It’s the Super Bowl, and even if you can’t get to the big game, there’s no reason not to celebrate the occasion in the best possible way: with cake & cookies!

Jules’ Scratch 2-Layer Cake Recipe OR easy Jules Gluten Free Cake Mix!

This gluten-free cake is delicious but also remarkably easy to cut and shape into anything you like. It’s also dense enough to hold any shape, but so yummy it will still fool all the gluten-eaters in your midst!

To make this cake into a football shape, use two 7-inch round cake pans (both the scratch recipe AND the Jules Cake Mix easily make a two layer cake or 9×13 cake — don’t settle for those “other” GF mixes that only make one layer!!).  The cakes will be thicker in the smaller pan, and may need to bake for a bit longer.  To test the cakes for doneness, insert a cake tester or toothpick in the middle of each cake and be sure it comes out clean.  The cakes will also begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pans. Add time if necessary to fully bake the cakes.

Carve the cooled cakes into whatever shapes you like, and attach pieces of cake (like the football, above, to the turf, with toothpicks or wooden skewers for support). The frosting makes the cake, so don’t skimp! Homemade frosting is easy, inexpensive, and not preservative-laden.  Plus, following my recipe, you’ll be able to smooth the frosted cake just like a professional!

Buying ready-made frosting in a can may look like the perfect shortcut, but those frostings can be difficult to spread on a cake, and tend to pull the crumbs off and into the frosting.

If you really want to use the ready-made kind though, I’d recommend making cupcakes – they’ll turn out just fine.  Companies which have some frostings not containing gluten include Pillsbury and Betty Crocker (but always check labels!).

For more themed cake ideas, check out my instructions for other celebratory cakes!

Jules’ Vanilla or Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Jules Gluten-Free Gingerbread Football Players

My Gingerbread Recipe OR easy Jules Gluten Free Graham Cracker/Gingerbread Mix makes tons of adorable gingerbread men … or gingerbread football players! Since my town of Baltimore is in the Super Bowl this year, I made these players with purple jerseys and drew their football field out of piped white frosting. And wouldn’t you know that chocolate covered almonds make great, edible footballs!

Easy cookie icing is best for any kind of cookie and is easy to color to suit your needs. Here’s my recipe for Jules’ Easy Cookie Icing.

Regarding food colorings (necessary for most shaped or themed cakes), there are several options. Easy to find brands like McCormick® are gluten-free and have awesome color choices (I used Neon Purple and Neon Blue for the purple jerseys), but if you are looking for all-natural food colorings, choose brands like Seelect, Nature’s Flavors or India Tree.

Decorative sprinkles are another nice touch – try some from Illinois Nut & Candy, which thoughtfully delineates between its sprinkles which are gluten-free, casein-free, lactose-free, etc. I have also seen “Let’s Do Sprinkelz®” (from Germany but distributed in the US by Edward & Sons Trading Co) gluten-free, naturally-colored sprinkles carried by most of the organic grocers near me, so look for those next time you are at your favorite organic grocery. India Tree’s Nature’s Colors line of sprinkles use cabbage and beet juice for colors.

So this year, celebrate with festive and delicious gluten-free cake and cookies! Go team!