“Do you offer gluten-free cakes?”
No. 🥲
I get this question at least a few times a week, so I want to formally address THREE REASONS WHY in this newsletter.
(This also includes any other allergen-free restrictions, such as nuts and dairy)
Just know that I do, in fact, love any silly goose, whether they are gluten-free or not. ♥️
I cannot safely guarantee a truly gluten-free or allergen-free cake in my kitchen.
Because I’ll be using AP flour (contains wheat) and other allergens (like milk and nuts) in the same kitchen space, there will always be a risk of cross-contact.
Even if I clean everything super carefully, trace amounts of those allergens can remain airborne or transfer through shared equipment and surfaces.
For some clients, it won’t affect them! But for other clients with celiac disease or severe allergies, that risk matters. I’m also running a tiny business here, so one person getting sick isn’t great for me lol.
Developing safe allergen-free recipes requires dedicated time, equipment, storage, and systems that ya girl just does not have.
As I mentioned above, I’m running a tiny business here. As a very small bakery operating in a compact kitchen, I simply do not have the space to maintain separate ingredients, tools, storage, and workflows needed to responsibly produce allergen-free cakes.
Gluten-free and allergen-free baking is its own specialty and requires significant recipe testing, ingredient sourcing, and handling procedures.
There ARE really good gluten-free bakeries in Tacoma, though! Scroll down to the ⭐️ to see my two faves.
My bakery focuses on chiffon-style cakes
Cakes come in many shapes and sizes. My absolute favorite type of cake and what I want to become known for are from-scratch chiffon cakes. This requires me to use standard baking ingredients, like AP or cake flour.
Unfortunately, you cannot just swap wheat flour for gluten-free flour when you are baking large quantities. Their chemical structures are different. To create a truly delicious gluten-free chiffon cake, I would need to spend weeks recipe testing.
Rather than stretching my business too thin, I’m choosing to specialize in what I do best and serve it exceptionally well.
Now, you may be wondering, “Shaylee, what am I supposed to do? I still want cake, but my body cannot break down gluten well.”
I GOTCHU!
I used to work at a bakery that specialized in bread and bagels (anyone remember the mess that was Tacoma Baking Company? 😅). We got this question ALL the time and always recommended that our customers visit Corina Bakery for gluten-free goods.
⭐️ Corina Bakery is located in Tacoma and makes both gluten-free and vegan cakes. Their stuff is GOOD and a great option for people who want to order a specialty cake.
⭐️ I would also highly recommend Wren’s Nest, also in Tacoma. If you are a very serious gluten-intolerant person, Wren’s Nest is a SUPER safe space for you. They are celiac-safe, and their baking facilities are certified gluten-free safe! This means you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination.
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