By Lisa Stander-Horel and Tim Horel – The writing and photography team behind the blog Gluten Free Canteen and authors of  Nosh on This: Gluten Free Baking from a Jewish-American Kitchen.

While springtime in California is a perfect opportunity to welcome the warmer weather, it’s also time to enjoy some baked goods made with the early fruits and berries that are beginning to show up at the market. As the warmer months continue we like to start featuring summer fruits in our baking as much as possible.

Spring is also a great time to take inventory of your gluten-free baking supplies. I often find cake mixes lurking in the back of the cupboard when I do spring cleaning and they get put to good use.

The Gluten Free Canteen is a big fan of baking shortcuts including box mixes. Great desserts can begin from a box and be dressed up into something easy, unique and delicious. Both Black Forest Cherry Cake and Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes are two tasty examples.

Spring holiday entertaining? From dessert to brunch these recipes will have you covered.

Peachy Banana Blueberry MuffinsPeachy Banana Blueberry Muffins If you’re kitchen is anything like mine, there might be a gnarly banana or two needing a new purpose. Add an old peach or the like amount of frozen summer peaches plus blueberries and you have the makings for a simple and delicious muffin.  Recipe

 

 

Black Forest Cherry CakeBlack Forest Cherry Cake   It begins as a mix, but ends up being a dinner party perfect dessert. It’s also completely dairy-free. Feel free to use unsweetened frozen cherries in place of fresh.  Recipe

 

 

Blueberry French Toast CasseroleBlueberry French Toast Casserole  Most of the time I have a loaf of GF bread in the back of the freezer that I don’t discover until things get moved around. Too late to be used for sandwiches doesn’t mean it has to be wasted. Stale bread is your friend in this case. Add some frozen berries and you have the makings of a very tasty brunch.  Recipe

 

Blueberry Streusel Coffee CakeBlueberry Streusel Coffee Cake  Who does not like coffee cake with a big cup of coffee or mug of tea? It’s an easy cake to make and it might remind you of a certain breakfast joint’s famous coffee cake.   Recipe

 

 

Chocolate Mocha Buttercream CupcakesChocolate Mocha Cupcakes  There’s nothing like a good mocha with a side of extra chocolate. This easy cupcake starts out in a box but ends up being one of a kind. The cake is dairy-free and the icing recipe has two options – one dairy and the other dairy-free. No one is left out.  Recipe