I've been asked to make a cake for someone who is basically allergic to.. well... everything you'd normally put in a cake!

She CAN'T have:
Wheat
egg
dairy
nuts
sesame/sunflower/seed oils

She CAN have:
Olive oil, corn oil, and plain vegetable oils
jam
sugar
goats dairy (butter and cream)
wheat free flour

I'm a bit worried about the flavour etc.

I'm open to ideas on different cakes and coverings - it needs to be decorated in some way also so icing etc is required...

Anyone already got a recipe or any discussion welcome

Try here - http://www.cs.unc.edu/~kupstas/FAQ_recipes.html

think i'd start with rkt.

I would be really careful with this. Does she know that your equipment could be cross-contaminated?

I have severe allergies and will not bake cakes for anyone with a wheat or dairy allergy simply because my mixer has had lots of flour and butter in it. I will not eat anything that is labelled, 'processed on equipment that processes nut products' because I have had reactions to products like that (even though the companies clean the machines, they cannot remove the trace amounts all the time).

Just be very careful and clear in your explanation to her and make sure that she understands that your equipment has processed some/all of the things that she's allergic to.

I don't want to scare you, but you may be treading into some dangerous territory.

I wouldn't do it.

Also, I would not use any artificial flavoring at all. None. Extracts are not safe. McCormicks claims to be gluten-free but I know some people with severe allergies still react to it.

tsal has hit the nail on the head. a friend has celiac disease and must use seperate dishes in her house.

These types of allergies can be life and death, the smallest traces can kill someone and I'm serious. I would definitely refer them to a bakery dedicated to handling food allergies. Food preferences are one thing, but allergies are completely different.

It's actually her husband who is ordering it, and I'm going to be working through all that side of things with him and getting him to double check ingredients etc

Sorry, what is rkt?

rice krispie treats

Oh, and sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like I didn't acknowledge/appreciate the other comments about cross contamination!

No worries, it all about your level of comfort. I'd make sure he signs off on a sheet saying he's aware of the risks. Best of luck with the order.

One time and one time only, I accepted a cake order for a family that had a member who had a nut alergy. The cake was only a double layer 9in ganache covered but I can honestly say it was the most nerve wracking cake I've ever made.
Everything I used regularly even though it had been through the dishwasher and was perfectly clean got put through twice more as I was so freaked out that a bit of residue might still be left on a pan or spatula etc.
When the cake was picked up I spent a good 4 days fretting like you would not believe wondering if the person with the alergy ate the cake and was still okay.
I eventually did find out as I got a call back to make another but I politely turned the order down asking them to check with a bakery that specializes in food alergies.

Pay heed to the advice you have received. Its too risky and not worth the stress.

Run - I bake gluten and dairy free ... I wouldn't take the order ..

FYI - Rice Crispie Treats are not gluten-free ..