Gluten Free Cookie Monster

I love cookies. I would eat them all day, every day if I could. While I will never turn down a chocolate chip cookie, I do have a fondness for a good sugar cookie. These gluten-free Halloween cut out cookies are so easy to make, they will fulfill any cookie craving.

I won a bag of GF Jules (a.k.a Jules Shepard) Gluten Free Cut-Out Cookie Mix years ago through a Twitter party. Jules and my other pals Cindy and Erica spent a weekend retreat and this delightful mix came in a box with other items from #GfBloggerRetreat sponsors.

Do You Know GF Jules?

You know what I love about GF Jules? (Besides her great mixes, like the graham cracker one I used to make these awesome Gluten-Free S’mores bars)  She’s so REAL. She’s down to earth and totally approachable. She answers her own e-mail and Facebook messages.

She’s been an encouragement to me and so many others. Did you know that she was involved in the mission of getting congress to improve gluten-free food labeling laws? All through persistence and the world’s tallest gluten-free cake. But I digress.

Best Cookie Cutters EVER

So back to these gluten-free Halloween cut out cookies. Even if you’re not a master cake decorator of baker like GF Jules, you can easily make these cookies. First, work with a good sugar cookie recipe. Next, work with good tools. I have quickly become a Wilton addict convert. I bought their 101 Cookie Cutter Set (affiliate link) over a decade ago.

The cookie cutters are made of durable plastic. More than fifteen years later, they still are cutting through dough, bread and any other soft items I want to get creative with. I LOVE that this particular set is color coded for holidays and themes. Orange for Halloween, green for Christmas, yellow for Easter and so forth.

Gluten Free Premade Frosting

Aren’t these ghost gluten-free Halloween cut out cookies just the cutest? Just a little bit of white frosting (I used Duncan Hines) and they pop. (I’d say “come alive,” but they are ghosts after all.) Should you want to make your own frosting, try this recipe for Gluten Free Royal Icing from Celiac Mama.

While one can use a sandwich bag in a pinch, I really prefer these Wilton Disposable Decorating Bags. They’re much thicker than a sandwich bag and withstand much more hand pressure. I usually use one of my Wilton decorating metal tips for this, but accidentally forgot to put the coupler in the bag. Know what? It was easier to handle without the tips!

My Best Decorating Tip

Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re a terrible decorator. Frosting these gluten-free Halloween cut out cookies really IS easy. If you can draw a straight line (or even if you can’t), you can do this. My biggest “tip” is to allow the point of the bag just barely touch the cookie. Pipe the frosting slowly until you get the hang of it.

For these gluten-free Halloween cut out cookies, I focused on outlining the cookies. Then I simply added frosting in the center of the cookie with a back and forth motion. Not sure how you want to decorate them? I’ll let you in on a blogger secret. Go look at Pinterest or do a Google image search of what you want to make. Look at images that seem doable for you and then HAVE FUN! Cookies should be fun!

Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough Option

So here are my gluten-free Halloween cut out cookies, all finished. Some of them were just how I envisioned, some are not. But that’s the beauty of making sugar cookies and frosting them. It’s the experience, the uniqueness. And no matter what they look like, they still taste delicious!

Want to make cookies now and don’t have time to order this mix? If you need an egg and dairy free version, try these Vegan Gluten Free Sugar Cookies from Delightful Adventures. Able to eat eggs and dairy? These Gluten Free Sugar Cookies from Flippin’ Delicious get rave reviews! Looking for more recipe ideas? Visit my Gluten Free Halloween Pinterest board.

**GF Jules provided me a free bag of cookie mix as part of a giveaway. I was not otherwise paid or compensated for my time. 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 2017

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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

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Electric Kitchen Appliances

Electric Kitchen Appliances

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart

I purchased this Instant Pot in 2019, and I use it weekly. I love the ability to cook meat from frozen, make porridge overnight, and other amazing things.

Amazon Affiliate Link

KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer

It’s true. One doesn’t NEED a KitchenAid stand mixer. However, they make cooking dramatically easier. I seriously don’t know how I lived without one for so long.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Gourmia 7 Quart Air Fryer

My husband and I bought a Gourmia 7 qt air fryer from Costco and we LOVE it. I’ve used it to cook nuggets and fries, but also roast whole chickens.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven

From Amazon- "8-IN-1 VERSATILITY: The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm all in one powerful, 1800-watt appliance. The height of the interior of this machine is approximately 3".

