Since 2009, my ability to stop at a coffee shop for a latte AND cupcake came to an abrupt halt. Without fail I am asked “Do you want a scone or cheesecake with your drink?” Of course I do! However, I’d rather not have excruciating tummy pains- so I pass.
I’ve always loved cooking, but never really had to bake before…. I mean- you want it, you’re a quick stop away from a relatively cheap and delicious treat….
Doughnut fix? Watch out Qwik Trip!
Cheesecake? Yes Starbucks… Don’t mind if I do!
Apple pie? Super Target- Here I come!!
Oh, how I miss those days. (Well, minus the belly-ache and pains that accompanied them) Celiac disease threw me for a loop… Luckily- my inability to quickly satiate my sweet tooth with some sort of serious sweet lead me to my newest (and what I believe will continue to be a life-long) passion.
I have to admit, gluten free baking is a monster! It’s my newest fickle friend. However, I have taken the challenge head on! Thank goodness I have wonderful friends, colleagues, family, and a supportive boyfriend that have helped me create serious sweets that are amazingly delicious…. And guess what? I’ve been able to trick those “normal” gluten eaters into eating (and loving) gluten-free food without them knowing it!
I began by making a layered cake and 2 dozen cupcakes for my friend’s daughter’s 1st birthday party… Success! And the rest is history.
My goal is to create serious sweets for you and yours…. Gluten free of course- but noone needs to know! Well, unless that is what someone’s tummy needs- then go ahead and boast that these treats are safe!
You want some serious sweets? I’m your woman.
Good-bye Gluten 
Nikki–
AWESOME site! THanks for sharing all of your delish recipes…and since I’ve tasted a few, I can honestly say the are. I look forward to trying some of your vegan GF recipes—you’re taking the guesswork out of my kitchen. Thank god! I am tired of eating hockey pucks (my muffin experiments) and gritty greasy crumblers.
KB
Hey, I’m starting a gluten-free food company and am in need of some advice that would really help us get off the ground!
– Dom
Hi Dom!
I’m not sure if I could provide lots of answers, but I’d be more than willing to chat!
congrats on the great article in today’s Wisconsin State Journal. I was diagnosed with celiac disease in summer of 2007. would love to connect with you at some point. your all gluten free cafe idea is a good one. i would be there weekly!! keep up the good fight
dede in waunakee
Hi DeDe!
Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to shoot me an e-mail and we can chat!
I hope that my cafe will be up and running in the next two years. We need a space like that, where we can eat what we want and not get sick! Stay in touch 🙂
Nikki
Hey,
Your stuff looks fantastic. We’ll be going out to try it soon. One question, ever take this to another level?…my daughter, while not celiac, is allergic to wheat, dairy and eggs. Have you tried any of your recipies in what would be a vegan sort of way? We get by, but have not found much in the way of treats that really pop for her. I love the cafe idea. It sucks going down the menu all the time telling her “no, not that, or that, that either, nope…” while everyone else gets whatever they want. We’ll keep an eye out for you in the future!
Pat
Hi Pat!
Thanks for stopping by.
I haven’t gone egg free… yet. It is something I would be willing to attempt because it’s something that many people ask me about. I have some egg replace in my cupboard that is calling my name so when I use it- I’ll message you and maybe you can sample them?
It’s hard enough for adults to have these allergies, but I can’t imagine if this had been my life as a child. I wish your daughter all the best!
If my name gets out there hopefully someone will like me enough to fund a cafe (sooner than if I do it on my own)…. 🙂 Wishful thinking? It’ll happen- one way or another!
Keep in touch and please let me know your opinion once you try out my cupcakes!
