Top 10 things you need to know to create excellent Gluten Free baked goods!

1. Always mix your gluten free flours rather than doing a one for one substitution. Watch this clip to learn about my favorite baking mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilxsl8bIfN0&feature=channel_page

2. You'll need something to help hold the baked good together (gluten does this well). I use either xanthan gum, guar gum, or you can even use chia seed. You can purchase these at a health food type grocery store.

3. Use bean flours, teff and quinoa flour for more savory items, and brown rice, sweet rice, tapioca, and sweet sorghum flours for sweeter items.

4. To create a lighter texture and whiter color, use more tapioca flour (starch) or potato flour. I'll use a 2/3 to 1/3 ratio in such cases (2/3 tapioca to 1/3 brown rice).

5. To create and retain wonderful moisture in your baked goods, the secret is to add some dates, apple sauce pumpkin or banana! This is a splendid "trick."

6. It is more challenging to get a nice rise out of gluten free baked goods. I suggest adding in a little more baking powder than you would normally use, and once you have mixed your dough or batter, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking.

7. When making breads, go for a shorter rise (put less dough or batter in the baking dish). This will help retain moisture and flavor.

8. Use chopped dried fruit to introduce more moisture. This also helps the baked goods to stay fresher longer!

9. Try using dates or agave syrup instead of sugar. Not only is this better for your health, but it also adds more moisture and subtly of flavor.

10. I know, I know... You have to buy so many types of flours to bake gluten free! I suggest sticking with 4 or 5 that you really use. For me this is brown rice, sweet sorghum, quinoa, tapioca and almond meal. Buy them and transfer in thick plastic or glass, label and store in the fridge. They will last longer this way.

Enjoy, and let me know how your goodies turn out! If you come up with something you just love, please send it to me and we can post it on "Tiffany's Healing Foods" site (giving credit to you of course) so that others may enjoy your creation. Click here to submit.