Why the Gluten Free Twins bake the way we do

Hello everyone, We get the question asked a lot about why we started this company and why we use the ingredients we do in our products. Well, there is so much to say about this topic though I will try to make it short.

1) Why we started Twin Cakes Bakery?

We are so proud of our bakery from where we started to where we are now. And we have so many of our customers that have hung around to thank for that!! Twin Cakes Bakery started because both Michelle and I suffered from food allergies/sensitives (like gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, sugar, peanuts, corn) and we choose to be vegans (so no eggs too)! As well as our second oldest sister suffered from these food sensitives and never had anything to eat. We realized there really was not much baked goods let alone bakeries near by that we really liked let alone places where we could eat. And majority of your typical gluten free companies still use eggs, dairy, and/or sugar. As well as vegan companies can still use wheat flour and sugar. We really did not want any of that in our products! We went back and forth for awhile debating if we should start our very own bakery and finally decided we will. That is when our dream finally started. We took the leap! Our main goal was to create a "healthy bakery" that anyone could eat at especially those with food allergies. We wanted to be different from all the other gluten free and vegan companies out there. We wanted to show others that even if you are watching what you eat for dietary reasons or for health reasons you can find something here that will fit your needs! And do not have to feel guilty about. So, we took it upon us to create some delicious allergy friendly products. As time went by our product offering as continued to grow as well as what allergies we cover. We have met so many great customers and shared stories, struggles, achievements, and much more. We are not sure of what the future holds for our bakery though we do have many customers to thank of where we are today and we where could go in the future. There is so much more that we would love to do with our bakery in the products that we offer and the additional services we could provide. We are very excited for what might be around the corner for our little bakery.

2) Why these "alternative" ingredients?

First off we do not consider the ingredients we use as alternative or different. We view our ingredients as some of the most "healthy" ingredients available. We are always thinking of our customers health when we create a product. We want to make sure that our products are full of flavor and nutrition and contain no preservatives or unknown ingredients. You can spell and say all the ingredients in our products!!! We strive in making sure that the companies we buy from have the same attitude and that they are safe. Here is a list of the ingredients that we use in our variety of products: organic agave nectar organic coconut oil stevia organic olive oil organic vanilla (and alcohol free) sorghum millet amaranth quinoa potato starch tapioca arrowroot organic brown rice sweet rice organic coconut flour organic natural cocoa powder organic fruits (apples, blueberries, bananas, raspberries, lemon, limes, etc) inulin blackstrap molasses organic flax meal guar gum xanthan gum (corn free too) non-aluminum baking powder (corn free too) baking soda organic spices organic hemp milk organic coconut milk Over the next couple of months we will go into further detail of each of these ingredients. Why we chose it, why we use it, and the benefits of incorporating this ingredient into your own lifestyle. So, please check back in to learn more about Twin Cakes Bakery product ingredients. Till next time. Lori and Michelle Twin Cakes Bakery owners

New Items at Twin Cakes Bakery

News From Twin Cakes Bakery We wanted to share with all of you some of our new items that have been gracing our menu's at the farmers markets. We still offer a variety of cupcakes, muffins and cookies at the markets. Though, here are some of the new items at Twin Cakes Bakery (all are gluten free and allergy friendly):

• banana chocolate chip bread
• soft pretzels (plain, cinnamon sugar, and almond glazed)
• mini chocolate chip cookie cakes
• brownie sandwiches (similar idea to our famous chocolate chip cookie sandwiches)
• scones
• crumb cakes
• bread sticks with homemade tomato sauce
• buttermilk pancakes served with maple syrup and fresh fruit

New menu items for Pure2Raw at the markets:

• kale onion flat bread
• black sesame seed swiss chard onion flat bread
• Collard green fiesta flat bread
• cupcakes
• mini key lime tarts
• cinnamon date flat bread

I hope that everyone can find something off the menus that excites you or intrigues you to try something new. We appreciate any feedback on our products. We want to make sure that we are providing you with the best quality product available. Stay tuned more post will be about our bakery and the ingredients we use! Take care, The Twins - Lori and Michelle

Thoughts about Celiac Disease Testing

Our older sister sent us an email earlier today discussing an email that was sent to her about getting the celiac disease genetic testing. She asked for our thoughts about this. So here we go... we have heard of the testing but have never really thought about getting it done. At least where we are in our lives we do not feel it is necessary. Though, we feel that one day in the future we will get the test done. For those of you who have kids or plan to you may want to think about getting this test done. There are different DNA test for the genes available that predispose to celiac disease. Options are either blood sample, saliva, or cells obtained by swabbing inside your cheek. The test will show you whether or not you have the genes that predispose to the disorder. If you have the DQ8 or DQ2 doesn't mean you have the disease - it means that you COULD develop a sensitivity to gluten. So makes you a high risk. According to University of Chicago Celiac Disease center - said if you are a first degree relative (parent, child, sister/brother) of a person with celiac, you have a 1 in 22 chance of developing the disease in your life. If you are a second degree relative (aunt, uncle, etc) your risk is 1 in 39. First and second degree relatives who have the genetic testing and find out that they have the genes can be checked regularly to help monitor the disease which helps with the early diagnosis. By finding out your diagnosis early can help reduce the risk of complications that come with the disease. Where to get tested: Genetic testing is available through most doctors. There are also take-home cheek swab kits as well. More insurance companies are covering the cost of the test, especially those who are at a high risk. You want the test to do both the alpha and beta subunits of HLA DQ. Though, Enterolab just does the Beta testing. So if you just curious and don't think you are a high risk, this test should be ok. Though, if you really want a more complete test than Kimball Genetics, LabCorp, and Prometheus Labs all do the testing. I feel that everyone would benefit in getting tested at some point in their life and depending on your family's background or where you are in your life. You may want to consider getting tested. I hope this information is helpful and helps you in your decision on whether or not to get tested.

