for ordering)
Website (coming soon) | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Honey Haven Baking Company 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 Honey Haven Baking Co. – Gluten Free Marquette appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to the bottom of the page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

Small businesses are truly the backbone of the gluten free industry. While there are big name companies one may find at the grocery store, it’s small independent bakers who strive to meet our various health needs. Finding gluten free products can be difficult enough in itself. Imagine adding additional allergens to the “nope” list. 

Nirit’s Bakery hopes to help everyone. In fact, their business mission is “To share amazing gluten free delicacies with everyone. Everyone who has food allergies should eat the same as people without allergies, and we make that possible!” Learn more about this small business in my interview with owner, Nirit Vaknin.

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

I am a retired scientist that always loved baking. I studied autoimmune diseases for over 20 years, especially arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). When health issues appeared at our home and no real solution from allopathic medicine improved our condition, we found that avoiding gluten really helped.

Quite often, if you have any type of food sensitivity, it’s possible you may develop additional food intolerances. Thus, it is so important to eliminate it from your diet to allow your intestines to heal and avoid using medications.

I am a true believer of the notion that we are what we eat, and food is our medicine. I have it as my main mission to spread the word and offer healthy and tasty baked goods from my kitchen to everyone in need.

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc.? Local ingredients?

We use high quality ingredients, which are mostly organic and non-GMO. Our baked goods include healthy vegetables and fruits, such as bananas, carrots, apples, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. For those who cannot consume eggs, we also produce a few egg-free, vegan products.

To avoid any chance of soy contamination, we buy our eggs from local farmers that do not use soy-based chicken feed. We also make our own vanilla extract. In addition, we use organic products such as superfood cocoa powder and aluminum free baking powder.

3. What steps do you take to make sure Nirit’s Bakery products are truly gluten-free? 

We are a strict gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free bakery, and have been since 2016. You’ll find no glutenous products in our home whatsoever. We use no coconut in our baked goods, either. 

Our product line includes only one item that contains oats. For that, we use Trader Joe’s gluten free oats. However, I avoid using oat flour or oat milk in most of my baked goods, to accommodate individuals with Celiac who cannot tolerate oats.

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

A 6-year-old boy that was diagnosed with celiac was referred to us by a friend. His mom felt overwhelmed with his new dietary requirements. We assured her that it is possible to live a happy life under these conditions.

In addition, we offered her a variety of products and shared many other tips. The 6-year-old boy enjoys the ability to eat everything at our booth in the farmer’s market. He’s definitely as happy as any kid in a candy store!

5. What would you like consumers to know about Nirit’s Bakery and your products?

We are a small home-based bakery with very high standards for quality of ingredients. We have been selling in farmers Markets in the Ann Arbor area for over 4 years and have many repeat customers. Every product is baked fresh, handmade with love and attention. We try to accommodate everyone’s needs in terms of their food allergies or intolerances.

Nirit’s Bakery Location & Contact Information

Nirit’s Gluten Free Bakery
Ann Arbor
Available Year Round at Ann Arbor Farmers Market, and by special order
Phone (734) 730-6826
Preferred Contact Method for Orders: Website

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Nirit’s Bakery is one of many dedicated 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. 

Originally published July 2022

The post Nirit’s Bakery- Gluten, Dairy, Soy & Nut Free appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Where is Thrive Dining Hall at MSU?

Situated near the center of campus, Thrive resides inside Owen hall. Previously exclusively for graduates, Michigan State opened this hall to all students. Because of the uniqueness of Thrive’s meal offerings, the school reserved rooms for students with food restrictions.

Due to its small size, Owen became an ideal dorm to renovate for a specialty dining option. Michigan State previously did this with Holmes and Holden halls. Those smaller dorms became ideal to transform into kitchens that serve no peanuts, tree nuts or coconut.

Why was Thrive Created?

As I previously wrote, Michigan State offers gluten free options across campus. However, staff increasingly found themselves receiving calls about their ability to accommodate food allergies. While they liked how U of M offered a separate food allergy room, MSU felt the need to do more to help more students, as well as staff. Their goal was to not help students to “survive” on a few options, but to “thrive” with a safe dining area of their own.

How Safe is the Thrive Kitchen?

Read this excerpt from MSU’s recent publication on the Exciting Changes to Owen Hall.

“Thrive at Riverwalk Market at Owen will be certified free from the top eight food allergens (milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish) as well as sesame and gluten. The location will be certified by Kitchens With Confidence, a third-party accreditor that will regularly examine protocols and policies to verify the location as being free of the allergens listed. Certification includes reviewing the path of food from delivery at the dock to storage areas, food preparation areas, and serving.”