Nikki
Hey Nikki and Pat,
another request for your take on gluten/egg/dairy free baked goods! My wife has done a incredible job coming up with these sorts of treats for our two daughters – all three have Celiac – but I’d love for you all to swap tips and ideas! Why..? Well, I might be biased, but I love sweet baked goods, and I get to try them too! 🙂 You can find my wife via redrootmountain.com, or I can send you her info on email if you’d like. We’ll totally support your gf-cafe! 🙂 John
Hello John,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’d be more than happy to chat with your wife sometime. Gluten free baking was quite the adjustment for me, I can’t imagine having 3 people in my house with my same issues (even though my boyfriend is unofficially gluten free when he’s in our house- he still gets to cheat when we go out for dinner).
I’ll keep you updated if I start a cafe! There’s definitely a demand for it, just need the funds 🙂
Take care!
Nikki
One of my co-workers brought in a dozen of your GF cupcakes on Monday. I almost wasn’t quick enough to grab one, but boy am I lucky I did! DELICIOUS!!! I’ve been GF since May 2011 and realized that I should have tried it many years ago — no more tummy troubles! Count me as a big fan!! I’ll be searching out your treats wherever they appear around Madison. Thanks to Kevin and Michelle, too!
Hi Angela!
Yay! I’m glad that you enjoyed the cupcakes! I am also very happy that your tummy troubles have disappeared.
The Victory (on Atwood Avenue) will be selling my cupcakes again starting this weekend. Sentry Metcalfe’s and possibly Willy Street Coop will be selling my cupcakes within the next month! I’ll keep everyone updated on my blog.
Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to contact me if you ever need a larger order of cupcakes or GF sweets 🙂
Nikki
My cousin works with your boyfriend and lead me to your wonderful website. Thanks for the wonderful recipes. It helps me not feel so deprived. It’s also nice to find things that don’t taste like they’re gluten free, compared to some brands. I’m in the middle of the process of being diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. At first I just thought I had horrible food poisoning, after years of trouble (horrible debilitating stomach pains) with whole wheat products.
Hello Lauren! Thanks for stopping by! I’m going to try very hard to post more recipes this year, I’ve been slacking lately!
I hope your tummy troubles are solved (soon)! It’s not fun to have an upset stomach all the time.
Please keep me in mind if you ever need gluten free sweets! I’ll do my best to share more recipes 🙂
Nikki
Nikki- I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease and in turn am going gluten-free to help with some of the side-effects. I am a newbie (only 4 days) and have my wedding coming up in 3 months. My mom is looking for some ideas or a possible order for my bridal shower at the end of June. Do you ship? Or maybe a trip back to your home town? Please let me know!
Erin! Sorry I missed your comment some how AND missed your wedding!
Feel free to e-mail me (Nikki (at) gbgbakeshop (dot) com) and I can swap some recipes or make some desserts for you for my next trip home (turkey day).
Hi Nikki,
You were my daughter’s awesome 1st grade student teacher at Elm Lawn. We thought you were awesome then, but now you are even more so! She has Type 1 Diabetes and at age 11, wants to be a baker when she grows up. Those two combos are challenging enough together, but she is also gluten intolerant on top of that. For her, life is all about the sweet treats! We are so glad to have found out about you and this site through one of my students, Camille, from the UW, who works with your boyfriend. Your spin on making this a creative adventure is so inspiring, since we have already experienced a lot of heartache and tummy aches from birthday parties with pizza and cake. Thanks so much for this blog! We are excited to get baking again!
Leslie
Hi Leslie (& Marguerite!)
I’m so glad that we’ve been re-connected!
I feel for Marguerite… In addition to gluten, I have a boatload of other “allergies.” It’s a very fun challenge, but can be frustrating too.
Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about diabetes. I would love to create a few recipes though for you to try. If you could e-mail me more information (how much sugar can you use in a recipe- if any? are there certain flours you have to avoid?): nikki@gbgbakeshop.com
I haven’t posted any of my cake recipes because I opened a bakery last year. If you email me I’d be happy to send you a few, or give you suggestions, or drop off a few cupcakes for you sometime 🙂
Talk soon!!!
Nikki