Gluten-free baking that opens doors.

Down with Dough is a non-profit organisation that aims to upskill young adults with intellectual disabilities. Our programme encourages a life of appropriate independence and equips them for meaningful work placement.

At the heart of our programme is our own, deliciously gluten-free, bakery in Bellville, Cape Town. Apart from individual orders, we supply to coffee shops, churches, other businesses, and events.

World Down Syndrome Day 21 March heading graphic

Rock Your Socks!

Our products

A deliciously gluten-free range of bakes.

We offer a variety of delicious, gluten-free brownies, blondies, muffins and breads. And for your furry friends, we even have gluten-free, healthy dog treats!

Products are available to individuals in our local area, as well as to coffee shops, other businesses, churches, and events.

Please contact us today for your own order or to discuss a partnership.

Down With Dough baker holding brownies

Brownie range

Double Chocolate Brownies

Double Chocolate Brownies

Decadent and fudgy, with dark chocolate and added white chocolate chips.

Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownies

Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownies

A rich, fudgy double chocolate brownie finished with a swirl of salted caramel.

White Chocolate Brownies

White Chocolate Brownies

Deliciously sinful, with lashings of white chocolate and condensed milk.

Xylitol Brownies

Xylitol Brownies

Our velvety xylitol option with dark chocolate.

Spiced Blondies

Spiced Blondies

A re-invented hot cross bun with spices, fruit and added white chocolate.

Bread range

White Sandwich Bread

White Sandwich Bread

Soft-textured sandwich bread, unlike your average gluten-free loaf.

Coconut Banana Bread

Coconut Banana Bread

Moist loaf with a toasted coconut topping.

Oat & Seed Muffins

Oat & Seed Muffins

A wholesome snack option, loaded with seeds and a touch of honey.

Pet range

Rooibos, Oats & Honey Dog Treats

Rooibos, Oats & Honey Dog Treats

Rooibos-enriched to ease skin irritations, rich in vitamin C and a natural anti-histamine.

Peanut Butter & Butternut Dog Treats

Peanut Butter & Butternut Dog Treats

Paw-fectly delicious, high in protein and potassium.

Ready to order?

WhatsApp us for brownies, dog treats, breads, bulk orders, or just to say hello.

Meet our bakers

The magic is in our team.

The answer to "How do you get gluten-free brownies to taste like THIS?"

Swipe or use the arrows to meet the team.

Aidan from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Aidan

Jennifer from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Jennifer

Joshua from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Joshua

Morgen from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Morgen

Sharni from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Sharni

Connor from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Connor

David from Down With Dough

Bakery team

David

Kaci from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Kaci

Keri-Mei from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Keri-Mei

Nic from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Nic

Robyn from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Robyn

Roelie from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Roelie

Sean from Down With Dough

Bakery team

Sean

About us

Our vision and ultimate goal is to train and upskill young adults with intellectual disabilities for meaningful work placement.

We also aim to encourage a life of appropriate independence, with the bakery and training programme helping build practical skills, confidence, and opportunity.

Down With Dough team moment

Why we started

Having a son with Down syndrome opened our eyes to the lack of suitable facilities and infrastructure after school. Moving into adulthood, young adults with intellectual disabilities have limited possibilities. If we could change this for Joshua, and others in the Northern Suburbs community, it would equip them for a future where they could work and contribute to society around them in a meaningful way.

Our programme

Our proven training and personal development programme equips young adults with intellectual disabilities, between 18-30 years of age, for successful placement in a work environment. Through our baking process and group sessions we train our members with the basic skills needed for employment. Interactions revolve around topics such as communication, appropriate behaviour and personal hygiene.

We aim to source appropriate work opportunities, tailored to suit our members' abilities and the requirements of the employer. This process includes various assessments and work exposure in different environments. Once placed, on-going support is provided to both the member and employer, to ensure sustainable employment and work satisfaction.

Supportive environment

We continually strive to provide varied possibilities for accommodating all our members; keeping them stimulated and included in a safe, friendly, and social environment.

Lynne Rutherfoord - Founder & CEO of Down With Dough

Keep in touch

Follow our journey.

Follow along on social media or join the mailing list to stay close to the bakery, the people, the progress, and the moments that matter.

Get involved

There are a few simple ways to help, and each one matters.

Whether you order, partner, donate, or simply follow and share, every action helps make the work more visible and the future more possible.

Order our delicious products

Support the bakery by ordering for yourself (and your doggos!), your events, or as gifts.

Partner with us

We love long-term relationships with coffee shops, churches, schools, businesses and other communities. Please reach out to discuss!

Volunteer your time

If you would like to give your time, help out in the bakery, provide other assistance, or offer life skills training to our members, we would love to hear from you.

Provide a job opportunity

We are looking for more meaningful work placement opportunities for our members. Please contact us!

Support the mission

Help grow confidence, skills, and meaningful work.

Donations help strengthen the practical support around the bakery and the opportunities it creates. If you would like to contribute, every gift helps us keep building dignity, training, and access to meaningful work.

Donate now