Chocolate – Page 6 – The Celiathlete

February 3, 2015

Product Review: Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers

Product: Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers – $2.99+

I am not going to lie…there are times that I miss certain types of candy in my life. Because, I grew up on some of these famous chocolate bars…enjoyed them as a child into adulthood. Not on a regular basis, mind you, but every now and again, it was nice to indulge a little on…a Kit-Kat Bar. Seriously…Kit Kat Bars were an all-time favorite of mine. You’d think it would be Reese’s with how peanut butter crazy I am, but I would take a Kit-Kat over a peanut butter cup any day. My sister…the exact opposite. But there was just something so addicting about that chocolate coating over that crispy wafer. The sweet meets sweet. The texture, flaky…yet creamy. It was heaven in candy bar form.

I won’t like…to this day I get sad when have to bypass those little Kit-Kat Bars at the grocery store or department stores. Not that I need them…I don’t. And it’s not that I even want them (though, I kind of do!). It’s just that I physically can’t have them anymore.

Enter…what I deemed would be my crave stopper.

I was coming home from seeing The Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Dayton, Ohio…passing right through Cincinnati. And Cincinnati is the home of the most epic grocery store (aka: Foodie Heaven) in the world – Jungle Jim’s. And yes…whenever possible and whenever I have the time while traveling through…I make a point to stop in. They have a rather large gluten-free section (yes…mostly processed foods, but I don’t overindulge in these regularly…so every now and again, I pick something new up to try!)…so I try to find one or five (HA!) products that I’m curious about and haven’t seen anywhere else. On this last trip, I actually behaved myself. With the holiday season in full swing at the time, I was on a very tight budget.

But one inexpensive little treat did catch my eye…and it was because it looked all the world to be a gluten-free Kit-Kat Bar.

YES!! You better believe I shelled out the $3.00 to give this a try. But, I waited…and saved it while I worked through some items I had around longer. But tonight…tonight was the magic night. Dessert…half of the candy bar. Half of what I called a gluten-free Kit-Kat Bar. My only hope was that it lived up to everything I was making it out to be in my head.

One pack of Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers

So, the candy itself is called Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers. Not as catchy as Kit-Kat…but copyrights and all…*wink*. But, just from the image on the box…it looked all the world like my favorite candy bar growing up. I was overjoyed.

The Helwa Company has been family owned and operated since 1953, where Helwa Wafelbakkerij, located in the Netherlands, committed itself and its business to making premium quality cream-filled wafer biscuits. Since then, they have branched out from their traditional crispy, cream filled wafers to release products that are organic, gluten-free, sugar free and all natural. Not only that, they focus on using ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors.

The Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers…

…are LOVE!! They aren’t Kit-Kat’s…but they sure as hell come close. The wafer inside these are lighter and not as crispy as I remember Kit-Kat being (granted, it’s been 3 years since I’ve eaten one…and I’ve honestly forgotten how things taste at times). That being said, I loved the hit of sweetness with the light crispy wafer inside. It was very reminiscent of one of my favorite candy treats…and I devoured these…to the max! SO delicious!!

So, let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers are made from milk chocolate 80%, palm oil, sugar, rice flour, potato starch, teff flour, soy flour, skimmed cocoa powder, soy lecithin, coconut oil, free range egg yolk, salt, and sodium bicarbonate. These chocolate coated wafers are suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free and wheat-free.

As far as nutrition goes, I’m not going to lie…for being a candy bar, these aren’t bad statistics at all. The serving size is one pack- there are three in the wrapper – which…is like eating a standard Kit-Kat bar. This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 8 grams of fat. These are cholesterol free, but do contain 10 grams of sugar, which, for a candy bar isn’t awful. Not in the slightest. This serving will also dish up 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. It’s candy. It’s sugar. You won’t stay full for long. Trust me.

But…damn…is it ever good!! I don’t eat candy all that often, but when I do, I’m proud of indulgences like that. I can’t remember the last time I got to eat my favorite candy from my childhood and young adult life…but this came so close…it almost brought me to tears. Good things come in little packages!

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Sandwich Petals Gluten Free Agave Grain Flatbread

Product: Sandwich Petals Gluten Free Agave Grain Flatbread – $3.99+

Sometimes…the world is made for more than just gluten-free sandwich bread. The problem is…not only is a good and delicious gluten free sandwich bread sometimes hard to come by…so is an alternative. For some, gluten-free isn’t just a dietary choice, it is a necessity. No cheating allowed or bad things happen. Very, very bad things.

