11 Hudson Valley Bakeries for Gluten-Free Delights

Whether you have an intolerance or are trying to eat less wheat, these cafés craft treats so scrumptious you’ll never guess they’re gluten-free.

Adobe Stock | Photo by mateuszsiuta

Whether you have an intolerance or are trying to eat less wheat, these cafés craft treats so scrumptious you’ll never guess they’re gluten-free.

Additional reporting by Greta Stuckey

It’s hard to be a foodie and not eat gluten. In the oft-Instagrammed world of food, wheat lies at every corner. It’s front and center in cheesy swirls of spaghetti, crumbled on the cookie-lined rims of milkshakes, and kneaded into the artisan loaves that sandwich our favorite turkey clubs.

Yet for anyone who abstains from gluten — whether due to celiac disease, an intolerance, or a dietary preference — finding alternatives to popular wheat-containing dishes can be a struggle.

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Never fear! In the Hudson Valley, there exist well more than a handful of dedicated gluten-free bakeries. In these wondrous places, wheat is less than an afterthought amid shelves of just-baked muffins, crusty loaves of bread, and light-as-air macarons, all of which contain nary a speck of gluten. Of course, you probably wouldn’t know that from taste alone.

These treats are downright delicious, no gluten-free disclaimer required.

The Alternative Baker

407 Main St, Rosendale
Try this: Chocolate truffle torte

Rosendale’s alternative bakery has long been a favorite for gluten-free treats, and it’s easy to see why. One look at the sugar-studded counter is all it takes to convince yourself that, yes, you do need to try at least three of the home-baked goods on offer. Our pick? Anything chocolate is a must, as is the devil’s food cake and strawberry shortcake. This bakery has a mix of regular, gluten-free, sugar-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, and vegan dessert options.  Not everything is gluten-free here, so keep that in mind if you do have a serious allergy.

Amanda’s Macaron Shoppe

44 Eastdale Ave., Poughkeepsie (and online) 
Try this: Rainbow cookie macaron

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Macarons may be naturally gluten-free (hello, almond flour!), but that doesn’t mean the treats from Amanda’s Macaron Shoppe are anything less than divine. On the contrary, the Culinary Institute of America graduate’s signature confections are so delightful that they prompted the online retailer to open her very own brick-and-mortar at Poughkeepsie’s Eastdale Village in spring 2020.

While macaron flavors run the gamut from chocolate to salted caramel, Amanda’s claim to fame is her Italian rainbow cookie rendition, and for good reason. It tastes just like the real thing! She even makes a specialty item called macrownies which are macarons inside of a brownie. You have a choice between five different macrownie flavors, so the question is…is it a chocolate fluffernutter or cookie dough blondie day?

 

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By The Way Bakery

574 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson
Try this: Marble tea cake

By The Way Bakery makes all of its desserts in small batches from scratch, including those that cater to individuals with dietary restrictions. In addition to everything being made gluten-free, none of the yummy treats contain dairy. Whether you are in the mood for apricot-filled hamantaschen, turtle bars, marble tea cakes, or fresh challah, you can’t go wrong at By The Way.

 

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Eat This Bakery

6 Union St, Montgomery
Try this: Custom cake

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This woman-owned and -operated bakery opened up in 2013, and has been growing ever since. At Eat This Bakery, the whole family will be happy. The sweet spot makes a variety of traditional, gluten-free, and vegan treat options. In addition to the small cupcakes and treats offered inside the bakery, “The Baker,” as she calls herself, specializes in decorating cakes. If you have a wedding, party, or function where a themed or elegant gluten-free cake is needed, Eat This Bakery is the spot.

 

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The Gluten Free Bakery

116 Hudson Ave, Chatham
Try this: Seedy sandwich bread

Part of the family-owned Our Daily Bread bakery, The Gluten Free Bakery opened in 2011 in response to increasing demands for wheat-free alternatives from customers. Since then, the Columbia County kitchen has stocked up on organic, alternative grain flours to craft its buckwheat, cinnamon raisin, and vegan loaves.

