Aunti Gluten's Bakery: A Gluten-Free Paradise in Pleasanton

I was so thrilled when I stumbled upon Aunti Gluten's Bakery in Pleasanton.

I have a lot of friends who have celiac disease, which, according to the National Digestive Diseases Association, is “a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food."

People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley.

According to the association, when gluten is ingested the immune system responds by damaging the lining of the small intestine. A person can become malnourished no matter how much food he or she eats.

Most baked goods have a lot of wheat in them; it is very difficult to find a quality gluten-free baked good.

But at , you are in luck — it has gluten-free cakes, cupcakes, cookies, breads and a gluten-free spin on Chex mix.

On my first visit, we ordered some red velvet cupcakes for a post-birthday bash. The cupcakes were so moist, flavorful and well iced. I never had eaten a gluten-free cupcake and I was quite impressed.

Red velvet is not the only option for a cupcake. The bakery has everything from vanilla and chocolate to exotic flavors like s'mores and chai. There are more than 10 flavors, so there is something for everyone.

These delicious products cost a little more than your average cupcake. Three cupcakes are about $16 with tax.

While picking up the cupcakes, we noticed that the bakery had gluten-free cookies and I picked some up for my friends.

They loved the pecan oatmeal chocolate chip, which apparently is the most popular, with certified gluten-free oats and large semisweet chocolate chunks.

I had one and couldn’t tell it was gluten free.

During our next barbecue, I plan to pick up some sweet panini.

It seems perfect for sweet and savory treats, sandwiches and desserts. I also would like to try some mock wheat, a takeoff on the major grain that is off limits to people with celiac disease. I also plan to pick up some Chex mix — it is made up of gluten-free corn, rice, pretzels, savory chips, popcorn and peanuts.

Aunti Gluten can make almost any gluten-free treat and also can make them dairy and casein free and vegan.

For anyone with special dietary needs, this bakery is a great place for yummy baked goods and treats.