Amazing Allergen Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Have you tried Enjoy Life's NEW Crunchy Chocolate Chip handcrafted cookies? Oh...you need to!

When I first found out about Brody's food allergies, I was thankful for Enjoy Life because I knew that their ENTIRE line of products were "safe." It definitely helped make my life easier as I was trying to figure out the world of food allergies. It was also an easy recommendation for others who were dealing with food allergies (even if they are different from ours) because everything is free of the top 8 allergens (wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish).

We have been eating the Enjoy Life cookies (the small soft ones) and they are good...but these NEW cookies? THEY ARE GREAT!!!!! They taste like a "bad for you cookie" without all of the stuff that you don't want. It still amazes and encourages me how something can be free of so many allergens and still taste amazing!

A friend of mine gave some of these new cookies to a non-food allergic child who was over to play with her son who has multiple food allergies. The result? The child kept asking for more! There is something that makes a mom feel good when those who do not have food allergies want what your child is having because it is GOOD.

Go out and grab a box. You won't be disappointed. I even had to try a few just to make sure I REALLY liked them ;)

Thank you Enjoy Life for helping to make my life easy and yummy!!!

Check out the other new crunchy varieties also

Aunt April's Bakery

Aunt April's Bakery is Nashville's very first ALL gluten free bakery. In addition to being gluten free, the products are also soy and dairy free. Some of her options are also vegan. April's heart is to be able to make allergen free treats for any food allergies and is more than willing to accommodate them.

Aunt April's gluten free, vegan (no egg, no dairy) and soy free Heaven Cake is available to purchase at The Wild Cow in Nashville. It is an extremely moist chocolate cake with a creamy, decadent icing.

We had April make the Heaven cake for Brody's 2nd birthday. We ordered a sheet cake so we could cut it up into smaller pieces for the adults and bought cupcakes (also Heaven cake) for the kids. It was a big hit! The adults were going back for seconds and my husband and I had to hide the rest of the cake so we had leftovers. Everyone couldn't believe how many things the cake "didn't have in it", yet it was delicious! Aunt April's also offers seasonal gluten free, soy free, vegan cupcakes at The Wild Cow if you are not in the mood for chocolate or are allergic.

You can also find some of Aunt April's Bakery baked goods (muffins, brownies and cookies) at the Edgehill Cafe.

When you buy Aunt April's baked goods from one of these places, you will find that they are clearly labeled with what is not in it (gluten, dairy, soy, vegan (no milk or eggs), etc.) and you will find a detailed list of ingredients (which I love).

For Thanksgiving, Brody was able to have his first pumpkin pie. April baked a gluten free, egg free, milk free, crustless pie. I was so thrilled that he was able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving treat.

Aunt April's Bakery is going to be opening (hopefully the end of February) inside The Green Wagon near East Nashville. April will offer her delicious baked goods, and will serve lunch, which will include homemade soup and sandwiches. I am so excited about this! How nice to be able to go and grab some yummy treats when you are out and about, or meet up with some friends at a place that really "gets" food allergies.

If you would like Aunt April's Bakery to make something for you special order, give her at least 48 hours to be able to make it just the way you need it!

You can sign up for Aunt April's Bakery VIP Program by sending a text to 56687 and put Aunt April in the body of the text. When you spend $100 over a period of time, you will get $8 back. Also, 5% goes back to a non profit.

Thank you Aunt April's Bakery for sponsoring our January F.A.C.T. meeting! The Heaven cupcakes were fabulous and we loved the baking tips.

Here is one of April's tips for baking egg free:

Substitute for one egg:

2 tsp of flaxseed meal

3 Tbsp boiling water

Mix together and then let sit for about 10 minutes. The end result will be a egg-like consistency.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact April. She is more than happy to answer your questions!

Aunt April's Bakery

615-568-0028

april@auntaprilsbakery.com

www.auntaprilsbakery.com

Buddy Fruits-Pure Blended Fruit To Go

Obviously, eating fresh fruit is the way to go....but sometimes you want to give your kids a "treat", need something fun to keep them happy while you are out and about, or a new idea to help them eat more fruit. Buddy Fruits are perfect!

