Sugar free (?) cake

[Drummer]

The sugarfreelondoner website is quite good for low carb baked goods - though I think some recipes can be a bit tricky. Practice is a good thing.

I am not sure if almonds are as problematic as something like peanuts - neither, I believe are true nuts - but they are a fruit - a drupe, and a legume.

 

[Lucyr]

I am not sure if almonds are as problematic as something like peanuts - neither, I believe are true nuts - but they are a fruit - a drupe, and a legume.

Almonds are absolutely a tree nut. I’ve done CPR on a young family member after they had food cross contaminated with traces of almonds due to their severe tree nut allergy.

 

[Martin.A]

Almonds are absolutely a tree nut.

You're right. Almonds are second on this list:-

10 Types of Tree Nuts (with Pictures) | House Grail

Many trees produce nuts but only a small number are suitable for human consumption. Be very careful if you’re planning to harvest any tree nuts. The above nuts are safe, healthy, and delicious!

housegrail.com

 

[Inka]

Surely no-one was doubting almonds were a nut? They’re tree nuts as opposed to peanuts which are a kind of legume. The categorisation is for allergy and intolerance reasons, not a horticultural one. Almond allergy is one of the more common tree nut allergies in the U.K.

 

[Lucyr]

Surely no-one was doubting almonds were a nut? They’re tree nuts as opposed to peanuts which are a kind of legume.

@Drummer said almonds are not a tree nut but a fruit and so fine for tree nut allergies

I am not sure if almonds are as problematic as something like peanuts - neither, I believe are true nuts - but they are a fruit

 

[Martin.A]

I was surprised to learn that walnuts are actually a seed.

 

[Lucyr]

I was surprised to learn that walnuts are actually a seed.

For allergy purposes walnuts are a tree nut too, the botanical definitions aren’t really that relevant to baking cakes for a group of people at a hospice.

 

[Inka]

@Drummer said almonds are not a tree nut but a fruit and so fine for tree nut allergies

But they’re not for allergy purposes. They’re a tree nut as opposed to a peanut/ground nut. I assumed this was common knowledge.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

But they’re not for allergy purposes. They’re a tree nut as opposed to a peanut/ground nut. I assumed this was common knowledge.

Common knowledge can be akin to common sense. Not commonly found.

 

[Leadinglights]

Common knowledge can be akin to common sense. Not commonly found.

I have always been puzzled that people can be allergic to peanuts, a legume but not other things like peas and beans which are also legumes.
The same allergen is present in latex as in Kiwi fruit, I am mildly allergic to both.

 

[PhoebeC]

Thanks.
Found it at Sainburys.

An excuse for a ride out on the motorbike, ........ although they don't like the tyre marks in the aisles.

My husband uses "Do we need any shopping" so often to get his motorbike out

 

[PaulG]

I was surprised to learn that walnuts are actually a seed.

The local squirrels pick them from the local walnut tree. Run along the electric wires with one in each cheek. Down pole number 3 and bury them in my garden / lawn / flower bed / pot etc.
The pic shows myself looking at my nuts.

 

[Drummer]

But they’re not for allergy purposes. They’re a tree nut as opposed to a peanut/ground nut. I assumed this was common knowledge.

Botanically they are a fruit classified as a drupe - like a cherry, walnut or plum. They have a fleshy outer layer, then the hard part and the inner kernel.
A true nut is similar - chestnuts, for instance, but the protection there is the spiky cover, the shell is fairly flimsy by comparison and the inner is more of a blob in its shape. Although a chestnut is a tree nut, botanically, I have not heard of anyone with an allergy to them so it would seem that it is necessary to research carefully in order to understand the problem as there seems to be no definite category of 'the nuts which cause allergic reactions'.

 

[Lucyr]

Botanically they are a fruit classified as a drupe - like a cherry, walnut or plum.

We’re helping someone make a cake not write a botanical essay!