Back before my initial diagnosis, however, I had found a new love for making wraps. Yes…wraps. And one of the best options out on the market were these low-calorie wraps called…Sandwich Thins. Ah, the days of making sandwiches and pizzas and other things using Flat-Out Sandwich Wraps. I loved them. I used them a lot. But, when I was diagnosed as a Celiac, at first I refused to spend an ungodly amount of money on sandwich bread…and when I finally decided I couldn’t live my life without sandwiches…I had to find a good one to use. When I narrowed that down to a few different brands to choose from (since one would usually be on sale at some point at one of the 9 stores I would visit)…I resigned myself that if I wanted anything apart from regular sandwiches…I’d have to use gluten-free corn tortillas. And that…just seemed wrong.

Since then, however, a few companies, including Rudi’s Gluten-Free and Udi’s Gluten-Free have released tortillas and wraps that make great substitutes. But, they just weren’t the same as my Flat-Out Sandwich Wraps from my past. It was sad for this gluten-free foodie, for sure.

But then, I took a journey to Boulder, Colorado and just happened to be killing time on a Sunday morning, waiting for some stores to open, perusing the aisles of a local natural food store. I wasn’t planning on shopping for food items. After all, these had to make the journey back to Indiana with me. But, alas…when I’m not looking is when I find something. And this time, this something was – SANDWICH PETALS! In three flavors, even. These reminded me so much (in shape and feel) of the Flat-Out Sandwich Wraps I had given up…that I had to have them. So, all three flavors were purchased and made the journey home. The Spinach Garlic flavor was the first to disappear.

This time…as I was making a simple vegetable wrap for dinner, I opted for the “original” version…the Agave Grain flavor of Sandwich Petals.

Sandwich Petals are aptly named because, well, they are shaped like a flower petal. Or a football. Or, perhaps, a combination of the two. Regardless, they are oblong, narrower at the top and slightly wider around the middle. They are easy enough to prepare too. Just prep your filling, and then wrap a single Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petal in damp paper towels. Microwave for 30 seconds. And you’re good to go. When you first take the petals out of the resealable package, they are rather stiff and stale feeling. But when you warm them up in the damp paper towel, they do get slightly more pliable and flexible. Enough that you can roll them up and make them functional to say the least. So…it would do. I warmed mine up, gave each petal a schmear of sun-dried tomato hummus, then packed it with kale, spinach, greens, yellow peppers, sliced onion, carrots, and a bit of avocado. Do not attempt to actually be able to roll these up into a wrap if you do fill it like an actual wrap should be filled. That doesn’t work with these wraps. But, you can go “taco-style” with them. It will be messy…but it works. And that’s exactly how it was for the past two nights.

The Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals were actually sweet. Which…was weird when paired with the vegetables. At least I thought so. A little bit of sweetness is fine, but this was an odd sweetness that just didn’t work in tandem with the rest of the insides. This one, as I found out this morning when I paired this wrap instead with a banana, some melted peanut butter, and a bit of gluten-free chocolate chip granola, worked best as a dessert base, or wrap for something with a bit more sweetness. While not off-putting, it was just…different. But, ah well. If you warm up the Agave Grain Sandwich Petal and don’t build and consume your wrap immediately, leave it within the damp paper towel…or your wrap does stiffen up and harden back up a little. While it still is good, it’s just not as nice as a soft and pliable wrap that sandwich wraps are associated with. These were good…but not “knock-my-socks-off” fantastic. I don’t know if I would seek out this particular flavor again…unless wanting to make a sweet wrap or something that included cinnamon and sugar and chocolate and all that stuff. The sweetness just seems to work better with that sort of a filling. Not bad. But…not my favorite either. I reserve the right to be a bit picky when it comes to the short supply of gluten-free options out there. Wow me! That’s how you win me.

