To get the tastes and textures you know and love, but without the gluten, our gluten-free bakery North Vancouver uses the best of the best. We believe that everyone should have access to the classics, without putting an end to cakes, cookies, and deliciously doughy goods. With the right adjustment of ingredients and technique, you’ll get to once again enjoy the traditionally loved and tempting aromas of baked goods.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a formation of proteins in flour that gives dough its elasticity. Without it, the dough wouldn’t be able to stay together and would crumble. It gives baked goods their structure. The most common types of glutenous grains are what, barley, rye, and spelled among other lesser-known flours.
Are oats gluten-free?
You might be confused as to why store shelves also have gluten-free oats. Even though oats do not contain gluten, are often cross-contaminated as the crops are either grown close to wheat crops or processed in facilities where wheat is also processed. For those who are celiac or have severe gluten-intolerance, it’s best to go for gluten-free oats. Although more expensive, you’ll have peace of mind.
What other baking ingredients contain gluten?
To err on the side of caution, it’s best to carefully read labels as even baking ingredients like baking powder, powdered sugar, and corn starches can contain gluten due to cross-contamination. If you have a severe intolerance, purchase gluten-free when possible.
How are gluten-free goods different from regular ones?
To avoid being disappointed, it’s important to completely change your expectations. As these flours don’t contain gluten, they lack the structure and elasticity of traditional recipes. For example, your cupcakes will be more crumbly and might have a different flavor. If you are baking gluten-free and vegan, you’ll notice an even bigger difference as the lack of eggs (the glue in baking) will further contribute to this crumbly texture.
What are some staple gluten-free baking ingredients?
- Rice flour
- Almond flour & almond meal
- Sorghum flour
- Coconut flour
- Chickpea flour
- Buckwheat flour
- Tapioca flour
- Amaranth flour
- Teff flour
- Oat flour
- Gluten-free flour blend (Bob’s Red Mill is great)
- Brown sugar (adds stickiness to minimize crumbling)
- Honey (adds stickiness to minimize crumbling)
- Ground flaxseed (great egg substitute)
- Chia seeds (great egg substitute)
Gluten-Free Bakery
When tackling gluten-free cooking at home, it might take some time to experiment and find the best combination of ingredients that yield fresh, structured yet fluffy baked goods. Don’t give up! The more you bake, the more you’ll learn about the world of gluten-free baking. For days when you don’t want to put in the effort, Bisou Bakehouse has gluten-free alternatives to some of your favorite treats.