Need a YUMMY gluten free bday treat - recipe or store bought, ASAP!

[randomkid]

Just started DD on GF about a week ago and dairy free 3 weeks ago. We have an appt with a GI on the 29th to determine where to go from here, but in the meantime, I need to keep her as GF as possible. There are 2 birthdays this week at school. I'm sure there will be cupcakes or some other treat. I need something yummy to send with DD that is GF and preferably dairy free. She has been great dealing with this, but now that she is going back to school, she has had a few moments of feeling left out. There was a back to school BBQ and basically nothing there she could eat other than watermelon. I felt sad for her, but am sticking to my guns because I feel it is necessary right now.

She noticed there are 2 birthdays this first week and she asked "Do I have to eat just a snack when everyone else is eating cupcakes?" I promised her I'd find something good for her to take. I know I can do GF Rice Krispy treats, but that's not her idea of yummy. I've noticed brownie and cake mixes at the store, but not sure how they would be.

So, give me your best, most yummiest treat you can think of. A little dairy will likely be OK, but no gluten for sure.

Thanks!

[KpbS]

My niece really enjoys the gluten free brownies available as a box mix but I'm not sure of the brand--Betty Crocker I think. Brownies are good b/c they travel well and aren't easily smooshed or crumbly.

I bake GF cupcakes for DS from scratch and add chocolate chips (ghiradelli semi sweet). I keep shelf stable jello in DS's classroom to have on hand for those unexpected treat times that inevitably come up throughout the year.


Hth!

eta Betty Crocker is the brand of the mix.

[rlu]

Not much help here, but I was told by a mom that the original tootsie rolls are ok for her gluten-free daughter. Not the equivalent of a cupcake though.

[Tondi G]

I remember a friend of mine with a GF child saying that the Pamela's chocolate cake mix is yummy

http://www.pamelasproducts.com/category/Baking_Mixes/170.aspx

this site might be helpful for you

http://glutenfreefoodreviews.com/category/desserts/

[klwa]

My dad is gluten free (or supposed to be) and I've had good luck with the Betty Crocker boxed mix chocolate anything. Brownies or cake. Haven't tried the non-chocolate ones, since when they first came out the chocolate had the best reviews.
http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free-baking-mixes

[pinkmomagain]

My niece really enjoys the gluten free brownies available as a box mix but I'm not sure of the brand--Duncan Hines? Brownies are good b/c they travel well and aren't easily smooshed or crumbly.

I can attest that these are super yummy!

[chlobo]

We usually get a Gluten Free Pantry cake mix and make up cupcakes which I keep in the freezer. When I need one for an event, I take it out and frost it. They are really great.

[turtle12]

Jello cups are good, dole makes some with fruit inside (easy to transport). There's also dairy free whipped cream you can add to the top, with sprinkles to make it extra fun.

[JTsMom]

I've used Pamela's and Bob's Red Mill chocolate, and they are both good. I make chocolate frosting using the recipe on the back of Hershey's cocoa with Earth Balance margarine and coconut milk.

I served the above as cupcakes at DS's birthday party (there were non-gf options too) and people were totally shocked that they were GF. With the frosting, I honestly don't think you can taste a difference, and I normally despise most GF subs. Bob's brownie mix is also good.

I tried some type of GF yellow once (I want to say it was Bob's too) , and that was not nearly as good, so I'd stick with chocolate if possible.

Alton Brown's GF chocolate chip cookie recipe is also really good- really close to regular cookies.

If you ever need a pie or pudding recipe, google "Hershey's Snow Ghost Pie" and sub coconut milk. Whole Foods sells soy whipping cream if you need a topping.

[MamaMolly]

The Hodgson Mill GF brownies are insanely yummy. It is my go to mix when I don't have time to make from scratch. We have a friend who's son is GF so we make these for play dates. IIWY I'd make them as cup cakes, freeze them and then frost and send in as needed.

For the frosting I'd make the Hershey's cocoa one on the box. Substitute DF margarine for the butter and what ever non-dairy milk for the milk. It is insanely good.

[randomkid]

Thank you so much! DD loves brownies so that might be my first choice. I've seen Red Mill. Any of these others available at WF?

if I need to use milk, would coconut be better than almond or rice? Sweet or unsweetened?

[KpbS]

Thank you so much! DD loves brownies so that might be my first choice. I've seen Red Mill. Any of these others available at WF?

if I need to use milk, would coconut be better than almond or rice? Sweet or unsweetened?

Coconut or soy works well. I don't think it matters sweetened/unsweetened in my experience. :)

[wendibird22]

Betty Crocker GF mixes are excellent. Wegmans (not sure where you are located) has new cake and cookies mixes that are excellent as well (used the chocolate cake mix for DD1s bday and I'm the only one GF and no one noticed. They all raved about the cake). Enjoy Life products are often GF and DF and the snickerdoodle cookies are yummy. What about a premade cookie and decorate/add frosting to the top to fancy it up a bit? Or take a GF oreo (again Enjoy Life makes one) and crush it up with pudding for worms in dirt? (http://www.adventuresofaglutenfreemom.com/2010/08/gluten-free-dairy-free-soy-free-chocolate-pudding/, scroll down for recipe of Jello brand pudding mix with coconut milk)?