Hummus and Veggie Wrap made with Sandwich Petals Gluten Free Agave Grain Flatbread

The Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, egg free, non-GMO, and diabetic smart. These flatbreads are made with 10 gluten free ancient grains, contain omega 3’s, prebiotics (which aid in a healthy digestive system – very important for Celiacs, indeed!), are versatile, don’t have to be frozen, are virtually allergen free, and are heart healthy! The Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals are made from GluTenFree Gluten-Free Proprietary blend of milled and whole grains (including: corn, flax, sesame, buckwheat, brown rice, sorghum, millet, quinoa, teff, and amaranth), water, organic agave nectar, tapioca starch, raisin juice, molasses, short chain fructooligosaccharides, xanthan gum, dicalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, fumaric acid, sodium propionate, and sorbic acid. I know…those last few sound rather…processed, yes? Yeah…I agree. But…gluten-free flatbreads/wraps are important to at least try! Even if you’re trying to do more clean eating.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of the Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals is 1 wrap. This 1 petal will provide you with 100 calories and only 1 gram of fat. Theses petals do not have any trans fat or cholesterol. One of these wraps will give you 120 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. Considering these are sweeter than the other version I tried, I think that’s not a bad number on the sugar. One of these wraps will also serve up 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, yes…they are filling, but they won’t leave you feeling like a glutton or as though you have eaten too much. Even when stuffed full of whatever fillings you want, be it sweet, savory, a protein, or just vegetables.

I have yet to find Sandwich Petals anywhere in the stores I live near or in this area of the country. However, if you are curious about them, you can order them on the Sandwich Petals page…here! I was certainly a bigger fan of the Spinach Garlic version of these gluten-free tortillas, but the Agave Grain version wasn’t too bad itself. If these were readily available in my area, I would definitely consider using them in other ways. If you like a kick of sweetness in each bite…or are looking for a dessert wrap of some sort, this would be the wrap for you. These wraps, I will say, do not distract from whatever filling you do put inside, though. Even if it has a sweetness in the aftertaste. I love having different options when I’m preparing a sandwich without making a standard sandwich with gluten-free bread. While the Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Wraps were not my favorite of the two versions (of three) that I have tried…they weren’t horrible either. Just choose your use wisely with these. To me…until this morning’s breakfast creation…these ones just fell a bit…flat.

Breakfast Banana, Peanut Butter, and Granola Wrap using Sandwich Petals Agave Grain Flatbread

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola – $6.99+

On some very rare occasions, a product that arrives in my Cuisine Cube is actually something I am familiar with…or…perhaps…even might have tried before. When it comes to the Non-GMO Project cube, which arrived in October, I was actually surprised to encounter a brand that I had already tried. Albeit, this was not a flavor I had tried from this brand, but it is readily available at my local Whole Foods! Like I said…this doesn’t happen often…but sometimes it’s a comfort to find a small brand that you have familiarized yourself with before.

This product…was the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products.

Prior to this Cuisine Cube…I had picked up a pack of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola. My Cuisine Cube stepped it up a notch by including one of my most favorite things…chocolate! Chocolate chips to be exact.

With all the time that I’ve spent traveling and racing these past couple of months…and the holidays taking over life in general…I haven’t had much time to explore some items from some of my Cuisine Cubes. That being said, I’m making a push currently to polish off most of the products that have made a home in my pantry. I need to be more pro-active about these products…and that’s not a bad thing. It is definitely getting me to branch out and try some things I had been content to let sit for awhile.

This past week, after a long weekend away in Charleston, South Carolina (I was marathoning)…I was looking for a delicious, and more nutritious way to enjoy breakfast. I knew I had a few granola options tucked away on the top shelf of my kitchen pantry…so, I grabbed a stool (I’m short…I can’t help it!) and dug around. I had two to choose between and both sounded great. But the Jessica’s Natural Foods variety had one thing that won me over…

CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

Yep…the sweet-tooth, chocaholic emerged with a vengeance upon seeing that in the name. WIN! That morning, I darted out to the grocery store to pick up a few necessities that were needed for the coming week and ended up picking up a big container of Greek yogurt, some fresh organic blueberries, and a few other fruits and vegetables to use for the various meals I needed for the week. Breakfast…lunch…dinner. You name it. But, I hadn’t made many of my fruit & yogurt breakfast parfaits for a long while, and I knew this was a delicious and nutritious way to start the morning. With some granola at home, it was just a matter of choosing the fruit. I had thought to get strawberries, but the organic ones didn’t look too good. We are, after all, out of season. But, the blueberries looked big and ripe and therefore…came home with me. That morning, I assembled two breakfast parfaits, making use of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola, vanilla Greek yogurt, local honey, and the fresh organic blueberries. I just layer these up and top it off with more granola and…voila…breakfast was served.

