The gluten-free trend has taken Marin by storm, and while it may be a nuisance to give up easy-access foods like bread and cake, a myriad of gluten-free delectables await. To tickle the tastebuds of the 6.3 percent at Redwood who are gluten-intolerant, we reviewed a sampling of gluten-free cupcakes in Marin. We evaluated the treats for their quality of taste, as well as accessibility and price, on a 5-star grading scale.
Vanilla-Almond Cupcake, Teacake Bake Shop at Corte Madera Town Center
4.5 stars
With its airy consistency and rich chocolate buttercream frosting, the vanilla-almond cupcake at Teacake Bake Shop did not fail to impress. The almonds in the cake added an ever-so-slight crunch to the otherwise light texture, and, most importantly, disguised the fact that the dessert was gluten-free. The nutty flavor left no aftertaste nor any flavor of healthiness on the tongue.
A clean, bright atmosphere complimented the efficient service and short wait in line. At $3.75 per cupcake, however, this treat is not for the stingy. In addition, there were few seats available in the shop, so one must grab and go if they wish to enjoy a treat with friends.
Udi’s Double Chocolate Muffins, Whole Foods in Mill Valley
3.5 Stars
With flavorful bursts of chocolate chips, this dense chocolate muffin proved to be more a cupcake than a breakfast pastry. Each bite of chocolate left my mouth salivating, and the lack of wheat flour in the muffin went almost unnoticed due to the sheer amount of chocolate in this dessert. Despite storage in the frozen aisle, the muffin tasted quite fresh, though not as moist as the cupcake from Teacake Bake Shop.
An added bonus to the treat is its absence of dairy, soy, and nuts, so almost anybody with a sweet-tooth can savor the muffin without breaking a diet. Furthermore, at approximately $1.75 per muffin, the sweet will not break the bank. One can purchase Udi’s Double Chocolate Muffins in a pack of four at Whole Foods Market.
Meyer Lemon Cupcake with Blackberry Buttercream Frosting, Flour Craft Bakery in San Anselmo
3.5 Stars
Nestled at the heart of downtown San Anselmo, the entirely gluten-free Flour Craft Bakery offered a relaxing dining experience to complement its mouthwatering array of sweets and breads. Smooth jazz music and dark wood floors evoked a modern atmosphere, which was not surprising considering that the shop opened about a year ago.
The cupcake itself did not quite meet the expectations created by its appearance. Though lavender in color, I could barely taste the blackberry in the rich frosting. On the other hand, the light cake offered a mild lemon flavor to hide the riceyness of the rice flour, a necessary attribute in any gluten-free dessert. Though creamy and sweet, this cupcake lacked both the burst of blackberry flavor and zesty lemon bite suggested by its name. Cupcakes are $3.50 each.
Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream, Flour Craft Bakery in San Anselmo
4.5 stars
The mild chocolate frosting sat swirled atop a light, yet rich chocolate cake. A vision in brown, few cacao nibs added even more chocolate flavor to the confection, and provided a crunch to the otherwise smooth texture. In fact, the prevalence of chocolate was so great that it completely disguised the flavor of the rice flour. In addition, a hint of coffee added just the right amount of bitterness to balance the sweetness.
The downside? Though fluffy and tasty, the cake lacked moisture. Cupcakes are $3.50 each.
