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SPLENDID
GLUTEN-FREE BAKE MIX 1
Almond flour versus almond meal (ground
almonds) produces slight differences. We
use oat flour by Arrowhead Mills®, but see below for certified
gluten-free. Instead of xanthan gum or gelatin (in my Bake Mix 2), I believe one could use ground chia seeds (needs to be added to the wet ingredients). I need to explore that idea a bit, but you're welcome to add a bit of that instead of the xanthan gum or the gelatin. Most recipes should be fine with 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of ground chia seeds...depending on how much bake mix is used in the recipe. Here is more about chia seeds for some interesting reading.
Surprising health benefits of oat flour. Many people anti-grains these days and I personally believe it's not necessary to throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak. There are some grains that are beneficial, oat flour being one of them. Obviously, some people are very sensitive to any carbohydrates, so proceed cautiously with the bake mix (however, if you look at my baking, recipes are all suitably low-carb). Please do avoid white flour and other highly processed flours and definitely avoid sugar. On that topic, there are some breakthrough ideas re pasta and rice and how they can be consumed more safely. Check out this thread on lowcarbfriends.com
Here is a lady who has celiac disease talking about how she can still enjoy oat flour.
LATEST NEWS: OATS ARE PALEO! CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE - CLICK HERE!
It is imperative to use Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour for all my recipes requiring coconut flour! Coconut flours differ in their ability to absorb moisture and that will affect the recipes.
Surprising health benefits of oat flour. Many people anti-grains these days and I personally believe it's not necessary to throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak. There are some grains that are beneficial, oat flour being one of them. Obviously, some people are very sensitive to any carbohydrates, so proceed cautiously with the bake mix (however, if you look at my baking, recipes are all suitably low-carb). Please do avoid white flour and other highly processed flours and definitely avoid sugar. On that topic, there are some breakthrough ideas re pasta and rice and how they can be consumed more safely. Check out this thread on lowcarbfriends.com
Here is a lady who has celiac disease talking about how she can still enjoy oat flour.
LATEST NEWS: OATS ARE PALEO! CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE - CLICK HERE!
It is imperative to use Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour for all my recipes requiring coconut flour! Coconut flours differ in their ability to absorb moisture and that will affect the recipes.
Update: Alternatives for Oat Flour, Almond Flour and Coconut Flour: If you are intolerant to certified gluten-free oat flour (could be the avenin), substitute some other gluten-free flour like sorghum flour, which others have had success with in the bake mix. Other ideas: quinoa flour (a seed not a grain works very well, however, it might have a strong taste – try Bob’s Red Mill® and toasting the flour first to create a mild taste and store in the freezer), Carbalose flour, Spelt flour (weak and a different gluten to wheat), Einkorn flour, an ancient, healthy wheat (last three are not gluten-free – available at Netrition.com or Amazon). I like the health profile of oat flour (it makes up a small portion of the bake mix and helps our baking taste more normal), as it lowers cholesterol very effectively. It now turns out that oat flour is actually Paleo, as ancient stones were analyzed and oat flour remnants were discovered. Instead of almond flour, use sunflower seed flour (baking soda will turn baked goods greenish; use baking powder) or hazelnut flour. Others have tried pumpkin seed flour: here. Instead of coconut flour, use golden flax seed meal or possibly oat fiber. You could experiment with half oat flour and half oat fiber.
To sit down to a bowl of oats for most of us is no longer something we can do, however, using the bake mix with the oat flour diluted by twice the amount of almond flour, the insulin response in a small portion of a recipe will be much less than sitting down to a bowl of oats, which is not recommended for most of us with insulin resistance, weight issues, or just simply being older.
12/3 cups almond meal, OR (400 mL; 182 g)
almond flour – yield is greater with
almond flour by up to 1/2 cup (125 mL) more,
so then carbs would be 4.8 g – bonus!
3/4 cup
certified GF oat flour (175 ml; 100 g)
(Bob’s Red Mill®, not Legacy
Valley®)
2 tbsp sifted coconut flour,
(30 mL)
(Bob’s Red Mill®)
3/4 tsp
xanthan gum (3 mL)
In large bowl, combine almond meal (ground almonds),
OR almond flour, oat flour (can substitute sorghum flour, which others have had
success with in the bake mix – see other ideas with Bake Mix 2, page 171), coconut flour and xanthan gum. In container with airtight lid, place bake
mix and shake well to combine. When measuring oat flour, make sure to tap the cup on
the counter top and fill to the top to get the correct yield for the bake
mix. Keep bake mix at room temperature
for one month or freeze for much longer storage.
