Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Cookie Mix – $2.99+
So…what’s with the title, right? What’s the whole ‘phone home’ line about? Hmmm?
I’ll tell you, my dear readers. I love Steven Spielberg and one of my favorite movies of his is E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. And what does Elliott use in that movie to lure E.T. out of hiding? Reese’s Pieces.
And what does this have to do with a gluten-free cookie mix?
I’m getting there.
First of all, as far as products from Hodgson Mill go…I’ve had good luck with their gluten-free line. The brownies have been some of my favorites. And the baking mix worked really well with my homemade scones. So, when I bought the Gluten-Free Cookie Mix from Hodgson Mill, I went into it with high hopes.
Keep in mind that what you are getting in this box is a base for cookies. Flavor it as you see fit. Use the suggestions on the box…or come up with your own. Me…I came up with my own.
Now, the ingredients to make up the mix calls for vegetable shortening. I do not believe in using shortening in my food. Ew. So, I just added the same amount of soft margarine to replace it. The margarine went into the Kitchen-Aid mixer to be creamed to fluffy goodness. In went the mix. It was blended. And then an egg and two teaspoons of vanilla went in. There you have it…the base for cookies. From here you could add chocolate chips, or almonds, or peanut butter, or cocoa powder…or whatever you can dream up.
Me? I decided to use a box of Reese’s Pieces and some Reese’s peanut butter baking chips and created E.T.’s. Gluten-free cookies that are packed with Reese’s goodness. Mmmmm.
I easily stirred in the peanut butter chips and candy until they were perfectly scattered throughout the dough. Then, using my ice cream scooper, I dished out the dough onto a baking sheet, pressed each cookie down with the bottom of a glass, then stuck it in the oven for 15 minutes. When they were done baking, they were still a light color, but had a bit of brown on the edges. I placed them on a cooling rack for a few minutes before finally giving in to the urge to try my cookie creation.
Mmmmmm…
I definitely think E.T. would phone home over these. Seriously. They taste like peanut butter cookies without adding the actual peanut butter to them. Honestly…they were nothing like what I expected. Even after cooling on the rack, they were soft, but sturdy. Sort of like shortbread…but a little softer. And the fact that they weren’t flavored with anything but the peanut butter chips and Reese’s Pieces…that’s what shines in the cookie. Honestly…so yummy!
The box says that you get 2 dozen cookies out of the mix. But I managed to bake up 27 in the end. The serving size is 2 cookies, but one is usually enough for me when it comes to dessert. As for the nutrition facts, before any additions are put into the mix, 2 cookies will set you back only 101 calories. Not bad at all. My additions of the box of Reese’s Pieces and the Reese’s Peanut Butter baking chips takes it to 130 calories. Not too shabby.
Baking from scratch is always best, but sometimes a helping hand is a necessary evil. Hodgson Mill once again goes above and beyond amazing with a gluten-free product. I can’t wait to purchase another box and try another variety of cookie. Either one of my own making or one recommended on the box. Whichever I decide to do, however, I know it will be delicious. This gluten-free cookie mix is out of this world. And so are the cookies that emerge when all is said and done.
Want to try one of my E.T.’s?
*passes tray*
The Celiathlete 