 

[Lucyr]

it would seem that it is necessary to research carefully in order to understand the problem as there seems to be no definite category of 'the nuts which cause allergic reactions'

Tree nut allergy has a specific definition which is very easy to find, here’s the factsheet for you

https://www.allergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tree-Nut-Allergy-v2.pdf

There are other allergies but they are not relevant to using almond flour in baking and knowing to be extra aware of cross contamination risk from the crumbs or knives, or ideally simply avoid using almond flour if anyone present has an allergy to tree nuts. Remember the OP has said they want to be inclusive and make something everyone can eat, and that causing anaphylaxis in a hospice probably isn’t a great way to get to know more people socially.

 

[Inka]

Botanically they are a fruit classified as a drupe - like a cherry, walnut or plum. They have a fleshy outer layer, then the hard part and the inner kernel.
A true nut is similar - chestnuts, for instance, but the protection there is the spiky cover, the shell is fairly flimsy by comparison and the inner is more of a blob in its shape. Although a chestnut is a tree nut, botanically, I have not heard of anyone with an allergy to them so it would seem that it is necessary to research carefully in order to understand the problem as there seems to be no definite category of 'the nuts which cause allergic reactions'.

Chestnuts are not tree nuts. They are not included under tree nut allergies, although some people can occasionally develop an unrelated allergy to them. Other ‘nuts’ that are not tree nuts are coconut, water chestnuts and pine nuts amongst a couple of others.

It’s not hard to research carefully. Allergy UK has information, as does Anaphylaxis U.K. and other websites.

 

[JimmyBlue]

Hi @PaulG first off condolences on the loss of your wife, that must be hard on you, and secondly well done for your bravery in moving in to the baking aisle. I have been able to cook main meals as I often cook when we have dinner parties but I used to leave the baking to my wife. Nowadays I too have decided that I need to expand my repertoire as I love a sweet treat over and above the low carb chocolate cake my wife makes for me. I have been using the recipes on the Sugar Free Londoner website which while using cups as measures (have they not heard of metric!!) the actual recipes are easy and straightforward. I can now have a biscuit with my wife when we have our mid-afternoon cup of tea.

 

[Drummer]

Chestnuts are not tree nuts. They are not included under tree nut allergies, although some people can occasionally develop an unrelated allergy to them. Other ‘nuts’ that are not tree nuts are coconut, water chestnuts and pine nuts amongst a couple of others.

It’s not hard to research carefully. Allergy UK has information, as does Anaphylaxis U.K. and other websites.

Chestnuts are true nuts and they grow on trees - but they are not - at least, as far as I know, a common - or even unusual allergenic.
I am not calling them 'tree nuts' just actual, botanical, nuts.
Using confusing terms for dangerous substances is not to be encouraged, I think.

 

[Martin62]

Quote "Did you share the cake with others in your family because otherwise that whole cake is providing a very significant amount of carbs to your diet."

Sadly I have no family to speak of. My dear wife passed six years ago. My son I see two or three times a year, even though he lives three miles away.
When you loose your partner people don't know what to say ............ so they don't.

Still learning to cook>
Paul G

Hi Paul , If you want to have a go at baking low carb cakes have a look at sugarfreelondoner.com She has loads of easy to follow recipes. I had never baked a thing before my diagnosis so my early attempts were a bit hit and miss, but now I have got the hang of it. I bake cakes, muffins, biscuits , breads , I even did a Christmas pudding.
You use almond flour in a lot of the recipes which you can pick up cheaply in Lidl and Aldi . If you want some inspiration have a look at some of my older posts for pictures of some of my bakes.
Kind Regards
Martin

 

[Inka]

Chestnuts are true nuts and they grow on trees - but they are not - at least, as far as I know, a common - or even unusual allergenic.
I am not calling them 'tree nuts' just actual, botanical, nuts.
Using confusing terms for dangerous substances is not to be encouraged, I think.

Yes, you were calling them tree nuts. You literally said “Although a chestnut is a tree nut…”!