Buddy Fruits....Pure fruit and absolutely nothing else. All natural, no added sugar

No preservatives

No colorings

No additives

No fat

No genetic modification

No water added

No dairy or gluten

Nothing artificial

Only few calories

Only fruit and nothing else!

And they are allergen free!

Fun Info: 1 pouch equals 1 serving of fruit. It is recommended that we eat 7-13 servings of fresh, raw, fruits and vegetables every day. A serving is about the size of your fist.

Buddy Fruits

Easy to carry anytime and anywhere

-fits in pockets, lunch boxes, etc. It is very flexible.

No spoon, No mess

Re-sealable! Cap fits back on tightly

-LOVE THIS! Put the cap back on, and save the rest for later. How convenient?

Baking Idea- use them to add more nutrition and flavor to muffins, pancakes, etc and make them moist at the same time. Just squeeze the amount of fruit you want into your mix and then put the cap back on, put it in your refrigerator and save the rest for next time.

Where to buy Buddy Fruits

Power of Fruit-Frozen Fruit Bars

With almost 100 degree temps around here, we have been beating the heat with cold treats!

When I saw the Power of Fruit-Frozen Fruit Bars and read the ingredients, I was in LOVE! I am a label reader (as I am sure many of you are), and to see just fruit, fruit concentrate and water with no added sugar, colors or preservatives...I knew this was a product that I could feel good about letting my kids indulge in and wanted to share with you.

Because they are made of just fruit, they are also Allergen Free!

Power of Fruit™ Bars are purely delicious fresh fruit, frozen. Unlike other frozen fruit bars that claim to be natural, we have no 6-syllable ingredients or laboratory additives that would disqualify us from a spelling bee.

We blend whole fruits like strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, mangoes, pineapples and bananas together with just a little all-natural juice concentrate and water. That's it. Just don't tell your kids a bar is equivalent to ½ a daily fruit serving.

Stay Cool, Healthy and Allergen Free!

YummyEarth...Treats You Can Feel Good About...

Yummy Earth is founded and run by two dads who wanted to share yummy treats with their children with no chemical colors, artificial flavors, corn syrup or anything they wouldn't be proud to cook with at home for their families, including GMO's.



You can feel safe YummyEarth Organic Fruit Lollipops are:

• Certified Organic
• No Artificial Dyes
• 100% Natural Flavors
• Real Fruit Extracts
• No Corn Syrup
• Casein-free
• 100% Vegan
• GMO-Free
• Nut-free
• Soy-free
• Wheat-free
• Dairy-free

SO....they are Allergen Free...isn't this great?

They proudly handcraft 21 delicious flavors with real fruit extracts and are just as proud of what is in YummyEarth as what is not; in fact, they even use organic black carrots and organic pumpkin for fabulous color!



Some of YummyEarth's intense fruit flavors are mango tango, pomegranate pucker, tooberry blueberry and wet-fact watermelon. Not only are these flavors tasty, the names have to make you smile.



The Ingredients on YummyEarth Organic Fruit Lollipops are:

Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Tapioca Syrup , and/or Organic Rice Syrup, Citric Acid (from beet sugar) Natural Flavors, may contain Organic Black Carrots, Organic Black Currant, Organic Apple, Organic Carrot, Organic Pumpkin

YummyEarth has also has the first ever real USDA organic Gummy Bears and Worms!

I have to tell you that I am not a huge gummy bear fan, but these were packed full of fruit flavor. Click HERE for the gummy bear/worm ingredients

The Gummy Bears/Worms are

• 
  
  Certified Organic
• 
  
  No Artificial Dyes
• 
  
  No Corn Syrup
• 
  
  Tree-nut Free
• 
  
  Real Fruit Extracts
• 
  
  100% Natural Flavors
• 
  
  Gluten Free
• 
  
  Peanut Free
• 
  
  Soy-Free
• 
  
  Dairy-Free
• 
  
  GMO-Free
• 
  
  No MSG

Where to buy YummyEarth: Available at Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Whole Foods, Shop Rite, Publix, Meijer, LeGourmet Chef, Stop & Shop, buybuyBaby, Marriott hotels, Earth Fare, HEB, Disney World, Wegmans, Amazon.com, Harry and David, Smoothie King, Sprouts, Borders Books, health food stores, and supermarkets.

