Gluten Free Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Image: Gluten Free Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

If you are not familiar with whoopie pies, their texture is between a cookie and a cake. Filled with a cream cheese frosting, these gluten free red velvet whoopie pies are a treat that you can adjust the sweetness level to your liking. You can as much as double the powdered sugar, if desired, to make a filling closer to a oreos filling. I hope you enjoy this recipe. Some find anything made from a rich red velvet batter to be delicious. How about you? Continue reading “Gluten Free Red Velvet Whoopie Pies”

Spun Sugar

Image: Flan Topped with Spun Sugar

Have you ever wondered how they make those caramelized designs on fancy desserts? Some people try to make it using a mixture of water and sugar. When you add water to sugar during the caramelizing process, you are risking the chance of crystals forming. It is best to use sugar alone. I even found a recipe online calling for vinegar and water to be added to the sugar. Vinegar is only needed if you are going to use quite a bit of artificial food coloring. As in red velvet cake, vinegar offsets the bitter taste of the food coloring. You can create different shades of spun sugar by altering the time you brown the sugar. The longer you cook it, the darker it becomes. However, overcooking it can harden the sugar. Temperature is key. However, it is so easy to make…only one ingredient. How simple is that? It’s a great way to garnish creme brulee′ or flan. Continue reading “Spun Sugar”

Duchess Potatoes (Naturally Gluten Free)

Image: Gluten Free Duchess Potatoes

Duchess potatoes, also known as duchesse potatoes, are a French dish, pommes de terre duchesse, consisting of seasoned mashed potatoes, made stiffer than traditional mashed potatoes, with the addition of egg, in this case, egg yolks. They are piped using a piping bag or device, and browned just enough to accent the design. Most recipes call for heavy whipping cream, however, my recipe below is a lower-fat version, and may be made dairy-free. Now you’re the duchess. Enjoy Continue reading “Duchess Potatoes (Naturally Gluten Free)”

Gluten Free Red Velvet Pancakes

Gluten Free Red Velvet Pancakes

I’ve been contemplating what new gluten free Valentines’ Day recipes to post in the coming days. I wanted to make some gluten free red velvet pancakes using buttermilk, but since I didn’t have any, I needed a substitute. You know how you can make homemade buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (or white) to 1 cup of regular milk? Well, I decided to use some heavy whipping cream instead. The results? Absolutely amazing pancakes!

In essence, I made creme fraiche (soured cream), similar to buttermilk, but using cream.

Vinegar is always added to red velvet pancakes and baked goods because it masks the bitter flavor of artificial food coloring. No bitter taste, here! You could taste a slight hint of chocolate, and the rest just rich, moist, and a little sweet.

These pancakes were like eating a dessert, and not a gluten free one, either. You have to try these at least once. I towered the one in the photo below for a young boy, “Red Volcano Pancakes”. Enjoy! Continue reading “Gluten Free Red Velvet Pancakes”

Gluten Free Beef Tenderloin

Image: Fillet Mignon - Beef Tenderloin Roast

This Christmas we only had a small amount of guest, therefore, serving a fine cut of meat was  inexpensive. If you have a special dinner coming up soon, consider a beef tenderloin, which is the same cut as filet mignon. It is easy to cut, carve, and serve. Because it is so tender and juicy, no gravy is required, however, if you’re serving it with mashed potatoes you can make gravy, if desired. I rarely measure ingredients for gravy, but have provided you with the ingredients and instructions below. There is nothing specific you need, besides oil and seasonings. When making beef tenderloin, remember…keep it simple! You can’t go wrong! Continue reading “Gluten Free Beef Tenderloin”

Gluten Free Cocktails Flambe

Image: Flambe Coffee Cocktail

Below I list several different versions of flambe gluten free cocktails. The meaning of flambe is to add alcohol and ignite. Though alcohol is distilled which means that any gluten content should be removed, some people who are more intolerable to gluten than others may have a reaction to some alcohol. Use alcohol that you feel safe consuming. Meanwhile, enjoy this dessert-like cocktail whether you serve it as a coffee or as a liqueur. It makes a nice presentation for special occasions. I’m thinking New Year’s Eve, whether it be just the two of you, or for a party. Continue reading “Gluten Free Cocktails Flambe”

Gluten Free Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping

Image: Gluten Free Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping

A gluten free cheesecake recipe with a sweetened sour cream topping that you may top with any sauce you desire, from chocolate ganache to pie filling or even cranberry sauce during the holidays. Rather try and find gluten free graham crackers to make the crust, this recipe includes a one step graham cracker crust, similar to making a large graham cracker, but softer (extra butter). So yummy! What will you top yours with? Continue reading “Gluten Free Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping”

Gluten Free Parfait: Brownie Caramel Apple

Image: Gluten Free Brownie Apple Caramel Parfaits

This gluten free parfait is perfect for the holidays with its golden caramel color. Use your favorite gluten free brownie recipe or the one linked below. Because so many premade caramel sauces contain gluten, making the Dolche Leche (rich caramel sauce) is the perfect way to go for those on a gluten free diet. The baked apple slices compliment the ingredients perfectly, in color and flavor. The best part about this dessert is that most of the ingredients may be made in advanced. Enjoy, and happy holidays to all! Continue reading “Gluten Free Parfait: Brownie Caramel Apple”

Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole (Dairy- and Soy-Free Options)

Image: Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole

Perfect for the holidays, this gluten free green bean casserole recipe is cheesy and creamy. You may make it dairy-free and vegan by using a dairy-free buttery spread and dairy-free sour cream. If you’re dairy-free and soy-free, finding a sour cream may be difficult. I provide you with a link to my new dairy-free sour cream recipe using cashew nuts! Cashews are used in the vegan community as a substitute for sour cream to cream cheese. It is rich, high in fat, making it easy to cream. I hope you enjoy this new dairy-free substitute! Continue reading “Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole (Dairy- and Soy-Free Options)”