Gluten Free Yellow Cake... For Dad!

Last night after dinner my Dad got a craving for something sweet. This usually isn't an issue for a "normal" person, but my Dad is on cholesterol medication so I try to help him watch what he eats. The "something sweet" that he was craving usually packs a punch of cholesterol and fat. Two things that he definitely does not need. However, I felt bad because I know what he goes through since I have to eat gluten free.

I started shuffling things around in the pantry and found a Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix. I looked at what the recipe called for on the back of the box (eggs, butter, and water). Everything looked fine for him except the butter. I decided to substitute the butter with applesauce. Yes, applesauce! It cuts out the fat and cholesterol and helps keep the cake moist.

I quickly whipped up the cake in a Kitchen Aid mixer and let it bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. It turned out great! Some fresh strawberries and low fat whipped cream is a great alternative to the traditional heavy icing.

Happy cooking!

Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Bisquick Mix

First of all, I'll give everyone a quick crash course in what Celiac Disease is. People who have Celiac Disease can't have gluten (wheat, rye, malt, or barley) in their diets because our bodies are unable to process it. If we do consume gluten our blood will produce antibodies and will lead to a plethora of complications, some even fatal such as cancer.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when I was fifteen years old, I automatically assumed that all breads, pastries, and basically anything delicious could no longer be part of my diet. I was used to eating coffee crumb cake, cereal, and pancakes for breakfast and sadly I had to switch to yogurt and fruit because of my new diagnosis. I had pretty much given up on ever having fluffy pancakes for breakfast again until Betty Crocker came out with a new Gluten Free Bisquick mix last year! 

This morning I followed the recipe for pancakes on the back of the box, but tweaked it a little bit to remind me of pancakes I ate during my childhood. I sprinkled semi-sweet chocolate chips on the top of the pancakes while they were cooking. I also sliced up a banana, very thin, and added a couple of slices to each pancake. They were so good and I can't wait to put my spin on more Betty Crocker recipe's!

Here is the pancake recipe that was on the back of the Bisquick box:

1 cup Bisquick Gluten Free mix

1 cup milk (I prefer 1%)

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 egg

STIR ingredients until blended

POUR slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot greased griddle

COOK until edges are dry. Turn; cook until golden.

Makes approximately 10 pancakes

Happy Cooking!