NYC's Best Gluten-Free Bakeries, Desserts
Gone are the days when those suffering from celiac disease had to forgo baked goods and sweet treats. Now, those looking to avoid gluten can gorge on blondies, brownies and cookies -- just like the rest of us. Below are our five favorite gluten-free bakeries in New York City. By Jessica Allen.
Related: Best Bakeries In New York City
More: Best Cannoli Shops In NYC
What began several years ago as BabycakesNYC has become Erin McKenna's Bakery. Regardless of the name, this bakeshop on the Lower East Side sells the city's best vegan, egg-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free goods. If you can conceive of it with butter and sugar, McKenna can make a healthier version, for sure. We're talking cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, eclairs, cookies, doughnuts, whoopee pies, biscuits, carrot spice loaves, muffins, brownies and crumb cakes.
More: Best Juice Bars In New York City
Just thinking about Hu Kitchen makes us feel healthier. This restaurant's motto is "Get Back to Human --" specifically to a time when food wasn't processed, industrialized or genetically modified. You won't find emulsifiers, gluten, cane sugar or refined sugar in any of the items on their menu, which ranges from wild salmon cakes to stuffed peppers with pesto and breakfast burritos. As for baked goods, you can stuff your face with muffins, brownies, blondies, cookie dough truffles and other yumminess.
More: Best Gluten-Free Food In New York City
After struggling for many years with illness and allergies, actor Jennifer Esposito discovered a cure: get rid of the gluten in her life. At Jennifer's Way Bakery in the East Village, everything from cakes to cookies, scones, muffins, pies, breads and hand pies (similar to empanadas), is made in small batches using pure, organic, non-GMO ingredients. The message here is simple: try a bite or two of this clean food, then see how much better you feel.
More: Best Dessert Trucks And Where To Find Them
What began as a charitable bake sale for an elementary school project has grown into a sweet emporium, with multiple locations around town -- all selling three-bite treats made from rice cereal, marshmallow and other mix-ins. All their treats are made from natural ingredients, like cocoa and pumpkin. With just a few exceptions, the dainty goodies offered at Treat House are gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free. Committed to giving back, the owners also regularly partner with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
More: Best Cheap Eats In The East Village
With both a standalone bakery in the East Village and an online emporium, Tu-Lu's has got you covered. Its line of baked goods includes cupcakes (both regular and mini), muffins, cookies, panini, donuts, granola, bread, croutons, crackers and brownies. We're partial to the frozen cookie dough balls -- in flavors like oatmeal, dairy-free snickerdoodle and vegan chocolate chip. Each batch comes with baking instructions or you can eat them exactly as they are.