Amazon Affiliate Link

Kitchen Appliances – Waffle Makers

Waffle Makers

DASH Mini Maker for Individual Waffles, 4 Inch, Red

I can’t begin to tell you how much I LOVE this little waffle maker. Make homemade “eggo” waffles for a fraction of the prize of frozen. P.S. Use it to waffle brownie batter and thank me later. (And now I want their Mini Pizzelle Maker!)

Amazon Affiliate Link

Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 Round Classic Waffle Make

Looking to make larger waffles? This Cuisinart model makes large waffles the size of your plate. I also use this waffle maker to cook breaded chicken!

Amazon Affiliate Link

Presto 03510 Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker,Black

This was actually the first waffle maker I ever owned. My grandmother gifted it to us years ago, and we still use it. I love to use it to make easy gluten free cornbread!

Amazon Affiliate Link

CucinaPro Piccolo Pizzelle Baker

Use this pizzelle maker to make pizzelle, cannolis, and your own homemade ice cream cones. Visit GF Jules for her Gluten Free Pizzelle recipe for more ideas!

Amazon Affiliate Link

Favorite Kitchen Cookware

Favorite Cookware

STAUB Braiser with Glass Lid, 3.5-Qt, Cherry

I received a 4 qt Staub Universal Pot years ago as a birthday gift. Their newer 3.5 qt Brasier is a great option, as well. My Staub has quickly become a workhorse in our kitchen. Can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, and is striking as a serving dish.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Lodge 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet

For years we only owned the large skillet. This updated model has a an additional handle, which I wish ours had. Recently, we were gifted a small one and I use it daily. I also recently bought their red silicone handle separately, and it’s been a game changer.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Cuisinart 1-Quart Saucepan

Living in a household of two, I use this daily. I cook small batches of rice, prepare Full Flavor Foods gravies and cheese sauce mixes, or boil 2 or 3 eggs.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count

I “donut” know anyone that doesn’t like a good doughnut. I’ve owned these Wilton donut pans for years and can’t recommend them enough. Perfect for this basic gluten free donut recipe.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Kitchen Appliances – Baking Gadgets

Baking Gadgets

Wilton Cookie Cutters Set, 101-Piece

I bought this cookie cutter set when my niece and nephew were 4 years old. They’re now 22! Durable and color organized by season, this cookie cutter set will have you baking up a storm.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Totally Bamboo Rolling Pin, 20.5-Inch

I bought this a few years ago and I LOVE it. Despite its length, it is lightweight and easy to use.

Amazon Affiliate Link

OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display

If you hate doing dishes, you need a kitchen scale. (Imagine all the measuring cups you won’t have to wash!) This allows precise measurements for perfect baked goods.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Talisman Designs Baking Pie Crust Shield Protector

I never successfully keep my pie crusts from over cooking. We all need to add this adjustable pie shield to our wish list. I know I am!

Amazon Affiliate Link

Small But Mighty Kitchen Accessories

Small But Mighty Kitchen Gadgets

Dreamfarm Mini Supoon

I’m sure you’re thinking, “it’s just a spoon.” But this spatula / spoon combo cleans the remnants in your peanut butter jar with ease. Waste not, want not. The larger Supoon also has tsp and tbsp markings.

Amazon Affiliate Link

Planit Toast A Bags

These bags are perfect for “gluten free on the go.” It prevents cross contact from crumbs in toasters. Toast your bread and bagels, and even use them to reheat pizza slices!

Amazon Affiliate Link

HIC Kitchen Snap Ball Tea Infuser

Confession. I don’t use this for tea. I use it dust muffin pans with flour, or sift powdered sugar on top of desserts. Of course, you can also use it to make tea. I like organic Fraser Teas!

Amazon Affiliate Link

Bodum Chambord French Press 1 Liter, 34 Ounce,

As we look towards good ecology practices, this coffee pot makes coffee without filters. This La Colombe video also shows how to use the plunger as a milk frother. My husband takes this on all our trips!

