From Memorial Day to Labor Day, summertime is packed with parties. It is always fun to kick back with your friends and enjoy good food. One of the best parts of any gathering is topping off the meal with dessert. People with food allergies do not always get to enjoy this luxury because desserts tend to be riddled with common allergens like wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. Instead of permanently avoiding the treat table, though, check out the following list of desserts that you can make or buy for your next summer party.
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Homemade Candy
People with food allergies know that eating store bought candy is risky. Dairy, eggs, nuts, and wheat are common ingredients in popular types of candy. Even candies that are technically free of allergens are often manufactured on the same equipment as allergenic varieties, so unsafe ingredients can occasionally sneak into them.
You can get around this issue by learning to make your own candy. It takes a little practice to perfect the art of candy making, but it is a skill that will make you quite popular once you start sharing it with your friends. Preparing your favorite candies in the safety of your own kitchen allows you to control the ingredients used and eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. Even better, your homemade varieties are sure to taste better than anything you could buy in a store.
Cookies
Cookies are one of the best-loved desserts of all time, but their ingredients make them unsafe for many people who have allergies. Almost all cookies are held together with eggs, and many varieties also contain nuts and dairy. Historically, it has been difficult to purchase allergy-safe cookies that actually taste good. Now, however, there is a product line available that makes the joy of cookies accessible to more people.
Just Cookies is a line of cookies manufactured by Hampton Creek, a rapidly expanding food tech company. Just Cookies are dairy-free and are held together with sorghum rather than eggs, so people with egg or dairy allergies can chow down without a care. While some of the available flavors do contain nuts and soy, the company uses strict food preparation and handling procedures to make each individual variety as safe as possible.
Aside from their allergy safety, Just Cookies have another thing going for them—they are better for you than the average cookie. The sorghum that replaces the eggs is naturally sweet, so the cookies require less added sugar than their traditional counterparts. Cookies that are both safer and healthier for you? Better stock up on these babies!
Italian Ice
Italian ice is a cool treat that can really hit the spot on a sweltering day. Typically, the only ingredients in Italian ice are fruit, ice, and sugar. Such simple components make this a safe option for people with dairy, nut, soy, wheat, and egg allergies. Italian ice is pretty easy to make at home. There are also many types of ice available for sale in restaurants and stores, although it is best to carefully check the allergy information for individual brands.
Non-Dairy Ice Creams
Ice cream is one of the most popular summertime desserts, but its key ingredient contains dairy, a common allergen. Furthermore, store bought ice cream often contains dyes, eggs, soy, wheat, or peanuts—or all the above. Many would-be ice cream eaters simply cannot justify the few minutes of pleasure they might experience with the risk of becoming ill.
Luckily, there are alternatives available. Non-dairy milks derived from plants like coconuts, almonds, and rice all make delicious ice cream bases. You can often find these nondairy ice creams for sale in the freezer section of your regular grocery store. If you are not willing to trust these sources or cannot easily find them, you can also find recipes for making your own online.
Party Safely
Summer parties should be fun for everybody, regardless of dietary restrictions. While food allergies can be difficult to manage, you can make things easier by creating solutions that meet your needs. Spend some time learning where to buy or how to make desserts that are not only safe, but also delicious. You might even be able to pass on your tips to friends with the same allergies. With some research and experimentation, you can stock the next party you attend or throw with foods that you feel confident eating. Just make sure there is enough to share!