Birthday Oreo Cake

This is what I chose for my birthday cake this year. 25, you guys! Ack! I feel like I should "feel" like more of a grown up than I do. I don't feel like an adult at all... except when I pay bills but that's no fun.

Anyway, I was browsing through blogs and I came across this cake at Gluten Free is Life and I HAD to make it.

I'm so, SO glad I did. We used the recipe here, but substituted Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate cake mix and Kinni-toos. My mom was amazing and went to 4 different stores to find the mixes. This is the first time I've tried the chocolate cake mix, and I really like it. I will definitely be buying it again.

The cake didn't look exactly like the one on Kraft's website, but it tasted freaking awesome. Not even gluten free at ALL. People were asking for the recipe, and today I was craving it all day through class.

A crowd-pleaser and a must-make.

P.S. Over Thanksgiving I went to this store in College Station that had a bunch of neat GF items, and I've been dying to do reviews but I'm so busy with the end of the semester. Gah! Soon.

New store! New products! Yay!

Today I tried a new store. It's called Ranch Creek Natural Foods, and it's located at 13211 Memorial Drive, Houston TX 77079. Phone: 713-467-8900. That's for you, Erin. Haha. :o)

What an experience! First, we got lost. It's off on a little side street, and it's in a double-wide trailer. VERY easy to miss.

The guy who owns it has been there for something like 30 years, and he was a talker. He thoroughly researches everything in the store, and only stocks products that his customers actually like. It's a small store, and the man is so nice and gets to know his customers. He was telling me how a lot of his customers are children with Autism and he's been able to watch them grow up and improve.

He was also telling me how he knows Pamela (yes, that Pamela) from way back in the day, and he's also got some products I've never seen before. I didn't purchase any, so I can't remember the brand names. It was such a cool experience to talk to someone who is obviously very passionate about their business.

Also, when I was there a lady came in and she asked if I've tried the new Betty Crocker mixes, and then we got to chatting and she recommended the buns that I bought. It was so cool to be able to talk to someone who is also flabbergasted that Blue Bell chocolate ice cream contains wheat flour! It felt awesome. I also overheard them talking about someone they know who is looking into opening a gluten free bakery. Good things!!

Anyway, I only bought a couple things since I just went to the store earlier this week. I did buy:
Mary's Twigs & Sticks, Kinnickinnick KinniToos, and Schar white rolls.


I immediately tore into the cookies, and they are really good! Much better than the similar Glutino ones I tried a while back. They're just like Oreos, but better, because I can eat them!

The Sticks & Twigs were great, and taste just like the Mary's crackers. Full of little bits of crunchy healthy whole grain goodness. I noticed on the website that they have other flavors, and I'd totally try them.

I have not tried the buns yet, but both the store owner and the woman I talked to said they were great. *crosses fingers*
I have seen this Schar brand in HEB and I've tried the chocolate covered shortbread cookies. They didn't last long.