While friends and family joyously consume piles of cookies, fruitcake, latkes and other assorted holiday treats, people with celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder) and gluten allergies are left holding the tray of raw veggies and ranch dip. This holiday season, help the gluten-free foodies in your life suffer no more! We have a list of goodies that make perfect gifts for folks who love holiday treats despite dietary restraints.
Cupcakes
These agave-sweetened cakes from Babycakes will satisfy any sweet tooth, even one with a wheat-free diet. Flavors include vanilla with lemon frosting, carrot topped with creamy vanilla, chocolate on chocolate, and a classic red velvet — and they're all gluten, dairy, and soy-free and shipped via Fed-Ex. Available at Babycakesnyc.com for $49.50 a dozen.
Gluten-free cookbook
Where would any chef be without a few solid cookbooks? For ones who want to avoid wheat, try “The Intolerant Gourmet: Glorious Food without Gluten and Lactose,” the latest book by the popular food writer Barbara Kafka. Recipes include ground lamb and flageolets, the ultimate quinoa side dish, and mocha meringues. Available at Amazon.com for $18.21.
Chocolate-chunk cookie mix
Bake away with this gluten-free cookie mix from Thomas Keller’s famous Bouchon Bakery. This easy-to-use kit utilizes gluten-free flour, bittersweet chocolate chips, and molasses to give the treats a super rich and decadent taste. Available at Williams-Sonoma for $19.95.
Gluten-free beer gift basket
Finally, beer for people with wheat allergies. Halftime beer distributors offers a selection of seven beers (most made with sorghum), including Redbridge, Bard’s Tale, Estrella Damm, Green’s, and New Planet, which brews three ales: light, raspberry, and pale. Available at Halftimebeverage.com for $79.99.
Triumph gluten-free restaurant guide
Stop struggling to find a restaurant that caters to dietary constraints; get your loved one this guide and skip seeing their sad face when they are stuck with a salad while you happily chow down. The guide started in 2005 and the team behind it just released its fifth edition. You can also pick up wallet-sized dining cards that come in 10 languages and explain to servers and chefs around the world what you can and cannot eat. Available at Triumphdining.com for $35.95.
Gourmet olive oil
Not everything for people with dietary restraints has to read “gluten-free.” Everyone can use a good olive oil (even vegans!), and some of the best is found at Fig & Olive, who offer more than 30 types from around the world. Try their blood orange-infused version, or one made with Mission olives. Available at Bestoliveoilstore.com for $13.99 to $20.
Gluten-free sampler of the month
Don’t know what to get for your gluten-free loved one? Give the gift that always changes: a box of various tasty treats delivered to their door monthly from the Mariposa bakery in California. Boxes have included samples like coffee cake, truffle brownies, and coconut lemon squares. Available at MariposaBaking.com for $81 for a three-month membership.
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Breadstick mix
Risotteria, a famous gluten-free restaurant in New York, not only dishes out amazing entrees, but uses brown rice flour to make the best bread around. Now you can get their mix shipped anywhere and make your own hot, buttery, breadstick goodness at home. One pack yields 12 sticks. Available at Risotteria.com for $7.95.
Popcorn gift set
Popcorn is a classic gluten-free dish, so what could be better than a sleek popper and some gourmet kernels with different flavorings to try out? This set at Williams-Sonoma features a Waring popcorn maker, two heirloom kernel varieties, white cheddar powder, and a spicy Southwest seasoning. Available at Williams-Sonoma for $66.95.
New York-style pizza crusts
The secret to authentic light and crispy New York pizza crust is in the water, or so they say. For gluten-free folks, pizza is one of those dishes they often have to skip. Happily, Mozzarelli ships their tasty crusts all over, so give the gift of real pizza. Available at Mozzarellis.com for $44.95 for six crusts.
Linnea Covington is a freelancer writer and eater who will try any drink, dish, or sweet at least once, especially if it involves chili or bourbon.