gfe--gluten free easily

Living gluten free easily by eating real food and a few gf processed foods

 MENU
 SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
    • Home
    • Archives
  • About
    • About
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Most Popular
    • Best GF Bread
    • Pizza
    • Desserts
    • All Bread
    • Main Dishes
    • Appetizers, Soups, Vegetables, and Side Dishes
    • Breakfasts
    • Beverages
  • Most Popular
  • gfe Printables
  • Subscribe

Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners Cookbook

Shirley Braden

Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on Email
For affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you follow gfe on social media, you already know how excited I am about my dear friend Johnna Perry’s (In Johnna’s Kitchen) brand-new cookbook, Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners. How excited? As soon as the book became available for pre-order, I ordered 15 copies to share with gfe readers! Yep, I am that excited about this cookbook and today’s Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners Cookbook review and giveaway!

Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners Cookbook Review and Giveaway

I’ve only given away a few of those 15 copies thus far. (I gave those copies away via Facebook—and plan to give away more—so be sure to follow gfe there!) So, I have plenty more to give away! But before we get to today’s giveaway, please allow me to tell you more about this stellar addition to the world of gluten-free cookbooks.

First, a disclosure, I was initially provided a complimentary digital review copy of Johnna’s cookbook. 

I sat down and read it straight through. I absolutely love to sit down with a new cookbook and read it cover to cover—just as I would any other book. Later, when my hard copy arrived, I did it again, albeit, a bit more quickly the second time around.

I’m a firm believer that a good cookbook should shine via a “read through.” And Johnna’s cookbook did. I imagined myself making and enjoying recipe after recipe and nodded my head many times regarding critical information that she validated on gluten-free baking. I even went “ah” and “hmm” more than once at info that she presented that was new to me. And the latter is such an important point as I’m far from a gluten-free newbie but I still learned new things when reading Johnna’s cookbook.

Subtitled The Essential Guide to Sweet and Savory Baking, this cookbook shares 50 recipes in its 154 pages. And the 50 recipes are all ones that you want to make. I’d call them classics or slight variations on classics.

Part of the joy in checking out new cookbooks is seeing just how many recipes you immediately want to make. For me with this cookbook, that was almost all of them but I decided to quickly “test” Johnna’s cookbook with the three recipes that get made most often in our home.

I started with the Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies. I mean, aren’t they one of the ultimate tests when reviewing others’ recipes? And if you’ve seen all the chocolate chip cookie recipes on gfe, you know that we are huge fans of this particular cookie—in every possible form.  We all agreed that Johnna’s classic chocolate chip cookies turned out exactly as Johnna described them: “Crunchy on the edges, chewy in the center, it’s perfectly sweet with chocolate and the lingering richness of brown sugar.” In a word, wonderful. Unsurprisingly, they disappeared quickly!

Admittedly, I was sad for a moment that these cookies got eaten so quickly because I did not get a photo of them. However, then I remembered that these cookies are actually featured on the cover of Johnna’s cookbook (shown above and below) and when I made them, they looked exactly the same. Whew! My review is saved as you all still get to see how appealing and delicious, they are!

(Note: Excerpt and/or photos from Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners, by Johnna Perry, published by Rockridge Press. Copyright © 2021 by Callisto Media, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners Cookbook Review and Giveaway

The Peanut Butter Cookies were next on my baking list because Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies are such a favorite in our house. How would Johnna’s version compare to the gfe flourless version? Well, we loved them! A unique-but-common ingredient takes the place of the egg. These cookies are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and vegan but they look and taste like the peanut butter cookies that you remember. Both the texture and flavor were just terrific. We all kept going back for just one more. As you can probably see, I couldn’t resist adding some vegan mini chocolate chips to some of the cookies!

Last, I made the Fudgy Brownies. They were indeed perfectly fudgy and the brownies on the edges of the pan had perfectly crusty edges. In a word, perfect! With this recipe, Johnna recommended baking them in a metal rather than glass pan as metal heats up faster and cooks more evenly. This advice is one example of the tips shared throughout Johnna’s book and it was spot on.

