Gluten Free Cake?

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

Once of my friends is allergic to gluten, and I'm having a small birthday party this weekend. Can anyone recommend a (1) safe and (2) delicious place to buy a cake for about seven people?

EDIT: Cakes are one of the few things I make poorly, even from a mix. I'm also worried about my kitchen contaminating the cake and prefer to buy from a bakery.

Comments

[yendi]

Glutenus Minimus out in Belmont. Wonderful and tasty, although I believe that their cakes are very expensive (we usually just get muffins and other pastries there).

An alternative (especially for such a small group) would be the gluten-free Betty Crocker or King Arthur mixes (both are available at Stop 'n Shop, and the Betty Crocker ones are also at Shaw's). They make surprisingly good cakes.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Oh, snap, yendi!

The King Arthur mixes are quite good; I find the Betty Crocker ones to be gummy.

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

I'm awful with making cakes, and worried my kitchen would contaminate the mix.

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

I don't know about your friend's specific gluten allergy, but in general, gluten allergies are, unlike say nut allergies, tolerant of small exposures such as inadvertent contamination which might come from your kitchen. My mom has celiac disease and eats gluten-free stuff in our bread-filled household all the time with no ill effect. You should ask your friend...

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

gluten allergies are, unlike say nut allergies, tolerant of small exposures such as inadvertent contamination which might come from your kitchen.

Not true. As little as 20 parts per million of gluten can contaminate something. Think: one crumb.

We have bread in our kitchen, too, but everything is extremely scrubbed-down - and we have dedicated mixing bowls, colanders, cutting boards, et cetera. When a crumb can provoke a massive autoimmune reaction, "a little bit won't hurt" just does not apply.

I'm sure stormsdotter could do it without contamination if she's rigorous about it (and she clearly knows she'd have to be), but small exposures are not okay, and that's dangerous misinformation.

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

I'm lactose intolerant, and for me, a little bit of milk is okay.

For people with wheat allergies --as opposed to an intolerance-- even a little bit of wheat can cause severe pain. I know I'm a clutz and would prefer to be sure that my friend doesn't suffer from me screwing up.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I think a Glutenus Minimus cake would be a good investment, then. They really are delicious.

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

Seconded.

Did you know that if you have true Celiac and are exposed to any amount of wheat, even if you are asymptomatic, you may be increasing your risk of certain cancers?

It's important for people to know the risks. For this particular disease you have to take the same hygiene measures as for severe peanut.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

It's one of those "depends on the person" cases, at least from the sufferers I've known. Still, yes, always better safe than sorry with allergies.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Glutenus Minimus (http://www.glutenusminimus.com/Glutenus_Minimus/Cakes.html)!

[cnoocy]

You can also purchase or bake any flourless cake, though those are often very rich. Not that rich is a problem, but it's not necessarily what you want.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

WholeFoods will do it and it was pretty damn tasty.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was about to recommend Whole Foods' gluten-free cupcakes (if cupcakes might be an acceptable alternative to a whole cake). Kickass' gluten-free cupcakes, sadly, are to be avoided at all costs.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

If you call WholeFoods ahead, they will do a cake. A friend had to do this on short notice and they were awesome about it! I can't remember if all locations do it, call around.

Definitely avoid the Kickass gf cupcakes if only for contamination reasons. Woah wheat flour everywhere.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

I will totally have to keep that in mind! Thanks!

[dancingdeer.livejournal.com]

I've heard the cakes (regular and gluten-free) at Bella Moto, in Arlington on Mass Ave across from the Stop & Shop (and next to Blue Ribbon BBQ), are good, but I prefer to do my own baking so this isn't personal experience.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Thirding Glutenus Minimus! They also do cupcakes. :)

[coeceo.livejournal.com]

Kickass Cupcakes also has a gluten free cupcake offering everyday. only

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

Trader Joe's has a flourless chocolate cake that is very fudge-y and delicious! Especially, I hear, if you heat it up a bit and serve it with ice cream.