Gluten-free Cooking for Kids

In our very own gluten free tribute to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, we present.....our very own Diamond Jubilee cupcakes.  I used the recipe from my book The Gluten Free Cookbook for Kids alongside my award winning (just kidding) buttercream icing.  I promise to put this recipe on the website very soon as it seems mean not to. 

In terms of the decorating, I've recently decided that a pastry bag with a decorative nozzle isn't evil incarnate.  It does use a whole lot more icing, so if you are going this route, definately do a double batch of icing. It's very simple to do and if you follow my tip which is to buy disposable plastic piping bags, the pain of washing out a sticky, buttery pastry bag is a thing of the past.  You can buy these bags and lots of decorating bits and pieces from Lakeland. 

The British Double Decker Bus and Union Jack decorations were purchased at Waitrose and are made by Fiddes Payne and miracle of miracles, they are gluten free.  This on it's own deserves an entire blog on why companies who make decorations don't ditch the wheat.  Fiddes Payne used to do gluten free decorations, then they stopped and now as if they have listened to me ranting and raving in the supermarket aisles, have not used wheat in these gorgeous British themed sugar paste decorations.  Fiddes Payne, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You have made one mummy and two little girls extremely happy.

The red and blue decorations were purchased in Paris, by my sister-in-law Sophie who is always on the lookout for all things gluten free.  These are candied rose and violet petals, which not only look beautiful, they are delicious.  If you fancy having a go at making these, it's pretty simple.  You need some unsprayed violet and rose petals, some egg white and some sugar.  Get yourself a big tray and a clean (preferably brand new) paint brush.  Brush a little egg white on your petal and then dip in sugar.  Leave to dry for at least 24 hours.  If you've got an AGA, you can probably put them in the lowest oven.  You want to retain the bright colours so make sure the heat is super low.  If you've got a dehydrator, (which I don't) I think this would do the job nicely.  And as the weather is a bit grim and wet, this is the sort of thing you could do with little ones during the half term holiday.  Once the petals are fully dry, pack them in an airtight container.  They will keep for a few months but chances are you will find an excuse to use them on just about anything.