SUGAR SWIRL COOKIES. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FORGOTTEN FLOUR

Jill Pennetti makes memorable desserts. Her gluten-free bakery, The Forgotten Flour, opens May 18 in Bloomfield. From noon to 4 p.m., the Liberty Avenue shop will be stocked with fresh pastries that everyone can enjoy.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Pennetti, of Troy Hill, took an interest in baking during the Covid-19 pandemic. The solo experiment turned into a family affair when she began cranking out treats for her mom and sister, who are both gluten-intolerant. The protein found in wheat and many other grains gives bread its elasticity but can cause digestive issues, joint pain and fatigue in some folks.

OATMEAL CREME PIES. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FORGOTTEN FLOUR

Since store-bought alternatives are often as flavorless as the cardboard box they’re packaged in, some people decide to go without sweets or suffer the consequences of consuming them.

Pennetti keeps that in mind when she’s creating new recipes for The Forgotten Flour. The products are delicious, so you’ll forget there’s anything missing. I consider myself “pro-gluten” and still devoured two cinnamon streusel muffins on-site and a Dutch chocolate crinkle cookie in the car.

DUTCH CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FORGOTTEN FLOUR.

I write so much about sweets — including six local spots for international treats, a North Side sandwich joint with sugary delights and a cheesecake paradise in the middle of Millvale — so it’s just how I roll.

When she’s not baking gluten-free oatmeal creme pies, brownies, gobs and cheesecake bites at Mount Oliver’s Hilltop Shared Kitchen, she works at the Pleasure Bar in Bloomfield.

After winning over her gluten-free fam, she enlisted some beer-drinking regulars at the Italian eatery and bar to serve as taste testers. With their encouragement, she quickly turned the hobby into an online business, participated in the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour, keeps local coffee shops such as Grim Wizard and The Garden Cafe stocked with GF goodies and collaborated with Millie’s on a crust for the company’s blue-hued Cookie Monster Ice Cream.

Me want.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FORGOTTEN FLOUR

The Pleasure Bar owners lease the 400-square-foot storefront to Pennetti, who wants it to be a safe and tasty destination. During our interview, two of her taste testers stopped in to place orders. Starting May 23, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

And remember, when you visit The Forgotten Flour, get a cookie for the road.

The Forgotten Flour is at 4731 Liberty Ave in Bloomfield.