The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Gluten Free

blackjava's picture
blackjava

Gluten Free

Hi

What do I need  for gluten free baking. I am told there is no such thing as gluten free flour. I can get rice flour but don't know what is used in place of gluten to hold it togather.

Any gluten fre recipes would be appreciated. Some thing in the cookie department for now.

 

Thanks

proth5's picture
proth5

I have a friend with gluten allergies and from time to time need to bake gluten free.  It kind of breaks my heart to do it - having devoted so much effort to gluten management, but she tells me the stuff I make is pretty good.

In order to make a flour one usually adds xanthan or guar gum.  There are many sources for these, but I have successfully used Bob's Red Mill.  Pectin (like Sure-gel) can also be used and I have successfully used pectin with rice flour to make tart shells - unfortunately I can't remember the exact mix that I used.

Some people use chestnut flour - but I have not been happy with my results from this flour.  It may work better for you.  Here is a link to a supplier of chestnut flour: http://www.chestnutsonline.com/index.shtml

I am posting a link to a site with a nice recipe for all purpose flour substitute:  http://www.celiac.com/articles/512/1/All-Purpose-Flour-1-Gluten-Free/Page1.html

Bob's Red Mill also markets gluten free all purpose flour - ready blended - and I have used that successfully in standard recipes. They also market mixes which I have not used.

When baking gluten free I have avoided trying to do bread, but have focused more on quick breads, like muffins or cornbread.  I try to put in a lot of other flavors - herbs, chiles, etc - as rice flour blends do not have a lot of taste to them. I always feel like I am doing chemistry, not baking, when I make these things.  But, as I say, my friend enjoys them.

I will never take my ability to digest wheat for granted - I am so thankful that I can still eat my daily wheat bread.

Good luck with baking gluten free!

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

Go back to the Home page and scroll down the page to IN THE NEWS. There is a recipe for gluten free bread.

Mini O

Marni's picture
Marni

I don't have a recipe handy- but my mother makes a sponge cake using only potato starch for a relative who can't have gluten.  You can probably google search "potato starch sponge cake"  I've had the cake- it's good!

Marni