Sweets That Everyone Can Enjoy

Allison Gregory-Graff started a bakery inspired by their daughters called Ginger & Spice Bake Shoppe

One hot and bored summer after I spent a month recovering from a tonsillectomy, I set out to try my hand at my husband’s gluten-free cookie recipe. He had been baking and sharing the cookies from this recipe for years, to the delight of anyone (gluten-free or not) who took a bite of his cookies. The goal was that if I could get his recipe down pat, I could try selling the gluten-free cookies during my summer off. 

To my surprise, I loved the whole process of baking cookies! What I thought would be a means to an end evolved into a personal creative outlet and passion for me. I followed my husband’s step-by-step recipe, and every one of my beginning cookie batches came out perfectly! This gave me the freedom and life to begin experimenting with other flavors, add-ins, and toppings. 

Eventually, I also ventured into the world of gluten-free cake baking and decorating. Cake decorating was a mesmerizing craft to me, and I wanted to be part of creating cakes and spreading joy through them. However, just as I perfected my vanilla buttercream recipe, we discovered our youngest daughter had a dairy allergy! I had to pivot my skills in order for my entire family to enjoy baked goods. My first trial run was the gluten-free and dairy-free cake I made for Thanksgiving, and it came out absolutely delicious! From that point on, I was fully dedicated to providing gluten-free and dairy-free cookies and cakes for my family and friends, especially those that had food allergies. 

Baking allergen-friendly cookies and cakes has given me so much joy. Everyone should be able to enjoy a quality treat now and then that doesn’t taste like goop or cardboard. I want all of my allergen friendly goodies to have quality ingredients while also staying delicious, so that no one ever feels like they are missing out on the “good stuff!”