Call it karma or genetics. I have not always been gluten-free, and truthfully I thought it was something you were born with. However, when my sister was in her late 20s, she discovered she had a significant gluten sensitivity. Shortly after, my mom recognized that many of her gastrointestinal issues were also related to gluten intolerance.
As a family that loves all things bread and cookies, this was a tough change, and I would always make jokes at their expense, insisting this would never be me. Fast-forward 4.5 years to the age my sister was when she found out she was intolerant, and like clockwork, the symptoms started.
Granted, my symptoms were never as severe as my mom and sister’s, it quickly became evident that I needed to make some quick dietary changes, and gluten had to go. I was devastated!
I am the girl who finishes every meal with a cookie, and the gluten-free options were never even close in terms of taste and texture. So when we moved to Connecticut at the same time as this change, it became somewhat of my mission to find gluten-free desserts that tasted as similar as possible to regular desserts.
Now that I can’t eat traditional desserts, my barometer for this was my husband asking, “Are you sure this is gluten-free? It doesn’t taste that way!” It has taken a while, but here are my local favorites.
Cloudy Lane Bakery
I first stumbled on Cloudy Lane Bakery at the Fairfield Farmers Market last year and was truly blown away! The baked goods at Cloudy Lane are all gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free and are also free from soy and refined sugar. These treats are full of flavor and far from dry. With a mix of cookies, cupcakes, and muffins, you can’t go wrong. Treats from Cloudy Lane can be ordered online at cloudylanebakery.com, at the Fairfield Farmers Market, and at small local eateries throughout Fairfield County.
The Cake Box
While looking for homes to purchase, I was constantly driving around neighborhoods and towns. One day, as I was weaving my way through Ridgefield, I desperately needed some sort of drink, and my GPS led me to the closest open bakery, which so happened to be The Cake Box. I walked in, and it was pure heaven! I made up a 4-pack of cupcakes because why not, and brought them home. My husband tried one without knowing it was gluten-free and asked why I didn’t buy one for myself. He was shocked when I told him they were gluten-free! Also, they have a large selection of non-gluten-free cakes and cupcakes. Since then, we have bought almost every birthday cake or party cupcakes from them! With locations in both Westport and Ridgefield, it is worth a trip.
By The Way Bakery
A few months ago, we had a gathering at our home, and for the first time, I relinquished my usual control of desserts and asked our friends to bring what they chose. The choice was a huge selection from By The Way Bakery, a bakery located in Westchester, New York City, and Greenwich. By the Way has the largest, most traditional bakery selection on this list, and all of it is gluten-free and dairy free. I was blown away by the choices, presentation, and taste.
Stylish Spoon
Stylish Spoon first came on my radar on Instagram, as she had some great gluten-free recipes, and I didn’t even know they were local to Fairfield County! After following for a while, I noticed they were at the Westport Farmers Market, and I found some cookies on sale at Candlewood Market when it clicked. Stylish Spoon sells a wide range of baked goods such as oatmeal cups, breads, cookies, and donuts. They ship nationwide from their website and can be found throughout Fairfield County. Just check their social media or website for updates!
Honorable Mentions:
While they may not be in Fairfield County, they ship here and around the country!
Milk Bar
Milk Bar is originally known for its cereal milk ice creams and cakes, though they have expanded its menu over the past few years. This is one of my favorite places to order from when shipping to friends around the country who may need a pick-me-up or a birthday celebration from afar. Their gluten-free treats include their cake truffles, the original cake, and cookies. While the flavors are limited to their originals, they taste nearly identical to the regular products, and they are so easy to order!
Levain Bakery
The Iconic Levain Bakery has now made a version of their original 6oz chocolate chip cookie in gluten-free, and it is absolutely amazing! Plus, they ship nationwide and have many options for the non-gluten intolerant in your crowd.
While these are my local favorites and meet our family’s level of intolerance and allergy needs, please check with them before ordering based on your own needs. I hope you enjoy every bite as much as I have!
