First Gf Birthday Coming Up

[ryebaby0]

Okay, my son's first gluten-free birthday is coming up--and I need a _really_ good cupcake or cake recipe/mix/anything! I've tried Ms. Roben's yellow cake mix and a gluten-free Pantry but both were like lead. He can't have eggs either, so that really makes this an iffy proposition. He and I already decided that if we can't produce a yummy cake, the heck with it, we'll make pizza! (Part of the "don't settle for food you don't want" attitude here; gluten-free or not gluten-free, there's too much food in the world to eat stuff you don't like) What do the KIDS like to eat for cake?

Thanks!

Joanna

[Thomas]

It's on the mac gluten-free list:

Open Original Shared Link

[angel-jd1]

There are several GREAT birthday ideas here: Open Original Shared Link

Hope it helps Just remember it isn't ALL about the food!!

-Jessica

[catfish]

I just had a birthday and I made a gluten-free key lime pie for my own birthday instead of cake- it was no big deal since I love key lime pie much more than cake anyway.

How about an "ice cream" cake? Just let a carton of ice cream thaw a bit so that it gets soft, then spoon it into a cake round or even better would be a springform. Freeze it, then remove from the pan- for a springform this would be easy, otherwise you may want to gently set the pan into some hot water to melt the edges. If you do this, freeze it again quickly to get the edges firm, and you should be able to decorate it just like a regular cake as long as you do it quickly so it doesn't melt! I also like the pizza idea, maybe you could make a dessert pizza (with chocolate syrup, marshmallows, whipped cream and that sort of thing on it instead of cheese and sauce) and serve it with the "ice cream" cake! Sounds good to me!

[rattaway]

Carol Fenster's Basic Cake w/out eggs.

1Cup Grbfava flour or brown rice flour

1/2 C. potato starch

1/4 cup tapioca flour

1/2 tsp. xanthan gum

2 1/4 tsp. baking pdr.

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 C. granulated sugar

1/2 C. butter

2 tsp.gluten-free vanilla extract

1/2 C. soft silken tofu

Grated lemon peel of 1 lemon

1/2 C. boiling water

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350. and lighyly coat 11x7-inch nonstick pan ( or two 5x3 in. pans) with cooking spray. Soft together flours, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. Set aside

In food processor, cream together sugar, butter(at room temp.), vanilla, tofu, and lemon peel. Process on high until completely smooth and glossy. Add boiling water and process on high until completely mixed. Add flour mixture and process until smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl with spatula, if necessary.

Spoon barrer into prepared pan(s) and bake 11x7 in. pan for 25-30 min., small loaf pans for 30-4- min., or until tops are firm. Cake will not brown very much. Remove from oven and cool for ten min. before removing from pan(s). Cool completely before cutting. Serves 12.

Hope this helped. I have the Special Diet Celebrations cookbook by Carol Fenster , Ph.D. It is a great cookbook that includes GlutenFree, Wheat Free, DairyFree, and EggFree Recipes.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to your child. Rian

[ryebaby0]

Thanks for all the suggestions -- he'd love ice cream, but is still off dairy, so that's not a choice! (He has even mentioned making a cake out of EnerG cinnamon crackers, which are EVERYONE's favorite food at this house. Can't keep the things on the shelf for more than two days....)Luckily we have never had a fixation with typical birthday foods -- my husband has birthday stuffed shells with candles, for instance, and our oldest son often opts for pizza instead. But for school, I need to master a substitute cupcake.

[momof2]

My daughter has only been gluten-free since 3 weeks ago, but I have read a lot. In the "Kids with Celiac Disease" book, it recommends to NOT bake gluten-free cupcakes, etc for classmates, because there will always be one kid who says, "Yuck!" The birthday kid will then be embarrased over "his food" being yucky. Just a thought! The author mentioned bringing in ice cream bars (which I know won't work for you), but you might even do small goodie size M & M's or something. Some sort of treat that is on the mainstream foods list, and the kids won't turn their nose up at. Just a thought!

[rattaway]

Surprisingly, the kids in my daughters class all loved the cupcakes we made and none were ever left on the plate. There is always a chance that even when gluten containing cupcakes are made that someone will not like them either. My daughters know that their cupcakes are safe and delicious and could care less what other kids think. I think that if we emphasise that every one likes different stuff then they will understand if someone says "yuck". We can't please every one all of the time and I think that it is only fair that gluten-free kids get to bring their stuff to school too. It is also a good way to explain to parents and kids about Celiac Disease. I have introduced a few moms to the Disease who either had a family member who had symptoms or they themselves had symptoms. I think the more people we make aware of Celiac, the more people will finally accept the seriousness of the Disease.

Sincerely, Rian

[ryebaby0]

I like your attitude; we usually bring in gluten-free treats without commenting about it and it is nice -- not only to feel included and accepted-- but it does reduce the amount of pity-parties his friends feel they need to have for "poor Patrick" who "can't eat anything". Wave a quinoa qrunchy or gluten-free brownie in their face and they suddenly aren't feeling so badly for you!

[Boojca]

Did you try the gluten-free Pantry yellow cake and cookie mix, or the Danielle's Chocolate Cake? I only ask bc I know the yellow one can be dry...but I've heard raves about the chocolate. Here's a suggestion, why not bake the brownies and frost those? mmmmmmmmmm....

[Boojca]

SO?? What did you end up doing for the birthday cake???

[ryebaby0]

Sorrry! We are going to make a big brownie and frost it -- my son lit up like a Christmas tree when I read him your suggestion. (He has always loved brownies. Don't know why I didn't think of it!) Now we are taste-testing brownies to decide which one (oooh, the pain and suffering we go through -- hee hee!)

[taneil]

I just went on a trip and bought a package of Pamela's Chocolate Brownie Mix with Chocolate Chunks and they were the bast brownies I have ever had. (I don't know if they have dairy in them or not though.)

[Boojca]

Well, I highly recommend the Gluten Free Pantry Chocolate Truffle Brownie mix....OHMIGOD. Even my non-celiac disease husband packs these in HIS lunch!!! Wow. That's all I have to say.

The Bob's Red Mill are awesome too, but fresh. Once you freeze them and then eat them they are still good, but a little bitter. Must be the chocolate they use.

Bridget

[rattaway]

I have to agree with the Truffle brownie mix. They don't last past the night they are baked here.