Instructions for standard recipes: Add 1/4 cup (60 mL)
additional bake mix when substituting for 1 cup (250 mL) or more than 1 cup
(250 mL) flour and use 2 tbsp (30 mL) more if substituting for less than 1 cup
(250 mL). Always begin by adding an extra egg in muffins, loaves, cakes
and coffee cakes, except for cookies, and except if bake mix required is less
than or equal to 1 cup (250 mL).
Withhold 1/4 cup (60 mL) of liquid/wet/fat
ingredients; add in as needed (usually need it all). If batter after processing
at least a minute is still too thick, add more of the liquid ingredients, and
if accidentally the batter ends up too sloppy, then add a little more bake mix.
If all the liquid has been used and the batter is still too stiff, add another
egg and another if necessary. Baking experience is helpful.
Helpful
Hints: Great in muffins, loaves (with eggs!),
cookies, scones, squares, coffee cakes, many cakes, pie crusts and a few other
specialized applications, but will not be suitable for all applications, nor
for most yeast applications. Xanthan gum has gluten-like properties,
binding ingredients together to prevent crumbly outcomes. To substitute this bake mix for some of my earlier
bake mixes (not gluten-free), 2 tbsp (30 mL) to 1/4 cup (60 mL) more bake mix may be required depending on
if one is replacing less than 1 cup (250 mL) or 1 cup (250 mL) or more (last 2,
latter amount). It is convenient to double, triple or quadruple this bake
mix. Bake Mix 1 and 2 seem to be
interchangeable.
Yield: 21/2
cups (625 mL) bake mix
1/4
cup (60 mL) per serving
125.7
calories
4.5
g protein
8.9
g fat
5.7
g net carbs
WHAT CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF OAT FLOUR? Did you know 32,000 years ago Paleo people were using oats? Yep, oats are Paleo! :) CLICK HERE. Sorghum flour or whole wheat pastry flour (similar carbs to oat flour), or lupin flour (low-carb and makes baked goods quite yellow sometimes, but seems to work for a number of recipes). Some people are very allergic to Lupin flour and it can cause anaphylaxis shock (so, really not a great choice, in my opinion, considering the risk! People with peanut allergies should avoid it.). Another idea is White Bean flour - I have not tried but it may work especially in bread-like applications. If you don't have Celiac, you can use any oat flour, not just Bob's Red Mill certified gluten-free oat flour. Some people want to know why I would use oat flour in the bake mix, as many are afraid of grains these days. I like my baking to taste more like what we were used to... more normal and less "low-carb" if you know what I mean. I think sometimes almond flour and coconut flour baking can leave something to be desired. I like the profile of oat flour (in any case it makes up a small portion of the bake mix) to lower cholesterol. Note: If you have a powerful food processor or blender you can process your own oat flour from oats. If slightly more carbs are not an issue, then Einkorn flour, an ancient wheat, could be a tasty consideration.
If you can have gluten....Carbalose flour (very low-carb) might work in the bake mix. CLICK here. I did an experiment once and mixed my Vital Ultimate Bake Mix half and half with Carbalose flour...the baking results were better than with the bake mix alone.
WHAT CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF ALMOND FLOUR? Hazelnut flour or Walnut flour mixed with hazelnut flour. Some have tried Chestnut flour. If you cannot have nuts at all, use the Nut-Free Bake Mix (however, it uses gluten) - the version using oat flour is the most popular. You will find my email in my profile...just scroll right down on the right hand side margin of my blog. :) I actually should share it on my blog and will do that one of these days! Sunflower seed flour...can make baking green, however, there is apparently a way to reduce the problem. CLICK HERE Also THIS LINK. It should work just fine with this bake mix. Apparently baking soda can cause little flecks of green in your baking, but it is fine to eat.
