Mommy Goes Green

My diet is not vegan or gluten-free and it’s definitely not sugar-free but I picked up this BabyCakes recipe book anyway.  The baked goods looked delicious and I am always looking for healthier ways to eat sweet treats. 

The author, Erin McKenna, was diagnosed with wheat and dairy allergies in 2004.  After uninspiring trips to the grocery store to find snacks that met her dietary needs, she decided to make her own.  Erin spent more than a year testing out all types of ingredients and recipes and eventually opened her bakery in New York City, BabyCakes NYC.

BabyCakes starts out with a comprehensive list of kitchen tools needed to bake the recipes and ingredients, complete with the reason behind the use of each ingredient.  For example, “xanthan gum is used in tiny amounts because it gives gluten-free batter viscosity and stickiness.  Without it, your cakes and cookies will fall apart into sad crumbles.”  It also gives advice on ingredient substitution, measurements (“never use clear measuring cups with a spout and handle”) and the difference between spelt and gluten-free.

The recipe book has 8 chapters filled with photos and recipes of delectable treats like chocolate shortbread scones, lemon-poppy teacake, volcanoes, red velvet cupcakes, triple-chocolate fat pants cake and healthy hostess – the healthy version of a Hostess cupcake. 

I’m a novice in the kitchen so I particularly appreciate all the tips woven between recipes such as ‘how to color frosting naturally’, ‘making applesauce and other purees’ and ‘advanced biscuitry’.  Tucked in at the end of the book is a page of resources listing a group of ingredients that BabyCakes NYC uses exclusively.  After all the testing Erin has done, she believes these are the highest quality ingredients to use in her recipes:

• Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
• Omega Nutrition Coconut Oil
• Organic Nectars Agave Nectar
• Gluten-Free Oats
• Temptation Ice Cream
• India Tree
• Singing Dog

Whatever your diet, if you like to bake, this is a great recipe book to have in your kitchen.  You can make any recipe healthier by exchanging traditional ingredients for those recommended.  Erin takes you into her kitchen and shares all her secret tips for making yummy, healthy sweet treats.