Anonymous wrote:Life is going to be a bit challenging for your friend.

I’ve had Celiac Disease for over 20 years. It’s not that bad and is much easier now than it was decades ago. OP’s friend will be fine. And it’s very thoughtful of OP to want to help.

I haven’t made these but found this recipe on GF site I’m on. They are naturally GF. https://siftrva.com/soft-amaretti-cookies/?fbclid=IwAR2CfyslcBzWoIEw5ucWkeEOw-jGIxC9Cp9TcuzjIGQZAYF4vbFl_Ft0NxY

Life is going to be a bit challenging for your friend.

Anonymous wrote:

I think this varies by person. My celiac friend has been very happy when I bake for her (and in fact has some pending requests for cakes) I don't put any spoons or measuring cups that held flour in my sugar bin with my normal baking, so that is not a concern, and I always thoroughly wash everything before cooking anything for a person with allergies. I only use metal spoons or mixers regardless and go over them with near boiling water just in case.

For sure by person and by where they are in learning about the disease and themselves.

My son was diagnosed very young and his GI asked us to avoid oats for a year and then, after he was healed, add certified GF ones to see what would happen. (Luckily, he seems to tolerate them fine.) But, it was always so uncomfortable to have to turn down something like GF oatmeal cookies for him, knowing someone had tried really hard and just didn't know.

We now know what people and places understand well enough to trust and when to just take the thing and pass it on to someone else that doesn't have Celiac. But, newly diagnosed really is the hardest time.

Happy Tart Bakery makes delicious gluten free Christmas cookies! I buy them for our family party snd everyone loves them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don’t bake for a celiac in your home if you use wheat flour for other things. Wheat flour gets airborne and it’s hard to avoid cross contamination no matter how well meaning you are. Please just buy them at a dedicated gluten free bakery.

Seconded. It's really hard to cook truly gluten free until you're in it. (E.g., did you realize you wouldn't be able to use your wooden spoons, you'd probably need to open a new bag of sugar, you can't just wash your baking pans and plan to use them ...?) Better just to order them something fun - there are great bakeries that ship nationwide if there aren't any good ones local to you/your friend.

That said, it's very nice of you to try -- you're a good friend for wanting to help them navigate the holidays with this new (and significant) food restriction.

I think this varies by person. My celiac friend has been very happy when I bake for her (and in fact has some pending requests for cakes) I don't put any spoons or measuring cups that held flour in my sugar bin with my normal baking, so that is not a concern, and I always thoroughly wash everything before cooking anything for a person with allergies. I only use metal spoons or mixers regardless and go over them with near boiling water just in case.

I've baked for a friend with celiac and I wash things with a new spongne/rag, dry with paper towel, use parchment paper on sheets and open new sugar. It can be done (but yeah don't bake non gluten free on the same day).

My friend with celiac actually messed up her own cookies.once grabbing the wrong jar of peanut butter. You have to consider contamination in every single ingredient. If you can't do that, just buy stuff.

Meringues work and cup for cup works pretty well on a lot of recipes.

Anonymous wrote:Please don’t bake for a celiac in your home if you use wheat flour for other things. Wheat flour gets airborne and it’s hard to avoid cross contamination no matter how well meaning you are. Please just buy them at a dedicated gluten free bakery.

Seconded. It's really hard to cook truly gluten free until you're in it. (E.g., did you realize you wouldn't be able to use your wooden spoons, you'd probably need to open a new bag of sugar, you can't just wash your baking pans and plan to use them ...?) Better just to order them something fun - there are great bakeries that ship nationwide if there aren't any good ones local to you/your friend.

That said, it's very nice of you to try -- you're a good friend for wanting to help them navigate the holidays with this new (and significant) food restriction.