Remember when a gluten-free diet meant birthdays without birthday cake, Christmases without cookies and Thanksgivings without pumpkin pie? Fortunately, a gluten-free lifestyle no longer means disappointing birthday celebrations, as many bakeries now offer moist and tasty gluten-free cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods. Some of PA Eats favorites can be found in Chester County:
Dia Doce
Known for its award-winning performance on Cupcake Wars in 2012, Dia Doce has become a town hot spot for cupcake lovers. Dia Doce owns both a bright green mobile cupcake truck and cute and cozy corner bakery in downtown West Chester with a full espresso bar.
For special-event orders, most flavors are available gluten-free. And for the grab-and-go treat, gluten-free cupcakes are almost always available in White Velvet, Snickerdoodle and Black Magic, to name a few.
The best part? Dia Doce cupcakes are available for as little as $3 per treat. 100 S. High St., West Chester, (610) 476-5684.
Bella’s Desserts
Offering a full menu of tiered cakes, specialty cakes, cupcakes, mini desserts and cookies, Bella’s Desserts in Glenmoore is owned and operated by award-winning cake designer Lauren Cortesi.
Cortesi opened her bakery in 2002 and, through word of mouth and strong marketing savvy, now bakes cakes and desserts for events around the country. Her chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake gluten-free options mean that even a gluten-free bride can enjoy cake on her wedding day. By appointment only. Glenmoore, (484) 467-1538.
Kimberton Whole Foods
Kimberton Whole Foods offers a wide variety of gluten-free desserts — co-owner Pat Brett is the queen of gluten-free goodies! From her bittersweet fudge-filled, gluten-free brownies to her flaky fruit-flavored scones, Brett’s knack for gluten-free baking is one to be reckoned with. Most days you can find Brett in the kitchen baking chocolate chip gluten-free cookies or lemon poppy-seed muffins, and other days serving up gluten-free vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting. Although Kimberton Whole Foods stocks a selection of gluten-free baked goods at all locations, Pat’s homemade gluten-free baked goodies are available primarily in the Phoenixville/Kimberton store. 2140 Kimberton Rd., Phoenixville; (610) 935-1444.
Sweet Jazmines
Known for her signature sweet potato muffin recipe, chef Kimberly Davis Cuthbert dreamed of opening a bakery since the first time she used her Easy Bake Oven. Cuthbert opened Sweet Jazmines in 1999 and has since been featured on the Rachel Ray show and voted “Best of The Knot,” “Best of Philly,” “Best of the Main Line” and “Philly’s Hot List.” Her son, who refused to eat sweet potato puree, inspired her Sweet Potato Collection.
Although in-bakery gluten-free options are limited, gluten-free melt-in-your-mouth cakes and treats can be ordered in a variety of flavors. Try chocolate decadence, a chocolate, flourless cake with ganache, chocolate mousse and chocolate buttercream, or the gluten-free sweet potato muffin. Cupcake miniatures, called baby bites, are also available in this Berwyn bakery, which caters to foodies of all flavors. 15 Bridge Ave., Berwyn, (610) 644-1868.
- Photos, top to bottom: Michele Kornegay, Kimberton Whole Foods, Sweet Jazmines