Jessica’s Natural Foods gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is, without a doubt, one of the best granola’s I have had since going gluten-free. The gluten-free oats were toasted and golden to perfection. Adding to the sweetness were the melt-in-your-mouth bits of semi-sweet chocolate chips. It feels like you’re cheating, but in reality, you are eating something that is good for you. Mixing these delightful spoonfuls with a thick and delicious Greek yogurt and bursts of fresh fruit juice from the little blueberries…this made a perfect breakfast with each bite. The granola brought this fantastic and light texture to the entire dish. And, if left with a bag of this and no supervision, I could easily eat the entire bag in one sitting. The clusters with the chocolate were my favorite part as they would melt upon hitting my tongue. This made handfuls of this granola a great treat…if not addictive. Seriously…one of the best parts of any breakfast I have ever eaten in my entire life…this granola is amazing. And I don’t feel bad indulging in it, because the ingredients are natural and the nutritional information is rather good!

Granola can become a calorie-laden sugar-fest, so it’s always good to take a look at ingredients and nutritional information. For Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola…this is what the company strives for. The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, ground flax seed, coconut, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is free of cholesterol and trans fats. It is also gluten-free and non-GMO.

A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is 1/4 cup. Trust me…this may not seem like much…but it is an amazing and filling 1/4 cup. Mmm…chocolate by the quarter-cup. In this serving, you will be consuming 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. Not bad for granola. Not at all. In this serving, you will also be taking in 30 mg sodium and only 7 grams of sugar. Yes…only 7 grams. That’s amazing. So often, the gluten-free granola I find is laden with heavy sugar. Not these. Naturally sweet more than anything. And finally, this 1/4 cup serving gives you 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Not too filling, but filling enough, especially when paired with nutrient dense Greek yogurt and fiber-filled fresh fruit.

Oh yes…it’s a rare thing when Cuisine Cube sends me something I am already familiar with, but in a way, it’s also quite satisfying. If you have yet to join the happy consumers of Cuisine Cube…just go over to their Web site and check out your options. Every month is like Christmas as you open up your box and discover what products have been selected for you. These monthly deliveries start at $29.99…and are so totally worth the investment. I have yet to regret making this choice to enjoy these monthly deliveries. Seriously…give it a month and you will want to keep going! It’s because of this service that I am able to try foods like Jessica’s Natural Foods, a less-processed and lesser-known product than some of the brand name gluten-free granola out on the market. I much prefer to support the smaller businesses who put a lot more thought and care into their products and the making of their products. I feel that way about Jessica’s Natural Foods…so check them out too! If you can’t find these bags of granola goodness at your Whole Foods…get online and place an order! Stop hesitating…and just do it!

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s

Product: Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s – $3.99+

Cookies!

They are the meaning of life. Honestly. And finding a good gluten-free cookie is like finding a little slice of heaven. Awhile back, I raved and raved about how delicious (and affordable!) the original gluten-free Joe-Joe’s were. So, while we ducked into Trader Joe’s one morning before the holidays, Cathy spotted a box of regular Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s. After a “What is this shittery?” moment, the cookies were in the basket for her to have as one of her snacks during the work week. We then proceeded to pick up our usual Trader Joe’s purchases…gluten-free oats, two different kinds of peanut butter, and maybe something else…depends on the week.

As we were getting ready to leave, the roomie says the magic words to me:

“Go see if you can find the Dark Chocolate Covered Mint Espresso Beans.” Those are magical words, friends, because those little beans are my favorite thing in life. Sadly, Trader Joe’s did not have them this year. I cried. No really…I cried. But, my search for minty dark chocolate caffeinated pellets of awesomeness did not go unrewarded.

I spotted the box and had to stop…take a few steps back…blink…rub my eyes…and then pinch myself. YES! There, on this little shelf over some frozen food stuffs was a box of…Gluten-Free Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s. Like…like the ones Cathy was able to eat…except made for someone like me! Do you realize how weird it is to find flavored sandwich cookies? Trust me…it doesn’t happen often. I decided if I couldn’t have my minty and dark chocolate coated espresso beans…these would be a good substitute. I snagged the box and went skipping off to find the roomie.

And…we now each had a box of Trader Joe’s signature sandwich cookies…in holiday peppermint form. Yum yum.