I was in Jason's Deli the other day, and they had YummyEarth lollipops near the cash register to take for FREE. What a nice treat!

Candy That Is Not Full of Junk? Check out Surf Sweets

Recently, I was given the opportunity to sample some Surf Sweets products and I have to tell you, I am impressed! My favorite part is seeing what is NOT on the label (dyes, high fructose corn syrup, etc.). I tried jelly beans, gummy bears, sour berry bears and sour worms (my children and husband willingly helped sample them also). All of the treats were delicious, but my favorite were the sour berry bears and the sour worms (I love sour stuff). I like that I can have any surf sweets product and not feel guilty about "junk" being in them.

And what did the kids think? They LOVED them! As a mom to a child with food allergies, it is so nice to be able to give my son a safe treat, that tastes great. I read where another allergy mom said that her goal is for all of the non-allergic kids to want what her food allergic child is eating. I just love this concept! I know this is the case with Surf Sweet products.

Thank you Surf Sweets for your tasty, safe, treats!

• Made with Organic Fruit Juice & Sweeteners
• Natural Colors and Flavors
• Free of Corn Syrups and GMO's
• Made in a nut free facility
• Gluten Free

Where to buy Surf Sweets

kateelayne is giving away their "Pull-Apart" cakes

At kateelayne, our goal is to bring a smile to the face of those affected by food allergies. In light of last week's devastating flood, that isn't so easy to do. It is especially not easy for those in our community who may be celebrating a birthday or special occasion. Over the next couple weeks, if you or someone you know has a food allergy and was affected by the flood, kateelayne would like to extend the offer of a free cake for that occasion.Please contact us at 615.942-8433 or carefreetreats@kateelayne.com

FOOD ALLERGY AWARNESS WEEK

May 9-15

Place an order with kateelayne and receive one dozen complimentary CINNADOODLES with your purchase in honor of those affected by food restrictions. Enjoy the Cinnadoodles yourself or pass them on to share a smile!

Fruit Kabobs

I saw the most delicious looking fruit kabobs in one of the (free) magazines that I get. I knew I wanted to post about it, and now I cannot find it anywhere. So frustrating :)

Fruit Kabobs would be a great addition to an Easter Brunch, or even as an appetizer or fun dessert for Easter Dinner.

The fruit kabob recipe that I wanted to share with you was made with strawberries, pineapple and kiwi. The colors looked "spring-like".

Why I like Fruit Kabobs?

• They are easy to make


• You can be creative with the kinds of fruits your family likes


• The kids could help put them together and even learn about making patterns


• There is something about putting fresh fruit on a skewer that makes you want to pick one up and eat it.


• It's a healthful snack/dessert

Directions

-cut up the assortment of fruit that you are going to use

-stick them on a wooden skewer or kabob stick

-arrange on a plate or even have them sticking out of a tall glass or vase

Trader Joe's Organic Pops

I am excited about Trader Joe's Organic Pops (a friend of mine told me about them...thanks Katrina). They are similar to Yummy Earth in the fact that they do not have artificial colors/dyes, are flavored with natural flavors and they are allergen free.

There are 25 lollipops in the container (5 of each flavor), which costs $2.99 (these are less expensive than Yummy Earth) and the flavors that you get are watermelon, pomegranate, orange, lemon and raspberry.

-Fat free

-No gluten ingredients used

-Parve

-Kosher

-Certified Organic

Ingredients: organic evaporated cane juice (sugar), organic tapioca syrup, citric acid, natural flavors (watermelon, pomegranate, orange oil, lemon oil, raspberry), vegetable color (red cabbage, purple carrots, turmeric, annatto)

*Yummy Earth even says on their website that they are big fans of Trader Joe's Pops and Drops and that if you live near a Trader Joe's you should try some.

