Friday, September 20, 2013

Christmas Baking - Gluten-Free Style!

When we initially decided to go gluten-free, my husband was concerned that many of his favorite Christmas treats would no longer be an option. At that point, we were trying eating gluten-free and didn't realize that many of my husband's health concerns turned out to be gluten intolerance. I assured him, however, that we could still figure out a way to replicate some of his favorite cookies even without the use of wheat flour.

Once we discovered that my husband really couldn't ingest wheat/gluten products, it increased my research to find books that helped us eat well, healthily, and creatively. With the Christmas season coming all too soon, I was very happy to discover two gluten-free baking books geared especially for scenting my home with the smells of Christmas baking while still protecting my husband's health concerns. Thought I'd share them with you.

Gluten-Free Holiday Baking
by Ellen Brown
More than 150 cake, pies, and pastries made with flavor, not flour.

This book is destined to be a keeper midst my other cookbooks of the same genre. Some of the recipes? Popovers, Pannetone, Stollen (to tempt my German ancestry), Gooey Sticky Pecan Buns, and more. There is even a gluten-free version of Old-Fashioned Southern Biscuits. I'm already thinking of hot biscuits with sausage gravy for a special treat.

Gluten-Free Baking for the Holidays
by Jeanne Sauvage
60 Recipes for Traditional Festive Treats

Again, lots of wonderful recipe surprises along with hints, tips, and helpful information. My husband's first question was whether it included a recipe for his favorite Mexican Wedding Cookies . . . and it does! Biscotti and Lemon Bars are in evidence. Rugelach, Spritz, and Shortbread are there for the trying. It even has directions for baking and making a traditional Gingerbread House.

No comments: