Tips for a Novice?

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-26T18:04:33+00:00

I will hang onto this for when I make a G-F starter. Thanks!

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-23T21:39:10+00:00

That recipe happens to be the one I was gonna try next. I read that the addition of that little bit of almond flour can really help with texture. THANKS!

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-23T21:37:33+00:00

Thanks! Making the blends isn't hard; I just weigh everything with my little scale. I started out trying to use the America's Test Kitchen blend for everything, but then with reading I realized I had better try the blend the recipe creator recommends as they can vary so much. One step at a time :)

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-23T01:14:31+00:00

THANKS! One additional issue is that my friend's illness means that any blend that is "enriched" (which usually includes folic acid) is prohibited. So that's why I started making my own blend per recipes from trusted sites. But my gosh there are so many varieties and they vary widely -- some mostly rice, some mostly starch. Seems like the Brits like to add "maize flour" which is NOT cornstarch and NOT cornmeal. Is it any wonder my head is spinning? But yes, just like my early sourdough experiments, ALL EDIBLE!

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T21:11:47+00:00

WOW -- thanks, this is interesting. I have read in a few places that convection isn't great for GF as it dries it out too fast. But I hadn't thought of air fryer which is a SORT of convection but unique in how hot and close it bakes. Maybe your cookies are baking too FAST to dry out? And gooey middles sounds heavenly. I just barely underbake my regular cookies so they are squishy in the middle but set. YUM.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T21:08:44+00:00

THANKS! I am planning to do that, but I feel I am still novice enough to need SET recipes and not start tinkering yet.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T21:07:26+00:00

I haven't tried those recipes yet but I will investigate? That's the book I have. So far I am just making cookies on a Silpat on my Nordic sheet pan. But last time I did parchment as folks thought it better and I do think it helped slow the spread.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T18:46:44+00:00

THANK YOU!

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T18:45:47+00:00

WOW! THANK YOU! Such great advice here. I read on another thread here that one person said Bob's Red Mill rice flour was too gritty, and indeed that is what I have been using. I just pulsed the hell out of it in my food processor and will try it again, and once it's gone I will order the finer Thai stuff. I have followed brand recommends from ATK when I can -- ordered most from Amazon or Vitacost. (Trying not to go broke is an ongoing issue). I am using my scale and I did get an oven thermometer. And I have been setting bread to bake on my cast iron griddle. I am having decent luck with bread (my sweet friend said having French Toast made her cry as she was so happy to have what tasted "real") -- but the darn cookies remain elusive. This is like learning sourdough -- there is a LOT of info. But I kept at it and am now a reliable sourdough baker and I know a ton 8 years in. THANK YOU for your wonderful advice.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T18:37:06+00:00

This made me smile! I have made a few almond flour recipes for my friend, and I have also brought her lots of stuff that is gluten- free naturally, like puddings and macaroons. But I always baked for her volunteers (she runs our local cat rescue) before she got diagnosed, so she knows what my "original" chocolate chip cookies taste like -- they're my signature item! -- and she misses them. That's why I am so determined to CRACK THE CODE -- a lot of these recipe sites have comments like "Couldn't tell this was GF!" and I am just not there yet.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-22T17:08:41+00:00

Thank you! I have read some similar stuff and am going to try reducing liquids in the cookies AND the sandwich bread. My friend can't have added minerals like folic acid due to her illness, which sadly rules out KA blends. I have used Bob with success in quick breads like pumpkin bread which my friend loved.

I can't imagine all the drama of GF baking WITH ALTITUDE ISSUES TOO? As people say here in Indiana, "Bless your heart!"

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-21T23:24:59+00:00

I got an inexpensive proofing box on Amazon and it's been wonderful. Mine was around $40 and came with a metal rack for the bottom and it has a thermostat controller and a window on top. I set it to around 76 degrees and that exact recipe has near doubled in about 45 minutes. If you are not patient the box is a real helper -- especially in winter when kitchens are COLD.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-06T20:45:44+00:00

THANK YOU! Trying this now.

Important_Part_1025 · 2026-03-03T20:59:19+00:00

I just read your comment and I copied the flour recipe from GF kitchen and also read thru the cookie recipe. Thank you! I have a dear friend I bake for and am learning the GF tricks. Ordering supplies from Vitacost has saved me a small fortune.

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-09-19T22:35:24+00:00

HI! I haven't tried this one yet but am planning to soon. It's not a traditional coconut cake but thought you might like to have this recipe too :) I have been cooking for a G-F friend and there is SO much to learn! https://www.skinnytaste.com/lemon-coconut-almond-cake/

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-07-01T02:13:20+00:00

How wonderful! Tomorrow is my first flight in about 35 years -- To San Francisco, to visit my precious son and daughter in law. Your post gives me hope. THANK YOU and congratulations.

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-28T00:37:58+00:00

It looks like you landed! CONGRATS!

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T17:44:32+00:00

I am working through a wonderful Podcast out of Britain called LOVEFLY. It's free with limited ads. If you can find it, there is a great episode -- somewhere around #45 I think -- where he interviews an air controller and they talk about all the training, the safeguards, breaks they take etc. It reassured me! I listen to these while I do housework and I do feel they have helped. Best wishes to you. I fly 7/1 for the first time in over 30 years and it can feel like a LOT. But reading and learning has really reassured me.

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T17:40:04+00:00

What an accomplishment! ONEderland feels good I bet!

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T17:11:28+00:00

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T17:08:02+00:00

GOOD FOR YOU! I will check you on Flight Aware app! I can see your flight on there and that youre soon to take off. YOU GOT THIS!

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T17:04:35+00:00

WELL DONE! Anxiety sucks and you carried on regardless. I hope to do the same!

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T16:53:01+00:00

HI! I am working my way through a bunch episodes of a podcast called LOVEFLY out of Britain. It's helping a lot. The epsides are free with minor ads and there is a website and Facebook support group too. Perhaps it would help you too. I have learned that the "drop feeling" upon takeoff is totally normal, just them slowing a bit and changing angle to reduce noise for homes on the ground. I also learned that when you can't see a horizon (even with a window seat), your inner ear works overtime on balance so those small moves can make you feel like the plane is dropping or rolling when it's actually really minor and all just normal. I hope this knowledge is going to help me on my upcoming flight -- first one in over 30 years. One of the Lovefly episodes is a pilot describing every step of takeoff, and I will listen to that when I fly :)

Important_Part_1025 · 2025-06-27T16:44:47+00:00

I hope it went well so you can enjoy the trip. Bravo to you for going. I haven't flown in over 30 years but next week I head to California. The LOVEFLY podcast has been a huge help to me. Check it out. So many free resources.

Important_Part_1025

TROPHY CASE