Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, driven by rising awareness of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. For those who must or choose to avoid gluten, navigating food options can be challenging. Many favorite bakery treats and desserts traditionally contain gluten, making it difficult to indulge in sweets safely.
One such beloved dessert is brownies. Rich, fudgy, and chocolaty, brownies are a classic treat enjoyed by many. But can they be made gluten free? Specifically, doesBetty Crocker, one of the most ubiquitous and well-known brands in baking, offer a gluten free brownie mix option?
About Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, damaging the villi which are small finger-like projections that line the intestine and absorb nutrients. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, and weight loss. Celiac disease impacts about 1% of the population worldwide.
Gluten sensitivity or intolerance is a condition where the ingestion of gluten also causes adverse effects like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, headaches, fatigue, and skin issues. However, the immune system and villi are not damaged. Experts estimate about 6-7% of the population has some form of non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
The only treatment for celiac disease is strictly and completely avoiding gluten. For those with gluten intolerance, eliminating or significantly reducing gluten intake can alleviate symptoms. This means checking labels, learning hidden sources of gluten, and often avoiding processed foods with questionable ingredients.
The Popularity of Gluten Free Diets
In the United States, it is estimated that about 3 million people have celiac disease and over 20 million have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. However, the gluten free market expands far beyond just those medically required to cut out gluten. In fact, in 2019 it was estimated that over 100 million Americans, about 30% of the population, sought out gluten free products.
The popularity of gluten free living extends beyond those with celiac disease or intolerance for several reasons:
Perceived Health Benefits
Some embrace a gluten free diet due to a perception that it is healthier overall, even without a diagnosed medical condition requiring gluten avoidance. Some believe it can alleviate digestive issues, increase energy levels, improve skin conditions, and assist with weight loss goals. The research is still emerging, but there are some studies indicating potential benefits. Still, more research is needed to fully validate many claimed benefits.
Trendiness
Gluten free living has exploded in popularity and become quite trendy in recent years. The diet is often touted by celebrities and influencers. Some follow it just because it has developed a reputation for being the “in” thing.
Athletic Performance
Some athletes believe going gluten free improves performance and recovery. This includes high profile athletes like tennis star Novak Djokovic. The evidence to support improved athletic gains is mixed thus far. However, it remains a motivating factor for many fitness-conscious consumers.
Autoimmune Protocol Diets
Those following autoimmune protocols, like AIP, often eliminate gluten as one facet of an approach to reduce inflammation and autoimmune symptoms. However, this extends beyond just gluten to exclude many other potentially inflammatory foods.
Whatever the reasons behind seeking gluten free options, the boom in popularity has led to dramatic growth in the gluten free market. Gluten free sales reached an estimated $5.6 billion globally in 2020. Products once difficult to find gluten free like breads, crackers, cereals, baking mixes, and snacks are now readily available. Restaurant awareness has also increased significantly.
Challenges of Gluten Free Baking
While gluten free living has certainly gotten easier over the past decade, it can still prove challenging when it comes to beloved baked goods. Gluten provides important functions in baking like structure, texture, moisture retention, and rise. Replicating traditional baked goods without gluten can be tricky.
Some obstacles include:
Maintaining a Good Structure
Gluten forms strands and networks that provide baked goods with an airy, elastic texture. Without gluten, achieving a pleasing texture is difficult. Gluten free baked goods often turn out quite dense.
Preventing Dryness
Gluten impacts moisture levels in baked goods. Removing it can yield dry, crumbly results. Extra care must be taken to inject moisture and combat this effect.
Achieving a Nice Rise
Gluten development allows dough to stretch and expand as gas bubbles are formed during baking. Replicating this lift without gluten requires strategic ingredients and techniques.
Keeping Ingredients Bound
Ingredients stay cohesively bound together in traditional baked recipes because of gluten. With gluten gone, there is a risk of a weak structure and ingredients separating.
These factors make most gluten free baking recipes rely on unique blends of alternative flours, starches, gums, and leavening ingredients to produce results resembling traditional favorites. There is no 1:1 substitution for regular all-purpose wheat flour in most recipes.
The Appeal of Brownies
Chocolaty, dense, and chewy, brownies rank high among most popular sweet treats. They are a chocolate lover’s delight combining rich chocolate flavor with a fudgy, indulgent texture. They can be enjoyed on their own, dressed up with nuts or chocolate chips, or topped with ice cream.
Brownies became especially beloved beginning in the early 1900s when boxed brownie mixes emerged on the market, allowing home bakers to whip them up with ease. Brands like Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Duncan Hines, and Ghiradelli all offer traditional brownie mixes that remain top sellers today.
However, most traditional brownie mixes and from scratch recipes rely on all-purpose wheat flour, which contains gluten. Recreating the signature dense, fudgy texture without gluten is quite challenging. This leaves gluten free consumers wondering if their favorite brands make accommodating brownie mixes.
Introducing Betty Crocker
When it comes to boxed baking mixes, Betty Crocker is one of the most iconic and well-known brands. Betty Crocker originated in 1921 as a fictional character created by the Washburn Crosby Company, a precursor of General Mills. Betty Crocker was invented to give a personalized touch to consumer responses.
Since the beginning, Betty Crocker mixes and recipes promised to make baking accessible, easy and successful for the everyday home cook. Their extensive line of baking mixes includes classics like brownies, chocolate chip cookies, muffins, pancakes, and cake mixes along with frostings, pie crusts and more.
