BREAKING NEWS :

Last night while I was baking a few things I was thinking about how this year is almost over. I was thinking how happy I am writing this blog and talking to so many people all over the globe. Yes, I actually said globe. It boggles my mind to think that so many people around the globe are living Gluten Free and either have Celiac disease or Gluten Intolerance. I wondered which blog posting was a favorite or helped anyone and why …

So I continued to bake a few more Gluten Free Holiday treats for my neighbors. I decided to use an early Christmas gift from my mom. The gift was a new 8 inch square All Clad baking pan. I love the handles on this pan that make it so easy to get in and out of the oven! I was excited try it out! It is so funny because I used to like to bake … but now I love to bake! Having the best tools and equipment makes it easier as well. Cooking and baking Gluten Free can be a challenge but if you are still trying to think of something for your holiday wish list I suggest getting new baking pans!

I would send an email to your friends and family and let them know that you enjoy cooking and baking Gluten Free. Let them know that because you spend so much time in the kitchen now, there are a few things that you need that would make it a little easier. Include a link to your favorite shopping site like Cookware.com and either tell them specifically what you need or let them choose from a variety of cookware. The prices are discounted so you don’t have to worry about them spending too much. Cookware.com offers everything from All Clad, Le Creuset to Paula Deen. I knew she had a new cookware line and now I know where to buy it! She has some really cute cast iron Gingerbread and Snowman molds that are fun for the holidays. I was just thinking about making some Gingerbread … I will have to add that to my list!

Going along with that holiday gift giving and spirit … I wanted to provide an opportunity to give one Lucky Gluten Free Foodies Follower a gift certificate for $30 at Cookware.com
To enter the contest please send me an email glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com with 1-2 sentences as to what your favorite Gluten Free Foodies posting is and why. A random email will be selected as the winner. The gift certificate is provided by Cookware.com for any product on their site valued up to $30. The contest begins today, December 15, 2009 and ends December 31, 2009. The winner will be contacted via email. I look forward to seeing your emails and good luck!

I am amazed at how something so simple, that even I can bake, is so rich, moist and delicious!

The recipe is by Elana Amsterdam and is in her book “The Gluten free Almond Flour Cookbook”. I mentioned this book a few weeks ago when I was talking about “expanding my flour horizons …” You can see in the picture how lovely everything works together and it doesn’t need a topping. I also think there is the perfect amount of sweetness to go with a hot coco, coffee or tea. The recipe uses grapeseed oil, which I think is the key to the very moist, buttery taste. It also uses agave, eggs, sea salt, vanilla, 2-3 very ripe bananas, dark chocolate and of course blanched almond flour. I used Enjoy Life semi sweet chips and was surprised by the tiny little morsels. Don’t let the size of these rich chocolate chips fool you the best part is that they are dairy, soy and gluten free. By now you know me, I love the fact that those words are clearly marked on the front of the package! I am a big fan of these little chocolate chips and look forward to using them in more recipes in the future.