Buying Gluten-Free Treats? Know Which Bakeries Use Shared Environments

There are a number of bakeries making gluten-free options in shared kitchens. People who have celiac disease, and those who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, need to avoid gluten-free goodies made where wheat is present due to cross contact from airborne wheat flour.

Those who are eating gluten-free by choice usually aren't concerned about cross contact, so this list of shared-environment bakeries fits their bill. All of these bakeries follow protocols to prevent cross contact, but they can't promise the end result is free of wheat.

Cake Hag: Offers a variety of gluten-free goodies (carrot cake, cupcakes, flourless chocolate tortes, cheesecake, brownies, and more) including wedding and special occasion cakes. Advanced ordering is necessary.

Cake in the Box: This nut-free bakery makes cakes, cupcakes, and cookies to order. It can also avoid other allergens, such as eggs, dairy/casein, soy, etc.

Carolyn's Cupcakes & More: Makes chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with choice of icing and decorative toppings. It also offers cookies (peanut butter-oatmeal, peanut butter-oatmeal-M&M, peanut butter, oatmeal-raisin, chocolate chip, and chocolate chip with pecans).

Dulce Vegan: A dedicated vegan bakery with gluten-free options made with soy milk. Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cookie bars, and biscotti are baked first thing in the morning before anything else, and they are displayed separately.

Gigi's Cupcakes: Has a daily selection of gluten-free cupcakes made with yellow and chocolate cake. It also offers, by special order, a dairy-free chocolate cupcake topped with fat-free meringue. All of the gluten-free cupcakes are made first thing after the bakery is fully sanitized. They are made in brown cupcakes liners, and employees change gloves before handling them.

Southern Sweets: Makes layer cakes and cupcakes in chocolate and vanilla. Its cupcakes can be found at Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station.

Sprinkles Cupcakes: Offers red velvet cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting and a "G" daily. It uses separate equipment and utensils to prepare the gluten-free cupcakes, and everything is sanitized prior to use. Gluten-free cupcakes are kept in the back of the store on their own rack covered in plastic, and employees change gloves before handling them.

Sweet ‘n Sinful Bakery: Keeps their gluten-free goodies segregated from the wheat-based options. Beautifully decorated sugar cookies, milk- and dark-chocolate brownies, cupcakes, and more are available for order.

YumYum Dessert Co.: Its meringues, chocolate sparkle cookies (made with almond flour), crème bruele, cupcakes, and macaroons can be found in the baked goods case daily.

LisaMae Gluten Free: Her pre-formed, frozen cookie dough in white chocolate- macadamia nut, chocolate chip, and oatmeal-cranberry can be found in Whole Foods around Atlanta. The dough goes straight from the freezer to the oven and is ready in minutes.

— Eater Atlanta contributor Jennifer Harris