Janelle Lim

When you think of a baked good, the first things that come to mind are: flour, eggs, butter, and milk. But it is possible to make a delightful treat without these ingredients, making it safe for everyone to consume, regardless of any dietary restrictions of allergies?

When you sink your teeth into a warm chocolate cookie, do you find yourself worrying about the ingredients? The slight chance that it might have encountered an allergen in the baking process? 

Unfortunately, the answer is yes to many. Statistically speaking, 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children have food allergies with 51% of adults and 42% of children having a severe reaction. More often than not, these food allergies include gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, sesame, and/or mustard. Most of these allergens can be commonly found in all classic baked goods, and if not, there is always the possibility of cross contamination in the main corporations and facilities that produce baking ingredients.

Fortunately, there are people who understand this risk because they have experienced it themselves. Established in 2010 by sisters Jaime Schwartz and Jennifer Schwartz, Starry Lane Bakery creates classic baked goods–cookies, brownies, and cupcakes–without any of the top ten allergens, so that everyone with or without dietary restrictions can enjoy. 

Founder Jaime Schwartz was inspired by her own sudden and deathly adult allergy development to almonds and cashews. Those who suffer from severe food allergies not only have to worry about what is actually in their food, but also what it may have come in contact with during the cooking process. Most also have to be aware of the manufacturing process for each and every ingredient due to the slight chance of contamination with an allergen. 

“As everyone who is living with a food allergy knows, overnight the world becomes a scary and uncertain place,” Shwartz said. 

It is due to this risk factor that Starry Lane Bakery has thoroughly committed themselves to using only carefully sourced ingredients that are completely free from contamination. The bakery itself also prides themselves in being a completely top ten allergen space. Employees and guests are restricted from bringing outside food or drink inside, to ensure that there is no chance of contact with any possible allergen. 

Although some may find this rule to be overbearing, it is one that must be followed strictly due to the severity of some food allergy cases. Schwartz herself cannot inhale or come into contact with almonds or cashews without triggering her allergy. The commitment and adherence to this rule ensures that all guests can have a worry-free experience while enjoying a baked good. 

With top quality ingredients that are thoughtfully and carefully sourced, Starry Lane’s baked goods are top tier, and it is nearly impossible to tell them apart from regular baked goods, as they taste identical, if not better than their allergen counterparts.

“The truth is, it’s difficult to bake great desserts without flour, butter, and milk,” Schwartz said. “But it’s not impossible. There were failures, and they were epic, but the successes more than made up for them.”

Baked goods are a sweet treat that everyone deserves to enjoy. Although rare, bakeries like Starry Lane stand as a reminder of awareness for those who suffer from allergies. It is with these small businesses that the world can become more conscious and empathetic, one treat at a time. 

If you suffer from food allergies or want a sweet treat without all of the possible risks, go check out Starry Lane Bakery here or at their location: 3925 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103.