What Food Do They Offer?

Thrive contains three serving stations, a soup and salad bar, a soft serve machine that serves Dole Whip, and beverages. The three serving stations, named Tenderland, Grid and Pantry, serve very specific items. Tenderland offers hand breaded chicken fingers and french fries, daily, at lunch and dinner.

The Grid station serves foods such as tacos, noodle bowls, grain bowls and ethnic creations. The Pantry station serves steak, rotisserie chicken, potatoes, and other “traditional” types of meals.There is discussion of possibly adding a vegetarian station in the future, should enough interest arise.  Visit Eat At State for the daily Thrive menu.

I must admit my biggest excitement was the housemade coconut milk vanilla yogurt. I’ve tried many dairy free yogurts, and this is by far the best I’ve ever tried. You’ll find the yogurt on the salad bar, along with their house made Gluten free granola. They prepare it daily with Bob’s Red Mill gluten free oats. And of course I loved the Dole Whip.

But I Can’t Have …

Michigan State realizes people live with other food restrictions as well. Students can work with the dietitian and dining hall staff to have made-to-order meals prepared for their health needs. In addition, foods that contain pork, beef or alcohol are labeled as such.

What Feedback Have They Received?

I spent the meal talking with MSU’s head dietitian, Gina Keilen. She was eager to create Thrive to serve students and staff. However, she’s been astounded by the positive reception it’s had, just in their first month of opening. Not just her, but service staff have been humbled by the praise and happy tears from visitors.

She mentioned this positive reception has reinvigorated the entire dining services department. Staff with dietary restrictions are eager to work here and help others like them. Staff willingly take extra certification classes, understanding their knowledge can truly be a matter of life and death.

What Hours is Thrive Open?

Right now, hours are Monday – Friday 11 am – 3pm / 4:30- 7 pm, and Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 3 pm. As they gauge student interest, breakfast service may be added. (Gina stated chefs are already in the kitchen, playing with recipes in preparation for when that day comes.) Thrive is open to the public. Breakfast costs $9, lunch and dinner $13, and children ages 2-9 cost $6.75. Children under the age of 2 eat free. Click here for more info on meal costs and dining plans.

Where Do I Park?

There is some limited (and paid) parking right in front of Owen Hall. The last time I visited, on a Sunday in November, I had no problems finding a parking spot. If that space is full the best locations to park are Ramp 3 (Wharton Center) or Ramp 1 (next to the College of Law). For more questions about parking at MSU, visit their Visitor Parking page.

Thrive Location, Hours and Contact Information

Owen Hall
735 E Shaw Lane
East Lansing MI 48825

Hours : Monday – Friday 11 am – 3pm / 4:30- 7 pm Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 3 pm

Eat at State (MSU Dining) Website | Facebook | Instagram

Other Dining Halls I’ve Visited

University of Michigan
Oakland University
Western Michigan University

**I received a free meal while visiting. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am beyond excited that Michigan State chose to take this drastic step to help students. **

The post Thrive- Michigan State’s Top 8 Allergen Free Cafeteria appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

No More Belly Aching has been on my horizon for quite a few years. I first visited their Lee Rd. location in 2013. Since then they’ve moved to a new location. However, their dedicated customers have followed them to their new Grand River Avenue store. It’s understandable. Not only can it be hard to find gluten-free fresh baked goods, but even harder to find ones there are dairy-free as well.

No More Belly Aching carries a variety of baked goods. My husband really likes their rye-style bread. They offer pizza crusts, as well asdairy-free cheese to make your own pizza crust. And for dessert they have lemon bars and cupcakes. Read more about No More Belly Aching from Randy Howell, the baking genius and operator of this bakery, in his own words.

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

A friend of ours owns a local health food store. While she was vacationing in Canada, she stumbled upon a dedicated gluten-free, dairy-free bakery. Being gluten free herself, she was very impressed with the product, and inquired as to whether the bakery could supply her store. Ironically, the bakery was actually up for sale. She asked us if we would be interested in operating a gluten-free, dairy-free bakery. We eagerly jumped at the chance!

So, we began commuting and hour and a half, weekly, to the bakery in Ontario Canada. There we learned the art and science of gluten-free, dairy-free baking. After several months, it was time to move that facility from Canada to Brighton. It wasn’t a simple task, but we succeeded and here we are!

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Low sodium, fat free, etc?

We are dedicated gluten-free and dairy-free facility. No More Belly Aching does not use any peanuts, tree nuts or soy, but are not certified “free” of those ingredients. Our baked goods include a range of products that are also vegan, as they are free from eggs. We do not use any preservatives.

