Gluten-Free Baking Soda

GF Communion Bread

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Gluten-Free Communion Bread
Original recipe by Reverend Allison R. Cobb

This recipe is pure brilliance. The problem with most gluten-free bread is the freezing/thawing process. Re-heating and eating it warm gives the best texture - it's not as dry and crumbly. However, re-heating is not always possible during a church service - unless one has installed an under-altar microwave. DING! "Come, for the meal is ready."

Pastor Allison's gluten-free "wonder bread" survives the freezing/thawing process amazingly well thanks to molasses and honey. These two ingredients act as humectants - meaning they help retain moisture. We've had excellent results with bread spending four weeks in the freezer. Being able to bake and store ahead is a huge time saver.

This bread has become standard communion bread at St. Stephen's Lutheran, ELCA, Rogersville.

“We are Church Together:
Feeding & Equipping Leaders”

East Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA Synod Assembly 2018

For the first time in the assembly's history, Peggy made this bread to provide an entirely gluten-free communion to the attendees.

East Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA Synod Assembly 2019 will be offering this gluten-free bread again for their worship service!

In an effort to increase awareness and expand the knowledge-base, GIG of ECW created
The Gluten-Free Communion Guide.

The purpose of this guide is to give congregations the necessary tools to safely make, prepare, and distribute gluten-free hosts to their gluten-free members.

If you are making this bread for gluten-free members of your congregation, it is important that you read this guide.

Links to Download GF Communion Guide PDF
(including this recipe)

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“Basic kitchen safety rules tell us that we need to separate ready-to-eat foods from raw meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs - and to use separate cutting boards and utensils to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

The same rules apply to gluten and gluten-free foods - they must be kept apart.

Even though a recipe may use gluten-free ingredients, the food must be appropriately prepared, so it remains gluten-free. If you are making meals for a gluten-free guest, you must be mindful of gluten cross-contact.”

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

4 large eggs
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Honey
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Molasses
½ cup water
1 ½ cups Pamela’s Bread Mix – firmly packed (very important to pack)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp gluten-free baking soda (Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda)

Yield: 8 - 6” rounds (Each round serves about 20 people)

Directions:

GF Comm Wonder Bread
Heat oven to 350 degrees

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
[Use a dessert plate (about 6” diameter) as a template to draw four circles on the parchment paper.]

Whisk eggs in large bowl. Add and whisk with eggs the olive oil, honey, molasses and water.

Sift dry ingredients together (I use a strainer over a bowl). Add to wet ingredients a quarter at a time. Whisk well after each addition.
[Can use a stand mixer to mix ingredient for about 3 minutes].

Spoon 8 equal amounts of batter onto each circle. Spread to about ¼ inch thickness. The dough will rise slightly when baking. (they will not spread while baking – desired size is about 6 inches across)

Bake 14 minutes (may have to add 1 more minute if not done). When done use a spatula to transfer the rounds to a wire rack or a cookie sheet lined with three layers of paper towel.

Wrap cooled rounds individually in plastic wrap. Place 3-4 wrapped rounds in large baggie. Put a piece of paper inside the baggie with date of baking on it.

Store in refrigerator for 1-2 days or freeze until ready to use. If possible, set out for an hour or so before using.

(Note: We created a cardboard circle pattern so bakers could draw eight circles on the parchment paper for size).


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Almond Flour Sugar Cookies

Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
Original recipe by
Erin of MeaingfulEats.com

When using any flours/grains, nuts, seeds, etc - make sure they are labeled gluten-free. Gluten contamination of these products are very likely if they’re not produced in a dedicated facility.

To learn more about this, see
Grain-Free for the Gluten-Free

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


We have tried a number of sugar cookie/cut out cookie recipes over the years. So far, this is the best one we have found. It’s our gluten-free holiday cookie go-to recipe. Refer to the original recipe for hints and tips for making these.

