At a recent Celiac Bay Area potluck one of our members brought some yummy yellow cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting. It turned out she was one of the first in our area to score the new Betty Crocker mixes (at Nob Hill grocery, for you locals) and so she brought some cupcakes for the group to try. My non GF DH was extremely enthused and kept stealing them- and I thought they were pretty tasty as well. Later on I made some blueberry cupcakes with the mix, and I found that while the texture is good they really aren’t kidding about the vanilla. Add it or the mix is a tad bland. Nevertheless, with gluten-free cake texture is half the battle and my DH proclaimed them indistinguishable from the “real” thing. Buy Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix on Amazon

We tried the Betty Crocker Gluten-free Devil’s Food Cake mix second, after we’d tried the yellow cake mix. As it happens, I don’t especially like chocolate cake, or devil’s food cake, and so it wasn’t especially exciting to me. The texture was good, though, and the DH seemed to enjoy it slathered in prepared chocolate frosting. I probably wouldn’t buy this again, but if you like chocolate cake or devil’s food cake… or chocolate cupcakes, this may be the mix for you. Buy Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil’s Food Cake Mix on Amazon

The third Gluten-Free Betty Crocker mix we tried was the brownie mix. I’ve had my share of gluten-free brownie mixes in the past, from Gluten-Free pantry or Pamela’s, and I enjoyed them. This mix is equal to those specialty mixes, although it must be said that it is a very sweet mix. In fact, the first ingredient is sugar. We had no trouble polishing this batch off, and I would buy it again although I might not buy a whole case of it as I somehow don’t think that would be compatible with losing post-pregnancy inches. Buy Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix on Amazon

The one gluten-free mix we couldn’t find at our local Nob hill was the Betty Crocker mix for chocolate chip cookies. Cookies are actually my favorite sweet- I prefer them by far to cake or cupcakes or even brownies, and so I was sad not to be able to try it. Luckily, the PR company representing Betty Crocker contacted me and offered me a sample pack of the four mixes and so I was able to get the mix after all. The DH mixed up the batch. One funny thing about these Betty Crocker mixes is that the DH has been more enthused/less intimidated by the package and so has been baking more with them than he ever had with regular gluten-free mixes. One more advantage to a mix offered by a mainstream company like Betty Crocker- family members may be more receptive and willing to mix it up for you (and them) to enjoy! The DH did make some grumbly comments about not really needing a mix for cookies- and I do see his point. After all, we’ve been happily making the recipe on the Tollhouse chocolate chip package for years just subbing rice flour or Betty Hagman’s gourmet blend for the flour (no xanthan gum needed). However, with that recipe you need to have chocolate chips on hand, and with a mix you can just add a few commonly held ingredients and have cookies anytime. I thought the cookies were excellent and just as good as our Tollhouse versions, if not better. The DH was slightly less enthused- but that didn’t stop him from gobbling them up! I would buy this mix again, although a case might be a bit too much temptation (and calories) for a new momma.
Buy Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix on Amazon

The fun thing about these mixes, besides how easy it is to prepare them, is that you can use them for those traditional “box mix” recipes. There are some very fun recipes on the Betty Crocker web page using these mixes:

Bette Crocker Gluten-Free Mix Recipes
(including Banana Muffins, Brownie Ganache Torte with Raspberries, and Gluten-free Carrot Cake)

I’d like to host a contest at my blog over the next week- starting today, July 30th, and closing on August 6th. The winner will receive a Betty Crocker “Sweet Treats” prize pack that includes all four (4) samples of the dessert mixes, two (2) Free coupons for any of the varieties, a grocery tote bag, magnetic grocery list and pen. (Prize pack depicted above.) Unfortunately only US residents are eligible as Betty Crocker is not available in Canada or other international locations and this is a company sponsored contest. To enter, simply share the URL of your favorite (non-GF) recipe using a baking box mix (yellow cake, chocolate cake, brownie, or cookie mix) or type the recipe in the recipe in the comments below. Please share any credits. (Do not use any of the Bette Crocker recipes from their web site- the goal is to come up with some new options.) Ideally this would be an original recipe, but an old family favorite (credited to author) is welcome too. I will select one recipe to make in my kitchen, adapting for the Bette Crocker mixes, and the reader who submitted that recipe will then receive the Sweet Treats Prize Pack. To make it fair, I will read the recipes to my DH, who will choose the recipe that sounds the most appealing to him “blind” (without knowing who submitted them.) Looking forward to seeing your recipes!