Amazon Affiliate Link

Hopefully this give you some tips for your own kitchen, or others on your shopping list. If you’re looking for what to cook, check out my list of my favorite gluten free cookbooks, many which accommodate additional food allergens.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not paid to mention these brands. However, this post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. For more of my favorite products, visit my Amazon Storefront. Thank you for your continued support!**

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Super Simple – Just One Special Ingredient

So my aunt messaged me on Instagram wanting the recipe for these gluten free mocha donuts. The thing is, this recipe is super simple.  If you count this Better Batter Chocolate Cake mix as one ingredient, this recipe has 8 ingredients total. No dairy. Zero soy. No nuts.  So only 8 ingredients stand between you and gluten free mocha donuts. So let’s get started, shall we?

The trick from turning this chocolate cake mix into gluten free mocha donuts is one special ingredient. Coffee.(Duh, right?) You can use any coffee you like. Espresso. Dark Roast. Breakfast Blend. I used the Simple Truth Dark Roast Cold Brew Coffee my husband bought at our local Kroger. (Wow, that was a mouthful.)

The Better Batter Chocolate Cake mix calls for 1 and 1/2 cups of water. Instead, I used 3/4 cup of Cold Brew and 3/4 cup of water. (You can use regular brewed coffee.) Then I added the rest of the ingredients as directed, and mixed it in my stand mixer. Easy Peasy. Dump the batter into a gallon-sized plastic bag, snip the tip, pipe into a donut pan, and you’re in business.

Why You Should Never Add Liquid to Melted Chocolate

As you may have read in my Gluten-Free Mocha Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache recipe, my husband loves coffee. So when I made another batch of ganache for these gluten free mocha donuts, I again added espresso powder to the coconut cream. DO NOT ADD BREWED COFFEE.

Why? Because coffee is made with water, and water makes melted chocolate seize. Nobody wants that. Trust me. To keep my ganache dairy-free, I use Enjoy Life Foods Dark Chocolate morsels. Have you seen their new teal packaging in the store? I LOVE that they’re using the official color for food allergies for their brand. Bold and brave. Just like all of us living with food restrictions.

Ethically Sourced Chocolate

While I love talking about these easy gluten free mocha donuts, I want to take a moment to talk about ethics. When possible, I like to choose chocolate and coffee that are both ethically raised and cultivated. Coffee and chocolate are two crops that are notorious for using child and slave labor. My favorite ethically sourced chocolate is Guittard Chocolate. (It’s peanut free, too!)

That is why when I buy coffee I look for Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade Certified. It makes what we buy a little more expensive on our end. However, by doing so we are investing in farms and families that are raising crops the right way. If we all use our dollars to support those that make the world a better place, imagine how much we can accomplish.

Ganache and Dairy Free Chocolate Truffles

Want to know what else you can make with the ganache you made for these easy gluten free mocha donuts? TRUFFLES. Deep, rich, dark chocolate truffles. The ratio of for the ganache for the donuts is one-to-one, in ounces. (4 oz chocolate to 4 ounces coconut cream) However, if you’d like to make truffles, you need double the chocolate. Therefore, I would recommend 8 ounces of chocolate and 4 ounces of cream for truffles. You can still add the espresso powder to the cream if you want mocha truffles.

So there you have it. A recipe for super easy gluten free mocha donuts, AND an idea for super easy chocolate truffles. If you’d like other donut recipes, you can try my two-ingredient pumpkin donuts or my mini donut muffins. If you’re looking for more creative donut flavors, I highly suggest checking out these from gluten-free gingerbread donuts from Gluten Free Palate.

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Gluten Free Mocha Donuts (Dairy Free)

Ingredients

For the donuts

• 1 box chocolate cake mix prepared according to directions
• EXCEPT subbing half of water/milk with coffee

For the mocha ganache

• 4 oz Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels
• 4 oz Thai Kitchen Coconut Cream in a can
• 1/2 tsp DeLallo Espresso Powde

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Combine cake mix according to directions, substituting half of the water called for with coffee of your choosing. Mix well and dump abtter into a gallon size plastic bag. Snip the tip and pipe batter into a donut pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. 
• Bake donuts for 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool in pan 3-5 minutes, and carefully remove to cooling rack. 
• While donuts are cooling, warm 4 oz of coconut cream in a small microwaveable bowl. (If you can only find coconut milk, i would suggest using 3 oz of full fat coconut milk instead of 4.) 
• Add chocolate chips to warmed coconut cream and allow to set for 5 minutes. (I usually cover the bowl with a small bread plate. Stir until all the chocolate is melted. 
• Dunk cooled donuts halfway into ganache and allow excess to drip off. Flip over and place on cooling rack or parchment paper. Sprinkle with sanding sugar if desired. 

