Newburn Bakehouse launch two brand new and improved products

This week the lovely people at Newburn Bakehouse launched two brand new products and I was one of the lucky bloggers who got to try them first.

Introducing the new Farmhouse loaf and soft round rolls. The loaves come either white, brown or seeded and the rolls white or seeded. The Farmhouse loaves will replace their existing loaves and the soft round rolls will replace the sub rolls.

I have to admit I was really impressed with both new products. In my short time as a Coeliac I have found that many gluten-free bread products lack that freshness - the smell, taste and texture of a freshly baked loaf from a proper bakery - the Farmhouse loaf and soft rolls are unique in that they actually do feel like they may have just come out of the oven. I think they're brilliant!

The rolls come in a pack of 4 and they are a pretty decent size. I think they'd make awesome burger buns! I tried the soft white rolls just as a sandwich for lunch at work, 1 roll with cheese and salad was enough for me as a lunch. The rolls are topped with a generous dusting of flour which contributes to that freshly baked feeling you get when you bite in to one. I loved how soft and squishy the rolls were, I think anyone would be hard pushed to tell the difference between this and a 'normal' bread roll.

The Farmhouse loaf looks exactly how a farmhouse loaf should with the farmhouse cuts across the top and again the bread is lovely and soft and fresh. I especially liked the full sized slices - no more tiddly half size slices as you can find with some gluten-free loaves. Again the loaf just looks like any normal loaf of bread you'd find in any bakery aisle of supermarkets.

I found the loaf is great for sandwiches and toast.

Newburn Bakehouse have been working for a long time to improve their freshly baked range and I think you can really tell the difference. You may also like to know that all their fresh bakery products are certified dairy free too.

Where can you buy?

Now -  Selected Sainsburys and Asda stores
From 13th October 2014 - Selected Morrisons, Waitrose and Tesco stores

With a RRP of £2.99 for a loaf and £2.40 for a pack of 4 rolls I think these are definitely value for money. This range of fresh bakery products are by far the closest you'll get to 'real' bread and I love it!

East & West Bakery, Barnstaple

I must give the East and West Bakery in Barnstaple, Devon a mention because they are doing a fabulous job catering for Coeliacs down in Barnstaple. We visited here one afternoon as my friend had mentioned that they do gluten-free cakes. I was naturally keen to sample their delights, I mean, a bakery that actually provides a selection of gluten-free cakes is a rarity in my part of the world and as I seem to be obsessed with satisfying my sweet tooth at the moment I couldn't wait to see what the bakery had to offer.

When we walked in it was clear that the bakery was a very popular place as there were about 5 or 6 people in the queue in front of us - always a good sign! My friend pointed out to me the section of gluten-free pastries and cakes which were located to the far right of the counter as you walked in and were all displayed on their own separate tray, away from all the gluten cakes. I also happened to notice that they bake their own gluten-free bread and sell it by the loaf, individually wrapped and ready to take away.

I decided to go for the coffee cake as it just looked amazing! I am not kidding when I say it was the nicest gluten-free cake I have ever tasted - the light, moist sponge, the layers of coffee flavours and the fresh cream on top all complimented each other well, plus the slice itself was huge! I almost forgot to take a photograph of the cake because I was enjoying it so much but here's a quick picture I took before I devoured the whole slice...

Apparently they take orders too so you can order a specific type of cake if you call them in advance and they will bake pretty much anything for you -  01271 377577.

I can not wait for my next visit!

Cupcake Cafe & Bakery

Today I had my first ever gluten-free eating out experience. This was a really big step for me. My friends and I decided to visit the Cupcake Cafe and Bakery in Leek, Staffordshire and this is where I sampled my first gluten-free cupcake.

The Cupcake Cafe is a small, friendly cafe situated at the end of a cobbled courtyard in the centre of town. Although slightly off the beaten track (it's behind another building) it's well worth the visit. You can either sit in or take-out and they also do celebration cakes and special orders if you have a birthday or occasion and need to buy in bulk. The cafe provides a wide range of delicious cupcakes and cakes all home made on site (and also sandwiches and soups) but in the past year have also introduced a dairy and gluten-free cupcake of the week. Every week the flavour changes and this week the cupcake of choice happened to be Bakewell - I therefore couldn't wait to give it a try.

Check out the beautiful vintage-style china too!

I have to say this is one of the nicest cupcakes I have ever had and as it was my first ever taste of gluten-free cupcake I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really couldn't tell the difference between a normal cupcake and gluten-free. The sponge was lovely and light, yet moist, with a jam centre and the vanilla icing (dairy free) was rich and creamy - topped off nicely with a cherry - perfect. I enjoyed it so much that I had to buy a second cupcake to take home for later!

If you are ever passing through Leek I would definitely recommend you stop at the Cupcake Cafe and give their tasty treats a try. I wonder what the flavour next week will be...

www.cupcakecafe.co.uk/ or www.facebook.com/CupcakeCafeandBakery