The Columbia Mom's Kitchen: 3 Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Treats That Saved My Sanity (and Tastebuds)
Hi friends!
So here's the deal. When I first started cutting out gluten and dairy, I knew it was the right move for my body… but wow, it felt overwhelming. I wasn’t looking to become some health food guru overnight. I just wanted to bake something that actually tasted normal. Cozy. Familiar. Something I could serve to friends without prefacing with “don’t worry, it’s healthy.”
That’s when the recipe hunt began. And let me tell you: after lots of trial and error (some good, some... not so good), I finally found three incredible recipes that made me feel like myself again in the kitchen.
These are NOT my own recipes, full credit and all the love goes to the amazing creators below. I’m just sharing what I made, how I tweaked them, and why I now keep these bookmarked (and saved, and pinned, and screenshotted) at all times.
1. The BEST Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Original recipe by: The Roasted Root
I didn’t know banana bread could still taste this rich and bakery-level good without flour or dairy, but this one totally blew me away. It’s perfectly moist, not overly sweet, and makes your kitchen smell like a dream. I’ve made it twice in one week because my family devoured it.
How I made it my own:
I used King Arthur’s 1:1 gluten-free flour.
Swapped in Earth Balance vegan butter sticks.
Added Enjoy Life dairy-free chocolate chips… because of course I did.
This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and bonus, its a one bowl wonder recipe that even the kids loved!
2. Super Fudgy Vegan Brownies (Gluten-Free + Flourless)
Original recipe by: Bananas About Life
I’m talking rich, gooey, eat-it-straight-from-the-pan delicious. These brownies are completely flourless, but you'd never know. They're that perfect sweet spot between fudge and brownie and hit every single chocolate craving I had.
How I made it my own:
Use flax eggs and almond flour as called for.
Swapped in Wellsley Farms Organic Creamy Peanut Butter from BJ’s for the nut butter, it’s my absolute favorite (just peanuts + salt, super creamy, and better than Jif in my opinion!)
Used Earth Balance butter sticks for oil substitutions.
Folded in Enjoy Life dairy-free chocolate chips for that extra melty moment.
This recipe is vegan, gluten free, flourless, and so fudgy I had to hide them from myself!
3. Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Bars
Original recipe by: Caked by Katie
Bright, buttery (but without actual butter), and bursting with juicy berries, these bars just scream summer. I was craving something light and fruity, and these were exactly what I needed.
How I made it my own:
Used King Arthur’s 1:1 gluten-free flour for the crust and crumble
Swapped in Earth Balance vegan butter sticks
Added an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling to make sure the blueberries didn’t get too runny
Upped the lemon zest for a little more citrus pop
This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and gorgeous enough for brunch, easy enough for a Tuesday.
Try One and Share Your Thoughts!
These three treats have officially become staples in my rotation. They made me feel like myself again in the kitchen… not like I was missing out. If you’re navigating the gluten-free, dairy-free life (or just want a few better-for-you treats that don’t compromise on flavor), I hope these help you too. I’m not a food blogger, but I am a mom who loves to bake and share what’s actually working for me. And since I’ve had a ton of DMs asking for these recipes, I wanted to create a fun little spot where they’re all in one place. Let me know if you try one, and tag me @the.columbiamom so I can cheer you on (and drool over your results)! And again, massive thanks and full credit to the incredible creators behind these recipes. Go check out their sites for more deliciousness. This post is just my love letter to the recipes that brought joy (and chocolate) back into my kitchen.