Who would you share these gluten-free mocha donuts with today? Do you intentionally shop for products that are ethically sourced? Share your story below! 

**I was provided free product form from Better Batter. I was not otherwise compensated for this post. I highly appreciate the care they take to make products free of the 8 most common allergens, as well as powdered sugar free from corn. This page contains affiliate links.**

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Bagels are Like Donuts, But Bread

Believe it or not, I don’t think I “enjoyed” my first bagel until I was in college. I put enjoyed in parentheses, because I don’t really remember eating a bagel prior to college. I remember that it was a Big Apple Bagel, and I’m pretty sure at that time I disliked cream cheese.

Oh how times have changed.

I LOVE bagels, and I definitely enjoy a good helping of cream cheese. I also know my weakness for them.  Thus, I don’t buy them often because I know I’ll eat the whole bag in a week.

My husband will tell you that I don’t so much like bagels, but bread in the shape of the circle. I want my bagels soft and tender, not hard and chewy. His statement gave me a brilliant idea. Bagels are round with a hole in a center. Doughnuts are round with a hole in the center. Bread dough can be piped. Are you following my logic?

How to Make Gluten Free Bagels With A Gluten Free Bread Mix

Lucky for me, I recently received a Pamela’s Gluten-Free Bread Mix in my American Gluten-Free box. (This company no longer exists.) So, on an inspired weekday, I broke our my bread machine and my donut pan, and got to work on a batch of easy gluten-free bagels.

Making anything with yeast is my absolute nemesis. Therefore, I use my bread machine to prepare and proof the dough. It creates the optimal environment.

Once the dough for these easy gluten-free bagels has fully proofed, I dump the dough into a gallon Ziploc bag. From there it’s a simple snip of a corner and it becomes a make shift pastry bag!

Finally, pipe the dough into lightly oiled Wilton donut pans, lightly brush with egg whites, and sprinkle with a bit of salt. You could season it with anything you like, I suppose. If you’re lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s, you could use their Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.

How Many Gluten Free Bagels Will This Make?

From there it’s a simple bake in the oven. These easy gluten-free bagels bake much faster than a loaf of bread. I baked mine approximately 15 minutes, similar to a muffin. Because ovens are different, I suggest checking it after 10 minutes. Once they come out of the oven, you can enjoy them immediately!

This mix made twelve of these easy gluten-free bagels. After I enjoyed one (or two), I sliced the bagels and placed them in a new, clean Ziploc bag and stuck them in a freezer. Now I have bagels for my husband and I anytime we want!

Can I Use A Different Gluten Free Bread Mix?

This can be done with any bread mix, as far as I can tell. I also made them with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix. However, I preferred the texture of the Pamela’s Bread mix for this purpose.

Other Uses for Your Donut Pans

These easy gluten-free bagels are a great alternative use for a donut pan. Want some other creative ideas for a donut pan? Stop over at Tiffanie Turner’s site, Corner Blog, for 60 Donut Pan Ideas! For example, make bird feeders, ice rings for punch and even giant candy necklaces!

Of course, you can use my favorite Wilton donut pans to make donuts in them as well. Check out my recipes for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts, or visit In Johnna’s Kitchen for 52 Gluten Free Donut Recipes. 

What’s your favorite thing to make in a donut pan? Donuts? Bagels? Something else entirely? Leave me a note below, because I may just want to try it!

**This page contains affiliate links. Buy purchasing through those links, a small portion of your purchase comes back to help support this website. No additional costs are passed on to you. Just added support to keep this page running!**

Originally Published January 2018

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Family Recipes

Did you grow up eating lemon curd? I know I didn’t. In my family, we ate jam, and if I was lucky, apple butter. When it came to family desserts, holidays included pie and German chocolate cake and jello. (With the bananas magically suspended in the middle. You too?)

My husband grew up with two signature family desserts. Betty Clegg is famous for her Wacky Cake and her white cake with homemade lemon curd. The lemon cake really started with her mother, Merle.