WHAT CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF COCONUT FLOUR? Golden flaxseed meal. I'm not sure the baking will taste as good, and I'm not a fan of flax, however, it is an alternative. Another alternative could be oat fiber and would probably be wonderful. It is not certified gluten-free, and to my knowledge there is none available...it could be contaminated with wheat, so not suitable for people with Celiac disease. Chia seeds, ground...need to add to the wet ingredients and you'd have to figure out how much to use...i.e. very little. Another idea is OAT FIBER. I have not tried this, but it sounds to me like it would work!
I usually try and freeze goodies to keep us from eating too much. At any rate, not a whole lot to share lately, but I found this pic of my beloved bake mix. I don't know what I would do without it; just so useful for so many baking applications. Remember everyone is different. You may be able to use this bake mix for some things like English Muffins or hamburger buns and an occasional dessert, and still lose weight, and some may find they can't have it until maintenance. It is not Induction friendly, however, if you are simply have 20 to 50 grams of carbs a day, this bake mix can make your WOE way more exciting and livable for the long term. Besides you now have a way to use some of your own favorite recipes (not just ones that I pick), substitute the bake mix for the white flour (follow instructions) and usually get great results. This bake mix typically needs eggs, but I've been surprised by others using this bake mix in some recipes where apparently it wasn't necessary. It's just more predictable if you have eggs in the recipe. For instance, a loaf or bread without eggs is not going to work with this bake mix.
I usually keep my bake mix in the container shown above. We have a hot and humid climate and we don't use air conditioning other than in the one bedroom. It normally is fine at room temperature in the airtight container for at least a month. If I need to store it for longer, I freeze it and typically use that for "breading" veggies and fish, etc., as usually I don't have a lot to freeze. However, after thawing completely and shaking it in your container to mix well, it should be good to go for baking.
Why the small amount of oat flour over time should help lower cholesterol: READ ABOUT IT HERE
The virtues of my bake mix - READ ABOUT IT HERE
Why the small amount of oat flour over time should help lower cholesterol: READ ABOUT IT HERE
The virtues of my bake mix - READ ABOUT IT HERE
NOTE: If you would like to use this bake mix, but for whatever reason your body does not tolerate xanthan gum well (my hubby!), then please visit SPLENDID GLUTEN-FREE BAKE MIX 2. That is my preference these days. The bake mixes are interchangeable. You can use one or the other in the recipes.
Quote from a fan, a nurse by profession: "I am a 20g or less low carber. Live in ketosis. I use Jen's bake mix often and never have any problems, never go over on my carbs, never knocks me out of ketosis. And it has opened up a whole world of amazing dishes, from low carb breads/rolls, even to veggie dishes (ie yellow squash casserole). Look at her carb counts per serving, very low...
Quote from a fan, a nurse by profession: "I am a 20g or less low carber. Live in ketosis. I use Jen's bake mix often and never have any problems, never go over on my carbs, never knocks me out of ketosis. And it has opened up a whole world of amazing dishes, from low carb breads/rolls, even to veggie dishes (ie yellow squash casserole). Look at her carb counts per serving, very low...
When people go low carb, they give up a lot, (of course they gain so much more)...you are right in that the bake mix gives baked goods a feel, taste, and texture that is closer to mainstream baked goods, and does it with VERY little carbs. Nut flours are nice, but a bit heavy, and excess nuts are also not a good idea. Coconut flour is really nice and light, but you gotta use a million eggs! Lol!!! So this very low carb bake mix can help win a lot of folks over to low carbing and a healthier way of life by giving them something that seems close to what they are used to. Ok. Climbing off my soap box now! Lol!
For those that don't have a particular intolerance to oat, it is a very small amount and would still allow a person to stay low carb. She uses the gluten free oat flour. I don't particularly eat the oat for the cholesterol benefits, because low carbing in general will provide all the help with cholesterol you will need. I think most people in the grain free world view wheat as the real culprit. I am completely wheat and gluten free by choice. (I have no food allergies or intolerances.) Yet after carefully reviewing Jen's recipes and carb counts using the bake mixes, I gave it a try. I love the bake mix! And as I said, I keep at 20g or below and stay in continual ketosis. Can't get much more low carb than that. So as long as a person doesn't have a specific intolerance to oats, I encourage all to try!"
NOTE: Some people have tummy issues with xanthan gum. My Splendid Gluten-Free Bake Mix 2 is the answer to that problem. It uses unflavored, unsweetened gelatin.
