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What is Xanthan Gum

By: Beth Ann Morley, Editor, FaveGlutenFreeRecipes.com
What is Xanthan Gum

Many gluten free baked goods and breads use an ingredient called xanthan gum. If you're new to the gluten free world, then you have probably never heard of this mysterious ingredient. Luckily, we're here to clear up any confusion. 

The Importance of Xanthan Gum

Derived from corn, xanthan gum is safe for people with celiac disease, a gluten intolerance, or a gluten allergy. Most gluten free cooks find xanthan gum to be essential for gluten free baking because it acts as a binder, a thickener, and a stabilizer for recipes. In order to activate xanthan gum's binding qualities, you simply add water or another liquid. Typically the gluten in wheat flours act as the binding agent, but gluten, for very good reason, is off-limits in a gluten free kitchen. According to Coeliac uk1, xanthan gum not only improves the texture of your baked goods, it can also improve your baked goods' shelf life. 

But before you add xanthan gum to all of your gluten free baked goods, check your gluten free flour. Many gluten free flour blends already include xanthan gum. If that's the case, you do not need to include any additional xanthan gum. 

When experimenting with gluten free baking, there are a few tips and tricks that we can offer. If you notice that your gluten free baked goods have a gummy or sticky texture, then you've probably used too much xanthan gum. A typical recipe will call for one tablespoon or less of xanthan gum. However, if your dressings are too runny or your dough is too crumbly, then add a bit more xanthan gum to your recipe. A little bit will go a long way!  

Unfortunately, not everyone can use xanthan gum. According to Gluten Free Bread,2 people allergic to corn, soy, or dairy may have to avoid xanthan gum. If this applies to you, then guar gum is a great substitution. Guar gum is made from powdered guar beans, so it's a great option for those with allergies. You may notice that guar gum has a different taste than xanthan gum, but the texture is very similar. 

Want to test out your skills with xanthan gum? Then you need to try a few of these easy gluten free recipes.

Homemade English Muffins

This amazing Homemade English Muffins recipe is guaranteed to replace any English muffin you may be eating now - gluten free or otherwise. Filled with the nooks and crannies that you'd expect from store-bought muffins, these are nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy and soft on the inside. 

One-Bowl Devil's Food Cake

If you want a good chocolate cake but don't want to use a gluten free cake mix, then this One-Bowl Devil's Food Cake is for you. This chocolate cake recipe is super simple to make. It's as easy as a cake mix recipe, but this gluten free chocolate cake tastes much better.

Chewy Gooey Buckeye Brownies

If you like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, then this brownie recipe will be perfect for you. These Chewy Gooey Buckeye Brownies will soon become your favorite gluten free dessert. Each layer is absolutely delicious.

Gluten Free Butter Pecan Caramel Cookies

Gluten Free Butter Pecan Caramel Cookies are one of my kids' favorite after school treats. These cookies are so amazingly good. Each bite of these gluten free cookies will leave you weak in the knees. The caramel adds the perfect amount of sweetness while the nuts give these cookies a little bit of a crunch. 

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