Everything free cake/cupcakes/muffins help PLEASE!

[ZacsMumme]

I've had two fails
Basically I can't use the recipe I had because it has cocoa powder in it and T can't have it. Our cocoa powders have soy in them

I wanted to do a banana version of the cake and attempted too alter the recipe but it failed - I also want to put the mix into cupcakes not a big cake.

Here is the recipe from a friend. (I omitted cocoa used brown sugar and added banana and reduced water)
 1 1/2 cups of gf flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 t vanilla, 6 T oil, 3 T cocoa, 1 cup water, 1 T vinegar, 1t baking soda. Mix all to combine and then cook at 180 for 30 - 40 minutes. I just ice with icing sugar, water, a tiny bit of dairy free marg but its soy loaded sorry.
Like · Reply · 10 September at 08:07 via mobile

Anyone know of a recipe or how I can fix mine? - basically the top of the cupcakes failed to properly. They tasted a bit chewy too

[creations]

Are you saying nowhere sells soy free cocoa near you Sara? So you can't use any recipe with cocoa or chocolate in? (are you able to order soy free cocoa on-line for delivery, there seems to be quite a lot of chocolate cake recipes, I imagine the cocoa helps to improve the taste and texture of baking GF, well I'm only guessing)

Hmm, I think I might have suggested banana bread before, don't know if you've tried it and not found it cakey enough, you'd need to alter the cooking time for cup cakes:
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/10053/no-egg--dairy-free-banana-bread--conventional-or-bread-machine-.aspx
I think you could sub the veg fat for coconut oil, or veg oil

There's a strawberry muffin here, hmm, don't know if T can have strawberries but perhaps you can sub for another fruit, and sub the plain flour for GF flour, leave out the choc chips
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/13141/strawberry-chocolate-chip-muffin.aspx

Another one to experiment with (although tbh doesn't look that appetising to me!)
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/12046/apple--apricot--carrot-cake--gluten-wheat-egg-and-sugar-free-.aspx

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/25455/vegan-apple-and-sultana-muffins.aspx
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/29392/egg-free-chocolate-chip-banana-cake.aspx
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/32769/brianbakescakes-s-wonderfully-egg-free-carrot-cake.aspx

Hope you find something that works!
(do you need ideas for topping too or are you ok with icing?)

[ZacsMumme]

Creations. I don't know why but GF flour seems to be different from non flour in how it cooks so when I try to direct sub it never works right (it's the texture)

I haven't exactly scoured the shops for soy free cocoa, but I don't have a lot of time as I need to get the recipe right before their bday party in two weeks. Plus, I'd prefer banana.

I kind of need a tried and true recipe with GF flour and all the subs YK? - I know it's asking A LOT

[creations]

OK, sorry, yeah understand that subbing is never a sure thing.
The apple apricot and carrot cake recipe uses gluten free flour so should work - but it's not banana

This site may have something as she uses gluten free flour but then you have to search for egg free too
http://www.sarahbakesgfree.com/2013/03/gluten-free-vegan-vanilla-cupcakes.html

There's a GF egg free banana bread here but again it might be too bready and not cakey enough
http://www.cupcakerichard.com/3/post/2013/08/gluten-free-vegan-banana-bread.html

and GF egg free banana muffins here (but, sigh you still have to sub the milk)
http://www.bakerita.com/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/

This one uses coconut milk - hmm, not sure T can have that?
http://javacupcake.com/2011/08/banana-blueberry-cupcakes-vegan-gluten-free/

Hope someone comes along with a tried and tested recipe for you!!

[abbysmomma]

What's in your gluten free flour mix? It might be your problem.. I have a couple of recipes that I use, but I am not at the right computer.. will reply later today...

[skatty]

I have no idea how to cook with it or how it tastes but there are any recipes on the internet for coconut flour cakes 

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Honestly I have never been able to successfully make cake/muffins gf from scratch. We have eggs back now so planning to experiment a bit with it but I rely on good old Betty Crocker gf cake mix for now but I am not sure if it is soy free or available where you are! Just checked....soy is listed as a "may contain" on the package.

As for your recipe...what it seems to be missing is something binding.  What is the flour mix? I generally have to use either applesauce or something to bind in place of eggs and also most cake recipes (if it isnt in your flour blend) have xanthan gum too. I mix my own blend of gf flours, usually rice, millet, and coconut as none of them work well on their own.