My Alternate Bake Mixes (not gluten-free): When substituting the Splendid Gluten-Free bake mix
for some of my other bake mixes, 2 tbsp (30 mL) to 1/4 cup (60 mL) more bake mix may be required depending on
if one is replacing less than 1 cup (250 mL) or 1 cup (250 mL) or more (last 2,
latter amount). Follow the same rules
above. It is convenient to double or
triple this bake mix. See blog post on
this recipe for more information or updates: low-carb-news.blogspot.com
Some important facts about the bake mix:
Yield: 21/2
cups (625 mL)
1/4
cup (60 mL) per serving
125.7
calories
4.5
g protein
8.9
g fat
5.7
g carbs
Some important facts about the bake mix:
Oat flour and almond
flour in the gluten-free bake mix
are both proven heart-healthy ingredients. Oat flour reduces cholesterol. Arrowhead Mills Oat flour is used in the
nutritional analysis as well as ground almonds (made using sliced almonds and a
Cusinart coffee grinder, 18-cup capacity, although these days they have one
specifically for grinding nuts and seeds) versus almond flour as that is what
was used in the bake mix. http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/search.aspx?find=almond+flour
(Honeyville Grains) is
the very best blanched almond flour available at a good price. With regard to
oats and insulin spikes – remember if it was pure oat flour, it would be a
problem, but since the oat flour is a small amount diluted in a large amount of
almond flour and a bit of coconut flour, the glycemic load (which is more
important than glycemic index) is a lot lower and, therefore, the insulin
response would be a lot lower, but everyone is different. The coconut flour,
oat flour and xanthan gum provide
fiber which is heart-healthy as well as helps stabilize blood sugar. Compare the heart-healthy Splendid Gluten-Free
Bake mix with bleached all-purpose flour which contains alloxan, a chemical
used to induce diabetes in lab rats, let alone the gliadin,which is a protein in wheat that stimulates the appetite for more
.
1/4 cup (60 mL) white flour = 24 g carbs and compare 1/4 cup (60 mL) Gluten-Free Bake Mix = 5.7 g carbs
(Splendid Gluten-Free Bake Mix is 4 times less carby than white flour!). This bake mix may be used in place of Jennifer’s
other bake mixes in most recipes. See
instructions below recipe. What to do with leftover
bake mix? Visit http://low-carb-news.blogspot.com (RHS) to find suggestions.
For other great Low-Carb, Gluten-Free recipes by the team & me:
Support your team, buy Low-Carbing Among Friends cookbooks at:
NOTE:
One sweet lady shared with me recently in comments under the Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting - love comments like this! :) I hope she doesn't mind me sharing.
"Good to know I can keep a smaller batch right on the counter. I'm in Georgia/USA and it's hot and humid here too. I buy 25 lbs of blanched almond flour from Honeyville Grain. I break it down into large freezer bags and freeze most of it. It saves me money to buy it in bulk. We have an extra refrigerator in our garage so that helps. I usually mix up 4x - 5x your GF bake mix. Shake it up, dip my measuring cup into the mix and level it off with the back of a knife. It's been no-fail. I'm baking one or two of your recipes each week. Your GF baked goods go into my kids lunchboxes each day so we really appreciate all that you do to bring us these wonderful recipes!"
and I wrote back:
"That's really wonderful to hear. You are major-league organized. If only I could easily acquire Honeyville Grains almond flour, that would great - so much easier to put the bake mix together - rather than grinding sliced almonds from scratch in a small coffee grinder.
As a matter of interest, almond flour produces a bake mix with a greater yield - maybe 1/3 cup more than when using almond meal. This means that your baked goods are actually lower in carbs than indicated with my recipes. Good to hear that the recipes are turning out well with almond flour, as I use almond meal."
and she replied: "I cooked these bars this morning. They browned beautifully and smell divine. Easy to make as I always keep a large tupperware container full of your GF bake mix in my fridge. Just give it a good shake and I'm ready to bake. Instead of cream cheese frosting, I covered them with your Chocolate Ganache recipe from Low Carbing Among Friends as my husband and kids are chocolate lovers. We've been enjoying the new cookbook so much. Thanks!"