There are so many other recipes from this cookbook that I’d like to make and my family wants me to make! You can see the recipe categories in the Table of Contents below: Breakfast Treats; Cookies and Bars; Quick Breads, Cakes, and Cupcakes; Pies, Tarts, and Fruit Desserts; Breads and Crackers.

And my family would like me to make those recipes “sooner than later,” as they would say! Recipes such as:

~ Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting,

~ Very Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Butter-Cream Frosting,

~ Cut-Out Sugar Cookies,

and

~ Salted Caramel Apple Tart. To name just a few.

For those of you who need recipes that are gluten free and “more free” (e.g., nut free, dairy free, egg free), as I like to say, Johnna shared some really helpful facts about her cookbook recently on her Facebook page. See that info in full here.

If you go on Amazon, you will find many gluten-free cookbooks for beginners. But here’s the thing, I have no clue who the majority of those authors are. In addition, too many times I’ve used the “Look Inside” feature and found such cookbooks lacking at best and actually providing erroneous and even dangerous info (e.g., gluten-full recipes) at worst.

There’s even a cookbook right now that’s in the Amazon top 100 gluten-free diet books listing that focuses on einkorn. Good grief. Einkorn is NOT gluten free. It may sound like I’m digressing here but here’s the thing, Johnna is a well-known, well-respected member of our gluten-free community. She knows her stuff. She has not “phoned in” a single thing when it comes to this cookbook. She has provided the info and baked good recipes that will keep you safe and make you and your family happy. Yes, even the gluten-eating members. Use the “Look Inside” feature to see for yourself how terrific this cookbook is. Simply click on the cookbook image on the left side of the page. From there, you can use the search function (at the top left) to look for something specific or you can simply scroll through the sample pages.

I’m not surprised that Johnna created a fantastic cookbook. I have made or eaten her baked goods—often actually made by her–many times over the years. Those baked goods have never ever disappointed. Still, I am extremely impressed by this cookbook.

I know from talking to so many friends who have written cookbooks over the years that creating a cookbook is a very challenging job. Despite any challenges she may have faced, Johnna gets in all the important recipes and all the information that you need if you’re a gluten-free newbie. And I’m betting that even if you’ve been gluten free for a long time, you’ll find every single thing that she shares of value.

Johnna says that she intended this cookbook to be the book she wished she’d had when she went gluten free. I have no doubt that she achieved her goal. In fact, many of the folks who have purchased her book have left reviews saying just that. That all makes me so honored to share this Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners cookbook review and giveaway today.

I’ll end my review portion with this summary—a hearty endorsement—which I shared with Johnna’s publisher and you’ll see on Amazon along with other endorsements:

“If you need a warm and helpful friend in the kitchen to walk you through the essentials of delicious gluten-free baking with recipes that you not only want to make but that also truly work, this gem of a cookbook from Johnna of In Johnna’s Kitchen is for you! After reviewing and using many gluten-free cookbooks since going gluten-free two decades ago, I have to say this cookbook is exceptional. A must-have for both those new to gluten-free baking and gluten-free ‘veterans’ who have set aside one gluten-free cookbook after another in their quest for successful baked goods. Your search is over, folks!”

The Giveaway of Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners

UPDATE: This giveaway has ended and the winners have been contacted and have all claimed their prizes. In fact, I ended up giving away NINE copies of this wonderful cookbook! If you didn’t win, check out and or grab your own copy from Amazon right now!

Now let’s get to the giveaway! I’m giving away seven nine copies of Johnna’s cookbook. Yes, SEVEN NINE! Seven  Nine winners will each win one copy of Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners. I want to get this cookbook to as many folks as possible. While I’ll be happy if only seven nine folks enter the giveaway, I really hope you’ll spread the word about this cookbook and give many an opportunity to win a copy. I promise that this won’t be the last time I give away copies of this fabulous cookbook. This giveaway will end on Sunday, July 11, at midnight EST. The winner will be chosen at random (using Random Number Generator).

Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners Cookbook Review and Giveaway

Originally published June 30, 2021; updated March 23, 2023.

Free Email Updates to gfe

Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide
Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on Email

Filed Under: Cookbooks and ResourcesTagged With: cookbook reviews, gluten free, Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners, gluten-free cookbook for baking, gluten-free cookbook for beginners, gluten-free cookbooks, gluten-free cookbooks for newbies, gluten-free cookbooks for novices, In Johnna's Kitchen, Johnna Perry, vegan64 Comments

« Tastiest and Prettiest Gluten-Free 4th of July Recipes
Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream (with Dairy-Free, Vegan Option) »

Comments

  1. Yvonne Cruz says

    July 1, 2021 at 7:49 pm

    I would love one of these books

    Reply
  2. Yvonne Cruz says

    July 1, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I am following Johnna on Facebook. Love the cover and the pictures of the recipes

    Reply
  3. Janis S says

    July 1, 2021 at 8:39 pm

    Following Johnna on Facebook!

    Reply
  4. Janis S says

    July 1, 2021 at 8:40 pm

    The chocolate chip cookies sure look good! I wish I had one right now.

    Reply
  5. Janis S says

    July 1, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    Following In Johnna’s Kitchen on Instagram

    Reply
  6. Janis S says

    July 1, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    Following Johnna and Shirley on Twitter

    Reply
  7. Mary says

    July 1, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    I would love a bite of good gluten free brownie right now! I am now following Johnna on Facebook and Instagram.

    Reply
  8. Linda says

    July 1, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    I am following and liked Johnana facebook page!! I would LOVE to make the brownies for my husband. We have tried many gf baking recipes, very few turn out well, but I trust your website and email!! Thank you!!

    Reply
  9. Cindy W. says

    July 1, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    You had me at the chocolate chip cookies!! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  10. Cindy W. says

    July 1, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    I also follow Johnna on facebook

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    July 1, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    Yummy!!! I have a craving for 🥕cake at the moment…salivating over the picture above!

    Reply
  12. Megan H. says

    July 1, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    Would love a copy of this book! I have been craving a ladylock. It was my favorite a a child. Have never tried making them gluten free though, maybe someday.

    Reply
  13. Megan H. says

    July 1, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    Following Johanna on Facebook and Instagram

    Reply
  14. Laurel says

    July 1, 2021 at 11:13 pm

    I’d definitely go for an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie right now!😎

    Reply
    • Laurel says

      July 1, 2021 at 11:14 pm

      Or a cinnamon bun!

      Reply
  15. Donna says

    July 1, 2021 at 11:14 pm

    I would love to eat a jelly donut right now! I miss the donuts and pastry goodies a lot. I will also be following on instagram and Facebook.

    Reply
  16. Laurel says

    July 1, 2021 at 11:17 pm

    Following both Gfe and Johanna on Facebook

    Reply
  17. Angie says

    July 1, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    I would love to be eating a GF piece of chocolate cake right now!

    Reply
  18. Angie says

    July 1, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    I was not aware of Johannas GF recipes before today, but I am now following her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! I look forward to trying some of her recipes soon!

    Reply
  19. cathy says

    July 2, 2021 at 12:23 am

    I follow you and Johanna on facebook and insta!

    Reply
  20. cathy says

    July 2, 2021 at 12:25 am

    And I’d love to be eating some of that chocolate cake right now!

    Reply
  21. Suzanne R says

    July 2, 2021 at 6:41 am

    Count me in! The holy grail of gluten free recipes for me would be baklava, which I have been searching for forever (though that probably wouldn’t be in a beginners book).

    Reply
  22. Jenn says

    July 2, 2021 at 8:36 am

    Would love a copy of this book! I follow you and Johnna on Facebook!

    Reply
  23. Jenn says

    July 2, 2021 at 8:44 am

    Would love to have one of those peanut butter cookies with my coffee right now!

