posted
My wife’s birthday is tomorrow and I have no idea how to make a LD friendly bday cake.
No sugar, grains, dairy, etc. Please help.
any ideas?
Posts: 15 | From Houston, Texas | Registered: Dec 2016
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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- Sweet of you to want to do this but you'd need a season of The Great British Bake Off to get up to speed. It's a lot harder than it may seem to bake a cake without gluten but even more so to bake without some kind of sugar.
I suggest - given the time line - of not making one. The learning curve on these things can take months.
However, there are some other alternatives.
Scones, perhaps, with a no sugar added dazzling fruit jam. Scones may be easy to pull off, GF and all.
If you have a Whole Foods or similar health minded grocery near, you might be able to buy a cake. This can cost a lot so be prepared. And they will be open to helping you with other ideas.
- still - even a
gluten-free, dairy-free [terms to tell the person helping you]
sugar free can mean many different things, indeed
Be Aware, BE VERY AWARE -- That a dietetic cake or any sugar free delights made with any kind of sugar alcohol like erythrotol, xylitol, etc. must be limited to small serving or serious bowel disruption and cramps will happen. I would avoid any sugar alcohols in anything. always.
Stevia is better tolerated but tricky to get amount right.
If there is not enough of some kind of sugar to dissolve and blend with the flours, whatever they be, the texture and consistency can be off.
Coconut flour is naturally sweet but, again, not enough time to learn to bake this yourself.
Years ago, my local Whole Foods had a fabulous and gorgeous COCONUT ALMOND gluten free cookie. I don't know the sweetness content, though.
Maybe you could find a MERINGUE. Coconut would go well with this, too.
If you've made these before, that's a winner and might be able to use STEVIA, vanilla or other condensed extracts (always use real extracts, never "flavors")
-- America's Test Kitchen has good book: THE HOW CAN IT BE GLUTEN FREE COOKBOOK. And this explains it all. That's why I suggest not baking your own with short time unless you want to risk a mess. It takes a long time to figure this out.
Their book is really geared to sugar in cakes, though.
Apple sauce might work for some recipes, though. Be aware that any fruit juice is like processed sugar, so avoid all juices (other than maybe unsweetened cranberry).
Does this mean no "processed sugars" and honey or molasses instead? Does it mean RAW cane sugar? Organic is best.
Buy a cake at Whole Foods but they can be very, very expensive.
Cookies, muffins might be a nice idea. Talk to the bakery people there for idea.
Remember that the degree of enthusiasm and thought put into the gift and some kind activity - maybe even special music or a gift event ticket or plans will help make this memorable.
There might be a frozen dessert that would work.
DARK CHOCOLATE BARS - Equal Exchange makes really good ones. The 88% is very low in sugar and they use RAW sugar, not the fully processed. =
[ 05-21-2018, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- Other things to make this memorable. If she likes to dance, find some of her favorite tunes and DANCE WITH HER.
When I was married had my then-husband ever been willing to dance with me and be open to fun doing so, that would have meant a lot.
Somehow, just being a bit goofy and really getting into the spirit of fun can help make this a very special event.
Special TEA? If she likes TEA, consider HIBISCUS TEA. It's a festive red and very refreshing flower drink. Hot or cold. But - warning - it is like cranberries a bit and needs sweetener. Whole Foods, or similar store would have this
Steep the flower petals in hot water - make condensed - chill and then the concentrate can be added later to cold water, sparking water. Lemon good with it, too.
It's with the LOOSE TEAS. Be careful about tea bags as they often contain "natural flavors" and that can be gluten or other additives. Some brand of tea bags might be okay but be sure nothing processed is added.
SteviaClear / Stevia Drops work well with it. Very well. -
[ 05-21-2018, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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you would need to add Xantham Gum as per chart on back label though, and that's really also a learning curve.
You would add vanilla or cocoa powder, etc. on your own.
Shredded coconut could be added but NOT coconut oil - the chemistry of it does not work with gluten free "flours" -- I made that mistake lots until getting the GF cookbook above. Some oils / fats work better than others.
If she does not "do" butter, Olive Oil might be an option but get advice for the specific kinds of "flours" used. With bean flours the oil can be tricky.
Their blog has some recipes but I've found the "no sugar" thing needs most care in figuring out.