Our contest is over, but Gluten-free Steve has a current thread of Betty Crocker GF Mix recipes – check them out and share your ideas!

How was it? We all unanimously loved the taste of the flourless chocolate cake. I decided to make it as a small cupcake, a mini cake round, and as a large cake- with the result that each of these cakes was on the petite side. I loved being able to cut the large cake into either large, generous cake servings for friends or miniature fudge-type style servings for my personal chocolate needs. The cupcake was delightfully fluffy and (if it lasts that long) ideal for wrapping in plastic wrap and freezing for an emergency chocolate fix. I enjoyed the Badam ice cream, as did the DH, but perversely I wanted to try it as a hot beverage with lowfat milk. I know, I’m so difficult. However, the ice cream complimented the cake beautifully and was certainly a protein powerhouse with all the nuts, eggs, and dairy. (All of this is calorie-free, don’t you know…)

For the record:
The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE’s blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.
We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.

Check out my other completed Daring Baker Challenges:
GF Lemon Vanilla Tuiles with Vanilla Custard
GF Yule Log
GF Vegan Pizza
GF Eclairs
GF Danish
GF DF Cheesecake Pops
GF Vegan Party Cake

Daring Bakers Valentino Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe Dessert  Dairy  French

Ingredients Preparation Time: 20 minutes 16 ounces (1 pound) (454 grams) of semisweet chocolate chips combined with bittersweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons (146 grams total) of unsalted butter 5 large eggs separated Directions 1. Put chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water) and melt, stirring often. 2. While your chocolate butter mixture is cooling. Butter your pan and line with a parchment circle then butter the parchment. 3. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites and put into two medium/large bowls. 4. Whip the egg whites in a medium/large grease free bowl until stiff peaks are formed (do not over-whip or the cake will be dry). 5. With the same beater beat the egg yolks together. 6. Add the egg yolks to the cooled chocolate. 7. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and follow with remaining 2/3rds. Fold until no white remains without deflating the batter. {link of folding demonstration} 8. Pour batter into prepared pan, the batter should fill the pan 3/4 of the way full, and bake at 375F/190C 9. Bake for 25 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 140F/60C. Note � If you do not have an instant read thermometer, the top of the cake will look similar to a brownie and a cake tester will appear wet. 10. Cool cake on a rack for 10 minutes then unmold. Notes February�s challenge is a Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Valentino, inspired by Malaysia�s �most flamboyant food ambassador�, Chef Wan. Recipe comes from Sweet Treats by Chef Wan

Rating:  9 Original Source:  Daring Baker Challenge, Chef Wan of Sweet Treats Recipe ID:  1369 Added:  February 27, 2009 Last Modified:  February 27, 2009

Indian Badam Milk Ice Cream Recipe Dessert  Dairy  Indian

Ingredients 1 1/4 cups 2% Milk 1 tsp cardamom seeds 4 large egg yolks 6 tbsp sugar 1 tsp cornstarch 1 1/4 cups Heavy Cream 1/2 cup almonds 1/2 cup pistachios 2 to 3 tsp. rose water Directions 1. Pour the milk into a heavy based saucepan, add the cardamom and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and leave for 15 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. Strain out cardamon and bring the milk back to the boil. 2. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a bowl until the mixture is thick and foamy. 3. Gradually pour in the hot milk, whisking constantly. Grind your nuts to a paste with a little milk and add to the warm milk with the rose water. Return the mixture to the pan and cook over a gentle hear, stirring all the time 4. When the custard thickens and is smooth, pour it back into the bowl. Cool it then chill. 5. By Using and Ice Cream Maker: *Stir the cream into the custard and churn the mixture until thick (follow instructions on your ice cream maker). You will probably need to put in the freezer to firm up for a few hours after churning, unless you have a better ice cream maker than mine. Notes *If I were to make this again, i would try adding the nut paste LATER, possibly either to the cream at the end OR at the last 5 minutes of stirring in the ice cream maker. Also, I like the flavors, but the milk was a bit rich for me. I was afraid a lower fat milk would result in icy ice cream, but think I’d try it next time..

Rating:  6 Original Source:  Basic instructions from Ice Cream Book by Joanna Farrow and Sara Lewis, Basam ingredients my own. Recipe ID:  1370 Added:  February 27, 2009 Last Modified:  February 28, 2009