Grab some gluten-free desserts at these BARTable bakeries

Image courtesy of Yelp/Love at First Bite.

Gluten-free? Luckily, there’s many bakeries and restaurants by BART stations that offer a smattering of gluten-free delights. You won’t have to sacrifice flavor at these spots!

But what exactly is gluten? Gluten describes the proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. The protein acts as a sort of glue that holds food together, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. It can also cause a series of problems for folks with gluten allergies or intolerances.

These days, you don’t have to venture far off the beaten path to find sweets sans gluten. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite places below.

Image courtesy of Yelp/Adam S.

Mariposa Bakery | Embarcadero

Mariposa is the gold standard for gluten-free baked goods in the Bay Area. Everything in the shop is gluten-free – and guaranteed delicious! The shop was founded in 2004 by Patti Furey Crane, who, as the story goes, craved delicious sweets while pregnant and started baking her own. The rest is history!

PicaPica |16th St Mission

The tasty arepas and desserts at PicaPica in San Francisco’s Mission District are always gluten-free by design. The “core ingredients” at the restaurant are corn, plantains, taro, and yuca root – Venezuelan cooking staples – none of which contain gluten. Try the coconut quesillo or yuca beignets for something sweet.

Image courtesy of Yelp/Yun-Wen L.

Arizmendi Bakery | 24th St Mission

Also on Valencia Street is Arizmendi Bakery, a worker-owned spot that prioritizes social justice and local community. Though not everything on the menu is gluten-free here, including its famous pizza, the bakery does offer a smattering of wheat-free baked goods, such as cookies, muffins, and scones.

Nothing Bundt Cakes | Millbrae

You won’t feel left out from the fun at Nothing Bundt Cakes, which has locations throughout the Bay Area (the Millbrae bakery is BARTable). The bakery chain makes one gluten-free cake – the Chocolate Chip Cookie Bundt Cake – which you can get in a variety of sizes. Size and availability vary, so it’s recommended calling the bakery ahead of time.

Image courtesy of Yelp/Wing Y.

Karin Johnson Specialty Cakes and Pastries | Castro Valley

A short ramble from the Castro Valley BART Station, Karin Johnson Specialty Cakes and Pastries will make your heart sing and your stomach grumble, thanks to its diversity of tasty offerings. Some of the goods on-hand are gluten-free and may include treats such as cookies, macarons, and muffin. Note: The bakery is open only Saturday, from 9 am to 1 pm.

CREAM | Concord, Walnut Creek, Downtown Berkeley, 16th St Mission

What’s better than the fresh ice cream at CREAM? It might just be the cookies…The beloved ice cream sandwich shop has plenty of gluten-free and vegan options available for both its ice creams and cookies. You won’t have to settle on a single flavor here!

Image courtesy of Yelp/Love at First Bite

Love at First Bite Bakery | Downtown Berkeley

Nestled in North Berkeley, Love at First Bite Bakery makes a selection of gluten-free cupcakes, for an additional price. The bakery whips up at least 12 flavors a day such as matcha green tea, pumpkin bliss, and chocolate pistachio (but not all flavors are gluten-free). Order ahead to guarantee your favorite flavor is gluten-free.

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