Bday Parties

[jaimi alderson]

Hi everyone/anyone! My kids have not been diagnosed with celiac but I was 2 weeks ago. I am having them genetically tested next week if all goes as planned. They are gluten-free now as I don't want another second to go by with a chance of all that damage. So if they are little celiacs what do we do at bday parties? my 4yo has one next weekend! Just let her have ice cream? What if it isn't vanilla? Or is even all vanilla ice cream safe? And what if they don't have ice cream!!!!!!!!! Should I bring her a gluten-free brownie?

thank you!!!!!!

[taweavmo3]

I would bring a brownie, cookies, or frosted cupcake. The cupcake worked best for us, b/c it at least resembled what everyone else was eating. And the ice cream, if it's just plain vanilla, most are okay from what I have found. But beware of cross contamination.....at the last party we went to, someone put a spoon in the ice cream that had touched the cake. So try to get the first scoop!

I would also be sure to bring plenty of food. gluten-free pizza, or another food your child really likes. And safe candy is good to have on hand, in case the goody bag contains gluten filled treats. I always pack way too much food, but it has saved me in many instances.

Good luck! Welcome to the board, and I think it's great you are making the bold move to make your kids gluten free now, rather than later. It's much easier when they are young, it will just be a way of life for them. It takes SO much longer to heal after there has already been damage, it's a long and difficult road to recovery. I only have one daughter that tested positive, but we are all (except hubby) gluten free. I didn't want to take any chances with them. Take care!

[Kasey'sMom]

We do the cupcake thing as well. I usually make a big batch and ice them. I flash freeze the cupcakes and put them in freezers bags. They defrost really well and are a lifesaver to have in a pinch. I freeze cookies, brownies and pie slices as well. I've found that having a few things made ahead of time help with my strees factor. Most of the time I don't have time just to bake but I will put the leftovers in the freezer. My dd is dairy free as well so I pack a quart of dairy free ice cream in our cooler for her. Sometimes I try to find out what they're having to eat and duplicate a gluten-free version. Sometimes I haven't known ahead of time so I just fixed something I know she'll love.

[Carriefaith]

I would bring her own food to the party. Even if their ice cream is gluten-free, they could have put ice cream in ice cream cones and then contaminated the whole ice cream container.

[lonewolf]

I also bake cupcakes ahead, frost them and then freeze them. It has come in very handy for birthday parties and any occasion at school where treats are handed out. The last birthday party my son went to was a pizza party - I made an Amy's pizza for him and sent a cupcake and some sorbet. (He avoids dairy for the most part, but I allow him a little cheese now and then, but not ice cream.) The birthday boy's mother was very nice about it - as have all the mothers been. One mom even called ahead and asked what he could eat and bought it for him!

[Guest nini]

I always send a frozen cupcake with dd when she goes to a party. I always find out what the food is going to be ahead of time and send her with gluten-free versions, like Amy's pizza... I agree it's better to overpack and have a variety of safe foods and just be prepared... We've been at parties before where I didn't know they were going to have a pinata with candy, and I had to trade her out with known gluten-free candy after we got home... (I've always got a supply of safe candy at home now to trade out with her)

[mommida]

I call the host/hostess of the party find out the meal plans. My son is almost 7, with his age I ask him about what he wants to eat at the party and what the planned menu is. Sometimes he chooses an ice cream bar instead of cake and ice cream. I have a big container of gluten-free candy to trade treats. He is very good about just handing over the gluten candy to other kids at the party.

Always have those cupckes or brownies in the freezer ready to go.

L.

[Dietcokehead]

Hi! I always talk to the host and explain the situation, and then ask if it's ok for my son to bring brownies to share. That way they're prepared at home, but he can enjoy the same foods as his friends if they would like one too. I always ask if they have decided on if there will be ice cream and what brand it is. A lot of vanilla is ok, I keep it simple and tell the people Breyers or the Kroger store brand of vanilla if they need a suggestion.

Most people are more than happy to accomodate! Good luck!

[JakeARoosMommy]

I am dreading my DD and DS birthday's this year! The last six weeks have been exhausting! I keep hoping that the test results were wrong or maybe he will 'outgrow' this, but I know this is real and lifelong. I have become quite adept to baking and nutrition now. I just feel so tired of spending all this time in the kitchen making special foods from scratch. I know that it is necessary. I am happy that I found this board. I am a single mom. The kids' dad is in the Middle East. I don't really think that he would be of much help anyway. I don't have family in the area, so I am making a go at this alone. Sorry, I just needed to vent.

[SueC]

Anyone have a really good cupcake recipe???

[2Boys4Me]

This gluten-free Wacky cake is pretty good. I use the Carol Fenster sorghum/corn flour blend and it doesn't taste gritty at all. Can't remember how long to cook for cupcakes, though.

Wacky Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Bette Hagman flour mixture or acceptable gluten free flour mixture

1 1/2 tsp xanthan gum

1 cup sugar

3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp vinegar

6 Tbsp oil

1 cup cold water

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt.

2. Make three wells in the flour mixture.

3. In one put vanilla; in another the vinegar, and in the third the oil.

4. Pour the cold water over the mixture and stir until moistened.

5. Pour into 8 x 8-inch pan.

6. Bake at 350°F. oven until it springs back when touched lightly.

========

1 1/2 cups sorghum flour

1 1/2 cups potato starch or cornstarch

1 cup tapioca flour

1/2 cup white corn flour (I use yellow corn flour, I've never seen white)

I usually have some of these in the freezer in case of a cupcake emergency. My gluten-eating husband likes this cake, too. He calls it pudding cake.

[Guest nini]

I use either the Gluten Free Pantry's Old Fashioned Cake and Cookie mix or their Chocolate Cake Mix, or our personal fave is Pamela's brownie mix made into cupcakes... it has a recipe for cake on the bag.

[lonewolf]

Anyone have a really good cupcake recipe???

The gluten-free Pantry mix is great. You can also make them from scratch following the White Cake recipe in the recipe section here. Sorry I'm not good at doing the links. My kids all loved the cake and I'm going to make cupcakes out of it next time. (I added a pack of coconut pudding mix to it, but you don't have to.)