In the beginning, Merle made the cake and the 7 minute frosting from scratch. Later, Betty switched to a cake mix and store bought frosting, making things a bit easier on herself. However, the homemade lemon curd is essential.

Cake Making Tips

Betty (my MIL) always uses a white cake mix. She makes it with a regular, non-gluten free mix, and follows the direction on the box. Therefore, I simply chose a gluten free cake mix I had on hand. I found the Aldi gluten free lemon cake mix in my pantry, so I used that. I figured it would pair perfectly with her homemade lemon curd. (This cake mix is no longer available.)

Prior to baking your mix, make sure your pans are “greased” or lined with parchment. Otherwise, you may not be able to get them out. I used these 8″ cake tin liners from Plan It Products. They graciously gave them to me while I was at the International Housewares Show. My cakes came out perfectly with NO sticking!

Cake Decorating Tips

Making a two layer cake may seem daunting. However, it’s easier than pie. (Literally, any cake is easier than making pie!) First, make sure to level the bottom layer of your cake. I place my hand on top of the cake, and run a long serated bread knife from edge to edge. Having a hand on top to add pressure helps me to keep it level.

Second, prior to frosting, some choose to freeze their cake layers. Why? It helps prevent crumbs from flaking off while frosting the cake. The recipe below for my MIL’s homemade lemon curd should fill one 8″ cake. (I had a smidge leftover and ate it with a spoon!) Using an offset spatula helps make spreading it easier.

Tinting Coconut

Just as I asked my Facebook community, I asked my husband what “must” be on the table for Easter. He immediately answered his mom’s lemon cake. In addition, it must be decorated like hers. She tints coconut with green food coloring, and places it in the center of the cake. Finally, she tops the green coconut with jelly beans.

I asked a few friends how they tint their coconut. I did it once when making “hamburger” whoopie pies, but struggled. Therefore, I used their suggestion of placing some coconut in a sandwich bag. Then, I added a few drops of green food coloring and smooshed it around. Highly technical, right? It worked, though!

Extra Whites and Vegan Options

This recipe requires three egg yolks. Now what to do with those egg whites? You can freeze egg whites for up to two months. Many suggest freezing them in an ice cube tray. Leftover whites can be use to make meringue! I also recommend using an egg white to make Dessert For Two’s Cheesecake in a Loaf Pan!

Speaking of eggs, this recipe uses both eggs and butter. If you need an egg free recipe, I recommend this egg free vegan lemon curd from The Loopy Whisk.  If you can manage eggs, but need it to be dairy free, you can replace the butter with Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or Miyoko’s Vegan Butter.

Gather Round the Table

When my husband came home from work today, he was so happy to see this Easter cake. It reminds him so much of home. Who knew that some coconut and jelly beans could make such a big difference! For this feature, I used Gimbal’s jelly beans. As I mentioned in my Easter candy round up, they are free from the 8 most common allergens.

So now I pass our family homemade lemon curd recipe on to you. Don’t worry, I don’t think Betty will mind. She’s pretty great at sharing whatever she has. Come join us for supper sometime. I guarantee she’ll not sit down until your fully fed, complete with a cup of tea or coffee.

Looking for more gluten free Easter cake recipes? Try this Gluten Free Lamb Cake from GF Jules. Looking for something with a bit more coconut? Try this Grain Free Hummingbird Cake from Gluten Free Palate. Of course, Easter ’tis the time for carrots! Try this easy single layer gluten free carrot cake from My Gluten-Free Kitchen! Want a smaller cake? Sub gluten free flour in this Small Lemon Layer Cake from Dessert for Two. 

Print

Mom’s Homemade Lemon Curd

Ingredients

In a large saucepan, mix:

• 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/8 tsp salt

Add:

• 1/4 c lemon juice
• grated rind of 1 lemon
• Mix together until juice is combined into sugar mixture.

Finally, add

• 3 egg yolks beaten
• 1/2 c water
• 2 tbsp butter softened

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat. Cook for approximately 15 minutes. Allow to cool.

 What family recipes have become part of your identity? What’s your favorite food to eat at Easter? I’d love to learn more about your family traditions. Also, check back for recipes for homemade gluten free crescent rolls and gluten free scalloped au gratin potatoes!