    Reply
  24. Viki says

    July 2, 2021 at 9:17 am

    I follow gluten free easily on fb & Instagram
    Just started gluten free and I’m clueless and need all the help I can get. Thanks 😊

    Reply
  25. Katrina says

    July 2, 2021 at 10:44 am

    I’d love to enter! I need all the help I can get baking for three celiac kids!

    Reply
  26. Tim W says

    July 2, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    Love Johnna’s insights and recipes. I’d like to try the chocolate chip cookies.

    Reply
  27. Eloise Gaugler says

    July 2, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    I’d love to be eating hot cinnamon rolls with icing right now!

    Reply
  28. Leigh Miller says

    July 3, 2021 at 12:37 am

    I would love to have an eclair or petit four. Of course, I’d also love a copy of this awesome book!

    Reply
  29. Diana G Rios says

    July 3, 2021 at 7:42 am

    I would love fudge brownies right now.

    Reply
  30. Diana Rios says

    July 3, 2021 at 7:48 am

    I follow Johnna on Facebook! Glad to have another great gluten free cookbook on the market choose from. Love the site.

    Reply
  31. Shirley Gardner says

    July 3, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    Still looking for a crunchy on edges, chewy in middle gluten free choc chip cookie. Hungry for them right now.

    Reply
  32. Steph says

    July 4, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    I would love a lavender scone

    Reply
  33. Steph says

    July 4, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    I follow your Instagram

    Reply
  34. Amy Keller says

    July 5, 2021 at 9:29 am

    Bring on the brownies! I am a dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and I can’t wait to recommend this book to patients.

    Following on Twitter, FB, and Instagram’

    Reply
  35. Patricia says

    July 5, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    The cookies on the front cover of the cookbook look really good to me !
    I am following on FB twitter, and instagram. Thanks.

    Reply
  36. Tracy says

    July 6, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    I have been trying to win one of these books. I will definitely follow her as soon as I am done here. The baked good I want to be eating is blackberry cobbler. Been craving it hard this year.

    Reply
  37. Tracy says

    July 6, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    Carrot cake!!

    Reply
  38. Rhonda Pointer says

    July 6, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    My birthday is July 11… would be a wonderful thing to win. I have been craving donuts lately. But I really want a recipe for rugelach. I already follow Joanna on Facebook too.

    Reply
  39. Marilyn says

    July 6, 2021 at 6:42 pm

    I collect cookbooks. I would love this one! I would make the peanut butter cookies first. I just started following Johnna on Facebook.

    Reply
  40. Nancy says

    July 7, 2021 at 10:31 am

    Shirley, I follow In Johnna’s Kitchen. Love not only her recipes but the photography. Everything looks mouthwatering! I wish her success with this book.

    Reply
  41. LJinPA says

    July 7, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    My husband’s current favorite dessert is carrot cake, and I would love to make a gf version I could enjoy with him!

    Reply
  42. Dana says

    July 12, 2021 at 12:00 am

    Brownies

    Reply
  43. Wonderlulu says

    July 12, 2021 at 12:14 am

    I want a really, really, really good and easy replacement for, of all things, brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts. I dream of them.

    Reply
  44. Donna says

    July 12, 2021 at 12:59 am

    I received notification of winning the cookbook! I am VERY excited to have been notified of this. I really need help with baking gluten free! Thank you SO much.

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 12, 2021 at 2:33 pm

      Congratulatons, Donna! You’re so very welcome. I’m so happy for you! Your cookbook should arrive on Thursday. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  45. Janis S says

    July 12, 2021 at 1:23 am

    I just got an email that I won a copy of the cookbook! So excited to try some if these recipes. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 12, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      Woohoo, Janis! You’re so very welcome! 🙂 Your copy should arrive tomorrow!

