As our Suite of Sweets for Sweethearts event continues, today I have the pleasure of sharing Gluten-Free Entertaining: More than 100 Naturally Wheat-Free Recipes for Parties and Special Occasions with you all. This cookbook is the newest cookbook from one of my favorites, Olivia Dupin! Let me tell you about this cookbook and share two recipes, gluten-free Mile-High Chocolate Cake in today’s post and gluten-free Double Strawberry Waffles in another post.
Olivia is a professionally trained chef who has been living gluten free and creating gluten-free recipes since 2009 when she was diagnosed with celiac disease. I’ve been a big fan of Olivia’s since she “friended” me years ago when it looked like I’d be able to attend a gluten-free retreat where she was going to be the chef. Sadly, I did not end up getting to go to that event, but we’ve stayed “connected” ever since.
You can read more about Olivia on her website, Liv Gluten Free, here. (Interesting tidbit … Olivia has worked as a private chef for some celebrities, including performing a stint for comedian Jerry Seinfeld.) You can also check out a few of her recipes on her site (like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream … hello!) and find more on her Facebook page.
So far, this year’s Suite of Sweets for Sweethearts event has featured Vanilla Pudding (from Everyday Classics: 68 Tasty & Essential Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, and Soy-Free Recipes, Chocolate Pie (from The Paleo Chocolate Lovers’ Cookbook), and Red Velvet Cupcakes (from Gluten-Free 101). All such delectable goodies!
I asked my readers on Facebook to choose the recipe they’d like to see next in this SSS event and Olivia’s Mile-High Chocolate Cake won the vote. I think you made a great choice for obvious reasons! (This recipe is also the one featured on the cover of Gluten-Free Entertaining.)
Another recipe of Olivia’s, her Double Strawberry Waffles recipe, was also in the running. That recipe came in a very close third, so I asked Olivia if I could share both with you all and she has graciously agreed. I love that! Be sure to check out the Double Strawberry Waffles later.
Olivia’s recipes are not difficult to make and she focuses on naturally gluten-free ingredients. I loved her first book, The Complete Guide to Naturally Gluten-Free Foods: Your Starter Manual to Going G-Free the Easy, No-Fuss Way-Includes 100 Simply Delicious Recipes!, for this very same reason.
If you’re not one to host a lot of events—or any really—you might think that Gluten-Free Entertaining would not be a good choice for you. You would be mistaken. While this book is definitely terrific for anyone who entertains, it’s also great for your average person (and couple or family) who might never entertain. Here’s why.
Olivia offers you 14 complete meal plans/recipe groupings in this book and you can use them or the individual recipes in them any time for your own family. You don’t have to have a houseful or be on a date (one section is “Impress a Date Night”) to appreciate meals that include Baked Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic Shrimp, Green Bean and Bacon Casserole (a sort of “grown-up” version of that other ubiquitous holiday Green Bean Casserole), Lemony Sugar Snap Peas, Crepes with Cannoli Cream, Easy Vanilla Cupcakes, or Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.
One comment that I hear often from folks entering giveaways is that they’re looking to get out of a cooking rut. I get that. Part of that sometimes is having a main dish idea, but not knowing what to serve with it. Olivia’s new cookbook will help you come up with some terrific, but easy meals, and get you out of your rut.
And if you’re someone who does like to entertain friends and family, Olivia will walk you through all the steps needed to do so. There are three main sections in Gluten-Free Entertaining: Planning the Perfect Pantry, Celebrating the Holidays, and Special Occasions. Within those sections, you’ll find events like “Passover Seder,” “Christmas Cookie Exchange,” “Easter Brunch,” “Baby Shower Brunch Buffet,” and “Spanish Tapas Dinner Party.”
And even within those, there are recipes for everyone. For example, one recipe under Passover Seder is Chocolate Chip Almond Torte and the recipes within the Baby Shower Brunch Buffet section include Buttermilk Biscuits, Quick Sausage Gravy, and Sugar and Spicy Cookie Mix Party Favors. That last recipe is Olivia’s baby shower version of a Cookie Mix in a Jar, but with only a slight tweak, it could also be used for easy homemade holiday gifts.
When gluten-free flour is required for her recipes in this book, Olivia uses a three-ingredient flour blend. As Olivia states, you can make her blend up ahead of time or simply measure out the individual ingredients as needed for each recipe when you make them (as you’ll see noted in her recipes).
