<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thought I'd share a few fun recipes I adapted to be GF this weekend. The muffin recipe is a great treat if you have fresh strawberries available. The brownie recipe, though time consuming, makes the richest brownies I have ever made and are perfect for the celebrations for St. Patrick's day. If you are not a chocolate lover, the brownie recipe would not be worth the time. The brownies are great by themselves without the extra toppings if you are looking for a treat or if you can't keep hungry fingers away from the pan. We have enjoyed both of these recipes. If you don't mind adapting some of the recipes, the Taste of Home cookbooks are really fun books. The recipes are generally simple, easy to adapt and the pictures are great - my children enjoy picking out recipes to try. I have no affiliation with the cookbooks or publisher, just really enjoy them and thought I'd pass on the info. Sue North Dakota Irish Mint Brownies Adapted from a recipe by Lori Risdal published in the 2006 Taste of Home Annual Recipes Prep: 45 min Bake 30 min. + chilling 1 cup butter, cubed 4 squares (1 oz. each) bittersweet chocolate, chopped 4 eggs 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-1/2 cups GF flour mix 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (optional) 1 cup (6 oz) double dark chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Filling: 4 squares (1 oz. each) white baking chocolate, chopped 1/4 cup refrigerated Irish crème nondairy creamer 1 cup heavy whipping cream 15 mint Andes candies, chopped ICING: 12 squares (1 oz each) bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons butter In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter and bittersweet chocolate; cool slightly. In a bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate mixture. Mix flour, xanthan gum, and baking powder; gradually add flour mixture to batter until blended. Stir in chips and walnuts (if desired). Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 deg.F for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack. In a saucepan, combine white chocolate and creamer. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth; remove from heat. Refrigerate 30-40 minutes or until chilled. In a mixing bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form; fold into chocolate mixture. Beat on medium until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Fold in candies. Spread over brownies. Cover; refrigerate. In a small saucepan, combine bittersweet chocolate and cream. Cook and sir over low heat until chocolate is melted and smooth; remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Cool to room temperature. Carefully spread over filling. Score the chocolate into the size bars you will cut later; makes cutting the hardened chocolate easier. You can decorate each “bar” with a piece of Andies mint candy prior to refrigerating. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until icing is set. Cut on score lines into bars. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen. Almond Berry Muffins Adapted from a recipe by Deborah Feinberg printed in the 2006 Taste of Home Annual Recipes 1-1/4 cups sliced almonds, divided 1 egg white, lightly beaten 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided 1/4 cup shortening 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups GF flour mix 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup buttermilk 1-1/4 cups fresh strawberries, chopped In a bowl, combine 1 cup almonds and egg white. Add 1/2 cup sugar; toss to coat. Spoon into a greased 15-in x 10-in x 1-in baking pan. Bake at 350 deg F. for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening, butter, and remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in extracts. Combine flour, baking power, salt, xanthan gum, and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in strawberries and remaining almonds. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Sprinkle with sugared almonds. Bake at 350 deg. F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen. *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List* Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC