Ad Hoc and Bouchon Bakery Gluten-Free Mixes
For those suffering from gluten allergies or intolerance, Chef Thomas Keller comes to the rescue.
His line of baking mixes, sold exclusively by Williams-Sonoma, makes use of his own “Cup 4 Cup” custom-blended gluton-free flour, which has proven a runaway hit. Cup 4 Cup, which also is sold at Williams-Sonoma for $19.95 for a three-pound bag is in such high demand that when I tried to get a sample bag earlier this year, I was told it was on back order for three months. It’s a blend of cornstarch, white rice flour, brown rice flour, milk powder, tapioca flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum that can replace all-purpose flour in a recipe in a direct 1-to-1 ratio.
Fortunately, I was able to try samples of the baking mixes.
Even without any gluten issues, I was thoroughly smitten by the Ad Hoc Waffle and Pancake Mix ($18.95), which made some of the fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever had. You just add an egg, melted butter and milk to the mix. The texture truly is amazing.
The Bouchon Bakery Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix ($19.95) made for decadent cookies with a softer center than the standard Bouchon Bakery Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix ($19.95) ones. You don’t get quite the chewy texture of the latter, but the gluten-free ones are still quite satisfying. You just need to add butter and an egg to the mix.
With the Ad Hoc Gluten-Free Brownie Mix ($18.95), you also need to add eggs and butter. Everything else is included. But one thing that was a little perplexing were the two bags of chocolate chunks that were included. One is slightly larger than the other — containing about 1 1/4 ounces more, according to my scale. You’re instructed that one packet is used to create the melted chocolate for the batter and the other packet is for mixing into the batter. But neither bag is specifically marked, so you’re left to guess which one to use for which purpose. In the end, I used the larger bag for melting.
The brownies turned out quite fudgy, with a deep, dark chocolate taste.
The mixes are available in William-Sonoma stores or on its Web site.
The Verdict on More Thomas Keller products: Ad Hoc Cake Mix and Frosting
Whoa I would never guess that those were gluten-free! I’ll have to check out those mixes!
I don’t have any gluten issues, but I want those brownies!
This brownie looks and sounds amazing. I’m surprised they didn’t mark the chocolate chunks. 🙂 I might be tempted to snack on them while thinking which one to put in where. LOL..
I’m not allergic to wheat but I can definitely feel a difference going with gluten-free products. These mixes look promising. 🙂
Gluten free or not I want those brownies! These mixes are great! I was thinking of trying the waffle and pancake mix first.
A little expensive but I can imagine how great this is!! Drool!
Awesome site! I am just learning about becoming gluten free. There’s lots of good in fo out there so thanks for sharing your site.
Thanks,
Chris
oh foodgal, that shot of the brownies is making me crazy!
Most people with Gluten issues are not well. GF products made with such refined products (white flour and various starches) are not healthy. They feed pathogens in the gut big time, which is the heart of the problem for many with diet issues. Is there a brilliant chef out there that can make a tasty whole grain GF product?
The mix made fudgy brownies? Sounds like a winner to me 😀
OMG, I agree with foodhoe – the brownie picture is making me crazy too.