Cookie Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, ghee, or palm shortening, softened
1/4 cup softened coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (Penzey’s)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (Arm & Hammer)
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour (Honeyville) (scoop and slightly pack it down when you measure it)
1/2 cup coconut flour (Bob’s Red Mill GF)

Frosting Ingredients*:

1/2 cup of butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 or 2 tablespoons of milk or almond milk

Directions:

Cream together the butter, coconut oil, and brown sugar in mixer bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract - mix well.

Combine baking soda, salt, almond & coconut flour in separate bowl - mix well. With mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients 1 cup at a time. Beat well after each addition.

Place dough on plastic wrap and form into disk. Wrap dough and refrigerate for 30 min to overnight. Overnight is best.

Preheat oven to 350F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper

Sprinkle coconut flour on clean flat surface. Roll out dough until it’s 1/4” thick. It helps to roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper. If not, coat rolling pin with coconut flour.
Cut cookies with your favorite cutters. Work quickly so the dough stays cold. Use spatula to transfer cookies to baking sheet.

Gather the scraps. Ball, roll, and repeat. If dough gets too warm, refrigerate it again.

Bake for 13-15 minutes - until lightly golden. Baking these longer than typical sugar cookies. This allows the outside to get a little crispy, but the inside will be soft. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Frosting Directions:

Combine ingredients into mixing bowl. Mix with stand or hand mixer until fluffy.

*The amounts listed are approximate. Adjust them until it's as stiff or loose as you like.

Oatmeal Cake


Oatmeal Cake (1)
Oatmeal Cake (a.k.a “Crack Cake”)



The original recipe was designed for baking in a microwave. The directions here are for baking in a normal oven.

Most medical professionals say gluten-free oats can be tolerated in limited amounts [up to 1/2 cup per day for adults]. They also suggest restricting oats for one year for those newly diagnosed.

Some celiacs will react to the protein found in oats [avenin], just as they react to the proteins in wheat, barley, rye.

If you choose to add oats to your diet, please make sure they are gluten-free purity protocol oats.

To learn more, please read our
oats article.


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


Cake Ingredients:

1 cup of purity protocol certified gluten-free oats (
GF Harvest Oats)
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup favorite GF flour blend (
Krusteaz Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour Mix)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Caramel Topping Ingredients:

3/4 cup brown sugar
6 tblsp butter
2 tblspn milk
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions Cake:

Cook oatmeal and water uncovered until mixture boils. About 3-4 minutes in microwave. Stir once and set aside.

Blend all ingredients well. Stir in oatmeal mixture.

Grease bottom of glass12x8 pan. Pour into pan.

Bake at 325 for 40-50 minutes - until toothpick comes out clean.


Directions Topping:

Combine all ingredients and heat. When well blended spread over cake.

Topping may be put under the broiler for a few minutes till golden brown.

Carrot Cake




Gluten-Free Carrot Cake


Peggy converted this recipe she got from a co-worker. We served this cake for GIG of ECW's 5th anniversary celebration.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients

1/2 cup GF coconut flour (Bob's Red Mill GF)
1/2 cup GF sorghum flour (Bob's Red Mill GF)
1 cup gluten-free flour mix (Jules GF Flour Mix)
1/4 teaspoon Xanthan gum (Ener G)
1 tsp double strength vanilla (Penzey's)
4 extra large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup coconut oil (Dr. Bronner's White Virgin)
1 ½ teaspoons salt
3 cups grated carrots
¾ cups organic raisins (Roundy's – nothing but raisins)
1 cup raw, unsalted pecans (Nuts.com - GFCO)
3 teaspoons cinnamon (Penzey's)
2 teaspoons baking soda (Arm & Hammer)


Frosting

4-5 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 tbsp softened butter
3/4 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla (Penzey's)
1 tsp milk


Cake Directions

In mixing bowl cream together eggs, oil & sugar. Add vanilla. Mix in shredded carrots. Add dry ingredients. Mix with mixer for 5 minutes. Fold in nuts & raisins.