**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 June 2017

The post Mom’s Homemade Lemon Curd and Easter Cake appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

National (Gluten Free) Donut Day

These gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts are a stroke of last minute inspiration. Some of my most creative and tasty creations stem from a stroke of momentary genius. (Or momentary need for chocolate.) The first Friday in June is always National Donut Day. As a result, I’m baking these gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts on Thursday. But you Celiac Disease, Food Allergy mommas know all about that “last minute baking”, right?

I was first introducced to Jessica’s Natural Foods Chocolate Cake Mix years ago in a gluten free subscription box. I pondered a creative way to use this mix, which could easily be shared with my husband’s co-workers. Cha-ching! Gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts! In addition, since my husband’s school is a nut-free zone, I whipped up a homemade SunButter frosting that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

The Secret to Gluten Free Chocolate Baked Goods

Like many gluten-free bloggers, I bake my donuts. One, because I’m terrified of frying anything in oil. Secondly, because these Wilton donut pans are the easiest thing ever to use! The batter for these gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts are super easy too.

I prepared the Jessica’s Natural Foods Chocolate Cake mix according to the directions. Well, mostly. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I like to “adjust” things every once in a while. I subbed two of the tablespoons of oil with applesauce, and added a teaspoon of espresso powder. Espresso powder is the secret to deepening the chocolate flavor in any recipe, and it’s perfect in these gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts.

Peanut Free Sunbutter Frosting

While my gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts were in the oven, I whipped up this easy frosting recipe from Baked By An Introvert. I simply substituted creamy SunButter for the peanut butter called for in her recipe. I LOVE this frosting. It reminds me of the Mackinac Island Peanut Butter Fudge I devoured as a young child. I can imagine putting this in ice cream and on all sorts of delicious things!

Sunbutter Frosting Tips

I wanted to make it as thin as possible to make for easy donut dipping. As a result, I microwaved the SunButter frosting after all the ingredients were combined. While dunking, I ran out of frosting and had to make another small batch.

I used a little bit more butter than it suggested the next time. I think this will be a substitution I will consistently make in the future, and will share below. (As well as the ingredients for a larger batch, so you won’t have to make more.  I’ll stop yammering now so you can jump in the kitchen and make a quick batch of these gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts!

More Gluten Free Donut Recipes

Not a fan of peanu butter/ Sunbutter? Try my easy Mocha Donuts, which also start from a mix. Or my Two Ingredient Pumpkin Donuts. Looking for a “from scratch” gluten free donut recipe? Try my Basic Gluten Free Donut Recipe. It’s a small batch and makes only 6-8 donuts. Don’t have a donut pan? Try my Gluten Free Donut Muffins!

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Sunbutter Donuts

Delicious gluten free chocolate donuts topped with a SunButter gananche.

Course Recipes

Keyword donut, gluten free donut

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

For the Donuts

• 1 package Jessica’s Natural Foods Chocolate Cake mix
• 3/4 c. milk
• 1/4 c. canola oil
• 2 tbsp applesauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp espresso powder optional
• 3/4 c. boiling water

For the Frosting

• 4 tbsp SunButter
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 4 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

• First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. (This is the temperature listed on the Jessica's Natural Foods cake mix. If using another chocolate cake mix, bake at the temperature suggested.) 
• Next, grease and flour donut pans. (I coated mine with rice flour. Jessica's mixes contain no rice products, so use an alternative starch if you're sensitive to rice.)
• In a large bowl, add mix, milk, oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla and espresso powder. (DON'T add boiling water yet!) Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
• Now add the boiling water, and mix on medium speed for 60 seconds. The batter for these gluten-free chocolate SunButter donuts will be thin. Therefore, I allowed the batter to rest for 10 minutes.
• Pour or scoop (I used my Pampered Chef 1 oz scoop) gluten-free chocolate donut batter into prepared donut pan wells.Or, place batter in a gallon size ziploc bag, trim a bottom tip of the bag, and pipe batter into the donut pan. 
• Finally, time to put the donuts in the oven! Bake donuts for 8 minutes, then rotate pans 180 degrees and bake for 7 minutes longer. 
• Remove from the oven and use a PLASTIC knife to GENTLY separate the baked donuts from the edge of the pan. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes, then remove donuts to a wire rack to cool. The batter makes enough for 20 donuts, so you'll have to wash and grease your donut pans again to bake the remaining batter.
• Lastly, prepare frosting by placing creamy SunButter and butter in a microwavable glass bowl. Microwave for 20-30 seconds. Stir briskly, then add powdered sugar. It might be lumpy.
• Add cream to bowl and whisk thoroughly. I placed the frosting back in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to make it thin. (It will set upon cooling.) Stir quickly and then gently dunk donuts in frosting to coat. Return to the cooling rack to allow frosting to set.