While it no longer has its own brick-and-mortar location, it stocks its fan-favorite creations at Our Daily Bread, its sister location, on Hudson Avenue. Check out the online store to order gluten-free staples like granola, bagels, brioche buns, and biscotti.

 

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Kelly’s Bakery

110C Delafield St, Poughkeepsie
Try this: Almond-brown butter and buttermilk custard cake

Since opening in 2021, Kelly’s Bakery has consistently introduced new gluten-free items to its menu. Whether you are in the mood for something savory or sweet, Kelly’s has the wheat-less option for you. Step into lively space and order yourself sesame seed and maple cookies, flourless chocolate cake, or a tasty chia bowl.

Kitchen & Coffee

418 Main St, Beacon
Try this: Vegan Chocolate Chip Pecan

Kitchen & Coffee continues the gluten-free baking tradition that Ella’s Bellas started in the same space. In addition to delicious coffee, soups, sandwiches, grain bowls, and salads, Kitchen & Coffee bakes wheat-free breads, pastries, and custom cakes. Plus, many of the items happen to be vegan as well.

Mad Batters Pastries

578 State Rte 55 Unit B, Highland
Try this: Toasted coconut scones

The retail location for Mad Batters Pastries used to be in Marlboro, but relocated to a new shop in Highland during 2021. The owner behind this café is gluten-intolerant, ensuring every baked delight is up to her high standards. Every single thing on the lunch menu is free from wheat, so gluten-free eaters can dig into crème brûlée French toast or pastrami Reubens without fear of an allergic reaction.

The true showstoppers here, however, are undoubtedly the sweets. Mad Batters is a dream for cookie bars, coffee cakes, and seasonal biscotti. During the holidays, the bakery saves the day with gluten-free riffs on apple and pumpkin pies with a cream cheese crust makes all the difference. The shop also does custom orders, so if you want a specialty themed gluten-free birthday or holiday cake, look no further.

 

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Meredith’s Bread

 415 NY-28, Kingston
Try this: Chocolate explosion cookies

Meredith’s Bread has produced handmade and preservative-free breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, pies, and preserves from scratch since 1987. With several members of the bakery family living with celiac disease, Meredith’s Bread has made it a mission to bake and offer delicious gluten-free options. The bakery has a dedicated facility specifically for making gluten-free options so people with allergies don’t have to worry about getting sick. Go to the gluten-free section online to check out the options ranging from muffins, scones, and tarts to all sorts of breads. Specialties include chocolate explosion cookies, raspberry bars, and strawberry-rhubarb tarts.

Off the Wheat Sweets and Eats

Online
Try this: Keto cheesy cheese bombs

Based in Cornwall-on-Hudson, Off the Wheat is a passion project for Hudson Valley baker Blaine Caravaggi. A former restaurant manager, she’s now the baker behind the gluten-free brand that uses hyper-local ingredients from farms like Argyle Cheese Farm in Argyle and Chaseholm Farm in Pine Plains.

As for what she creates, it could be anything from oat flour peanut butter chocolate chip cookies to cappuccino or blueberry muffins. Caravaggi uses a customized flour mix of almond, coconut, gluten-free oat, and cassava flours to craft her sweets, and many of her products are dairy-free and vegan as well.

Savvy Girl Baking Company

Online
Try this: Coffee brownie

Formerly known as Sweet Girl Brownie Company, Savvy Girl is a Hudson Valley-based baking company that prioritizes small-batch, from-scratch preparations that are 100-percent gluten-free. Using rice flour instead of wheat, the brand whips up brownies in a range of too-tempting flavors.

Instead of deciding between one or another, get them all in a six- or 12-pack shipped straight to your house. After all, with options like coffee, dark chocolate orange, ginger, and peppermint, how can anyone choose just one?


Related: 11 Vegan Eateries for Plant-Based Dining in the Hudson Valley

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