Now, I know it’s almost the end of January, but the holidays are filled with goodies galore and getting to the splurge purchases sometimes doesn’t happen in a timely manner. Hey…it just means that the anticipation got to build for awhile. Granted, Cathy had her box long before I opened mine, and she said they tasted like fake mint. Which…is odd…as Trader Joe’s uses real crushed candy canes to get the candy cane flavor. She’s odd. Sometimes I think she has a hell of a palate and then other times she thinks banana tastes like cherries. I just don’t know…

But…as she preferred the gluten-free regular version of the Joe-Joe’s to the regular Joe-Joe’s…perhaps that would be the case here too. So, the other night…with dessert being needed…I grabbed this box out of the pantry and dished out two cookies to each of us…with a little cup of milk. Because…that’s how sandwich (or cream-filled) cookies should be eaten. And they should be dipped to the point of complete mush and then savored. YUM.

I handed hers over first and she took a bite, immediately saying how she hated fake peppermint flavor again. I sighed. But then she said that, once again, she preferred these to the regular version she had prior to this. Now it was my turn to see what I thought.

I settled in and took a bite without dipping it just to get the initial flavor. The chocolate gluten-free cookie was delicious and rich. And the filling…it was minty, but not overly so, but definitely minty. Even better, these are definitely stuffed with the cream filling. They definitely don’t skimp on that. I appreciate that…because if I am buying sandwich cookies, I want them to be filled. There were flecks of candy cane throughout the filling, giving it that flavor, which doesn’t overpower at all. And dipping these into a glass of almond milk…OMG…YUM! I am definitely loving the holidays this year…as they brought me a few new items to try…including these. Trader Joe’s does amazing things with their gluten-free line. And I continue to enjoy two cookies and a glass of milk after dinner each night.

Let’s look at the ingredients that go into Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s, shall we? These cookies are made from cane sugar, a grain blend (corn flour, rice flour, potato starch, corn starch, soy flour, potato flour, tapioca starch, xanthan and arabic gum, and carageenan), palm oil, cocoa powder, crushed candy canes, canola oil, invert syrup, egg white powder, natural flavors, baking soda sea salt, soy lecithin, and ammonium bicarbonate. These cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, and cholesterol free.

As for nutrition, as far as cookies go, these aren’t bad. A serving of the Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s is 2 cookies. These two cookies will deliver 150 calories and 7 grams of fat. These cookies will give you 75 mg sodium and 13 grams of sugar. And, finally, these cookies will provide 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

I really appreciate it when a company takes the time to duplicate a regular product and make it gluten-free. I have yet to find a product in the Trader Joe’s gluten-free line up that I don’t like. These cookies are a delicious and minty treat, which normally I wouldn’t have the opportunity to enjoy. I wish these were around year round. But, you can bet that I’ll be looking for them next year.

Thank you, Trader Joe’s!

January 14, 2015January 14, 2015

Product Review: Klara’s Gourmet Chocolate Macaroons

Product: Klara’s Gourmet Chocolate Macaroons – $6.00+

You know…there is a lot of things I love about being a subscriber to Cuisine Cube. Lots. For one thing, I get to discover products and new brands that I never would have known about before. Seriously. Because Cuisine Cube makes it their job to find lesser-known, but equally tasty (if not better) products to be shipped off each month to their subscribers. This is, honestly, one of the best things I have ever signed up for. One thing that is always guaranteed with that each little box will contain an item that is a breakfast, a lunch, a snack, a dinner, and a dessert. Sometimes…you get a bonus product. I always am curious to see what the people at Cuisine Cube put in each month’s box. And one thing, I admit, I really look forward to, is their choice for a dessert.

It’s no secret…I have a sweet tooth. I am a chocoholic who loves desserts and will never turn down a gluten-free goodie if one is offered. Trust me. I love being active and fit and that seems to allow me to maintain my love of all things sugar and spice and totally bad for me. HA!

In the October Cuisine Cube, the dessert option just happened to be a brand of cookie I was unfamiliar with. Klara’s Gourmet, which boasts that it is “a taste of tradition.” Interesting. Even more interesting was that these were not just cookies, but CHOCOLATE Macaroons. Now, for as long as I have been a diagnosed Celiac (and gluten-free for that matter) I have yet to actually sit down and eat a macaroon. I’ll tell you why. Coconut scares me. It really, really scares me. Because I’m so subjective when it comes to coconut. Sometimes I like it…and sometimes I don’t. It’s a texture thing, I know…but I enjoy the taste and everything else…but it’s the texture that throws me off. And macaroons, for some reason, just seem to scream “COCONUT TEXTURE!”

