Posted to Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef

I became a fan of the Pioneer Woman after just one recipe on Christmas morning. I became curious about the Pioneer Woman many, many months earlier.

My sister-in-law (aka sister) has been a non-food blogger for years and maintains a long list of blogs she reads. I've been curious, but have never had time to investigate many of the blogs listed. The Pioneer Woman is on her list.

Then some time last year I think, my sister blogged about Monkey Bread. I had never heard of such a thing. I have since come to find out that I might be the only person in this country who hasn't heard of and had Monkey Bread. I grew up on the west coast. Apparently, people here on the east coast and those from the midwest know of it. How did I miss this?

In any case, my sister made some Monkey Bread using the Pioneer Woman's recipe and she posted pictures. It sounded and looked so good! My mouth started watering. Drooling really. But by that time I was already gluten-free. The Pioneer Woman's recipe called for cans of ready-to-bake biscuits. I have yet to find any such thing in the Land of Gluten Freeness.

I used to love baking. And I used to believe I was a good baker. Not only did my taste buds tell me that, but others told me. I believed them. Then, a few years ago, I was forced to become gluten-free. I was devastated. I put all of my effort and energy into things that came out of the oven tasting less than yummy. I even whined to a friend, "I used to be a good baker!"

I do miss the ease of just following a shared recipe and basking in the joy of warm, yummy goods straight from the oven. I have since learned to substitute with a wide variety of gluten-free flours. Texture still challenges me, but I'm working on that. And I have started to gather gluten-free baking cookbooks. And I began reading your blog. Your willingness to try and adjust and tweak the recipes has inspired me to keep my hopes up for my baking.

This is how I found your Buttermilk Biscuits. That was it. I could now try the Pioneer Woman's Monkey Bread for the first time.

It looked so good.

So, with the Pioneer Woman's Monkey Bread recipe and your Buttermilk Biscuit recipe to substitute for the cans of the ready-made variety, I was all set. I decided I would take the plunge on Christmas morning. Somehow, it didn't occur to me that this might be a bit ambitious for such a high-profile day. I had complete confidence that the biscuits would be yummy and the Monkey Bread delectable. I knew it. I just knew it.

My daughter worked with me make three batches of your buttermilk biscuit recipe on Christmas morning. She even delayed opening her gifts, because she wanted to help make something yummy that I could enjoy too. I stirred the sugar and butter on the stove. We tossed the biscuit balls around in the cinnamon and sugar and then into the tube pan. It took awhile, but every minute was full of anticipation and fun. It was Christmas morning after all! Finally it was ready for the oven. We slid it in and then we opened some gifts. We were there in front of the oven when the timer beeped. That Monkey Bread filled the house with the best smell for a holiday morning. It was the smell of love and family and happiness and warmth. And it was the smell of something incredibly tasty!

And it was! Absolutely delicious! We huffed and puffed on those gooey, sugary balls to get them cool enough to eat. My husband is a man of few words, but I've never seen him go back for so many seconds! And he is not gluten-free. That was the best endorsement I could have had, outside of my very happy and satisfied belly!

My belief in my baking was renewed. I am a good baker. And it just so happens that I am a good gluten-free baker! I still face challenges with texture and balance, but I know many good things will come of my attempts. Many, many thanks to you and the Pioneer Woman for making it possible and renewing that belief!