Tomorrow's Farmers Market Menu from Twin Cakes Bakery

Hello everyone: Hope everyone is having a great Friday.... things are going well here at Twin Cakes - we have been busy in the kitchen baking away... taking a quick break for some yoga. It helps calm us down and re-focus our minds on such a busy day! Than back here to bake some more... hopefully we can get some sleep tonight:) Hope to see everyone at the markets tomorrow. Lori will be at Carrboro Farmers Market and Michelle will be at the Midtown Farmers Market in North Hills.

Sample Menu:

Mini Chocolate chip cookie cake

Carrot Cakes

Lemon Blueberry scones

Maple Cinnamon scones

Lemon poppy seed muffin

Blueberry peach muffin

Don't worry there will be lots more gluten free and vegan goodies at the markets tomorrow like raspberry brownie sandwiches, cookie sandwiches, more muffins, and cupcakes. As well as our Pure2 raw product offerings like raw spinach onion flatbread, and crackers, and much more... Come and check our tables to see what sparks your taste buds!!!

Here is Michelle delivery a birthday order... our gluten free oreo cookies!

Time to get back to the kitchen.

The Twins

Farmers Market Menu for Tomorrow for Twin Cakes Bakery

Twin Cakes Bakery will be selling at the Midtown Farmers market in North Hills and the Carrboro Farmers market in Carrboro tomorrow morning. Hope to see you all there... it is going to be a nice day! Gluten free and Vegan Goodies Menu: Iced sugar cookies Brownies Mint Brownies, Chocolate cupcakes, Vanilla crumb cake with chocolate drizzle Carrot cake Blueberry peach muffin Banana chocolate chip muffin Lemon raspberry muffin, Cinnamon raisin scones, Mini cinnamon sugar doughnut cakes, Chocolate chip cookie sandwiches Pure2 Raw Foods menu: Cheez crackers, Herb crackers Spinach onion bread Kale onion bread, Black sesame seed spinach onion bread, Berry breakfast bread with maple spread, Cinnamon date bread with maple spread Macacroons Hazelnut truffles Blueberry fig bites

North Raleigh Farmers Market - Twin Cakes Bakery Menu

Here is what we have been baking for the North Raleigh Farmers Market today... Twin Cakes Bakery has just joined this market and today was our second time selling there. A great group of other farmers and vendors who sell there as well, and in a great location. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us and the other local farmers! Remember no food, without your farmers! Help spread the word in by supporting your locals.... Our famous chocolate chip cookies, lemon blackberry muffins, blueberry muffins, our delicious banana chocolate chip muffin, sugar cookies (a family recipe- that we created to be gluten free and vegan), and our soft, chewy, rich cake like brownie slices (YUM!) The Twins will be back in the kitchen tomorrow baking again for a few orders and Southern Village Farmers market, and getting ready for our Saturday markets.... busy days ahead of us. Time to get some sleep. Well, maybe. The Twins Lori and Michelle

Happy 4th of July

Hello everyone We have been busy here at Twin Cakes... farmers markets, a few birthday orders, and a wedding. We sold for the first time this season at North Raleigh Farmers market on Wednesday from 4-7pm. Thank you who came out and picked up some gluten free vegan goodies. And thank you for supporting your locals.!! Here some cakes we had early in the week: Our very popular chocolate chip cookie cake that is gluten free, egg free, dairy free, casein free, soy free, peanut free, nut free, and low glycemic . We grew up with the Great American Cookie Cake as our birthday cake so when we no longer could eat gluten and dairy this was one of our first recipes to create. And boy does it taste good even better than we remember...warning it is very addicting!! Friday was a long day, which actually began Thursday night...just one very long day. We got about 3 hours of sleep but we were ready to go Friday morning. We began our morning like all mornings with a green smoothie to get us going...for more information please check out www.pure2raw.com. We had two birthday orders:

Now for the most exciting part of the week...the wedding. Thank you to Matthew and Jessie for letting Twin Cakes be apart of your special day. The wedding was at the beautiful Holden Beach, NC. We did the cake as well as the dessert bar which consisted of: mini strawberry cheesecakes, decorated sugar cookies, and chocolate almond truffles.