I"ve found good recipes here:
http://www.adventuresofaglutenfreemom.com/
http://glutenfreeeasily.com/
http://www.elanaspantry.com/
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/ (more labor intensive but oh so good)
http://glutenfreegirl.com/ (great sugar cookie recipe)
http://glutenfreefix.com/gluten-free-recipes/

Just a side note, if you do rice krispy treats be sure to by the GF rice krispys. The regular kind, though just puffed rice, contains malt which is a no-no on a GF diet. I made that mistake and I know many others have too. Happens with a lot of corn cereals too like Corn Flakes/Frosted Flakes.

[ShayleighCarsensMom]

This cake is easy to make and great tasting. I usually beat it on high for a few minutes to make it a little fluffier as it is pretty dense. http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/149550/garbanzo-bean-chocolate-cake-gluten-free


Valerie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RedSuedeShoes]

I recently made a triple chocolate chunk muffin/cupcake recipe that my kids & I loved. They don't always love my GF treats, but they gobbled these up. I can post the recipe later if you like - they were super easy to make and pretty healthy.

[ExcitedMamma]

I love KAF and they have great recipes on their website plus they stand by their product with a free bakers helpline where a real person will answer your call immediately. They also have G free box mixes too.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free

My DH has Celiacs and I've been reading a lot about G free and one tip seemed very helpful, the Mom would bake a batch of white and a batch of black G free cupcakes in advance and freeze them. Then before the party she would call up and find out what kind of dessert was being served so she could have her daughter take her G free cupcake along that would closely resemble what the other kids were having.

[randomkid]

I recently made a triple chocolate chunk muffin/cupcake recipe that my kids & I loved. They don't always love my GF treats, but they gobbled these up. I can post the recipe later if you like - they were super easy to make and pretty healthy.

Yes, please post the recipe. I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

[JTsMom]

My WF has BRM, Namaste (which I don't care for as much, but their muffin mix is good if you add a little sugar, bananas and choc chips), kinickkinick, 123 GF, and GF Pantry. It might not work until you know you're sticking with it, and what brands you like, but Amazon has the best prices on GF stuff ime. I used to order pizza crust, cornbread mix, treats, bread and muffin mixes, pasta and pancakes through them with S&S.

WF has better prices than other grocery stores, but not as good as Amazon. Pulbix has some stuff too if you're in a pinch. TJs has GF brownie mix too, and it's pretty good.

WF also has GF ice cream cones, and dye free sprinkles and marshmallows if that helps anyone.

[DrSally]

Cherrybrook Mix is good too. I also freeze and keep cupcakes on hand for my PA child. ITa that having something with a similar or better wow factor helps a lot. The enjoy life or TJ's knock off version of snickerdoodles cookies are good and free of gluten and dairy. If you make a brownie, you could frost and sprinkle it to make it even more special. I used to send nondairy coolwhip with DS (and sprinkles) to put on his dairy free cupcakes.

[Reader]

I think chocolate goods are the easiest gluten free baking because the chocolate can mask any weird gluten-free taste. Our go-to gluten free treat is Namaste brand brownie mix (at WF). Trader Joe's sells a flourless (gluten free) chocolate torte/cake if you have one nearby. We freeze cupcakes for birthday parties, but I agree with the person who mentioned having treats on hand in the classroom, because there will always be some unexpected treat during the year where your child feels left out if they don't have something stashed at school.

[doberbrat]

tj's has a yummy brownie mix that is easy to make.

those of you that make ahead and freeze, how do you freeze b/c I tried freezing the brownies and they made nice bricks when I went back to serve them.

eta, if you're in/near a large city, many are starting to have gf bakeries around. Might have to search a bit and it'll be more expensive but some of them are WONDERFUL.

[Melbel]

We are in the exact same boat. DD1 (5th grade) is new to gluten free, casein free as of this summer. This week they have between 2-4 birthday celebrations (they were not sure if the other class for her grade was bringing treats for both classes). DD1 also has a low sugar diet (due to Lyme), so it creates issues. We have been happy with a variety of GF baked mixes. We also recently found a GF/CF bakery pretty close to her school but it has limited hours. I think I will send in a bag of GF/CF Oreos (at Whole Foods) to keep in the classroom for any last minute events. She started a new school this year, so I really do not want her to feel left out. I will try and find a lower sugar option that still keeps her happy.

[Reader]

tj's has a yummy brownie mix that is easy to make.

those of you that make ahead and freeze, how do you freeze b/c I tried freezing the brownies and they made nice bricks when I went back to serve them.

eta, if you're in/near a large city, many are starting to have gf bakeries around. Might have to search a bit and it'll be more expensive but some of them are WONDERFUL.

I haven't tried freezing brownies, but cupcakes seem to freeze just fine.