Baking without gluten and dairy can seem like a daunting task, especially if it's all new to you, but with the right knowledge and techniques it can be a delicious and rewarding experience. Whether you have dietary restrictions or simply want to explore new culinary horizons, here are some essential tips to ensure your gluten and dairy-free bakes are a sweet success.
1.Invest in Good Quality Gluten-Free Flour
Start with a reliable gluten-free flour blend that combines different gluten-free flours to mimic the texture and structure of wheat flour. Look for blends that are specifically designed for baking, as they often contain added ingredients like xanthan gum to improve texture and save you having to buy these as an additional ingredient. We love the flour blends from Doves Farm's Freee range - you can find these in most high street supermarkets, and they have different blends for nearly every type of bake you might be after!
2.Experiment with Nut and Seed Flours
Almond flour, coconut flour and hazelnut flour are some of our favourite substitutes to experiment with in different recipes - they add some unique flavours to your bakes, and help to keep your cakes moist too!
Almond flour and hazelnut flour can be substituted on a 1:1 basis (although they're heavier than regular flour, so you may need to experiment with adding extra raising agent if needed for your recipe). Coconut flour on the other hand is incredibly absorbent, so you need much less - start off with 25g of coconut flour per 100g of regular flour that the recipe calls for, and add a little extra if needed to get the right consistency.
3.Use Dairy-Free Milk Alternatives
Swap out dairy milk for almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. These alternatives work well in most recipes, can all be used on a 1:1 swap ratio, and offer a range of flavours and textures - it's all about experimenting to find out which you like best.
4.Embrace Nut Butter and Coconut Oil
Instead of swapping butter out for margarine, why not try using dairy-free alternatives like coconut oil or nut butter (almond or cashew are our favourites!). These usually work on a 1:1 swap ratio basis, but may need a bit of experimenting to get the exact texture that you're after.
5.Incorporate Xanthan Gum Sparingly
Xanthan gum is a common additive in gluten-free baking to improve texture. It's worth experimenting with if the flour you're using doesn't have it added in already, but make sure to use it sparingly as it can make your baked goods gummy if you use too much.
6.Balance Sweeteners
Explore natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar. Not only do they add sweetness, but also unique flavours to your creations and work really well with gluten-free bakes.
Recommended substitutions are roughly:
1 cup sugar to 3/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup sugar to 2/3 cup honey
1 cup sugar to 1 cup coconut sugar
Maple syrup and honey can make the batter seem too wet, which can then affect the quality of the bake - so it can be worth experimenting with reducing the amount of liquid added to the recipe by 1-2 tbsp per 1 cup of syrup or honey used.
7.Experiment with Egg Replacements
Looking to make your bakes entirely vegan rather than just dairy-free? Flaxseed or chia seed 'eggs', applesauce, and mashed bananas can replace eggs in recipes - and work particularly well in cookies or muffins.
Recommended substitutions are roughly:
1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg
1 tbsp chia seed + 2.5 tbsp water = 1 egg
(For either of these, make sure to mix well and leave to rest for 5 minutes before adding in)
60g (1/4 cup) apple sauce = 1 egg
1 small banana = 1 egg
8.Mix and Rest
Gluten-free batters and dough often benefit from extra mixing and resting time to allow the flours to hydrate fully. However, if you're following a 'regular' recipe for something like donuts and swapping things out for gluten-free - try only proving once. The second proof often doesn't make much difference, and sometimes will actually limit the donut's ability to rise when made with gluten-free flour.
9.Be Patient
Gluten-free and dairy-free baking may require a bit of trial and error. Don't get discouraged if things don't go quite to plan straight away. Instead, embrace the learning process and soon you'll be baking yummy treats that everyone can enjoy!
We hope these tips help to start you off on a gluten and dairy-free baking journey that creates some delicious bakes for you! Happy baking!
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