FiddleCakes: Bakery.Cafe.Coffee

FiddleCakes sponsored our FACTS meeting the other night and brought delicious Vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (they were divine!), gluten free brownies, regular chocolate chip cookies and other treats for us to sample. Everything was yummy and moist!

FiddleCakes offers a variety of Vegan and Gluten Free baked good daily (they can even make cakes upon request...this is wonderful for us allergy moms), and Vegan and Gluten Free sandwiches, soups and salads are available upon request. They said they can accommodate any request that you may have (this is SO great!) Check out the menu on their website.

Besides being Allergy Friendly, they use local and organic ingredients (love this!)

FiddleCakes is located in the historic 8th Avenue district, an area largely known for its antique malls and thrift stores. If you haven't discovered this neighborhood yet, you are missing out! Come in for a treat and take a look around.

Fiddle Cakes Offers

• Vegan and Gluten-Free Offerings



• One-Stop shop for coffee, food and baked goods



• local and organic ingredients



• specialty dog treats



• gifts and party supplies



• free Wi-Fi

FiddleCakes

2206 8th Ave. South Nashville, TN

615-457-2127 (if you need additional information regarding allergy concerns, give them a call)

http://www.fiddlecakes.com/

Monday-Friday 7-pm/Saturday 8-2pm/Closed Sunday

Strawberry Icing

Strawberries and Valentine's Day...a perfect match. Here is a recipe for strawberry icing. You can put this on a safe cupcake (here's a recipe for a safe chocolate cupcake that using a can of pumpkin) or cake. Pink and Perfect! Top with a fresh strawberry and you have a yummy looking treat!

Strawberry Icing

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Ingredients
1/2 cup safe butter (like Earth's Best)
1 16 oz box confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup mashed strawberries (you can use fresh or frozen)
*add rice (or soy milk) to thin it out if necessary

Directions
Mix butter and confectioner's sugar together until smooth. Add rice or soy milk if you need to thin it out. Add strawberries, spread on cupcakes or cake.


*If you have leftovers, put it in a freezer bag and freezer for later. When needed, pull out of the freezer, let it defrost and use what you need. Put the rest back in the freezer for later use.

Allergen Free Cupcake...Ready to go!

1 previously frozen allergen free cupcake

+ previously frozen homemade frosting

= ready to go to a birthday party!

We were invited to go to a birthday party and I had everything ready in my freezer to pull out a safe dessert for Brody. Quick and Easy....

• I had a batch of previously frozen chocolate cupcakes made with pumpkin (allergen free)

Allergen Free Cupcake

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Ingredients

Any cake mix you like and that is safe for your family

1 can of 100% pure pumpkin

Directions

Mix ingredients and bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes

• I had a batch of homemade frosting that I had made and froze in a freezer bag. I just defrosted it a few hours before the party and took out what I needed to frost the cupcake and threw it back in the freezer. Ready to go for next time!

Buttercream Icing (recipe from Sophie-Safe Cooking)

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Ingredients

1/4 cup Earth Balance
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp rice milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
Beat margarine with a mixer. Add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and mix well. Add rice milk and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add enough of the remaining powdered sugar to make the frosting a good consistency for spreading.

• Throw some sprinkles on that allergen free cupcake and you are good to go! I put it in a small Tupperware container so it didn't get messed up and Brody was able to eat along with the other kids, and I wasn't in the kitchen making ONE cupcake for him to have at a party.

*Did you know that Whole Foods has sprinkles that do not have dyes in them but are colored with natural colorings (example: beet juice for red/pink sprinkles)? These are found in the bakery. They make them right there. I was told not to apply the sprinkles liberally because if there are too many you can taste the natural coloring. I think this is AWESOME!

Allergen Free Treats

At our FACTS meeting last week, we were able to sample delicious cookies and cupcakes from Kateelayne Carefree Treats. The cookies were shaped like hearts (perfect for Valentine's day) and were beautifully decorated (made me feel like a kid again...who doesn't want to eat a heart shaped cookie?) Not only are the treats absolutely adorable to look at, but they taste delicious.

