Woman's Cookbook Features 150 Gluten-Free Desserts

More than 15 years ago, Carol Kicinski of Dunedin went to the doctor complaining of a persistent migraine headache and severe exhaustion.

After many tests, she was diagnosed as being gluten intolerant.

This left Kicinski, a regular mom with an ordinary baking background, navigating an uncharted gluten-free territory. The term "gluten-free" has only recently become a more mainstream term, and even now it's still misunderstood. She had to eliminate all ingredients with gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barely and rye. No breads, no pastas, no cakes, cookies or brownies — all made with flour.

Now, Carol is a successful food blogger, recipe developer, cooking instructor, television chef and food writer, dedicating her time to creating delicious gluten-free recipes in her tiny Dunedin kitchen.

“I’m not a trained pastry chef but each of these desserts was cooked in my tiny little kitchen at home,” Kicinski said. “So that just goes to show you that anyone can do it.”

Her recently published cookbook was featured on QVC's first hour-long gluten-episode in March, selling almost 2,000 copies. She has also provided recipes for Cooking Light and Martha Stewart's Whole Living Magazine.

Kicinski’s latest cookbook, “Simply…Gluten-Free Desserts,” features 150 recipes for cupcakes, cookies, pies, sweet breads, cakes, puddings and ice creams. It has something to please anyone's sweet tooth, with recipes like Salted Peanut Caramel Brownies (Kiscinki's favorite), Coconut Cupcakes, Blueberry Muffins and Marscapone Berry Cheese Pie.

The cookbook includes affordable recipes for gluten-free desserts, a “how-to” guide for baking gluten-free and even Kicinski’s gluten-free flour blend that works in place of regular flour for any recipe in the book.

Kicinski believes that looking at the world of food in terms of what you can eat instead of what you can’t, will open your eyes to the endless possibilities of a gluten-free lifestyle.

“With about 15 percent of Americans seeking gluten-free products and recipes, it really is becoming a mainstream issue,” Kiscinski said.

Meet the Author

• What: Dunedin resident Carol Kicinski presents her new cookbook "Simple...Gluten-Free Desserts"
• When: Today (May 23) at 6 p.m.
• Where: Barnes and Noble bookstore on 213 N Dale Mabry in Tampa
• More: Kicinski recipes and her latest cooking adventures can be found on her blog at www.simplegluten-free.com. Her cookbook can also be purchased online at QVC. Click here to purchase or see more.