      Shirley

      Reply
  46. Megan H says

    July 12, 2021 at 8:08 am

    I just got an email that I won a copy of the cookbook. I’m so excited and can’t wait to try out some new recipes! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 12, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      I’m equally excited for you, Megan! Your cookbook will arrive tomorrow. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  47. Cindy W. says

    July 12, 2021 at 8:30 am

    Thanks so much Shirley! So excited to win a copy. 🙂 After I copy some favorites I want to try I will be giving my copy to my son who was diagnosed recently.

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 12, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      You are so very welcome, Cindy! I love that you’re going to help your son “get off on the right gluten-free foot.” 😉

      Shirley

      Reply
  48. Katrina says

    July 12, 2021 at 8:47 am

    Thank you so much Shirley! Can’t wait to dig into this cookbook and try some new recipes!!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 12, 2021 at 3:11 pm

      Yay, Katrina!! I’m excited for you! Your cookbook is supposed to arrive on Wednesday. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  49. Viki says

    July 13, 2021 at 8:13 am

    Thank you so much Shirley !!! I’m so excited to get this and try all your recipes !! Thank you again !!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 13, 2021 at 8:20 am

      You’re so very welcome, Viki! It is exciting, isn’t it? The recipes in Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners aren’t mine but I know you will love Johnna’s (In Johnna’s Kitchen) recipes! 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  50. Linda says

    July 14, 2021 at 9:58 am

    THANK YOU for the cookbook! I cant wait to get my hands on it!! I’m fresh out of the hospital, so hubby will be trying his first choice!! Thank you for being so kind and generous!!❤

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 14, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      You’re very welcome, Linda. I hope you and your hubby will enjoy this cookbook and all the resulting baked goods during your complete recovery! Your cookbook should arrive on Friday. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  51. Mary Standard says

    July 15, 2021 at 1:48 am

    Thank you so much for this exciting book on gluten-free baking. I am so happy to have the opportunity to have it to teach me about gluten-free baking. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes.

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      July 15, 2021 at 8:29 am

      Hi Mary–You’re so very welcome! I’m excited for you! I know you will really enjoy Johnna’s cookbook. Your copy will arrive tomorrow. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  52. Tammy Wolfe says

    June 11, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    Would love to have my whole family be gluten free and learn alternative ingredients to use.

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      June 11, 2023 at 4:27 pm

      Hi Tammy! This is a Facebook giveaway. Please enter by leaving a comment on my Facebook post here. Good luck! 🙂

      Reply
  53. Wendy says

    June 11, 2023 at 10:39 pm

    Pick me!!! This looks like an amazing cookbook!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      June 11, 2023 at 10:45 pm

      Wendy–This is a Facebook giveaway. Please leave a comment on the post on Facebook here. Thanks!

      Shirley

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Trending

  • Easy Crustless Gluten-Free Raspberry Pie. You won't believe how easy this very delicious pie is! -from GlutenFreeEasily.com] Easy Crustless Gluten-Free Raspberry Pie

  • A Slice of My Flourless Chocolate Cake. (Photo courtesy of Brandae Filla.) [from GlutenFreeEasily.com] Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten Free)

  • Gluten-Free Focaccia

  • Guten-Free Flourless Pizza with Large Pepperoni Slices baked in 9 x 13 baking dish with pizza cutter, plate, and Salt Life glass beside it. Flourless Gluten-Free Pizza (Keto, Low-Carb)

  • Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Truffle Crispy Rice Bars. Peanut butter and chocolate meet rice krispy treats for a trifecta of goodness. [featured on GlutenFreeEasily.com] Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Crispy Rice Bars

  • Gluten-Free Caramel Squares

  • Gluten-Free Cheddar Cheese Quick Bread Mini Loaves. Yes, you can double the recipe but I still recommend using mini loaf pans so your quick bread will be ready sooner. Plus, you can keep one and give on away if you'd like! [featured on GlutenFreeEasily.com] Gluten-Free Cheddar Cheese Bread

Subscribe by Email
Copyright © 2008-2025 • All Rights Reserved · Gluten Free Easily • Privacy Policy • Disclaimers and Disclosures • Makeworthy Media