What happens when a gluten-intolerant donut lover and her pastry chef pal start brainstorming? Fonuts happens. A riff on "faux-nuts" given that they're baked and not fried, this mid-city shop bakes more flavors on any given day than most traditional donut shops, from chocolate hazelnut to coconut passion fruit to pumpkin. Don't worry, there's also a more traditional gluten free chocolate donut with sprinkles. There's an equal number of traditional wheat-based "fonuts" for your gluten-loving friends and family. My favorite fonut? The gluten free vanilla latte. It's like having my coffee and donut in one bite. Now that's multi tasking.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: In a great location near The Grove, Fonuts is a one treat shop. And by one treat I mean baked donuts!
Wendy's expert tip: There are a few parking spaces behind the building which is a blessing given the traffic congestion near Third Street and Crescent Heights.
Known for its bread products, Rising Hearts Bakery (formerly known as The Sensitive Baker) has a retail shop in Culver City--just around the corner from Sony Studios--and a growing wholesale business providing pizza crusts and bread products to local restaurants like Mendocino Farms. Toasted and slightly warm, their rosemary garlic breadsticks are like crack to a carb lover like me. They also sell sweets, including cupcakes, blondies and the popular gigantic whoopee pies. Or opt for the gluten free brioche, a perfect ingredient for whipping up a decadent weekend French Toast. All of their products are kosher and they'll soon be entirely vegan as well (likely by Spring 2015).
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: One of the first gluten free bakeries in L.A., this shop is small but mighty. There are plenty of options and the breads are delish.
Wendy's expert tip: Since most of their savory (bread) items are frozen, load up your freezer and use them as needed.
Sprinkles is more proof that gluten free requests are not falling on deaf ears. After years of success with their iconic cupcakes, owner and founder Candace Nelson heeded customer requests and hit the kitchen to experiment with gluten free baking. The result: A red velvet cupcake that rivals its gluten counterpart, right down to the cream cheese frosting and signature design (topped with a sugar G for gluten free). Rumor has it that more gluten free flavors and maybe a cookie or two are on the way. If you like that idea, speak up! It worked the first time. (Locations around L.A. include Beverly Hills, Americana at The Brand and The Grove.)
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Because it's Sprinkles, it's delicious and you can get treats for your gluten-eating friends too.
Wendy's expert tip: Bakers on site take precautions to minimize cross contamination by using separate equipment and changing gloves when necessary. But in a bakery with 99% gluten goods, it's wise to talk with your server if you're particularly sensitive or have Celiac Disease.
If you're not grateful to be gluten free, one visit to Café Gratitude and you'll have an unexpected attitude adjustment. This vegan restaurant, with locations in Venice and on Larchmont (and one soon to open downtown), bakes a massive amount of goodies fresh daily, all gluten free and all vegan. And amazingly delicious. But this café and bakery is not just about filling up your belly. They see food as nourishment for the soul, reinforcing the importance of compassion and how food contributes to the greater good. The must-haves: Banana bread, maple bacon donuts and cinnamon rolls. And they also sell pie, muffins, and raw sweets, as well.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: All the rage with hip and hippie crowds alike, Cafe Gratitude offers both meal and dessert options in a space that affirms your inner vegan.
Wendy's expert tip: The Venice location (with validated parking under the building, enter from side streets) is just a few blocks from the beach. Stop in for lunch if you're out cycling or walking in the area.
One of the first gluten free bakeries to enter the L.A. scene, all of their products are vegan and kosher and free of refined sugar and GMOs. They recently announced a name change (from BabycakesNYC to Erin McKenna's Bakery) to reflect the addition of breads and savory items, including their flavor-packed everything bagel. Be still my heart. Don't leave without a few baked donuts (or a few dozen), and make sure the coffee crunch donut is among them. This donut had me racing to my car so as not to shove a pile of them in my "donut hole" at once. One taste and Ba-bam!... Gluten free for the win!
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: A solid supply of gluten free sweets with whimsical decorations are served up by candy-striped uniform-wearing young ladies on trendy Larchmont Avenue.
Wendy's expert tip: If you hit the bakery early, you'll not only get something tasty (fresh out of the oven) but you can also check out the day old items available at a substantial discount.
