Life’s Gluten Free Pleasures – Muffins, Cupcakes and Brownies

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Life’s Gluten Free Pleasures – Muffins, Cupcakes and Brownies

Post On: Monday, May 2nd, 2011 | Leave A Comment

Just because I’m a dietitian, doesn’t mean it’s taboo to talk about my favorite sweet tooth foods. In fact, I think it is important for everyone to realize that no one eats a “perfect” diet, not even dietitians, and that it is okay to give into your cravings in moderation. In fact, enjoying treats in moderation allows for overall healthful eating. With that said, today I’m sharing my three favorite gluten free sweets and treats.

When I am craving something bready and carby but not too sweet, my absolute favorite is Canyon Bakehouse’s Cranberry Canyon Crunch muffin with a cup of black tea. These lemon poppy muffins with moist, chewy cranberries and crunchy seeds have a great crumb, real cranberry taste and interesting contrasting textures of moist and crunchy. I even love the homemade look and feel of the easy-to-peel wrapper, which makes it seem like you could pass off these muffins as your own. This will only work with your gluten-eating friends, though, as every gluten free consumer is soon to know about this muffin. I can say with the utmost conviction that this is the best packaged gluten free muffin I have ever had, perhaps even the best homemade as well.

When a richer, more sugary sweet tooth calls, Whole Foods’ gluten free vanilla cupcakes do the trick. There are countless bakeries making gluten free cupcakes these days, but Whole Foods’ version has been my favorite ever since I tried it for the first time. For starters, they don’t skimp on the vanilla frosting. And I’m not talking about the buttercream frosting that looks pretty, but has no flavor (in my opinion). I’m talking about the bring-you-back-to-childhood sugary vanilla frosting that you can sink your teeth into. And for those of you who actually like the cake portion (I do), it is moist and oh-so tasty. What’s great is that they come in a four-pack that can be frozen, so I can take them out one at a time when a sweet tooth calls or when I want to join in the fun of a birthday celebration.

If you are like me, when a chocolate craving hits you just gotta have chocolate. Nothing else will do. And I often prefer something with a little more substance, like a brownie! French Meadow’s gluten free fudge brownies are the perfect size for a hit of substantial chocolate. Once you thaw them out, they are rich and fudgy. They are great on their own with a glass of milk, but also act as a great foundation ingredient for a more decadent and innovative dessert, like this gluten free fudge brownie truffle recipe (photo above; recipe below).

Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Trifle (courtesy of French Meadow Bakery)

1 package French Meadow Bakery Gluten Free Fudge Brownies, thawed and crumbled

1 package (3.9 oz.) instant chocolate pudding mix

½ cup water

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

2 containers (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In large bowl, combine pudding mix, water, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth and well blended. Gently fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping. In a separate dish, combine remaining whipped topping and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Take half of crumbled brownies and layer on the bottom of a trifle bowl. Top with half of the pudding mixture and then half of the whipped topping mixture. Repeat layers once. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Disclosure: I received free samples of the Canyon Bakehouse Cranberry Canyon Crunch Muffins and the French Meadow Fudge Brownies and personally purchased the Whole Foods Vanilla Cupcakes. I was not paid to write a review of any of these products.

One Response to Life’s Gluten Free Pleasures – Muffins, Cupcakes and Brownies

gluten free cakes says:

June 11, 2011 at 9:19 am

What a great article! Thank you for your nice writing.
Thanks

Reply