Gluten, nut, dairy and egg-free cupcakes!

As many of you know, finding a bakery that will accomodate multiple dietary needs is rare. Luckily, the Hippie Chick Bakery is within reach!  They are a specialty cake studio located near the New Hampshire seacoast in Kensington. They can accomodate gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and egg-free as well as other food intolerances, such as soy or corn, upon request.  It’s a  nut-free facility as they do not make any products with tree nuts or peanuts, however some of the gluten-free flours they use are produced in a ‘facility that  uses nuts’.  It is also yeast and latex-free.   All products are trans-fat free, and organic and local ingredients are utilized whenever possible.  If eggs are used in a recipe, they come from the bakery’s own flock of free-range, rescued shelter chickens!  Whether you’re looking for a wedding or birthday cake, they offer a vast number of cake themes , or you can have them customize one to suit your needs.

I was able to try Hippie Chick baked goods when I stopped by their booth at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival.  A large assortment of cookies, brownies and cupcakes were temptingly arranged into two groups;  vegan and gluten-free/vegan.  I purchased the trio of gluten-free/vegan cupcakes and a gluten-free/vegan brownie.  The cupcakes (contain soy), were vanilla, chocolate and lemon flavored.  All were tasty with a very light and airy frosting. The kids chose the chocolate as their favorite.  The big brownie also won their praise as well as mine.  We know how difficult it is to come up with toothsome baked goods that are gluten, dairy, egg and nut free.  Hippie Chick Bakery apparently knows the secret!

Gluten Free, Vegan Brownie

Flatbread Gluten-free pizza + whoppie pie= a very happy boy!

Recently, we had a nice lunch at the Flatbread Pizza Company  at their Bedford, Ma. location.  It’s great to be able to visit a restaurant where the family can get gluten-free pizza but this place is also great because the franchise supports local farms, uses organic and natural ingredients, free range meats and nitrate free pepperoni.  Upon entering, we immediately viewed a board of the daily specials and listed on one side were gluten-free choices!  Of course my kids

Gluten-free caramelized onion, mushroom and sundried tomato pizza

were thrilled when I told them they could order a gluten-free whoppie pie!  In fact, once we were seated all thoughts of pizza left their minds and they only wanted the whoppie pie!  So we compromised by ordering dessert at the same time as the pizza.  It was quite a treat for them. 

Though their website does not have a gluten-free menu, it is listed on the regular menu at the restaurant.  The gluten-free pizza crust is purchased from Mommy’s Muffins and is dairy, egg and soy free.  A gluten-free pizza can be substituted for any of the regular pizzas except for the bbq pork pizza because it contains beer. Speaking of beer, you can have a glass of Redbridge with your meal. And as far as dessert goes, there is ice cream for those that can have dairy or the whoppie pie which is dairy and soy-free (contains eggs).  The server also offered us a whoppie pie topped with ice cream and hot fudge sauce.  Maybe next time!