She frosts her gluten-free Mile-High Chocolate Cake with pumpkin custard as part of her “Giving Thanks Celebration” section, but you could easily use your own favorite frosting as filling between the three layers instead. Olivia says, “This stunning three-layer cake is made in one bowl and is so simple and delicious you will want to use it for many special occasions, or maybe even no occasion at all.”
The Giveaway of Gluten-Free Entertaining
UPDATE: This cookbook giveaway is now closed.
Mile-High Chocolate Cake Recipe
Gluten-Free Mile-High Chocolate Cake
Olivia says: "This stunning three-layer cake is made in one bowl and is so simple and delicious you will want to use it for many special occasions, or maybe even no occasion at all."
Ingredients
For pumpkin filling:
- 2 cups (470 ml) milk
- 1 can (14 ounces, or 392 g) pumpkin purée
- 2 eggs
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) sugar
- 5 tablespoons (40 g) cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (112 g) cold unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract
For cake:
- 3 cups (600 g) sugar
- 4 cups (480 g) Liv’s Flour Blend (page 15) (or 2 cups (240 g) cornstarch + 1 cup (120 g) almond flour + 1 cup (120 g) gluten-free oat flour)
- 2 cups (240 g) cocoa powder
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups (470 ml) milk
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) canola oil
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (235 ml) boiling water
- 3 tablespoons (22 g) powdered sugar, for garnish
Instructions
To make the pumpkin filling:
- In a large saucepan, combine the milk, pumpkin purée, whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the mixture begins to bubble. Lower the heat slightly, switch to a rubber spatula, and stir the mixture constantly until it is very thick and resembles pudding. Remove from heat. Add the cold butter and stir until completely melted. Add the vanilla and stir to combine. Pour into a heat-proof container and place plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely cooled and set, at least 3 to 4 hours.
To make the cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350˚F (180˚C, or gas mark 4).
- Grease three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the cake pans with parchment paper cut to fit, then grease the paper and set aside.
- In a very large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour blend, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla and stir to combine. Stir in the boiling water. Distribute the batter evenly among the 3 prepared pans.
- Bake the cakes for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each one comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes, then run a sharp knife along the edge of each pan and invert each cake onto a cooling rack. Cool completely.
- To assemble the cake, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Top with half of the pumpkin filling, then top with a second cake layer, and add the remaining filling. Top with the final cake layer. Dust with the powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
This recipe is printed with permission from Olivia Dupin and Quayside Publishing.
If you do not have three pans, you can bake the cakes in batches.This recipe is also soy-free.Yield: 12 servings
Chef’s Tip: This cake recipe makes 36 cupcakes. Just fill a cupcake pan three-quarters of the way and bake for about 18 minutes at 350˚F (180˚C, or gas mark 4). Try using the pumpkin filling to stuff the cupcakes and top with your favorite frosting.
Shirley's Note: I'm pretty sure that you can substitute your favorite frosting, custard, or pudding for the pumpkin filling if you'd like.
Full disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Olivia Dupin and Quayside Publishing, but all opinions expressed herein are my own.
Originally published February 14, 2014; updated January 27; 2019.
Charlotte Moore says
I like to fix for my kids, grandkids, and great granddaughter on special occasions. I have fixed a Valentine dinner for the last 2 years for them. First year I went all out and my husband wore a tux shirt. I even ask each one what they would like. BOY, that was hard to cook so many different things. Now, our granddaughter in law seems to be gluten intolerate. That makes it harder.
Katrina says
I enjoy entertaining at Christmas time and out on the patio in the summer months. Your site name says it all, the best way to eat GF is to eat food in its natural form.
mOLLY says
This looks so GREAT that I’m hoping I’ll be able to make it. I need to know if you can replace the Oak Flour with maybe Potato, Bean or some other flour.
No rice or corn flour either.
Thanks a bunch
Jeann Fishback says
I like to entertain but just trying to re-work my favorite recipes isn’t enough. I need new and interesting choices. Yeah for this book!!!
Magic and Mayhem says
Just curious if all the recipes involve oat flour. We avoid it since it’s so close to gluten and some studies show that it causes damage even when it’s GF oats. Do you know if there’s an easy sub? The cake looks beautiful and the pumpkin filling sounds delicious. Thanks!
