Frequently Asked Questions

*Important!* Please discuss your food allergies with us. If we don't have something that fits your needs, we may be able to make something special by request.

What makes your bakery unique?
We take pride in our bakery's allergy awareness. ALL of our products are gluten-free. We do not use eggs, dairy, or peanuts in ANY of our products. We do not use any nuts except coconut (see below) and we have a separate dedicated kitchen where we also avoid coconut and soy (see below). We keep allergen statements on file from our ingredient manufacturers. We are more than happy to discuss your individual needs and concerns. Since our daughter suffers from life-threatening food allergies, we understand!

Where are your products produced?
We operate our own dedicated baking facility! We have two dedicated kitchens:

What do you mean by "dedicated"?
It means each kitchen has its own ovens, equipment, and dishwashers that have only been used to make our allergy-friendly products.

Should coconut be avoided by someone with a tree nut allergy? 
Discuss this with your doctor. Several of my recipes contain coconut. It makes a great gluten-free flour. The government started listing coconut as a possible tree nut allergen in 2006. Scientifically speaking, coconut is not a nut. It is a fruit. Coconut, the seed of a drupaceous fruit, has typically not been restricted in the diets of people with tree nut allergy. In October of 2006, the FDA began identifying coconut as a tree nut. The available medical literature contains documentation of a small number of allergic reactions to coconut; most occurred in people who were not allergic to other tree nuts. Ask your doctor if you need to avoid coconut. (Source: FAAN)

What makes our products different from other gluten free products?
Many of our products use nutritious grains such as quinoa, millet, teff, and brown rice as primary ingredients - not starches like the big brands use. Our products are better tasting and better for you than those commonly found in supermarkets!

Do your products contain wheat?
None of our products contain wheat or gluten ingredients. We also do not use spelt because SPELT IS WHEAT.

Do your products contain eggs or dairy products?
We do not have eggs or dairy in our facility. None of our products contain eggs or dairy products. They are vegan. (We also don't use animal fats, honey, or bone-char processed sugars.)

Do you use organic ingredients?
Our ingredients are organic unless we cannot find an organic source for a specific ingredient. The majority of our ingredients are organic, including our sugar.

Do your products contain peanuts?
We do not use peanut ingredients in any of our products.

Do your products contain tree nuts?
Products produced in the Top 8 Free Kitchen do not contain any tree nuts including coconut. All flours in the Top 8 Free Kitchen have always been from dedicated Top 8 Free facilities.

Products produced in our conventional kitchen may contain coconut. We do not use any other "tree nut" ingredients. Please note that all of our cakes and cupcakes are made with flour from a dedicated Top 8 Allergen-Free Mill.

Some of our breads are still made using Bob's Red Mill flours that are produced in a facility that handles almonds and hazelnuts. (Bob's uses good manufacturing practices and does not sell the first batch of flour processed on the mill.) None of our cakes, cookies, donuts, or other sweets are produced using Bob's flours and have not been since mid-2013.

Why do you specify that your products are free of fish and shellfish?
We want to reassure our customers that we do not and have never used any fish or shellfish, or any colorings or products (such as gelatin) that are derived from them. They are two of the 8 common allergens and have never been and never will be used in our bakery (unlike many supermarkets and baking facilities).

Do your products contain fruits?
We sometimes use pears, plums, cherries, peaches, strawberries and raspberries in our facility. If you have a specific fruit allergy please let us know.

Do your products contain cholesterol or trans fats?
No!

How do I store products I'm not going to eat on the day of purchase?
Cakes or cupcakes can be refrigerated or kept covered at room temperature for a day or two. Let them return to room temperature for best texture and taste. Cakes and cupcakes may also be frozen for up to 8 weeks. Again, let them thaw and return to room temperature before eating. Bread should be frozen at least by two days after purchase. Chocolate Covered Donuts will keep covered overnight and are best microwaved for about 10 seconds the next day. Donuts may also be frozen for up to 6 months.