I PROMISE you would not be able to tell the difference if you had a regular treat or this allergen free treat next to one another (except Kateelayne's treats are much healthier since they do not have trans fat).

These treats are perfect to purchase for birthday parties, school parties or just to have in the freezer if you are invited somewhere where unsafe treats will be served. You or your child will not feel left out with these beautifully decorated, delicious treats (and they are so moist)!

All of the treats are made in a dedicated facility that is always peanut, dairy, egg, and nut free (there are also GLUTEN FREE cookies). Brody and I sampled they Gluten Free cookies and they are wonderful! My non-allergic three year old had one also and LOVED it!

It is so nice that we have a local business like Kateelayne Carefree Treats that is so forward thinking in the treats that they make.

Valentine's day is will be here before you know it!

Go over HERE and check out the website

Kateelayne Carefree Treats

998 B Davidson Road
Nashville TN 37205

Phone:615-942-8433

Fax:615-942-8472

Email: carefreetreats@kateelayne.com

Chicken Cupcake

We recently celebrated Brody's 1 year birthday. Since I couldn't buy the cake with coordinating smash cake at Publix (boo hoo!), I made him a chicken cupcake. He was a chicken for Halloween, a chicken would be fun and I thought I could pull it off. I was happy with the result and he had a smile (and lots of frosting and chocolate) on his face.

Cupcake
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake (you could use any cake mix you like)
1 can of 100% pure pumpkin
Mix ingredients and bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes

Frosting
Safe Buttercream Icing Recipe
*I left most of the icing white for the chicken and pulled out a little to color red, brown and yellow
*To color the icing,I used Wilton 8 Icing Color Concentrated gel-won't thin icing (bought at Michaels with a 50% off coupon)
-used red for the crest, yellow for the beak and legs/feet and brown for the eyes

Decorating the Chicken
To make the chicken look 3-D, I cut large marshmallows (see picture) and placed them onto the cupcake then dipped a toothpick into the colored icing to decorate the crest, eyes, beak and legs/feet

Safe and Cute...Mission Accomplished.

The Secret Ingredient for Moist Allergen Free Cupcakes or Muffins

I love to bake, but without being able to use egg, I have found it difficult. Egg replacer doesn't like me and I feel like I waste ingredients/time when my product turns out yucky or inedible.

The other day, I spoke to a friend of mine who has two older children who are allergic to egg. She told me that when she makes cupcakes for her kids (when she has to bake them for school parties, etc.), that she buys the box of cake mix (any cake mix) and adds a can of pumpkin...that's it! How easy is that? And a healthy option, in my opinion...LOVE IT!

I couldn't wait to get home to make them! YUM! They are great!

Ingredients
Any cake mix that is safe for your family

1 15 oz can of 100% Pure Pumpkin (I used Libby's)

*The spice cake mix/pumpkin makes yummy "breakfast" muffins and of course the chocolate makes yummy cupcakes. Check out this safe buttercream icing recipe.

Directions

Mix cake mix and pumpkin together in a large bowl. Pour into muffin tin and bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes.

*These are very moist. We had some friends over the other night and they thought they were great! So, even if you do not have food allergies, try this recipe!

Tip: Regular size muffins fall apart a little bit, but I have found if you make them into mini muffins (if you do not need cupcakes), they do not fall apart and are easy for little kids and adults alike to pop in their mouth :) Just bake for less time (probably about 8-9 minutes).

I have been STOCKING UP on Pumpkin. Last week, it was on sale at Walgreen's for $1 a can, which is a SMOKIN' deal and I saw that Walmart has it for $1.34. Until our egg allergy goes away, we will be using pumpkin in our muffins/cupcakes, so I figure stock up when it is on sale.

Word World Cupcakes

Word World Friends

Pig

Monkey

Frog

It's challenging to make everyone happy when you have a child that has food allergies and everyone else at the party can eat "regular" dessert. My non-food allergic 3 year old loves the PBS show Word World, so I made him some cupcakes for his birthday that represented some of the characters (frog, pig and monkey).