FIguring out how much stevia to add, though, or whatever other sweetener used, Mix it all up WITHOUT EGGS to be able to taste. Only when you have the sweetness to your liking, then add eggs and mix. Do not taste after adding raw eggs. -
[ 05-21-2018, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- AVOID all of these - in even gum or lonzenges. More than a tiny bit can create terrible low bowel pain and bathroom mishaps.
The common sugar alcohols – sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, erythritol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates – are manufactured from cornstarch. Xylitol, another common sugar alcohol, . . .
A better choice for sweetener that is non-caloric: Stevia.
That can be enjoyed seemingly at will. I used to use it in my tea all day long. I've only stopped as I'm not sure it's good to have my brain think there is sweetness on board all the time.
I never had any reactions to it, though and likely just fine for daily use if not all day long. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
That's an interesting request, and understandable!
What about getting creative?
My first image was to spell everything out using healthy organic foods, like use blueberries, cut-up strawberries, etc - I'm assuming she can eat fruit? Like spell out Happy Birthday and her name with the fruits.
Then you need to think of a food base that the fruit can be set on that she can eat and that tastes ok with fruit!
And if you do candles, put them on to make it look as festive as possible.
Something like this, done well, could make a person laugh when they see it, and laughter is healthy medicine!
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I have to admit I eat lots and lots and lots of erythritol. I never get bowel disruption. I do get lots of bowel disruption with malitol and sorbitol and others. FWIW
Posts: 61 | From Lees Summit, MO | Registered: Jun 2017
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posted
Wow, thanks everyone, very useful and helpfu!
She has to stay away from sweet fruits including watermelon but she can do Lily’s sugar free chocolate bars and sugar free coconut ice cream.
I have much to learn about GF baking but did manage a mix with some sugar texture substitute.
Posts: 15 | From Houston, Texas | Registered: Dec 2016
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I was born and raised in Houston. Living in Missouri now. Best of luck to you both!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TX Lyme Mom
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Lyme Husband, Since you live in Houston, there is a nice little family-run restaurant in the Cypress area called Farm to Table (or something very close to that) which offers a delightful menu of natural organic, home-grown and home-cooked meals, including lovely desserts.
We celebrated there and enjoyed a delicious paleo cupcake, which was gluten-free and totally guilt-free. You could call ahead and request that they make this special treat when you make your reservation to eat there for either lunch or dinner. You won't be disappointed, I promise you.
Posts: 4563 | From TX | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
How about that?! A local restaurant referral! Let us know if/when you go!
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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sammy
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It’s her special day, make or purchase her favorite cake!!!
Classic cheesecake would be very tasty & pretty much in line with the rules that some of you all follow. (Unless you are an experienced baker, go to Cheesecake Factory or a nice bakery near your house. The quick recipes are not nearly as good!
Top with fresh berries or some dark chocolate chips & Whip Cream ( real stuff not cool whip).
Tell her Happy Birthday from all of us!!!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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sammy
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If you want to scrap the cake idea, you can focus on a variety of sweet & beautiful seasonal fruit.
You could make a delicious fruit dip so your wife gets to enjoy something special on her birthday.
It’s simple to make. Mix 1 container of marshmallow fluff with 1 block of cream cheese. Just stir them together. You could put some sprinkles or edible flowers on top for fun.
If you are having a few family members celebrating with you, you’ll need to make more dip, at least 3 of each ingredient. If you have a big group, increase to 4 or 5 of each. Just watch, someone will lick that bowel clean before party’s over!!!
And just so you know, I see 1 of our top docs & he doesn’t ask that we follow all those “Lyme Diet” rules. He does extensive testing & evaluations to see how you respond.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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LisaK
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I personally would eat anything on my birthday. except pork which sent me to the ER last time I ate it!
but like was said above, learning to make a very lyme friendly cake- or any thing desesrt-like, can take a long time to get right. if you can go at least most of the ingredients free that are there but maybe not sugar. ? this is a tough one..
I was giong to suggest gluten free , dairy free ice cream??
you can make it inoto a home made ice cream cake with a layer of GF cookie crumbs between! MMMmmmmmm
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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Keebler
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- LymeHusband and Dad,
So glad to hear that you " did manage a mix with some sugar texture substitute."
It's that texture that can really make or break a cake, for sure.
And, as for sticking to the low or no sugar even for her birthday, I'm thrilled to see how important this is for her and that you understand.
Our body chemistry takes no holidays. And even one hour of a sugar load can have serious consequences for weeks to come. Glad to hear the celebration did not derail her train. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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