Crocker - Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Baking

If you are looking for a gluten-free collection of absolutely delicious sweet and savory baked recipes, its here. With over 200 delicious recipes to choose from, this book is ideal whether you are eating gluten free by choice or necessity. There is everything from a wonderful collection of warm-from-the-oven baked breads and sweet treats such as cookies, apple pie and birthday cake to hearty homemade dinner ideas like pot pie and pizza.

Plus, in Gluten-Free Baking, look for a bounty of helpful information including baking tips, a gluten-free pantry and how to shop gluten free. Throughout the book there are mini features to help you cook gluten free too, including a special feature called Learn with Betty that you will enjoy.

But the best part of the book is the baking, so get that oven heating and those mixing bowls ready. Our collection is a blend of scratch recipes and those that start with the convenience of a gluten-free mix. Weve even created a scratch without xanthan or guar gum so it can be customized in almost any baked goods recipe.

Browse through the book for favorite recipes that can now be made without gluten. Cookies and bars, including all-time favorites like , are a sweet dream away. So are cupcakes, layer cakes and sheet cakes for everyday and special occasions. Look for a delightful selection of breads, pies and other desserts too.

Finally, what could be better than satisfying dinnertime hunger pangs with comfort food? Pot pie, casseroles and pizza fill out the menu choices for a hungry few or more. Our goal for this book was simpleprovide the best baked recipes possible for gluten-free eating.

Ready, Set, BakeEnjoy!

Gluten is a protein naturally found in certain grains like wheat, barley, rye and some oats. Therefore, any foods that are made with these grains also contain glutenthat includes foods like bagels, breads, cakes, cereals, cookies, crackers, pasta, pizza and more.

About 3 million Americans suffer from the immune reaction called celiac disease or celiac sprue. Triggered by eating gluten, the disease affects the digestive process of the small intestine and produces many symptoms that can vary greatly. If you have celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet is absolutely necessary.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity causes many people to avoid eating foods that contain gluten. This sensitivity is the name used to describe someone who tests negative for celiac disease, but whose symptoms subside when gluten is eliminated from their diet.

Others eliminate gluten by choice, having determined they feel better overall without gluten in their diets or that they feel it fits into their nutritional and lifestyle goals.

Knowing when foods are naturally gluten free plus knowing what to look for when reading labels are key to starting a gluten-free lifestyle.

The best thing is that the world of gluten-free possibilities has expanded greatly! On grocery store shelves, at online sources and in bakeries, restaurants and of course cookbooks, you dont have to look far to find ingredients, foods and recipes to fuel a gluten-free diet. Continue reading to discover helpful information about gluten-free baking.

Navigating the grocery store aisles for gluten-free ingredients has become easier than ever with all of the new ingredients and products that are available. Staying gluten-free is all about making the right choices, so dont rush through the store. Take the time to do a little research before shopping and become an avid label reader. Before grabbing that grocery cart, here are some tips to help make your shopping trip a success:

• Read Labels: The best way to know if a product is gluten free is to read the ingredient listing on the label. To determine if it contains gluten, there are four key words to look for: wheat, barley, rye and oats. Also look for ingredients that are made from these ingredients. See for foods to avoid.

  Check product labels on every shopping trip since products and their ingredients can change over time. If youre unsure about the gluten-free status of a product, call the producers 800 number or visit their website. Many products also are labeled gluten-free on the front of the package, making it easy to see at a glance.

• Bring Your Cell Phone: Embrace technology! Your cell phone can be a handy tool in case you need to call the 800 number on a product to verify whether or not a product is truly gluten free.

• Grains, Flours and Starches: These days an assortment of gluten-free grains, flours and starches exists in stores and online. Look for whole-grain varieties and those that are enriched to take advantage of the vitamins, minerals and fiber they contain.

  Dont buy these items from bulk bins where cross-contamination from non-gluten bins can easily occur. It would be very easy for someone to use the same scoop for wheat-based items and then leave it in a gluten-free bin. Check out for a list and descriptions of grains, flours, starches and gums.

• Gums: Xanthan gum and guar gum are usually located near the gluten-free baking ingredients. Several brands are available. For the baked goods recipes we created needing a gum, we used xanthan gum. In these recipes, we found varying results depending on the brand we used. Some brands yielded flatter cookies with more spread, flatter breads and flatter sweet rolls. Experiment with different brands to determine which you prefer.