3. What steps do you take to ensure that your baked goods are truly gluten-free?

Being a dedicated facility, we source our ingredients only from suppliers who are certified gluten-free. Additionally, we track our supplier’s ingredient lot tracking codes and keep daily production logs that link directly to each batch of our products. This means, for example, we can tell you what specific batch of flour was used in any specific batch of our products. In the event of a contamination issue we can quickly determine and communicate what products have been affected.

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

There have been so many over the years! To put it simply, there is no better feeling than when a a customer with food restrictions looks you in the eye and tells you that you have saved their life! This is a statement not taken lightly. Likewise, the appreciation from their family members impacts us greatly. It gives our daily efforts true purpose! You can read some of our reviews on Facebook.

5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

Wo offer more than just baked goods. We sell products from other Michigan small businesses, such as Old World Gluten Free pierogi and Full Flavor Foods sauce mixes. We also sell dairy free cheese, so you can build your own dairy free pizza with our crusts. Outside of our own storefront, you can find our products at Natural View Market and Busch’s in Brighton.

We are baking five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. Stop in and chat with us. We hope to see you soon!

Location, Hours and Contact Information

No More Belly Aching
10049 Grand River, Suite 100
Brighton MI, 48116
Tuesday thru Friday 10am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
(810) 225- 9773

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Email

No More Belly Aching 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 bakers in Michigan, as well as an interactive map!

The post No More Belly Aching: Gluten & Dairy Free appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

Grand Rapids has always been one of my favorite cities. From  visiting the museums, and shopping at the farmer’s markets, I could visit every weekend and still never take it all in. The have an amazing list of gluten free restaurant options, including Amore Trattoria Italiana and the new dedicated gluten free eatery, Papa Chops Eatery.

However, it’s also the businesses like Kind Crumbs, that keep me going back. This gluten free bakery makes gluten-free donuts, cupcakes, cookies and more that are AMAZING. For years they faithfully donated to the Michigan Gluten Free Camp, and the kids loved everything owner, Rebecca Duiven, sent. Read more about Kind Crumbs in Duiven’s own words.

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

I started baking gluten-free when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2009. At the time of my diagnosis, I felt most of the commercial options I tried were pretty bad. I’ve loved baking all my life, and was up for the challenge of creating gluten-free products that actually tasted good.

I started out baking from home under the Michigan Cottage Law, and selling from farmer’s markets. Over a decade later, Kind Crumbs now has a staff of seven and a we sell to over 40 wholesale accounts! I’ve proved that gluten free baked goods could be as good as the traditional versions or even be better!

2. Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

Kind Crumbs products are free of gluten, dairy, peanuts and soy (except for our rainbow sprinkles), and we have plenty of vegan options. In fact, the majority of our products are egg free. In addition, many of our products are also free of corn. We use minimal additives, and use natural coloring whenever possible. Also, we use certified gluten-free purity protocol oats in our baked goods.

We are working on some exciting projects in 2021. We are working on both third party gluten-free certification and kosher certification. We are adding nutrition panels to our products, which will better serve our sugar-restricting customers, and also allow us to ship outside of Michigan.

3.  What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

Since October 2017, Kind Crumbs has been operating out of our own 100% dedicated gluten-free production facility in Walker, Michigan. As mentioned above, we are not yet certified gluten free, but hope to be by the end of 2021.

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

We get feedback from customers on an almost daily basis. The most appreciative customers are those with multiple food allergies, as we can now allow them to eat things they thought they could never eat again.

5.  What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

Our mission is to make really delicious, soul-nourishing baked goods for folks with food allergies and intolerances. We love serving the vegan community as well. We believe food allergy and plant-based consumers working together can really help increase availability of good allergen-free products for everyone. I believe no one should have to be stuck with mediocre-tasting treats due to dietary restrictions. A cupcake should taste like a cupcake!

6.  Where Can You Find Kind Crumbs Gluten Free Baked Goods?

While we do take special orders, most of our business is through wholesale accounts. That means you’ll find our products at stores like Harvest Health and Bridge St. Market in Grand Rapids, but also Foods for Living in East Lansing. We also sell thru various coffee shops, like 205 Coffee Bar in Holland and Rowster Coffee in Grand Rapids. Most notably, our gluten free goodies are available at Frosty Boy on Plainfield (in Grand Rapids), and in Rockford, to make delicious ice cream treats. Find a complete listing of “Where to Find Us” on our website.
We also ship within the state of Michigan. You cans order some items through our website, here.