But, alas, I never let that hinder me from trying something new. Because, I will at least try something once. And tonight, after dinner, this was the dessert I reached for. Deep breath. Do not fear the unknown or the dessert. Because dessert is awesome and wonderful and should not be feared.

With that, I grabbed the Klara’s Gourmet Chocolate Macaroons out of my pantry and opened them up. I snagged four of the cookies, two for me and two for my roommate, who was probably as apprehensive as I was, as she really does despise coconut. But, she is also branching out in her food choices and will always try it. So, with the cookies now out and ready for consumption…we both took deep breaths and dove in.

These weren’t as scary as I was making them out to be in my mind. Yes…they are coconut and yes…they do have that “eating bugs” coconut texture, but oddly enough…the chocolate and sweetness of the cookie sort of distracted from all of that. I thought these tasted like a rich chocolate cake, with shavings of coconut bringing in a bit of flavor and texture. These were sweet, and definitely a great way to round up dinner because it was maybe six bites of chocolate goodness. I was actually really impressed. The macaroons themselves were soft and perfect. I mean…perfect. I think if I were a bigger fan of coconut these would be my go-to cookie. But as someone who doesn’t hate, but doesn’t love coconut…these were really good. They exceeded my expectations for sure.

Klara’s Gourmet was founded by Klara Sotonova, who emigrated from the Czeck Republic at the age of 19…all on her own. She came to the United States with a dream of owning her own business. This became a reality in 2006 when she founded Klara’s Gourmet Cookies. When she lived in the former Czechoslovak communist regime, Klara and her family did not have easy access to mass produced baked goods. The baking traditions that Klara now brings to each of us were handed down from her grandmother, as it had been done for generations in her family.

Let’s take a peek into the ingredients of Klara’s Gourmet Chocolate Macaroons, shall we? These cookies are made from unsweetened/unsulphured coconut, pure cane sugar, water, organic honey, cocoa processed with alkali, cage free non-GMO verified egg whites, rice flour, pure vanilla extract, and salt. They are all-natural, gluten-free, and cholesterol free.

As far as nutrition goes, Klara’s Gourmet Chocolate Macaroons, a serving is 2 macaroons. This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 7 grams of fat. These two cookie will also give you 40 mg sodium and 12 grams of sugar. A little high in sugar…but they are cookies, after all. These macaroons also give you 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

This is yet again a great example of how Cuisine Cube brings fantastic products I never would have known existed to my very own home. I was actually very surprised with how much I ended up enjoying the Klara’s Gourmet Chocolate Macaroons. I had never before heard of this brand, but now I am eager to try a few other of her cookies…like the Lemon Poppy Shortbread, for sure!!

If you haven’t pulled the trigger yet and ordered at least one month of Cuisine Cube…do it now. Or you will be missing out for sure!

January 13, 2015

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts

Product: Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts – $6.49

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged about one of my favorite gluten-free companies out there. I think the giant, larger than my arm, loaf of challah bread and a couple of goodies I got to go with it were the last thing to cross my freezer from Katz Gluten Free. I have been moving away from processed foods, but that doesn’t mean I don’t splurge every now and again.

I forgot what took me over to the Katz Gluten Free Web site awhile back. Perhaps I just wanted to take a browse. Perhaps I had a feeling that they had added some new products that would immediately make me fill up my cart and then eagerly anticipate their arrival a couple of days later.

Whatever it was that drew me over there…it worked. Because they did have new products on the site. And I did immediately order them.

What was it that grabbed my attention and made me need to have said products right then and there? One word:

DONUTS!

I mean, yes, gluten-free donuts aren’t exactly difficult to come by these days. In fact, my local allergen-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, offers them every Saturday morning. They sell out rather quickly too. You can find versions in freezers at grocery stores and (yes) natural food stores alike. Believe me…I often think…”I could buy that one box of donuts…”

And I don’t…because I know I can get better…fresh from my very own local gluten-free bakery…or…from Katz Gluten Free.

Well, color me happy and surprised (which is apparently yellow and orange) when I just randomly darted over to their Web site and looked at their New Products page. Lo and behold there…on the screen…were not one…not two…but THREE new versions of their fantastic, super-delicious, gluten-free donuts. My heart skipped a beat, my hand reached for my credit card…and all three new varieties were purchased. I didn’t bat an eye. Hey, I love being healthy, but every girl deserves a donut every now and again. And this Celiac really loves donuts!