Despite what you may have heard, the cupcake craze is not over and I'm OK with that as long as I can get them from Whisk. This bakery was started by two sisters--one gluten free and the other vegan--who have children with egg, nut and dairy allergies. Necessity being the mother of invention, they set out to create cupcakes that would not only be safe for those with food restrictions but would make even gluten eaters swoon. Although they don't have a brick and mortar store, Whisk bakes their products fresh daily in a 100% gluten free facility in Pasadena and orders are delivered throughout the Los Angeles area.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: If you're someone who thinks ahead, Whisk is the perfect place to order a fancy cake or cupcakes... delivered right to your door.
Wendy's expert tip: Three words: Salted caramel cupcake. Three more words: I love you.
If you feel saintly for having shunned gluten, you'll feel justified at this little Venice shop where every item is flagged for the "sinner" (gluten-containing treats) or the "saint" (gluten-free treats). According to Owner Elisa Testone, approximately 70% of their customers requests gluten-free goods that range from tres leches cake and mini fruit tarts to scones and sliced bread. They also offer a small selection of vegan, paleo and dairy-free sweets. Testone will even make a special bouche de noel for your holiday parties come Christmastime and lovely specialized cakes (think carrot cake!) for birthdays and weddings. In early 2015 they also started offering light lunch fare.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Although not entirely gluten free, the baked goods at Sinners & Saints are definitely out of this world.
Wendy's expert tip: You'll feel like a sinner when you eat the (gluten free) items flagged "saint" because, well they divinely sinful. Go for the mini creme puffs if they're on the shelves when you visit.
Like many other bakeries on this list, The Good Cookies was born out of a venture at a local farmers' market where one of the co-owners set out to sell her gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. The brick and mortar store they eventually moved into on busy Torrance Blvd. is the only place in the south bay where you'll find such a wide selection of safe options. They offer more than cookies though, with both sweet and savory baked goods including dairy (and casein) free, soy free, egg free, paleo and vegan items. You can also stop by for a little gluten free lunch of lasagna or quiche. Don't miss the donut holes and the pumpkin cheesecake brownies!
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: The only gluten free bakery in the south bay, the Good Cookies has a wide selection of baked goods and savory items.
Wendy's expert tip: If you don't live in the south bay, at least stop by en route to or from San Diego or Orange County. It's not far off the freeway.
The Girl Scouts are now offering gluten free cookies but I doubt they're going to measure up to Breakaway Bakery's Lil Mint Scoutie, a gluten free thin mint-like disc of deliciousness. And that's not the only yummy treat at this tiny little bakery on Pico Boulevard. You'll find cupcakes, bread, a variety of cookies and muffins and Jewish specialties like rugalach, babka and mandel bread. Some vegan, some not. They also sell frozen batters and dough for bake-at-home muffins, cookies, pancakes and brownies. Owner Janice Lavine was recently featured on oprah.com sharing some of her recipes and is working on developing products that she hopes will be available at grocery stores in the future. Everything made here is kosher and free of gluten, dairy, casein, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, gums, preservatives, trans fats and GMOs and is certified organic!
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Breakaway Bakery is one of the first entirely gluten free bakeries that has gone out of its way to make baked goods available to everyone.
Wendy's expert tip: Do not leave the premises without trying a Lil Mint Scoutie. Unless you don't like chocolate. Or mint. Or life in general.
This Sherman Oaks bakery (soon relocating to Studio City) is the only in the valley offering fresh baked goods for everyone on your guest list. Gluten free? Obviously. Vegan? Yep. Paleo? Check. Sugar Free? You bet. Oh, and their products are also organic and non-GMO. Although the bakery itself is not entirely gluten free, selling many traditional (wheat-based) items, they are committed to offering a gluten free version of nearly everything on their menu. Not only that, but you'll find things here you won't likely find elsewhere: salted caramel brownie bars (O.M.G!), lemon bars, and blondies, to name a few. While they do bake with tree nuts, no peanut products are brought onto the premises.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: One of the few bakeries in the valley offering gluten free baked goods, Buttercelli has gone above and beyond in both selection and taste.
Wendy's expert tip: Start with a personal-size quiche (cheddar bacon!) and finish with your choice...or choices... of desserts.