Magic and Mayhem says
PS Regarding the giveaway, I love to entertain, especially family friends. And with 5 kids, it’s sort of a party every night here. 🙂
Magic and Mayhem says
And as always, I like GFE on FB. 🙂
insiya says
My dad surely likes to entertain. There’s a guest in our house every other day! It get’s annoying at times but atleast we get to eat delicacies every time 😉 I rarely cook but my mom is surely a cooking rut making almost same dishes for our guests! I am deciding to turn completely gluten-free, however haven’t taken the plunge completely yet.
insiya says
Like GFE on facebook!
Cindy W. says
I am definitely in a cooking rut. I am finding I am eating the same things day after day, week after week. If I win the cookbook giveaway hopefully I will be inspired to break out of my rut. (: Thanks for the giveaway.
Anne Mikszewski says
These reciepes make me want to get baking. They look and sound scrumptious.
Angela Sommers says
I love to entertain, and do so quite frequently, and yes I also do need a nudge to get me out of a cooking rut.
And I LOVE cook books!
Thanks for the giveaway, they are always fun whether I win or not 🙂
Angela Sommers says
And I have liked your GFE page for a while now 🙂 🙂 🙂 – always such great advice, great links, great everything to be found there! Keep it going dear friend!
Angela Sommers says
Aaaaaaaaaaaand, I just went and “Liked” the Liv Gluten free FB page…..well I hope that just upped my chances to win 🙂
Susan Scott says
I love to entertain, especially during the holidays. However, since I have been gluten free, I have not entertained very much. I’m always concerned that my gluten free dishes….though they taste great to me…. will not be up to par for those who do eat gluten. In addition, I just don’t have many ideas of what to serve. I could use help!
I have liked you on Facebook and get your notifications. I have to say that I really enjoy your posts. I didn’t know about Liv, but will go there to like her page.
Mary says
Both my daughter and I are gluten free and I’m always looking for interesting recipes as it it very easy to get in a rut. Summer is my favorite time to entertain.
Mary says
I just liked Liv Gluten Free on facebook.
Mary says
I like GFE on facebook and just love all of your recipes.
Kiva says
I love to entertain year round. Being new to the GF life, I am always excited about recipes that allow me to still enjoy entertaining yet are tasty as GF. Thanks!
Jeanine says
Ohh… I missed this post – I like to think that I like to entertain, but really I stink at it. I’m horrible about inviting people over, AND figuring out what do serve them. Seriously. lol Would love this book, looks good!
Jeanine says
I also LOVE gfe on FB. 😀
Jeanine says
I’ve also liked Liv GF on FB! Thanks for the opportunity!
Carina says
I don’t entertain, but I do like to bring something when I attend a gathering. These recipes sound great!
I also “like” Liv GF and gfe on fb.
Carina says
Oops! I included everything in one comment; I “like” gfe on fb.
Carina says
I “like” Liv GF on fb.
LM says
Would love this cookbook. Liked everyone on FB
Michelle Johnson says
I have only been gluten free about 7 months after a CD diagnosis. I would love some recipes for entertaining!!
Michelle Johnson says
I like GFE on Facebook!
val says
It would be so nice to be able to entertain more easily…a cookbook like this would sure help me!
Elizabeth M says
I never really was much into cooking, but now that I am wheat and nut free, I LOVE it!
Elizabeth M says
I like GFE on Facebook.
Elizabeth M says
I also like Liv on Facebook.
Joni Owada says
We are new to GF cooking and so far have had some major flops. I am in need of a true and tried book that will help this trend stop!
Jessica says
Just learning to enjoy and eat gluten free!! Looking forward to actually sharing yummy food with friends!
Joni Owada says
I like GFE on FB
Colinda says
I love to cook for family and friends!!
Since going gluten-free about 1 1/2 years ago, it has been a challenge to find recipes that everyone enjoys and I don’t hear “you can tell it’s gluten-free”.
Iwould really love to win your Gluten-Free Entertaining cookbook:)
Colinda says
I like Gluten Free Easily on Facebook.
Kristan says
I do a lot of entertaining and now that we are following a paleo lifestyle, I’d love to win the cookbook!
Patrycja says
This cake looks delicious! I would like to win the book to find more recipes. I love to bake and entertain my guests with my gluten free baking. 😉
Robyn Smith says
I LOVE entertaining, and am always the person hosting events in my family and group of friends!
Mary says
I love to entertain and am new to gluten-free.
This book looks incredible!
Katy says
I’m still learning how to bake gluten free, this cookbook looks amazing I would love to own a copy!
