In the US, there are many commercially available gluten free flour blends.  We see them referenced on many blogs and in many recipes- King Arthur, Better Batter, GFJules...  none of which are available in Canada.  Well, some are available for mail order, but with the cost of shipping, and the incredible exchange rates, the price of these flour blends just doesn't make sense for baking.  

Prior to moving to Ottawa, our previous location was in the absolutely awesome Fort Irwin, California. While I was there, I was able to find and try all these amazing flours to see what all the fuss was about!  And yes, they are amazing.  But no, we don't absolutely need them to bake great food.  

I buy most of my flour at Superstore, or specialty health food stores such as Kardish, here in Ottawa.  I know when I lived in Nova Scotia, I bought many of them at Pete's Frootique, when I couldn't find them at Superstore or Sobeys.  I'm sure they are available at Whole Foods (that's where I had to go in California, until I discovered that Amazon would deliver them to my door!).  There are some local bakers here who also sell their own custom blends, which I have used in some of my baking, but it doesn't work for all of them.  

Bread flour and cake flour are two completely different things in the gluten free world.  One needs more starch, the other more grain.  I'm not an expert at all in custom flour blends.  It is tricky tricky tricky.  However, I have one blend that works well in my cakes.  It is my "fake King Arthur".  An imposter if you will...  Several other bloggers have used this recipe, or a variation thereof.  So here it goes:   This will make 3 cups of flour.  Store it in a sealed air tight container.  Make sure you have enough on hand for the recipe you are making!  

2 cups white rice flour

2/3 cup tapioca starch

1/3 cup potato starch

I use Bob's Red Mill gluten free flours.  They are the most readily available in Canada.  

Note:  When I was in Hawaii at Christmas, I couldn't find Bob's Red Mill rice flour, so I bought some other brand.  My bread did not turn out.  Nor did my cake or cookies.  The flour was GRAINY!!  And horrible.  Never again.  

Please note:  Bulk Barn carries bulk gluten free flour.  If you have Celiac Disease, please do not purchase these flours out of open bins.  The chance of contamination is very high, as there is no supervision in scooping out of bins, and a friend of mine actually ended up with a mislabeled product!  Always buy packages that are sealed.  Bob's Red Mill carries the gluten free symbol and are certified gluten free.  That means they are safe for us!