Happy Friday! Today I’m featuring a guest post from blogger Naomi Shaw of Family, Fun & Freelancing. Naomi is a stay-at-home mom in Southern California. After being a stay-at-home mom for seven years she works full-time as a freelance writer. She enjoys blogging about food and healthy eating providing insight, advice and more! She hopes you enjoy this article.
Delicious Gluten-Free Dessert Ideas For Chocolate Lovers by Naomi Shaw
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein that is found in specific foods, including wheat- and grain-based products. Basically, it acts like a glue, giving these foods elasticity. Gluten is the reason why bread is so chewy, for example. Common foods that contain gluten include rice, cereal, bread and any other type of food that contains grain or wheat.
Why Gluten-Free?
Some people have difficulty digesting gluten. This condition is known as Celiac disease, and it can have some very unpleasant side effects, including decreased calcium levels, an increased risk of cancer, irritable bowels and other types of autoimmune diseases. It is because of this condition that the gluten-free diet came into the spotlight. However, doctors and dieticians have also found that gluten affects all people and reducing your gluten intake can boost your digestive health, lower your cholesterol levels and increase your energy levels.
Gluten can be found in so many different types of foods; even chocolate! If you’re a chocolate lover and you are affected by Celiac disease, or you just want to reduce your gluten intake, you don’t have to stop enjoying this tasty treat. Here are some delicious gluten-free chocolate recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com
You won’t even notice that the gluten is missing from this sinful gluten-free chocolate cake. To make this cake, you will need:
·3 cups of gluten-free flour
·2 cups of white sugar
·1/3 cup of cocoa powder
·2 ¼ teaspoons of baking powder
·1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
·1 ½ teaspoons xanthum gum
·1 ½ cups mayo
·1 ½ cups hot water
·1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
- While the oven is heating, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and xanthum gum in a bowl. Stir the mayo in until well moistened. Slowly pour in the water and the vanilla extract and stir. Pour the batter into the cake pans. Bake until the cake pulls away from the sides and a toothpick can be inserted in the middle of the cake and come out clean.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe courtesy of Gluten Free Foodies
You’ll get your chocolate fix and pick-me-up with this protein packed,gluten-free chocolate peanut butter smoothie.
To make it, you’ll need:
·1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
·1 scoop chocolate whey powder
·2 tablespoons non-fat peanut flour
·½ cup of ice cubes
·10 to 30 drops of chocolate stevia
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You won’t believe how deliciously satisfying this treat is.
Paleo Chocolate Pudding
Who doesn’t love chocolate pudding? With this recipe, you can enjoy this yummy treat without the gluten. To make it, you’ll need:
·¼ cup cocoa powder
·½ cup arrowroot powder
·1 teaspoon vanilla
·2 tablespoons raw honey
·30 to 40 drops of stevia liquid
·2 egg yolks
·2 cups of milk
·¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt
- Mix together the cocoa powder, the stevia, arrowroot powder and salt in a saucepan. Combine the eggs and milk in a bowl. Blend together the two mixtures. Add in the honey and the vanilla and whisk until well blended. Put the mixture over medium heat on the stove top. Stir the mixture until thickened. Pour the pudding into individual or one large glass bowl. Set in the refrigerator. The pudding will thicken more as it cools.
Thanks to recipes like these, you can satisfy your chocolate cravings without the gluten – and you really won’t believe how delicious these treats are.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