Katy says
I liked GFE on Facebook
Katy says
I liked Liv Gluten Free on FB
Shazia says
I entertain on a regular basis and try to include a few gf dishes in the meals – even if I’m the only one eating gf.
Julia says
My husband and I are newly gluten free. The fist month or so was fairly easy. But, since then, i feel stuck about what to cook. Definitely in a rut. I work at home, so I cook every single meal, every single day. Would love some new inspiration that comes with a new cookbook!
jennifer dowdy says
I enjoy cooking gf recipes but only if they are natural ingredients like I see in these recipes. GF is expensive enoug. I like recipes that actually save money!!
Sadie Dodson says
I love creating GF goodies for our friends and family. I would love to have this book for new ideas.
Sadie Dodson says
I liked GFE on Facebook.
Sadie Dodson says
I liked Liv GF on Facebook
Sparkle Huston says
New to Gluten Free, but these dishes look amazing. My 2 year old grandson must be Gluten Free. I need all type of help so he can have a well rounded diet. He is also allergic to dairy,oats,, barley, rye. I will be learning all I can learn for him to be healthy. Thanks for a chance to win.
Kim says
My husband makes a super tall chocolate cake like this, but I haven’t been able to have any since going gluten free. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Maria M says
I like to entertain during the holidays and cook for my family, especially my picky three-year old grandson.
Barbara Stefanacci says
Entertaining when on gf is still a bit scary to us. But winning this book could help us get the right encouragement and ideas. Thank you for the opportunity. I will spread the word on my fb page!
Diana M. says
Not sure yet, but because of current symptoms, I believe I have gluten intolerance. Would love to win this book so I can entertain my huge family and teach them a new “normal”
Good luck!
Kim says
Like GFE on FB
Maria M says
I liked the on Facebook.
Kim says
Also liked Liv Gluten Free on FB.
Maria M says
I liked LV Gluten Free on Facebook.
shaunna says
I am gluten free. My husband’s family is large. At family gatherings we all bring a dish. I cant eat anything unless i bring a few things that are gf and tasty for everyone. And recently I bad a baby girl and she has a lot of digestiv issues- causing me to have to change my diet completely. So I could use some new fresh ideas!
Renee says
I am a cook and a baker. Everyone knows me for my baking. And recently, I have had to go Gluten Free and this has proven difficult for my family to cope with, for me to learn, and for my friends to understand. Mostly because they always expect me to bake and then find it strange that I cannot eat what I have made. How amazing it would be to be able to bake something that everyone LOVES, that is up to my normal baking standard, and that I can eat too! And to have options?!?! Goodness…that would be amazing. My 4 year old will be happy to see mommy eating ‘celebration’ cakes with the family again.
Paige H says
What a fantastic idea! The stress of converting recipes to gluten-free before entertaining is the worst.
debbie pete says
I love to entertain all the time. Love to try new recipes…gluten free and my knees are working better than they have in years.
debbie pete says
liked GFE on FB
debbie pete says
liked live gf on fb
kathi morgan says
Do somewhat better on GF foods. Cant find recipes I love especially with baking. Would love a recipe book.
JoAnn says
This would be a great book to have. I’m still learning how to bake and entertain GF.
JoAnn says
I liked on FB Gluten Free Easily.
JoAnn says
I liked on FB Liv Gluten Free.
Kate Herring says
Need some help with creating delicious GF desserts!
Judi Mott says
I have been trying to find some fun gf recipes for sharing with my life group at church. This mile high cake sounds like it will fill the bill. I have been gf for 2 years now and while I have not lost weight any more I do feel healthier.
brooke says
My husband and I LOVE to entertain… One of our favorite things to do together is to cook (cooking for each other is how we fell in love!) A lot of our friends and family are GF, so this book would be so helpful to us because new and easy GF recipes are a must in our house!
Kate Herring says
liked Liv and gfe!
Karen Mellin says
With a cake like that I could enjoy desert also.
Julie Kersten says
I’ve been in a cooking rut for a while. I’ve gone gluten free due to an intolerance that developed after a major stomach bacteria infection. I really miss baking and having fresh bread and desserts. I’d love a good gluten free cookbook.
Laureen says
I’ve been looking for a good waffle recipe. Can;t wait to give this a try! Not so interested in the cake, but the cake stand is to die for!!
Laureen says
Liked Liv on FB.
Laureen says
liked gfe on FB.
