what to look for when selecting a baker to make your gluten free cake

I get asked all the time if I make gluten free cakes.  The short answer is no.  The long answer...well...we just don't have the capacity to offer truly gluten free cakes.

Even though I don't offer gluten free cakes, I want to help guide you to make sure you are ordering the right cake for you and your guests.

In order for a cake to be truly gluten free there has to be certainty that there is no cross contamination.  Since the powders of flour and other gluten products can easily blow around a room or stick to a surface if not thoroughly washed, it's best to bake a gluten free cake in a kitchen that does not have other gluten products in them. Baking gluten products in a kitchen that also bakes gluten free products pretty much guarantees there will be cross contamination and a little bit of gluten will mix into your gluten free cake.

How big of an issue is that?  Well, for people who are wanting to avoid gluten for health reasons it's not a big deal.  A little gluten here and there won't hurt much.  But, for those with health issues, like celiac's disease a little gluten can be very serious.

Even if you are wanting a gluten free cake because you are simply trying to be health conscious, make sure it's from a truly gluten free kitchen and not just a bakery that also offers gluten free cakes.  The last thing you want is EMS at your wedding because a guest became ill due to cross contamination. 

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