Are you new to gluten free, or just stocking you your pantry? In either case welcome to my essential list of gluten free baking supplies.
I've been gluten free for well over a decade, back in the times where I had to make my own gluten free flour blends if I wanted anything remotely editable.
The times have changed, and things are much easier. THat's why I decided to put together this essential list of gluten free baking supplies.
These are the things I bake with over and over again!
How to Stock Your Gluten Free Baking Pantry
Here are the essential items for your gluten free baking pantry
Gluten Free Flour Blends
Let's talk the real problem here, gluten free flour. You'll need to find a gluten free flour replacement you absolutely love.
I happen to have two of them.
First is Bob's Red Mill 1-1 Gluten Free Baking Mix. This is an all around great mix that is easy to find at just about any major supermarket or store.
Next is King Arthur Flour 1-1 Gluten Free Baking Mix. This has become easier to find in recent years, and is available at most stores.
Why do I use both? Simple. I've been a loyal King Arthur baker for years and years, but I've notice that Bob's Red Mill is also very popular. I just use both to provide more options for my recipes. Everyone's got a preference.
Both of these gluten free flour blends taste great, and create a fluffy baked good. When you use these, things won't taste gluten free at all. In fact, gluten eaters will even enjoy them and have no idea they are eating something gluten free!
Xanthan Gum
If you're new to gluten free, I'm sure you are scratching your head. Xanthan gum does what gluten does basically, so we need to always need to add it to our flour blends when we are making a dough with yeast.
Things like cakes, cookies, and muffins may also use it - based on what else is in the recipe. This is an essential you'll need to keep stocked up on.
Sugars
You'll need granulated sugar, brown sugar, and powdered sugar on hand to be ready to bake at any moment. Most of these are naturally gluten free, and many will have a gluten free symbol right on the packaging
Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Two more essentials for baking. See, once we got past the gluten free flour and Xanthan gum, things started to feel a lot more like what we are used to!
Butter, Eggs, and Milk
Three more classics you can expect to see in almost every recipe. Nothing strange or unusual here.
Flavored Extracts
I like to have several flavored extracts on hand for baking like vanilla extract and lemon extract. For this, I like to use McCormick brand because they have a very long standing commitment to gluten free products.
Gluten Free Pantry Shopping Tips
When in doubt, always read the label on everything you purchase. If you're still not sure, always contact the manufacturer if products are gluten free.
Have some more questions about getting started with gluten free baking? We have answers!
What baking ingredients are gluten free?
Generally speaking any baking ingredient that is not flour is gluten free. It is however important to read the label and know about the manufacturing facility. If the ingredient was manufactured in a facility with gluten it could still cause problems.
What makes gluten free baked goods fluffy?
Gluten free baked goods are made fluffy buy the same way their regular counterparts are - leavening such as baking powder and baking soda. The issue becomes when you are using "heavy" gluten free flour replacements.
Both Bob's Red Mill 1-1 Gluten Free Flour and King Arthur 1-1 Gluten Free flour are specially formulated to NOT have this issue, so your baked goods will have nearly the same texture as they did with gluten based flour.
Does sugar have gluten?
No, sugar does not have gluten. Sugar is made by milling sugar canes, with do not contain gluten at all. Always be sure to read the label, and contact the manufacturer if you have any questions on how an item was produced.
Is powdered sugar gluten free?
Powdered sugar is gluten free, since it is made from sugar cane that does not contain gluten. Be sure to pay attention to the packaging of the sugar to see if it is labeled gluten free.
Is baking soda gluten free?
Baking soda is naturally gluten free. Always be sure to read the label or contact the manufacture to make sure it was produced in a dedicated gluten free facility.
Is there gluten free flour that tastes good?
Yes there is! Gluten free flour has come a long way in the decade. Look for a 1-1 gluten free flour blend such as Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur Flour.
Looking to put your gluten free baking supplies to the test? Check out one of these great gluten free recipes:
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