The brand has evolved over the decades, keeping up with changing attitudes and priorities surrounding baking. Betty Crocker remains a trusted household name associated with quality, reliable baking mixes. General Mills reported over $1 billion in worldwide sales of Betty Crocker products in 2021.
Today, Betty Crocker offers gluten free varieties of many popular mixes like brownies, cookies, muffins, bread and cake mixes to appeal to modern preferences. Their gluten free mixes aim to reproduce the taste, texture and enjoyment of traditional favorites gluten free consumers thought they would have to forgo.
Betty Crocker’s Gluten Free Brownie Mix
Among Betty Crocker’s gluten free mixes is a Gluten Free Brownie Mix, launched around 2013 to 2014. The mix allows home bakers to enjoy chewy, fudgy brownies without wheat flour.
Ingredients
Betty Crocker’s Gluten Free Brownie Mix contains:
– Rice Flour
– Potato Starch
– Salt
– Baking Powder
– Cocoa processed with alkali
– Xanthan Gum
It also relies on being combined with butter, eggs, and water by the user before baking.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts for the gluten free brownie mix (per 1/16th of the prepared brownie mix recipe) are:
– Calories: 190
– Fat: 8g
– Carbohydrates: 30g
– Fiber: <1g
- Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 2g
Reviews
Reviews of Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix are generally positive. The brownies are described as fudgy, moist, and rich in chocolate flavor. Many reviewers say they are some of the best gluten free boxed brownies they have found, rivaling traditional wheat flour brownies.
Some key positives highlighted in reviews:
- Chocolaty, fudgy texture
- Moist, not dry or crumbly
- Rich chocolate taste
- Easy to make
- Kid approved
There are some common critiques found in reviews as well:
- Can be a bit dense or heavy
- Edges tend to get overdone
- Not as light and cakey as traditional brownies
- Smaller in size than expected
Overall though, most reviewers agree Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix produces a very satisfactory, tasty gluten free brownie that largely compares to conventional options. It fills the brownie craving nicely for most gluten free consumers.
Price
Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix generally costs between $3.50-$4.50 per box at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon and grocery chains. Occasional sales and coupons can reduce the price slightly.
It is typically more expensive than Betty Crocker’s regular gluten-containing brownie mix, which ranges from $1.50-$2.50 per box. This price premium is typical of specialty gluten free products due to higher ingredient costs.
Still, consumers report Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix is cost effective compared to many other gluten free brownie options on shelves. The mix yields around 16 brownies per box, bringing the per brownie cost to $0.25 or less with average pricing.
How does it Compare to Other Gluten Free Brownie Options?
Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix stands up well compared to other store-bought gluten free brownies. Key comparisons:
Against other boxed mixes
The main alternatives are gluten free brownie mixes from brands like Pillsbury, King Arthur, Glutino and Bisquick. Reviews indicate Betty Crocker offers among the best taste and texture of the major gluten free boxed brownie brands. Only King Arthur is potentially on par. But King Arthur mixes tend to be priced higher.
Against bakery prepared gluten free brownies
Pre-made gluten free brownies sold at grocers from brands like Annie’s, Immaculate and Royal Desserts often contain gums and preservatives not found in homemade mixes. They also are almost always a more expensive option per brownie compared to using a mix. However, some consumers appreciate the convenience factor. So it depends on priorities.
| Brand | Price | Ingredients | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mix | $3.50-$4.50 per box | Rice flour, potato starch, cocoa, xanthan gum | Fudgy, moist, dense |
| Annie’s Gluten Free Bakery Brownies | $4.99-$5.99 for 4 brownies | Cane sugar, rice flour, palm oil, preservatives | Fudgy, can be dry |
Against from scratch gluten free brownies
Baking entirely from scratch using your own gluten free flour blend allows maximum customization and control. You can tweak ingredients to achieve desired taste and texture. But this requires more effort, skill and time compared to a ready-to-use mix. For many consumers, the Betty Crocker mix offers a good middle ground.
Key Takeaways
For those who enjoy rich, fudgy brownies, Betty Crocker’s Gluten Free Brownie Mix is a tasty option to satisfy the craving gluten free. Key highlights:
- Reviews praise its chocolaty flavor and pleasurable, fudgy texture
- The mix allows you to conveniently make fresh gluten free brownies at home
- It’s affordably priced compared to other gluten free brownies
- The brand recognition of Betty Crocker builds trust
- It performs as well or better taste-wise than other store-bought gluten free brownies
While from-scratch recipes allow for more customization, Betty Crocker’s mix simplifies the process considerably. For those managing gluten free diets, this trusted brand offers a widely available option to comfortably enjoy brownies again.
Where to Buy Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix
Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix can be found in the baking aisle at major grocery chains like Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop, HEB, and more. It is also stocked at big box stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco.
Online it can easily be purchased through sites like Amazon, Instacart, Walmart, Target, and Vitacost. Betty Crocker mixes are sold directly through their website as well.
Be sure to check labeling to confirm purchasing the gluten free formula, as it sits alongside Betty Crocker’s traditional gluten-containing brownie mix. Also be aware that labeling and packaging may vary slightly between retailers or regions. But the mix within the box remains the same.
For those seeking a trusted, widely available gluten free brownie mix, Betty Crocker delivers a quality option worth baking up and enjoying without the gluten. Whip up a pan and see for yourself how good gluten free can still be.
