Why be Gluten Free?

Although there are many reasons to live gluten free (digestive, celiac etc.) we have chosen this lifestyle for my daughter who was having many symptoms that were mislabeled as ADHD. She had an inability to focus, anxiety issues, hyperactivity and inappropriate social behavior just to name a few. I ran the gamet and had her tested for everything beginning in 1st grade. We went to the Audiologist and she was tested for APD, then it was the pediatric neuropsychologist who diagnosed her with ADHD along with an anxiety disorder. We tried the meds, but she was already having growth issues initially. I began to do my own research and found a correlation to gluten and ADHD symptoms. I removed the gluten and found after 48 hours her behavior and ability to focus had dramatically improved, not to mention she began gaining weight and height. When I removed the gluten she weighed in (as a 2nd grader) at 39 lbs. She is now ending her 3rd grade year at 58 lbs. and is 51 inches tall. I find many new people in the stores looking cluelessly at the gluten free options (there are an abundance, and not all good!). I offer assistance and am met with much gratitude as this is a difficult transition, it takes time, but is well worth it. It is my intention to post the foods we have tried and love, as well as those we don't particularly care for. 3 recommendations right off the bat: Glutino pizza (frozen complete, or individual crusts), CheeBee rolls (frozen) Vans Gluten Free frozen waffles. I have an abundance of favorites that I will be sharing as well as recipes that we have perfected as I have always loved to cook and entertain :) It is most rewarding to serve fresh baked gluten free chocolate chip cookies to kids who come over to play and they can't get enough of them! I also made the best gluten free pound cake for strawberry shortcake that was a big hit, I will be posting that recipe as well. For today, I will share 2 recipes that are simple and yummy. The pumpkin bread is fabulous and the sunken cupcakes were my daughters 1st intro to gluten free desserts, to this day on of her favorites! Happy GF baking :)


Pumpkin bread
2 Cups Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose GF Flour
½ tsp. xantham gum
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. alt
½ cup (1 stick) butter
1 pkg. cream cheese (3 oz.)
1 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup orange juice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 12 jumbo muffin cups.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, xantham gum, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Put to the side.
In a larger bowl cream the butter, cream cheese and the white and brown sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time beating for 1 minute between additions. Add the shredded carrots and orange juice. Mix until well blended. Add the dry ingredients and mix for another 30-45 seconds at low speed.
Spoon the batter (about ½ cup) into 2 loaf dishes, bake for approximately 40-50 minutes (clean toothpick). Cool for 10 minutes in pan, transfer to cooling rack.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CUPCAKES
1 cup blanched almonds
8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter4 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar, divided
2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place almonds in processor. Using on/off turns, blend until nuts are coarsely ground.Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Microwave chocolate and butter in small bowl on high 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until almost melted, about 30 seconds longer. Stir to combine. Cool chocolate mixture until barely lukewarm but still liquid, about 5 minutes. Whisk egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl until blended. Mix in orange peel, ground almonds, and chocolate mixture.Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl until mixture is thick and glossy and peaks form. Fold egg-white mixture into chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups (about 1/3 cup batter in each). Bake until edges are firm and tops are cracked all over, about 16 minutes for very soft cake or about 22 minutes for firmer cake. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm in microwave in 10-second intervals before serving.