Product: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Black & White Cookies – $7.99+
I grew up in Upstate New York. And one cookie that New York prides itself on is…the Half Moon Cookie (sometimes called Black & White Cookies). It has been ages since I’ve eaten one…and I miss them terribly. And when I got the Celiac diagnosis…well…I pretty much figured that unless I made my own (which I could, but it wouldn’t be pretty!), I’d never have these delights I grew up eating ever again.
That all changed, however, two weekends ago, when I stepped into Louisville’s newest food market, Lucky’s. With a plethora of gluten-free offerings throughout the store, I was the most excited to spot a brand of cookies called My Dad’s Cookies. I had never seen them before, but there were some really delicious sounding choices. What I didn’t realize was that a table further back in the store housed the cookies that would be the game-changer for my budget that week. Because, as we were getting ready to leave, my roommate told me that I could pick out one item to try. And as I thought about it and pondered…my eyes spotted a familiar looking cookie.
And then the words…GLUTEN-FREE.
I knew the package cost $7.99, which is outrageous for cookies, but I didn’t care. Cookie Monster wants. Cookie Monster gets. Cookie Monster pays extra this week because…GLUTEN-FREE BLACK & WHITE COOKIES!!
Ahem!
Sorry about that…it’s the little things in life.
So, what is the deal with the brand, My Dad’s Cookies? The company itself was started by a baker named Elan Molina, based out of New York City (HA! That’s why he makes black & white cookies!). He began the company back in 2010 for children who have Celiac in order to give them the opportunity to eat their favorite cookies as their friends were eating. Molina set out with a mission and a goal to create cookies that looked and tasted like the real ones, so no child had to feel left out or get bullied about eating a cookie made from potatoes and rice. He wanted to make sure that all of the cookies he produced would be made with the finest ingredients, be non-dairy, nut-free, and also Kosher. In 2013, his vision became a reality, after countless tastings and trial-and-error baking, My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free brand was created.
The rest…is history.
The My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Black & White Cookies made their way from the store, to the register, to a shopping bag, to my pantry. And tonight…as the USA Men’s National Team took on Ghana in the World Cup…I busted these out for dessert.
What is a Black & White Cookie, you ask? Traditionally, I believe, the cookies are chocolate. But I’ve also seen them like these are made…as a spongy, vanilla base. The cookies themselves are a sponge-cake like cookie (so…soft and moist) that is covered with half vanilla and half chocolate icing. New York tradition. And now…I was finally getting to indulge again! My mouth was watering just thinking about the first bite.
I bet you’re wondering if it lived up to my expectations. Well…
YES! Yes they did. They were lacking that usual chocolate base for the cookie, but it didn’t take away from the simple deliciousness of this cookie. FOR REAL! It’s not too sweet. And the spongy cookie is the perfect consistency. The icing…is divine. It adds the right amount of sweetness without being too little or too much. Delicious. I savored…as long as I could…before jamming the rest of the cookie into my mouth. SO delicious. They brought back happy memories of days I’d purchase these cookies at the grocery store and just devour them. They may only be three bites, but they are three bites worth taking. I am already anticipating dessert tomorrow! Cookie Monster is back with a vengeance and I really want all of the cookies that My Dad’s Cookies produces…to see if they equal up to this one. Honestly…I hope so. They are worth the hefty price tag if that’s the case. Beyond impressed…even when I was certain I wouldn’t be.
Let’s talk ingredients for a moment, shall we? My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Black & White Cookies are made from a gluten-free flour blend (white rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, xanthan gum), egg, vanilla dip (made from sugar, vegetable shortening, emulsifier, and vanilla), chocolate dip (made from sugar, soybean oil, cocoa, chocolate liquor, salt, and vanilla extract), sugar, fructose, organic palm oil, natural flavors, baking powder, salt, and agave syrup.
As stated before, these cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and kosher.
How about nutrition? Well…they’re cookies…so let’s keep that in mind. A serving size of My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Black & White Cookies is…ONE cookie. Yes…only ONE of these small cookies (about three bites!). This one cookie will provide you with 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. The cookies also have 25 mg cholesterol, 45 mg sodium, and 10 grams of sugar. Okay…10 grams of sugar does seem like a lot…but…it’s a cookie! With icing. Two kinds of icing. Take it for what it is. A treat. In addition, you will be also taking in no fiber and only 2 grams of protein. Unless you eat them all in one sitting…then these will not fill you up.
If memories were cookies…these remind me the most of my childhood in New York. Half Moon (or Black & White) cookies are a New York staple when it comes to cookie goodness. And I was thrilled that I found these, but even more thrilled that they tasted so amazing. Love…in cookie form.
Pardon me while I eat the entire container…
The Celiathlete 
I am a huge fan of the black and white cookie, and get them every chance I can when I go home to NJ, or better, into NYC. I must confess, I’ve never heard of/seen a chocolate base, only the cake-like variety. I have yet to find a decent version of the black and white cookie here in Louisville – I may have to try these!
Yes…the original Black & White cookies were made with a chocolate cake-like base…these have the white version, which is more of what I see out of the Upstate NY area.