Allergen-free treats

Babycakes NYC

Photographs: Caroline Voagen Nelson

Buttercream-frosted cupcakes, animal-shaped sugar cookies, fudge-drizzled ice cream sundaes—all are crowd-pleasers at children’s parties. But whenever my two-year-old son gets an invitation, I can only hope the spread will include a simple bowl of sliced strawberries. Frankly, his allergies to dairy, eggs and peanuts have made me a very sweet-stingy mama. Then, last August, an in-the-know friend surprised us with cupcakes from Babycakes NYC. I’ve since learned that there are entire businesses devoted to satisfying the sweet tooths (sweet teeth?) of the immuno-sensitive—and the goods are so tasty, even allergy-free kids will cotton to them with no sweet-talking.—Erin Sirianni

Babycakes NYC 248 Broome St between Ludlow and Orchard Sts (212-677-5047, babycakesnyc.com). You’ll be hard-pressed to put anything off-limits at this organic bakery, which shuns dairy, eggs, soy and gluten. Babycakes also avoids using any nuts except for coconut, considered a tree nut. (Its chocolate and flour suppliers, though, handle nuts in their facilities.) Tempt the kids with a red velvet cupcake, a double-chocolate-chip cookie, an agave-sweetened brownie—or (why not?) all three.—ES

Candle Cafe 1307 Third Ave between 74th and 75th Sts (212-472-0970, candlecafe.com). Belly up to the counter for an array of vegan (dairy-, honey- and egg-free) desserts baked at Candle 79, the restaurant’s second location. Kids can sip fruity smoothies, nibble on wheat-free oatmeal cookies or dip into the gluten-free rice pudding. Peanuts are on the menu, so let your friendly, allergy-aware server know if you’re on the lookout for cross-contamination.—ES

Sweets from Divvies

Divvies Available at stores throughout the city and online at divvies.com. Free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk, this Westchester-based company’s goodies include frost-your-own-cupcake kits, ice-blue rock candy, and cookies (mmm, molasses ginger). Founders Mark and Lori Sandler, whose son Benjamin has severe food allergies, ensure their edibles are free of the slightest trace of food allergens with regular testing of both raw ingredients and finished products. Treats are available online and at Yura & Co., Balducci’s, Kidfresh and Kidville Café on the Upper East Side.—ES

Josef’s Gluten Free 194 South 8th St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-0707, josefsglutenfree.com). Josef’s turns out some of the most scrumptious muffins and cookies in town. If you can’t make it to the retail store, buy Josef’s wares at Whole Foods Market.—Alysia Abbott

Perelandra Natural Food Center 175 Remsen St between Clinton and Court Sts, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn (718-855-6068, perelandranatural.com) Serving Downtown Brooklyn for 30 years, Perelandra has long been a favorite market for organic- and vegetarian-food lovers. Insiders cherish the juice bar and deli, which in addition to tasty lunch items serves a limited selection of vegan sweets, like the popular mixed-berry tofu cheesecake ($4.59)—AA

Second Helpings 448 9th St at Seventh Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-965-1925, secondhelpings.com). This beloved Park Slope natural-foods café prepares vegan and wheat-free sweets on-site, like the mixed-fruit-and-tofu-cream parfait ($4) and the super-fudge brownie ($2.75).—AA

'sNice 45 Eighth Ave at W 4th St (212-645-0310). At this popular vegan and vegetarian café, kids can choose among carrot-cake muffins, frosted cupcakes and a half-dozen vegan cookies to accompany their glass of soy milk. These treats are baked on the premises and can be ordered for parties or to stock at home.—AA

Whole Foods Market 10 Columbus Circle at Broadway (212-823-9600, wholefoodsmarket.com). See website for other NYC locations. With its own kitchen and testing lab, the chain of grocery stores offers gluten-free banana bread, carrot cake, and an excellent variety of pies and cookies. Dairy- and egg-allergic children should try Queens-based Sweet & Sara’s marshmallows, Moo-Cluck’s Un-Cheesecake or house-brand vegan cupcakes. The Whole Foods Bakehouse is not a nut-free facility, so parents safeguarding against cross-contamination should look for allergy-tolerant cookie and cake mixes such as those from Cherrybrook Kitchen.—ES