After my serving the Safe Nemo Cake to my non-food allergic family at the family birthday party, and everyone thought that it looked better than it tasted; I decided to make two safe cupcakes for Brody and I and make regular cupcakes for everyone else. I am officially baked out! AND I am gearing up for Brody's first birthday at the beginning of November...that means more cupcakes...regular and safe :)

The monkey and the pig are not allergen free because of ingredients used to decorate them, but the frog can be allergen free (and it was for Brody and I)

My biggest problem with the Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Dream Chocolate Cake Mix (it is egg, milk, wheat and peanut free) when I made the Safe Nemo Cake, was that it was not as moist (in my opinion) as regular cake...so, with this batch of cupcakes (the box makes 12), I used applesauce instead of the oil that it says to use on the box. I would have to make a cake using this substitute to really compare, but I thought the cupcakes were more moist.

Everyone enjoyed their regular cupcakes and Brody and I were content with our allergy free ones....plus, they were just as cute :)

What you need to get started making these cupcakes:

-1 container of pastel baking cups

-I made 24 cupcakes from 1 box of yellow cake mix (follow directions on box)

(This made 8 frogs, 8 monkeys and 8 pigs)-these were not allergen free

-I made 12 cupcakes using the CherryBrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dream Chocolate Cake Mix, decorated two frogs for Brody and I and froze the rest for later use

-I made 2 batches of Safe Buttercream Icing so that I would be able to use some of the icing on the safe cupcakes that I made for Brody and I (I split the icing up into four bowls and colored some pink (for the pigs), green (for the frogs), brown (for animals faces) and red (accent on the animals faces). You will need more pink and green icing. The brown and the red are just for accenting the faces, so you will not need as much.

-I bought one container of store bought chocolate frosting (bought for .50 on sale and had a coupon)-they DO have frosting that does not contain milk ingredients.

-I bought the Wilton 8 Icing Color Concentrated Gel (used pink, green, brown, and red)

-I bought the Wilton 12 Piece Cupcake Decorating Kit to be able to decorate the eyes, mouths, tongue etc. on the animals

-I bought a Wilton Cupcakes' N More 13 Count Small Dessert Stand. It was the perfect way to display the Word World Cupcakes.

*The stuff I bought at Michael's and JoAnn's was bought with 40 or 50% off coupons. You can sign up at both stores online and they will e-mail you coupons OR you can find coupons in your Sunday paper. NEVER pay full price at these stores :)

Pigs

8 pink pastel baking cups

8 cupcakes (from the box of yellow cake mix)

Safe Buttercream Icing colored pink using Wilton gel Colors

Wilton Candy Melts in Pink (buy at Michael's or JoAnn's)-for the nose: use one whole one candy melt. For the ears: cut one candy melt in half

Brown frosting for the lines on the nose and the eyes (you need a tip and a decorator bag)

Monkeys

8 pastel baking cups (whatever color you want)

8 cupcakes (from the box of yellow cake mix)

1 container of store bought chocolate frosting (they do have ones without milk ingredients)

1 box of vanilla wafers (you will use 2 vanilla wafers per cupcake, so you will need 16 total. Use a whole vanilla wafer for the nose and use a serrated knife to cut a vanilla wafer in half to make the ears)

16 cheerios to make the eyes

Brown icing to decorate the nose (use a tip and bag)

Red icing to make the mouth (use a tip and bag)

Frogs

8 green pastel baking cups

8 cupcakes (from the box of yellow cake mix)

Safe Buttercream Icing colored green using Wilton gel colors

Large Marshmallows, you will need 8 marshmallows. Cut them in 1/2 to make the eyes

Brown icing for the eyes and the mouth (need a tip and bag)

Red icing for the tongue (need a tip and bag)

I couldn't watch everyone eat these cute cupcakes without having one myself and watching Brody enjoy one, so I baked a box of 12 cupcakes from the CherryBrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dream Chocolate Cake Mix. I iced and decorated two Frogs and put the rest of the cupcakes (not iced) in a freezer bag, and put them in the freezer for the next time there is a celebration. There was even safe green and pink icing left over, which I also froze. I read that if you let it thaw, it will taste just as good as when you made it. SCORE! I already have allergen free cupcakes essentially ready to go!