The three new varieties offered by Katz Gluten Free are Pumpkin Pie Spiced Donuts, Triple Chocolate Donuts, and the Glazed Chocolate Donuts.

This is one of those days where a quick breakfast is more than appreciated…it’s necessary. So, despite having these for a couple of weeks in my freezer, I have resisted diving in. But today…was a good day for donuts. I asked my roommate to pick a flavor and she immediately replied with the Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts. She is a sucker for glazed donuts. So…I had a feeling that flavor would either be the first to go or the last one eaten. She went for it first.

I actually pulled the donuts out of the freezer last night and placed the two I needed (one for my roommate and one for me) into a plastic bag to thaw overnight. The rest were returned to the freezer for another day. I don’t need to eat them all right now? I can savor them this way. The following morning, all they required was a little zap in the microwave (although even that isn’t necessary, I just like to give them that “fresh & hot” feeling to them. And then…brekkies was served.

As a child raised in Upstate New York…one of the best treats ever was a Dunkin Donuts Munchkin (aka: donut hole). And, for as much as I can remember about how those tasted, that’s the memory these donuts drew up for me. The donut itself is a rich chocolate cake donut that just melts…literally melts in your mouth. Talk about a dream. The glaze is this sugary sweet bonus that just ties it all together giving it that little bit of texture and that extra boost of flavor. Just…beyond wow. And, even more…it brought back memories of sitting down to one of my favorite treats as a kid…donut holes from Dunkin Donuts. I mean…exact same flavor profile and texture to them. It was almost like eating cake for breakfast. Chocolate to the max…and just…Mmmmmmmmm….delish. I am glad I pull these out ahead of time and eat them away from my apartment or I’d probably be tempted to go back and eat another one. And maybe another one for good show. It’s nice to have a treat every now and again. These are a treat worth indulging in from time to time. TRUST ME!

While this may not be the healthiest of breakfasts, you gotta treat yourself every now and again. I love fitness and I love eating clean and healthy foods, but I also like to indulge every now and again. Some mornings, you just eat a donut.

Let’s talk about ingredients. Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts are made from gluten-free flour (a blend of tapioca starch, white rice flour, and corn starch), water, palm oil, sugar, eggs, confection sugar, canola oil, cocoa, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, natural vanilla extract, agar, calcium carbonate (anticaking agent), and calcium sulfate (stabilizer). I know…I see the chemical sounding things on there too. But…this is a treat this morning. I definitely don’t eat donuts every day. In fact, it is a rare thing these days. These donuts are gluten-free, soy free, dairy free and nut free.

As for nutritional information…for donuts, these stack up rather well. In fact, better than most donuts out there. A serving is 1 donut. Nailed that. This one donut will provide you with 210 calories and 12 grams of fat. Okay…the fat is high…but it’s a donut. You will also be taking in 20 mg cholesterol, 220 mg sodium, and 12 grams of sugar. And because these are donuts, and mostly comprised of sugar, they will definitely not be filling you up. In fact, one donut has only 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. I ate mine with an orange.

Balance. HA!

I have only love for the products I have tried from Katz Gluten Free. They were the first company to bring me gluten free donuts that tasted like…real donuts. They have fantastic pies…good cookies…amazing bread…and I could go on. But if you are really looking to treat yourself every now and again…buy the donuts. Just…take a chance. Because, trust me…you will want to keep a box of these stashed in your freezer for those “Mmmm…donut!” days.

And now, I have the Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate variety to add to the mix. And they have exceeded my expecations for sure. I know that Katz Gluten Free only puts out quality products, but this was just exceptional. For those days when only a donut will do…you better not be without the Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts. Stock up. And savor. These are definitely donut love for sure. SO GOOD!

January 13, 2015

Product Review: Bart & Judy’s The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World

Product: Bart & Judy’s The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World – $6.00+

Twas back in September that my very own Cookie Fairy (aka: Jenn) gifted me with a few boxes of gluten-free cookies. I mean, it was my birthday, after all, so naturally you give a cookie monster…COOKIES! I have already reviewed the other varieties I was given, leaving this as the one to bring up the caboose. And, you know, it only seems appropriate that the last box is also the one boasting of the most chocolate. Jenn and I are both chocaholics. And we will freely admit to that, for sure.

