The Empowered Oven

04/09/2026

31/08/2026

We meet so many women from so many walks of life we need to stand together and stand united as one come and join me at the Women Expo on the 20 September Who's with me!

28/08/2026

Look at me, Look at me I so grateful and honored.

26/08/2026

# # # Why Does Gluten-Free Pastry Cost More?

I thought this was particularly interesting for those of you who may not be aware of what actually goes on behind the scenes when making gluten-free pastry.

Here’s the **411** 👇

When making gluten-free **puff pastry, shortcrust, quiche pastry or pâte sucrée**, you’re often working with a carefully balanced combination of:

• 2–3 different gluten-free flours
• 1–2 starches
• 1–2 gums or binding agents
• Sugar, depending on the recipe
• Milk, eggs and salt, depending on the product
• Plus all the other ingredients required for the individual recipe

Compare that with traditional pastry, where wheat flour naturally contains **gluten**, which provides much of the structure, elasticity and strength needed to create the pastry.

With gluten-free baking, **there is no gluten network**.

That means we have to create that structure ourselves by combining different flours, starches and binding agents — and getting the ratios right is a science in itself.

So why do we use 2 or 3 different flours?

Because no single gluten-free flour can replicate everything that gluten provides.

One flour might provide flavour, another structure, another tenderness, while starches help with elasticity and texture. The gums then help bind everything together.

And that's before we even get to the time, testing, recipe development and specialist ingredients involved.

So when you see a gluten-free pastry that costs a little more, **there’s a reason behind it.**

It isn't simply a matter of swapping regular flour for gluten-free flour.

There’s a lot more that goes on **behind the scenes** to create pastry that is delicious, holds together and actually tastes like proper pastry. ❤️

**Gluten-free baking isn't just about taking the gluten out — it's about rebuilding what gluten does.**

23/08/2026

I'm mentioned in a magazine come and check it out!

https://ytg40magazin-f9zwpbx9.manus.space/article/scerena-thompson?fbclid=IwdGRjcAT7IANwZG9mAWZkaWQWUNMHySdGfpVI51tJN2EESU07mqI5e2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5K30lw6RHQ5ovhcM43bb7JnU4tt_cOVpCjLUn1R5udzd-YhbqJ5V9TPveykg_aem_kxYUgplckA-gfQsmNq6gDQ&utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den1njpfy89g

Real women. Real stories. Confidence, connection and purpose.

21/08/2026

Check out where I’m going to be Wolfpack Roaster.

3,380 Followers, 861 Following, 803 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Wolfpack Coffee Roasters. ()

20/08/2026

A photo taken of me in my happy place of glory.

17/08/2026

I honestly can’t believe the incredible amount of support this page has received! ❤️

A huge **thank you** to everyone who has been following me and supporting The Empowered Oven along the way — and if you’re new here, **welcome!** 🥰

I’d love to get to know you and answer your questions.

What would you like to know about **gluten-free baking, living with coeliac disease, or what it’s really like navigating a gluten-free life?**

Drop your questions in the comments below 👇

I’ll answer as many as I can — and who knows, your question might help someone else too! 💙

Thank you for being part of this journey. **Your support means more than you know.** ❤️

15/08/2026

-free