Allergen Free Frogs

1 box of CherryBrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dream Chocolate Cake Mix (made 12 chocolate cupcakes, decorated two and froze the rest for next celebration or craving)

Safe Buttercream Icing colored green using Wilton Gel Colors

Marshmallows cut in half to make the eyes

Brown icing for the eyes and the mouth
Red icing for the tongue

These were time consuming to make, but I was pleased with the outcome and honestly, it was all worth it to see my 3 year old smiling when he saw them and see Brody making a mess eating his allergen free frog cupcake.

CherryBrook Kitchen Cake Mix Review

Brody's first time having cake...practicing for his birthday!

Last week, I made a Safe Nemo Cake using CherryBrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dream Chocolate Cake Mix and Safe Buttercream icing. I served this cake at our family party and everyone was impressed with how nice the cake looked. I was hoping the same would hold true for how it tasted (I was keeping my fingers crossed). The consensus from the adults (who do not have any food allergies) was that it had a distinct taste (different they said) and they thought it was not as moist as regular cake (ok...I will give them that).

I, on the other hand, was just SO thrilled to eat some type of dessert and to watch Brody eat safe cake that maybe I was not as critical. I have to agree that it was not as moist as I would prefer, but I didn't think the flavor was bad. I have been eating products that are made with different ingredients due to having to eliminate milk, eggs, peanuts and wheat, so maybe I am used to that "distinct" taste now?

My husband said it is his favorite cake...but I think he must have been hungry or trying to make me feel good since he knew how expensive the cake mix was ($4.99 a box and I had to use two boxes) and how hard we worked to plan, bake and decorate a safe cake :)

In regards to the frosting, it was great! Honestly....REALLY GOOD! My mother-in-law doesn't like really sweet buttercream frosting and she said if she ever wants to make cake with buttercream frosting, she will use this recipe because she didn't think it was as sweet (maybe because of the Earth Balance Buttery Spread used? I am not sure?). It did take a little more Wilton Color Concentrated Gel than usual (in my opinion), because the Earth Balance Buttery Spread seems to be a little more yellow than regular butter.

I think next time, the family would prefer that I make a regular cake and also make cupcakes that are safe for Brody and I. I had high hopes for the cake, again...it wasn't horrible, but obviously people weren't as excited about it as I was (half of the cake was left over, and this is not normal for my family of 9 adults and 2 children). If you have to have an allergen free cake, it will do and I am sure you or your child will be happy since there are not many options.

I made cupcakes using the same CherryBrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dream Chocolate Cake Mix the next day and varied the recipe a little and thought it turned out a little bit more moist than this one....will post it with pics...

I need to get this cake issue figured out since we will be celebrating Brody's birthday in a little over a month :)

Safe Nemo Birthday Cake

My non-allergic son is celebrating his 3rd birthday tomorrow and I wanted to make a cake that Brody and I could enjoy too. This is my first attempt at making something "important" that is safe. I am excited about how it turned out (visually). I will let you know what it tastes like...

Cake

2 boxes of Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dream Chocolate Cake Mix

-vegetable oil

-water

-vanilla extract

(follow the directions on box)

*2 boxes made a 2 layer cake

*I found this was cheapest at Target for $4.99 a box

Buttercream Icing (recipe from Sophie-Safe Cooking)

1/4 cup Earth Balance Buttery Stick

2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp rice milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat margarine with a mixer. Add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and mix well. Add rice milk and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add enough of the remaining powdered sugar to make the frosting a good consistency for spreading.

*recipe was doubled to frost both layers

To color the frosting I used Wilton 8 Icing Color Concentrated gel-won't thin icing (bought at Michaels with a 50% off coupon)

-used blue to make the ocean color.

Decorations

Dori and Nemo are cake toppers that double as bath squirt toys

Ocean plants are made out of fruit leather that we cut into the shapes we wanted

Yellow sugar sprinkles to make the "sand"