This year’s event brought together some of the world’s most talented cookie artists, decorators, educators, suppliers, and baking professionals and the EZ Gluten® team was thrilled to be a part of it. While the breathtaking cookie creations certainly stole the spotlight, we couldn’t help but notice another exciting trend taking center stage: the explosive growth of gluten-free baking.
As consumer demand for gluten-free foods continues to rise, professional bakers, cottage bakeries, and commercial kitchens are expanding their menus to serve customers looking for safe, delicious baked goods without compromising on flavor or presentation. According to market research, the global gluten-free products market continues to experience strong year-over-year growth, fueled by increasing awareness of celiac disease, gluten sensitivities, and consumers seeking healthier lifestyle options. CookieCon 2026 reflected this shift perfectly, with conversations centered around innovation, inclusivity, and creating products everyone can enjoy.
Some of the highlights of our trip were meeting the incredibly talented group of people throughout the show. From the internationally recognized Arlene Chua, founder and baker of Chua Cookie to the husband-and-wife team behind Daisy Cakes. All making some serious waves in the industry.
Arlene’s breathtaking cookie artistry, and talented decorating has landed in her into the top areas of the industry, bringing her the recognition she deserves. As seen on Food Network, The New York Times, and numerous national publications, Arlene continues to inspire bakers around the world with her extraordinary cookie artistry. Beyond her stunning creations, she has developed a line of innovative baking tools designed to help decorators perfect their craft. Her signature baking mat has become a true game changer within the cookie decorating community, earning a reputation as one of the industry’s must-have tools. In fact, it was one of the hottest products this year, completely selling out during the event, a testament to both its quality and the trust bakers place in her expertise.
The team from DaisyCakes brought their passion for baking and teaching together to create one of the most sought out cake pop tools on the market. Its also helped them build one of the most respected names in the cookie community. From their patented tools to creative decorating classes, it’s easy to see why they have such a devot following and go all over the country sharing it with others who want to perfect the craft.
Beyond the incredible artists, CookieCon introduced us to leading suppliers showcasing the newest decorating tools, edible printers, specialty ingredients, packaging innovations, and baking technologies. Everywhere we looked, creativity and craftsmanship were on full display.
Perhaps the most exciting takeaway, however, was how often conversations turned toward gluten-free baking. Only a few years ago, gluten-free cookies were considered a specialty item. Today, they’re becoming a standard offering for bakeries across the country. Families are requesting gluten-free treats for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, corporate events, and holiday celebrations. Bakeries are discovering that offering gluten-free options isn’t simply good customer service, it’s good business. Of course, creating a gluten-free product involves much more than simply swapping ingredients. Cross-contact remains one of the biggest challenges facing bakeries today. Shared mixers, baking sheets, utensils, work surfaces, storage containers, and even airborne flour can unintentionally introduce gluten into an otherwise gluten-free recipe. For individuals living with celiac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can have serious health consequences. That’s why quality assurance has become more important than ever.
At EZ Gluten®, we help bakeries, food manufacturers, restaurants, universities, commercial kitchens, and food service professionals confidently verify their gluten-free products through rapid gluten testing. Our easy-to-use test kits help detect gluten contamination, monitor cross-contact, and provide an added layer of confidence before products ever reach customers.
Walking through CookieCon 2026 reminded us why we love this industry so much. The baking community is incredibly generous, collaborative, and passionate about continuous improvement. Whether sharing decorating techniques, mentoring new bakers, or exploring innovative food safety practices, everyone shared a common goal: creating products that bring joy to others. Everyone was so kind and excited to share secrets, chat about what works best and tips and tricks on how to help others get ahead. Truly inspiring for us all.
As gluten-free baking continues to evolve, we’re excited to see more and more bakeries embracing safe baking practices while delivering exceptional products that everyone can enjoy. The future of baking isn’t about limitations, it’s about expanding possibilities, reaching more customers, and ensuring that no one has to miss out on life’s sweetest moments. From meeting world-renowned cookie artists to connecting with industry-leading suppliers, witnessing firsthand the growing demand for gluten-free baking, CookieCon 2026 left us inspired for what’s ahead…more beautiful cookies, safer baking, and a future that’s sweeter for everyone.
Learn More:
CookieCon
https://cookiecon.com
Chua Cookie
https://www.chuacookie.com
Daisy Cakes
https://www.daisymakes.com
EZ Gluten® Gluten Test Kits
https://ezgluten.com
Learn More About Celiac Disease
https://celiac.org
Gluten-Free Labeling (FDA)
https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/gluten-free-labeling-foods