[ZacsMumme]

Thanks AMand Heidi.
I use orgran GF self raising flour mix. http://www.orgran.com/products/306/ it costs a bomb!
it has some kind of gum Do you that the issue was the banana - it was too wet and the water ratio not low enough?

I have orgran egg replacer, but tbh I'm terrified to use it! I'm no better Crocker, but I can cook/bake and have dne since I was a wee girl so I don't know what I'm doing so wrong!

Creations...I think ill try the one! http://www.bakerita.com/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/ I can use coconut milk maybe? Or try oat milk. I have to try T on oat milk anyway and have it in the cupboard.

Q though, things flour is self rising, so no baking powder right... Or does GF cooking need extra.

[Buntybear]

Creations...I think ill try the one! http://www.bakerita.com/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/

I will give this a go too. Seems to good to be true from what she says!

[ZacsMumme]

Lol BB don't say that, it's going to be my first success story

[creations]

Well, I'm pleased you found something to try.  my cooking/baking NEVER comes out like in the photos but then I never manage to follow a recipe, I seem to read things then make it up and just think anything will do.

The recipe says non-dairy milk so I should think either coconut or oat milk would be fine. And the baking powder, well, if it was me I'd throw it in anyway! lol I've seen/used recipes that call for SRF AND baking powder so I would kind of think oh what the hell, it'll just rise more, but that's me, a bit slap dash, sorry.
I think like pps have said GF flour is all different and some mixes are better than others so unless you use the exact same mix of flours that someone else uses for their recipe then I think the outcome is going to be different.

Are you doing a test batch soon to try them before the birthday?

Maybe one of you can try with baking powder and the other not   See who wins 

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Yeah baking GF is just a whole other ball of wax compared to normal baking. It never does what you expect which sucks due to the cost of the ingredients!

I would for sure do some trial runs.  I have used an egg replacer lots too...the one I have works really well.

[ZacsMumme]

What egg replacer do you use Heidi? The only 'free of everything' brand we have is orgran.
Yes creations, trying to get something that is ok before their bday! I'm making Z a normal cake, but I want cupcakes or something for T to enjoy YK?

Ok...ill give this one a go tomorrow - DH is home this mon

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

I dont remember the brand and I transferred it to another container as the bag ripped! I know where I bought it though so will have a look next time I am in.

[abbysmomma]

When I first started gf vegan baking I bought an egg replacer, but I am fknding more and more that it's not really helpful. Can you get chia seeds? 1tbsp to 3 tbsp water makes a great chia "egg". Ground flax works as well too. Depending on the kind of cooking, applesauce/bananas are good replacers (abour 1/4 cup per egg). I also don't really use gums anymore. I don't suppose you can get rice flour by itself? Using a 2:1 mix of rice flour corn starch might work better for you. Also, I don't usually go by baking time - I stick a toothpick in to check. Gf baked goods can often be gummy, and can take longer tocook inside. I just made blueberry boy bait by cybele pascale and it was fantastic. Soooo delicious. Also used raspberry instead.
http://cybelepascal.com/gluten-free-coffee-cake-blueberry-boy-bait-vegan-and-allergy-friendly-too/
I do hope you find something that works. It's hard having food allergies/intolerances to begin with, nevermind on your birthday.

[ENMS]

Sorry I haven't had time to read all the replies but I like this one

http://www.20somethingallergies.com/silky-banana-bread-bites/

The texture is not as good as 'regular' banana bread, but the kids liked it!

[ZacsMumme]

Thanks Elise.
I didn't get around to trying the muffins but maybe tomorrow - ill post update

[ZacsMumme]

I made them! And they were ok! Actually cooked through, not heavy and tasted ok ill play with the re ipe a little but I think it will work thanks ladies (and for the recipe creations)

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Oh awesome...always nice when gf recipes work!

[creations]

Brilliant!
Can I suggest adding the (revised after you have fiddled) version of the recipe onto the allergies recipe thread for future ref?
Have you made a topping/icing for them?
When's the party?

[Buntybear]

Great! Did you use coconut oil? Not sure how much 1/3 cup is but it costs a bomb over here