Snickers Cupcake
Mermaids Bakery
Most gluten-free baked products send the message, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Mermaids Bakery takes a different approach. In the Snickers cupcake, buttery caramel and crushed peanuts are baked into a chocolate cake, topped with cream cheese frosting, drizzled with caramel, and garnished with more nuts. It’s the kind of dessert that gets better with every crumb.
Bonus Bite: The coconut macaroons are popular for their chewy sweetness—and they’re offered every day. 1543 Champa St., 303-534-0956, mermaidsbakery.com

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Boulder Baked
Gluten-free treats dry out quickly, so freshness is paramount. At Boulder Baked, the double chocolate chunk cookies—chocolate chips embedded in a rich chocolate batter—are baked to order. The reward is a piping hot, gooey treat that delivers satisfying crunch at the edges.
Bonus Bite: Indulge in the cookie sundae, in which a freshly baked cookie tops a bowl of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and hot fudge. 1911 Broadway, Boulder, 303-444-4999, boulderbaked.com

5280 February 2013
More From The Issue

Coconut Cream Pie
City, O’ City
City, O’ City, which gets all of its baked goods fresh daily from WaterCourse Bakery next door, is a paradise for sugar addicts. Though the restaurant offers cookies, cupcakes, muffins, and more, the coconut cream pie is a dish of grand proportions. The crisp, gluten-free crust cradles a velvety coconut filling, clouds of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. The gluten-free dessert is also vegan.
Bonus Bite: Sit down for a meal. The menu is designed for the conscious eater who still (rightly) expects a delicious dining experience. 206 E. 13th Ave., 303-831-6443, cityocitydenver.com

Brownie
The Gluten Escape
A brownie may seem a simple thing, but in the gluten-free world a perfectly textured square of the chocolate confection is hard to come by. The Gluten Escape’s version, made with rich dark chocolate, has achieved a cakelike texture that’s not overly
crumbly or dense—consistencies that befall many lesser brownies.
Bonus Bite: The freshly baked cinnamon buns will start your morning right. 4403 S. Tamarac Parkway, Suite 103, 303-694-9999, theglutenescape.com