Gluten-free dessert recipes featured in new local cookbook

Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Just in time for holiday baking and gift giving, a Rochester entrepreneur and chef has published a cookbook of gluten-free dessert recipes.

Calvin Eaton, a teacher, content creator and entrepreneur who founded the nonprofit education platform 540WMain, has published "Just Desserts: 40 Step-by-Step Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes."

Due to health issues, Eaton has followed a gluten-free diet since 2011. Back then, Rochester didn't have many options for freshly baked gluten-free goodies, so he began baking them for himself. "You learn very quickly, it's not just a matter than switching flours," he said.

Eaton started The Gluten Free Chef Blog in 2012 to share his gluten-free experiences; he was co-owner of The Gluten Free Chef bakery on Monroe Avenue from 2014 to 2015. The cookbook represents recipes he's developed, collected and curated over the years.

What is in the cookbook?

The cookbook features 40 easy-to-prepare dessert recipes that are entirely gluten free.

Calvin Eaton has published a book on gluten free desserts.
Calvin Eaton has published a book on gluten free desserts.

It includes recipes for cookies, bars, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, quick breads, pies, crumbles, frostings and glazes. The recipes are written with standard and metric measurements, and nutrition information is included for each one. Several plant-based, egg-free and nut-free recipes are included.

"I tried to make sure there's something for every season of the year," he said. As an example, it includes pumpkin pie (including a gluten-free pie crust), pumpkin muffins and pumpkin bread for fall.

Each recipe has a full-color photograph and step-by-step illustrations. Photographers Adam Eaton, Emily Baker and Sarah Fredenburg contributed to the book, as did illustrator Tiffany Nicholas.

Where can I buy "Just Desserts?"

Calvin Eaton has published a book on gluten free desserts that can be found at Hipocampo Children’s Books.
Calvin Eaton has published a book on gluten free desserts that can be found at Hipocampo Children’s Books.

The cookbook is currently on sale at Hipocampo Children's Books, 638 South Ave. in the South Wedge. A hard cover cookbook is $34.99 and limited number of soft cover books is available for $24.99.

Eaton also will be selling books at several events:

  • Launch day signing: 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Hipocampo Children's Books.

  • Cookbook launch party: 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Petit Poutinerie, 44 Elton St.

  • Cookbook signing: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St. in Pittsford.

  • Cookbook signing: Noon at Pittsford MRKT, 5 Monroe Ave., Pittsford.

  • Holiday Art Bazaar at The Yards Collective: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 16, 50-52 Public Market Way in the Rochester Public Market.

Tracy Schuhmacher covers food and drink for the D&C. Keep up to date with her food finds by subscribing to her weekly ROCFlavors newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Gluten-free dessert recipes featured in new cookbook, Just Desserts

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