Grease two 9” round pans. Add parchment paper to bottoms. Spoon mixture into pans.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 min. or until toothpick comes clean or golden brown and pulls away from sides of pan. Cool in pan on rack for 5 min, then remove cakes from pan and allow to finish cooling on rack.


Frosting Directions

Place ingredients in mixing bowl. With mixer whip ingredients mix for about 5 minutes or until fluffy.

Frost cooled cake. Refrigerate after it's frosted to firm up frosting.

Garnish with chopped pecans.

Note: Due to the coconut oil, refrigeration of the cake will result in it being firm. Best to serve at room temperature, unless you like firm cake.


Until the next good eats - cook well and be well.

Peggy & Al



Peg's Home Econ Banana Bread


Banana Bread


The original recipe is from my 9th grade Home Economics class. I've adapted this version so it's GF. I also modified the GF and the non-GF recipe to reduce the sugar.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:
1 cup Gluten-free Sorghum Flour
1 1/2 cups Jules Gluten-free Flour Blend
3/4 cup Gluten-free ground flax meal
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup Vegetable Shortening (Earth Balance Baking Sticks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
(can use un-sweetened applesauce if not enough bananas)
1 1/2 teaspoon Gluten-Free Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon Penzey's Vanilla Extract

Makes 2 regular sized breads or 6 mini breads.

Directions:

Cream butter, sugar, & eggs together well. Stir in bananas/applesauce. Sift dry ingredients together and mix with banana mixture. Pour into grease 2 bread pans or 6 mini bread pans. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes. Bread is done when inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Peg

Pumpkin Bars




Pumpkin Bars


While they are called "Pumpkin Bars", it's really more like a cake. The finished product is about 2-3" tall - not flat like a brownie.

They guys are an annual fave around our house and with family & friends. In almost all cases, Peg makes these [the GF version] since they are indistinguishable from the gluten bars.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

4 eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 cup pumpkin
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp Penzey's cinnamon
1 tsp Arm & Hammer baking soda
1 tsp Calumet baking powder
1 cup of
Jules Gluten Free Flour (GFCO Certified Product)
1 cup of Sorghum Flour (Bob's Redmill)
1 tsp Xanthan gum

Combine all ingredients & mix well. Pour in to greased 11x15 pan.
Bake @ 350 for 25-30 min. 8 x 11.5 pan will work for 1/2 recipe


Frosting:
4-5 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 tbsp softened butter
3/4 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp milk

Mix & beat until fluffy. Spread on warm pumpkin bars.

These will freeze quite well.


Until the next good eats...

Al n Peg

Peg's Primo Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookie

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup Skippy Peanut Butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon gluten free vanilla (McCormick's or Penzey's vanilla)
3 cups of your favorite GF Flour Blend (Krusteez)
2 teaspoons gluten free baking soda (Arm and Hammer)
½ teaspoon salt

Yield: 8 – 10 dozen

Cream shortening, sugars & peanut butters.
Add eggs and beat well
Sift flours, baking soda, salt – add to creamed ingredients. Mix well.
Refrigerate in a sealed container overnight.
Shape into balls - ½ tablespoon dough
Place on cookie sheet & flatten with fork. Dip fork in sugar first.

Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. Time may vary depending on your oven.


Peg Notes:

You can use a single gluten-free peanut butter of choice. I happen to like the Natural Peanut Butters.

If you don't live in a 100% gluten-free household, make 100% sure the peanut butter has not been "double dipped". The easiest way to do this is to use an un-opened jar. Crumbs from non-gluten-free bread will contaminate the peanut butter and thus making it off-limits to those following a gluten-free diet. The butter dish is another huge contamination risk - it's best to get out a fresh stick. The same contamination rules applies for the Crisco & the sugars (or any product) as well.

Yes, crumbs matter.

You can also use any gluten-free flour mix you wish. Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour Mix is readily available in most grocery stores. This recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to the type of GF flours. I use the sorghum flour to slightly boost the nutritional value.


Peanut butter cookie - top


5/7/21 - update recipe