by Amy Loos

A year ago, five other women from my church’s Women’s Ministry team and I were sitting around my kitchen table doing what we women tend to do best: talk, laugh and eat. The subject of needing volunteers in children’s ministry came up in conversation. Our church was growing, and more help was needed in kids church. All the ladies at the table were happy to volunteer to lend a hand. 

Except me.

I felt awkward and uncomfortable. You see, I’d rather hang out with the kids who are 80+ years old. They make me laugh, have some of the best antics and simply amaze me with their life stories. Whereas, kids under the age of 20 who aren’t my own tend to make me uneasy, kind of like that feeling I got when I was in junior high with a bad perm, saddle shoes and braces.

No thank you. I lived it once and I wasn’t about to sign up for round two. 

However, feeling out of place didn’t give me the right to turn my back on those in need. So, I found a place I could fit in. The kitchen.

The more our group talked, the more I realized that food is a game changer for kids just as it is for us adults. Think about it. Have you ever walked into a conference room where no one knew anyone? It’s like being in an elevator with a bunch of strangers. No one says a word.

But if you put out coffee, cookies and punch, it becomes a party. Suddenly people start opening up, talking about their families, favorite sports teams, dogs, gardens…you name it.

Kids are the same. In fact, I’ve seen an entire hockey team of boys act like they’ve never played together before, but when pizza hits the locker room, a whole lotta happiness hits and boys are giggling, blowing farts and chomping down pizza as if they’d hadn’t had a single morsel all day.

So, I raised my hand and said I’d make cookies for the kids in Sunday school. But before I could get too excited about being one of the team, one of the ministry leaders chimed in that all treats had to be gluten free.

What? What was that all about? What happened to good old Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies? I was seriously out of the loop. I had no clue about being gluten-free. No one I know had food restrictions, so this was going to be new to me.

Not one to back down from a challenge, I found a positively great website called Beaming Baker (www.beamingbaker.com) and the author offers all kinds of recipes for those with food restrictions including nut-free, dairy-free and of course gluten-free. The kids loved the treats I baked and so did the teachers who were always vying for the leftovers!

At the end of year, one of the Sunday school teachers shared with me just what a huge difference a couple of batches of treats made in the classroom. Cookies made everyone equal.  No one was ever left out. Food has a way of removing barriers, like being new to the church, moving into a new age group and even something as simple as growing 4 inches in a month.

Being able to relate to one another over a treat can soften anxieties, build friendships, and create moments of laughter that might turn into lifetime friendships.

And since we’re discussing building friendships, please allow me to share one of my favorite gluten-free recipes. Beware, if your husband or adult children are around, you might want to double the recipe! Enjoy!

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

• 2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour (I buy mine in the bulk section at the grocery store)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
•  1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp grated nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already contains it)
• 4 oz. applesauce (add a little more if the batter is too dry)
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ½ cup whole milk

FOR THE SUGAR COATING:

• 1 stick of butter melted
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 24 count (or 12 count) mini-muffin tin with gluten-free cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, spices, and xanthan gum in a large bowl. Add the oil, brown sugar, egg, pumpkin puree, and milk and whisk until smooth.
3. Using a small scoop or tablespoon, fill holes in pan about ¾ full. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of one comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. You will probably need to bake 2-3 batches, depending on how big your pan is.
4. Place sugar and cinnamon in a small paper bag. Dip the doughnut holes on all sides in the melted butter, then place in the bag, one dozen at a time. Seal bag and shake to coat with the sugar mixture. Serve immediately. These are best when eaten the same day.

About Amy: My mother has always said, “Amy, you don’t know a stranger” and it’s true. I have found most people will share their lives if only you take the time to ask. Getting to know someone new is a great way to share a part of your own life and to remind us both just how much God designed us for community and fellowship with one another. Join me at www.windowoffaith.com  as I share what how I encounter God’s grace as I navigate life as a wife, mom and the responsibilities of being an adult child caught in the middle of 2 sets of aging parents.

Cover photo by Hannah S on Unsplash