Notes

If you are not allergic to peanuts, you can use peanut butter instead of SunButter

What’s your favorite gluten-free donut? Do you prefer to fry or bake your donuts, or buy premade ones? Leave me a note in the comments below!

**This post is not sponsored. However, it does include include Amazon Affiliate Links. Purchases made through those links provide me a small commission. However, this does not influence the cost of your purchases. Thank you for helping to support this website!**

The post Gluten-Free Chocolate Sunbutter Donuts appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Spring Form Pans for Pizza and Other Uses

Years ago, I used my large spring form pan to make an apple cake. I think it was the first time in our 11 years of married life that I had ever used it. Now my curiosity was totally peaked. What else could one make with a springform pan?

Searches turned up cheesecake, chicken pot pie, lasagna, and GLUTEN FREE DEEP DISH PIZZA. What?! Why had I never thought of that? How come no one ever told me about this wonderful idea? Friends don’t keep those kind of culinary secrets from one another!

What Flour Do You Use to Make Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizzas?

This time I used GF Jules Pizza Crust Mix to make these individual deep dish pizzas. The dough is very wet, and I highly suggest using saran wrap to press it into the pans. However, once this bakes, it may just be the most beautiful gluten free deep dish pizza crust I’ve ever seen in my life.

How Many Individual Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizzas Does This Recipe Make?

Back to the springform pans. This is not one huge gluten free deep dish pizza. I live in a household of two. Therefore, I prefer to make recipes that work in smaller batches.

To make this personal gluten free deep dish pizza, you need mini spring form pans. The ones I bought from Wilton are AMAZING ! They work great for making a single serve gluten free cheesecake, as well as making buns or mini loaves of my buckwheat bread.

How Do You Build a Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizza?

Now I must confess, the idea of making a personal personal gluten free deep dish pizza did not originate in my noggin. That bit o’ brilliance belongs to Windell and Lenore at Evil Mad Science Laboratories. It was their post about making miniature stuffed pizzas in springforms that got me all excited.

First, make sure when you roll your pizza dough that it is wide enough to reach the top edge of the springform pan. I followed their layering instructions, placing the cheese on the bottom. Then pepperoni, (cooked!) veggies and finally sauce. Gotta cook that spinach and veggies first, or the inside of your personal gluten free deep dish pizza will be a watery mess.

What Temperature and Time Do You Bake These?

I baked these miniature deep dish pizzas at 375 for 20 minutes. They bake faster since they are smaller. If you make a larger deep dish pizza (using 9 or 10 inch springform pan), bake it at “375 to 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.”

Great for Weekday Lunches

Know what makes for a great lunch? A personal gluten free deep dish pizza! When I recently made these, I used half of the GF Jules Pizza Crust mix in the canister. That much dough was enough for four mini deep dish pizzas.

My husband and I each ate one the night I made them. The other two are individually wrapped in foil, inside of a resealable plastic bag. I guarantee his coworkers will be in amazement when they see one of the babies in his lunch next week.

Where Can I Find GF Jules Products?

If you can’t find GF Jules Pizza Crust mix in your local store, you can order it online. (There are directions on the canister on how to make it yeast-free as well.) You can also make the dough using her GF flour, following her gluten free stuffed crust pizza recipe. Jules was kind enough to give me this package of pizza crust mix, free of charge.

She also sent me her original cookie mix, which I used in Christmas bark. I have also tried her Cutout Cookie Mix, and her Graham Crackers mix, which I used to make AMAZING gluten free S’mores bars. Find all of her products, her recipes, and informational articles on her gfJules website.

** GF Jules kindly sent me product to try. I was not otherwise compensated for this recipe. However, this post does however include Amazon Affiliate Links. Purchases made through those links provide me a small commission. However, this does not influence the cost of your purchases. Thank you for helping to support this website, and keeping this site pop up free!**

The post Personal Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizza appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.