Kind Crumbs Location, Hours and Contact Information

Kind Crumbs
4751 3 Mile Rd NW Suite I
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49534
Hours Vary, Please Call
(616) 881- 6388

Website | Facebook  | Instagram | Email

Kind Crumbs is one of many great, dedicated gluten-free bakeries across the state of Michigan. Click this link for a comprehensive, statewide list of all the bakers as well as an interactive map!

The post Kind Crumbs Gluten Free Bakery: Grand Rapids appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

Tasty Bakery is truly a fixture of the Ann Arbor community. When I first shared the Michigan’s Best GF bakery tour idea with the Ann Arbor online support group in 2016, this bakery was immediately suggested and written in by voters. Julie and Ran Rabinovitz first opened their gluten-free business in 2009, in a stall at a local farmer’s market.

For that reason, and so much more, the Ann Arbor community has loved them back. They began a Kickstarter campaign to open a “brick and mortar” store, located on West Huron.  The support they received was tremendous. In one month, over $20,000 dollars was donated to their campaign. They opened their new store in the fall of 2015. Learn more about this gluten free bakery in Julie’s own words.

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

As most stories go, I’ve been baking since I was a kid and always loved it. My Celiac Disease diagnosis came in 2006 while I was living in Brooklyn. I dabbled a bit in gluten-free baking but wasn’t really committed to the necessary diet as I should have been. That changed when we moved to Ann Arbor in 2007.

It was then I decided to start baking gluten free more, and though I’d start a business. I knew the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market would be a great place to test the waters. Since then, due to my own extended food allergies, we’ve included using organic coconut oil and sugar, baking more vegan items, and making sure our ingredients are soy and corn free. My husband believed so much in what I was doing, he jumped on board and helped me expand the business.

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

Everything we bake is soy-free and corn-free, and almost everything we bake is vegan. We’ve kept a few original items that have grass-fed butter and free-range eggs.. We try to use low-glycemic, organic coconut sugar or nectar in most of our creations. In addition, we offer grain-free options, including bread and cookies.

We buy and use local and organic ingredients or buy from vendors who use organic practices whenever possible. We buy our chocolate from Mindo Chocolate, in Dexter. Our packaging is compostable, and our cleaning products are earth-friendly. We’re also starting to include soups, and light-meal options, such as quiche, salads and pizza to go.

3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

We are a dedicated gluten-free bakery and never bring gluten into our facility. All ingredients are purchased from reputable, gluten-free sources. We also make sure our sources are corn and soy free. We use Golden Prarie Oats, which are tested and verified to contain under 10 ppm of gluten, which is lower than the FDA standard of 20 ppm.

4. Do you have any stories of customers who reported back to you how important your products have been in their life?

People tell us all the time how much they love and appreciate Tasty Bakery and our practices. We try very hard to use “clean” ingredients and believe it’s the reason our products are so good. You can read some of our reviews on our Facebook page. (And can add one as well!)

5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

We want people to know that we put a lot of thought, care and love behind what we do. Even though most of what we do are desserts, we want to make sure that our benefits  you;  not only in taste & pleasure, but nutritionally as well.We make things in small batches by hand. In addition, we wrap everything by hand in compostable packaging because we care about every batch and what we put into the environment.

Plus, we want our bakery to be more than just a place to pick up cookies or bread. We have plans to use our space to teach classes and host community events. It will be a place where you can get a good cup of local coffee, sit and catch up with a friend, and just enjoy the vibe that is Ann Arbor.

6. Where Can You Find Tasty Bakery Products?

Aside from our bakery, you can find our products at both Argus Farm Stop stores (Liberty + Packard locations, A2), Zingerman’s Next Door Cafe (A2), Bearclaw Coffee Company (A2), The Produce Station (A2), Sweetwaters (Kerrytown + Ypsilanti locations), Vertex Coffee Roasters (A2), Thrive Juicery (A2), and Uptown Coffeehouse in Howell. We also ship our products, and you can order through our website. (A2 = Ann Arbor)

Also check out my post on Ann Arbor Gluten Free Dining Options, for restaurant recommendations. 

Tasty Bakery Location, Hours and Contact Information

Tasty Bakery
416 West Huron, Suite 24
Ann Arbor MI 48103
Website / Facebook / Instagram  / Email
Open Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday 11 am – 3 pm.
They also sell at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
(734) 707- 1046

Tasty Bakery is one of many great, dedicated gluten-free bakeries across the state of Michigan. Follow this link for a compete state-wide list and interactive map! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram  for more gluten free bakery insights.

The post Tasty Bakery – Ann Arbor’s Gluten Free Bakery appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.