Gluten-Free Birthday Cakes? These Manhattan Bakeries Cook them Up!

There’s no shortage of bakeries serving up delicious treats for kids in Manhattan. For families looking for gluten-free options, it can be more challenging to find a place that caters to specific needs. We’re here to help! We’ve sought out the best gluten-free/gluten-free friendly bakeries in Manhattan.

Pip’s Place

1279-31 First Ave.
212-360-6400
127 East 39th St.
646-823-9393

Pip’s Place’s entire bakery selection is completely gluten-free and they also offer a selection of dairy-free items. Children will love the sugar cookies, rice krispie treats, cake balls, brownies, and cupcakes while the adults can enjoy a slice of quiche and/or a savory scone, in addition to gluten-free bagels! Pip’s also offers custom cakes for birthdays and can accommodate large catering orders.

By The Way Bakery

2442 Broadway
212-877-0806
New Upper East Side Location Opening September 2015:
1236 Lexington Ave.

This Upper West Side bakery is not just gluten-free, it’s kosher and dairy-free, too! Everything on the menu is made by hand using certified gluten-free flours, from small treats (biscotti, tea cakes, ginger crinkles) to specialty layer cakes. Children are particularly enamored with their chocolatey temptations – chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and the ‘The Schnibbles’ mini cake (an over-the-top Devil’s food chocolate chip flavor). The shop also offers customs cakes for birthday parties and events.

Tu-Lu’s

338 E. 11th St.
212-777-2227  
                                                                                                                                            
Situated in the heart of the East Village, Tu-Lu’s has been serving up delicious gluten-free treats since 2010, ranging from paninis and granola, to cheesecake and muffins. Little palates have a plethora of items to pick from including the baked donuts glazed in a variety of flavors, regular and mini cupcakes, plus cookies and brownies. Tu-Lu’s also makes custom birthday cakes, cookie cakes, and dessert bars for parties. They offer offer items that don’t include dairy or eggs for those with multiple intolerances.

Jennifer’s Way

263 East 10th St.
646-682-9501

Actress Jennifer Esposito opened Jennifer’s Way after she was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2009. It has became her mission to create safe, delicious, and nutritious foods for others out there who are suffering the same or in similar ways. All the baked goodies leave out gluten, dairy, refined sugar, eggs, GMOs, peanuts, soy, and trans fats. Kid favorites include the “Fo-stess” cupcake with a coconut crème filling and signature white swirly “J” on top – inspired-by original Hostess crème-filled cupcake that everybody knows and loves.                                                                                                                                    Jennifer’s Way has seating for about 6-9 people inside and it’s safe to park a stroller right outside. They also provide entertainment – Rubik’s cubes for the adults and playing cards for the kids.  To reserve the table for a small get together, just call the bakery in advance.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

248 Broome St.
855-462-2292                                                                                                           

Gluten Free? Check. Vegan? Yes. Soy Free? Yes. Kosher? Check Check. For New Yorkers with food allergies/sensitivities and allergy restrictions, Erin McKenna’s is the place to go. Cupcakes are $4.95 a piece and come in an assortment of flavors including vanilla, chocolate, carrot, banana, brownie, and red velvet. Kids will love their ice cream cookie sandwiches as well as other delectable treats like the cinnamon buns and double chocolate crumb cake. 

Tatz Gourmet Sweetz

884 Amsterdam Ave.
347-559-1161

Tatz’s Gourmet Sweetz is a completely gluten-free, wheat- and soy-free bakery located in Manhattan Valley. Everything is baked fresh in the store daily, including cupcakes, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, and other goodies. Tatz’s bakery also makes bread and savory goods to order.

Sprinkles

780 Lexington Ave.
212-207-8375
225 Liberty St.
212-603-6900

Sprinkles is a cult favorite among cupcake aficionados and there’s no reason why gluten-free customers can’t get a piece of the action, too. Sprinkles dishes up a gluten-free red velvet cupcake daily and they also serve a variety of gluten-free ice creams. It is important to note that their kitchen does process gluten to make our other cupcake and ice cream flavors. However, the bakery takes several precautions to minimize cross-contamination including separate baking utensils and special handling procedures.                                                                                                                                                                   

Vegan Divas

1437 First Ave.
212-734-0845

This elegant Upper East Side establishment offers up freshly baked goods for everyone on your guest list. Although the bakery itself is not entirely gluten-free, there are plenty of gluten-free delicacies to tempt your taste buds, including chocolate macaroons, chocolate mousse, apple tart, and cheesecake. All of their products are vegan and kosher as well. Vegan Divas ship Monday to Friday to all 50 States and offer a same-day delivery service for those in Manhattan.

Blossom Bakery

174 Ninth Ave.
212-242-3339

Blossom Bakery, a 100% vegan shop located in Chelsea, offers a delightful array of gluten-free goods to tempt your palate. The bakery is stroller-friendly, very welcoming, and brightly decorated. Kids rave about their peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cupcakes. Other gluten-free creations include chocolate mint cookies, pretzel clusters, Betterfinger bars, peppermint patties, and salted caramel truffles. Blossom also offers custom gluten-free cakes and cupcakes for kids’ parties.

Treat House

452 Amsterdam Ave.
212-799-7779

Inspired by a charitable school bake sale, Treat House, New York’s premiere gourmet crisped rice emporium, provides a wide range of classic and innovative flavors, including Birthday Cake, Caramel Sea Salt, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Bubble Gum, and more! Other offerings include TreatPops, Breakfast Bars, ice cream bars, and homemade flavored marshmallows. Plus, treat yourself while treating others: ten cents of every treat purchased will be donated to the Food Bank for New York City.

*All treats in-store are currently gluten-free except the S’Mores, Cookies & Cream and Chocolate Pretzel flavors.