Teresa says
I too am in a cooking rut!! Would love to win your cookbook to spice things up! Liked gfe and liv on fb. Am so looking forward to new recipes!!!
Desirée says
These recipes look amazing, I can’t wait to try the waffles!
Holly W says
I am new to the Gluten free lifestyle and look forward to bringing “treats” to the get togethers that I go to. Having recently been diagnosed as having a wheat allergy, I have not quite given up wheat yet. I am still searching for alternatives. I look forward to trying the recipes on this page! So excited! The waffles look great.
Jessica says
Liked liv on Fb
Tonya Mullins says
I year old is autistic and has to be gluten and casin free. Love all of the recipe ideas and our whole family is now gluten free. I need the cookbook to cook more wonderful things.
Tonya Mullins says
Liked gfe on facebook..
Tonya Mullins says
Liked liv gluten free on facebook.
Rod B says
New to GF, love the recipes.
Rod B says
Liked GFE on FB.
Rod B says
Liked Liv Gluten-Free on FB.
Rebecca says
Liked gfe on facebook
Rebecca says
Liked liv gluten free on facebook
Rebecca says
I would love to have this cookbook as I have friends and family who are Gluten Free as well as myself and four of my kids.
Melissa Rasmussen says
Love to entertain and want some new ideas. Recently diagnosed with Celiacs and ready to learn new ideas.
Liked liv on facebook
Evette says
I love to entertain, and would love to have this cookbook to offer my guest with gluten sensitivity an opportunity to fellowship with us and enjoy nice treats.
Penney Binford says
I just found out over the summer that I have a wheat and rye allergy. Bad enough the I went to the hospital with my throat swollen. Anyways my husband loves desserts and feels that he can’t have them without me. I am sure he would appreciate it as much as I would.
Thank you.
Penney
Jennifer says
I just learned I have early celiac disease and these recipes look great for entertaining!
Annette says
Hubby and son both diagnosed celiac within a few months of each other. would love this book to get some fantastic recipes to help them on their journey to good health and good food 🙂 Love to bake and finding the transition a bit difficult so this would be a marvellous help.
Jeanne m. says
Thank you for making it look and taste good.
Barbara Storey says
These recipes look GREAT! I’m assuming you can substitute tapioca or potato starch for the corn starch – I hope? In addition to being g-f, I have a life-threatening allergy to corn. Makes life difficult, because it’s in everything!
Shirley says
Hi Barbara–If you’ve had good luck subbing those for cornstarch before, they *should* work pretty well. All three are not exactly equal and you might Google to read more on the differences on those related to gluten-free baking. I know that Karina (Gluten-Free Goddess) and Carla (Gluten-Free Recipe Box) both discuss this topic. I’m sure you’ll figure out a workable solution! 🙂
Shirley
Barbara Storey says
Thanks, Shirley! All the g-f recipes I’ve used so far have either tapioca or potato starch in them, or both, so I think it will be okay. 🙂
Shirley says
You’re welcome, Barbara. Enjoy. 🙂
Magic and Mayhem says
How exciting! Can’t wait to read the book. Thanks so much! 🙂
Shirley says
You’re welcome. I know you will enjoy Olivia’s new book. 🙂
Shirley
Mary says
Hi Shirley
So excited to have won this giveaway. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes. I emailed you my address. Thanks so much!
Shirley says
Thanks, Mary! You’re good to go. Have fun making Olivia’s recipes!
Shirley
Jeann Fishback says
WOW!!! I was really wanting this cookbook and now I’m one of the winners. Thank you so very much. Now I don’t have to just drool over the great pictures!!!
Shirley says
It’s always fun to win, isn’t it? 😉 You can drool over all the photos when you get your copy and then start cooking, so you can stop drooling and start tasting! 🙂
Shirley
Katrina says
Shirley! Thank you so much! It was a great surprise that really brightened my day!
Shirley says
You’re welcome, of course, Katrina! I love to brighten my readers’ days! 🙂
Shirley
RAE says
Hi Shirley, this cake looks interesting, but I am wondering what her gf flour blend is? Do you know?
Thank you,
Rae
Shirley Braden says
Hi Rae–It’s good to see you here at gfe again! 🙂 Olivia’s flour blend is cornstarch, almond flour, and gluten-free oat flour. She tells you the specific amounts of each to use in this recipe. Look at the “OR” and the amounts after gluten-free flour blend is noted in the ingredients in the recipe.
Shirley