Gluten Free Goodies DO Taste Good & Buttery Vanilla Cupcakes with Spiked Chocolate Frosting

So my husband and I were watching Parenthood last night and I was SO excited that gluten free was mentioned. I mean come on, how often do you really hear that on something mainstream? But then I realized that gluten free sort of got a bad wrap in that episode. Now I can be honest and say that there are quite a few gluten free products I've tried since becoming a Celiac that quite frankly are not palatable and other times, down right disgusting. However, on my ever expanding gluten free foodie quest (for my own appetite as well as to prove that gluten free doesn't equal gross-disgusting-say-good-bye-to-all-things-tasty) I've come across delicious foods that aren't so uncommonly available. And as much as Derrick and I love catching up on the Braverman Family every Tuesday night, I'm going to have to hang the dissappointment flag up for Tuesday's episode in reference to the gluten free cupcakes and making them seem unappetiting. Sorry guys :| but there are plenty of gluten free sweet options out there that ARE good!

First off, WOW Baking Company (http://www.wowbaking.com/) makes a DELICIOUS certified gluten free oatmeal cookie (Oregon Oatmeal Cookie) and can be found at your local Fred Meyer's. Whenever the stores have them in stock, I literally clear out the shelf because they ALWAYS run out -they're that good. They come individually wrapped as a giant cookie and are also sold in a mini version sealed up tight in their own re-sealable container or in a box

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Then there's, Haley's Corner Bakery (http://www.haleyscorner.com/) right here in Washington State as well as on Facebook. Although they're a local bakery I have to mention them because they are absolutely my all time food savior! They are a 100% gluten free bakery that not only sells amazing sourdough bread, cakes, tiramisu and the like but they also sell pizzas ready for pick-up! Their tiramisu is to die for, their lemon bars are a must have every single visit and their red velvet cupcakes with its moist cake and creamy cream cheese frosting is heaven in a paper liner! I've tried almost everything there, even had my birthday cake made from there this year and I have never been disappointed or missed the gluten! I usually stock up on items while I'm there and freeze anything I'm not immediately eating for another day. Thaw it out when you want it and it's still just as tasty!

(My delicious chocolate bavarian cream birthday cake from Haley's!)


If you can't get to a gluten free bakery, Udi's Gluten Free Foods (http://udisglutenfree.com/products) has an entire baked goods line. Products can be found at your local Safeway, Whole Foods and Fred Meyer's. Their Double Chocolate Muffins are perfect heated and washed down with a glass of cold milk. While their Blueberry Muffins or Lemon Streusel Muffins are a great pairing with your morning cup of coffee. When I'm craving a little more decadent, I pop their Cinnamon Rolls in the oven with my own mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and pecan halves to create my own Pecanbon ala Cinnabon! While it's baking I whip up some cream cheese, powder sugar and vanilla extract to dollop on top to complete the sugar high!

And when I'm in need of a good ol' fashion quick homemade cupcake, I turn to Miss Betty Crocker herself. (http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free-baking-mixes?WT.mc_id=paid_search_300103_636117&WT.srch=1&esrc=11162) Widely sold at Safeway, Walmart, Fred Meyer's, Top Foods & Whole Foods these certified gluten free Betty Crocker products are a staple in my pantry for those quick fix moments. I love their Yellow Cake Mix added with a box of Jell-o vanilla pudding to make my Buttery Vanilla Cupcakes. (See recipe below.) And trust me, these cupcakes won't make you doubt gluten free cupcakes like the Bravermans did :D Happy baking and as always, happy eating y'all!

Buttery Yellow Cupcakes with Spiked Chocolate Frosting
1 box Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
1 box Jell-o Vanilla Pudding
*Follow directions and add the rest of the ingredients listed on the back of the box*
- Pour batter into lined muffin tins until light golden brown and cool completely.

*For frosting:
1 container milk chocolate Betty Crocker frosting
1 tablespoon Kaluha Liquor

- Blend liquor and frosting until incorporated. Frost and serve.
**Cupcakes can be stored and frozen for up to a month**