Decorative iced sugar cookies have become a staple treat at birthday parties and holiday gatherings. But often these cookies have ingredients that are not safe for those with allergies and sensitivities. I really feel for kids like my son whose serious food allergies prevents them from being safely included in these celebrations.
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
So, I made it my mission to find an iced sugar cookie recipe that would not only suit his needs (peanut-free) but to also accommodate his little friend who is allergic to egg and dairy. Oh, and to make it gluten-free so I can taste-test! A tall order, I know. But it was important to try as his 6th birthday was coming up and I wanted to make sure that we had safe treats that everyone could enjoy.
Asking Help From the Experts
I started with asking my talented baker friend, Natasha. She owns and operates Frosted Farm Cookies, a home business specializing in intricate iced sugar delicacies. I asked her if she knew of a good gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free sugar cookie recipe.
Unfortunately she didn’t. She continued to explain that many gluten-free, vegan cookie doughs spread when baked. Incredibly frustrating to decorate a blob.
So, I needed to do some work myself. After much searching online, and a few recipe flops, I finally found a winner! Thank you to Gwen Leron, creator of Delightful Adventures for developing a delicious Vegan Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie that holds its shape when baked.
Her recipe requires no modifications. It is absolutely perfect. I particularly appreciate that she includes additional information to ensure that her readers have a successful baking experience. This is one of those posts that you’re going to want to read in full. Resist the urge to press the “skip to recipe” button! I followed her directions very closely and got excellent results.
With Gwen’s recipe, I felt prepared to begin the birthday baking. I made a variety of treats for my son’s party. Everything served was peanut-free but I made iced cookies from a traditional wheat flour, egg and dairy recipe as well. (Kept separate from the allergen-free sugar cookies, of course.)
I was shocked to see that the kids – even the ones without allergy restrictions – came back time and time again for the allergen-free cookies. These cookies were devoured!
Preparing for Allergen-Free Baking
Before you dive into baking allergen-free treats for yourself or others, there are some very important things you need to know and do to ensure everyone’s safety. It would be terrible if someone had an allergic reaction from a food you prepared to be “safe”. Here are some guidelines to follow when making allergen-safe treats:
Learn About Cross-Contact
Even a tiny amount of an allergen can cause serious reactions in allergic people. Cross-contact is when an allergen is accidentally transferred to a safe food by way of a contaminated utensil, counter or food item. For example, wheat crumbs can be transferred to a margarine tub from buttering toast with a knife. Or a beater can have nut butter residue on it from previous use. Much care has to be taken to ensure cross-contact doesn’t occur.
Thoroughly Clean and Disinfect Food Preparation Areas
Before you even start, all kitchen equipment, surfaces and utensils need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) states the best way to ensure safe food preparation is to follow this protocol:
- Wash all equipment, utensils and workspace areas with warm soapy water using a single use cloth or paper towel.
- Rinse all soapy items thoroughly using a spray bottle containing water.
- Sanitize all equipment and surfaces using a disinfecting single use wipe. Allow to air dry before using.
Some items are difficult to clean and sanitize. If you want to simplify matters, consider keeping a separate set of equipment, dishes and utensils to be used only for allergen-safe food.
Some people choose to colour code their “safe ware” to make it more easily identifiable. Keep these items in a designated spot in your kitchen so that they are kept separate from general items and are always ready to use. You can read more tips here.
Know the Allergies of Your Guests
Familiarize yourself with the allergens of the people you are preparing food for. If possible, show them the ingredients of the recipe that you will be using beforehand to make sure that there aren’t other ingredients that they are allergic or sensitive to. Involving them in the process will also help to put them at ease about trying the food you are preparing.
Be aware of other non-food allergies that your guests may have. This became a serious consideration for us as our neighbour’s child is severely allergic to animal fur. As we have a cat, I need to take extra precautions when preparing food for them. Here are some additional steps to take to prevent animal hair from being a risk.
- Change into clean clothes if you have handled your pet. Closely inspect your clean clothes before you start. Clothing needs to be completely free of pet hair and dander while you are preparing allergen-free foods as transfer may occur.
- Thoroughly vacuum and dust the food preparation area including floor and all surfaces. A vacuum with a hepa filter is best for picking up all animal hairs and filtering out the smallest dust particles and dander.
- Wash down surfaces with warm, soapy water.
- Use only disposable paper towels to wash or dry hands, dishes or surfaces instead of dish towels that may have been contaminated with pet fur from the laundry.
- Pets must not have access to the kitchen while you are working to ensure there is no contact or transfer of hair.
- Avoid touching your pet while you are preparing the allergen-safe food. I like to wear disposable nitrile gloves when I am baking to act as a physical reminder.
Communicating Ingredients
If you are serving allergen-free treats at a party or giving as a gift, always be sure to include a complete list of ingredients.
When I make cookies for my son’s class I use these customizable Avery printable adhesive labels. I went on the Avery website and created the ingredient labels on their online program. Then printed them off on my home printer. It was easy.
Each cookie was individually wrapped in a cellophane cookie bag (covid requirements) and I stuck the ingredient label on the back.
So as this new school year begins with all of its special occasions being celebrated, why not make some allergen-free sugar cookies for your child’s class. Check with the school and teacher beforehand to make sure that this is welcomed. And definitely include a list of ingredients in the event there are other allergies that you aren’t aware of. Let’s create opportunities to include everyone safely.