I’m in total hibernation mode these days. Seriously. My energy is sapped. All I want to do is eat and snuggle under my blanket on the couch while either watching a movie, a television show, or playing my vintage SEGA Genesis. That pretty much sums up how I feel about winter. Even though we’ve had a rather mild one up until recently, when that cold snap hit…out when any will I had to go outside and do anything. I, of course, have not given into my plan to bury myself under blankets until spring.

That being said, I do make a point to cook pretty much every day. At least one meal will be made by me at some point. Normally…all three are. That being said, I like for an easy dessert at times. With me, dessert is not an option. Dessert is a necessary and wonderful thing. What better way to wrap up a meal and the day than with a little bite of something sweet. Cleanse the palate. Call it a night.

And…as most of you know, one of my favorite desserts to ever exist are…COOKIES!

So giving me something with the words THE, BEST, CHOCOLATE, COOKIES, and GLUTEN-FREE is definitely going to win me over. Well played, Jenn. Well played. Hehehe. Well, being that it is now January…I decided it was time to bust open this little, unassuming brown box of extreme cookie feasting.

A little bit about the company itself. Bart & Judy’s prides themselves on baking up cookies that are all-natural, buttery, crunchy, golden-brown and deliciously chocolatey. They are made with the best of everything…creamery butter, fresh eggs, and the world’s finest dark Belgian chocolate. They believe the purpose of their cookies should solely be to propagate happiness. In fact, their statements claims that if you come from the perspective of “bigger is more” than their cookies are not for you. They produce top quality, but bite-size.

So…how were they? Were they absolutely THE BEST IN THE WORLD?! Well, that might be a little bit of an overstatement, however, these cookies are superb. And this is coming from this gluten-free cookie monster. I usually prefer soft cookies, but these little bite-size crunchy nuggets of goodness were like…eating that perfect outer edge of a brownie. Crunchy, without being too hard, and packed with extreme chocolate flavor. The best part was finding a chocolate chip within the cookie and getting that extra burst of chocolate goodness. Amazing. I mean…there is chocolate² in the title. Two chocolates = double the win.

This was, also, the first box of cookies to ever come with a set of instructions. I am not joking. Included in the box was a little slip of paper declaring STOP! READ FIRST! And underneath was the instructions as to how best to enjoy these cookies. Since they are packaged in a special oxygen-barrier foil bag, Bart & Judy insist that they benefit from “decanting,” much like a fine wine. So, yes, open up the foil bag, but allow the cookies 10 minutes to aerate to encourage the development of the complex flavors.

With all of that said, let’s discuss ingredients. The Bart & Judy’s The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World are made from semi-sweet chocolate chips, Bart & Judy’s Proprietary Rice Flour Blend, natural cocoa, butter, cane sugar, brown cane sugar, eggs, baking soda, Madagascar vanilla, and salt. These cookies are all-natural, free of hydrogenated oils, trans-fats, and contain no chemical additives or artificial anything. And, the box does let you know that the chocolate is authentic, real Belgian chocolate. Bart & Judy state on the enclosed instructions that these cookies are slightly overbaked and lower in sugar because they don’t want to “mask” lower-quality ingredients with over sweetness. And they don’t. These cookies, while not exactly top-of-the-line, aren’t overly sweet…but just right. With amazing chocolate flavor.

As for the nutritional information…it is as follows. One serving of Bart & Judy’s The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World is 11 cookies (or about 34 grams). The box claims there are 4 servings in the box…but there was only two. Seriously. Dammit. These 11 cookies will dish you up 140 calories and 8 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 30 mg cholesterol, 65 mg sodium, and 7 grams of sugar. In addition, these cookies offer up no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. You’re eating 11 cookies, but they won’t fill you up. After all, it’s basically 11 bites. Pop them…and chew.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I tried out the cookies in this very…amusing…yet understated brown box. What happened was surely pure magic. And while I have read some older reviews about cross-contamination issues, the box states that their cookies are regularly tested in an independent laboratory to meet the guidelines set by the FDA. These truly are little bites of happiness.

If you love chocolate…oh…you will totally love these.

January 8, 2015

Product Review: The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar

Product: The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar – $3.00+

The holiday season is over, and the New Years resolutions have kicked in, right? And so many people place eating better, working out, and losing weight at the top of their list. I am not one of those people. In fact, I don’t ever make New Years resolutions…and I’ll tell you why…I hate not accomplishing a goal I set for myself. I usually just make it a point to live that year to the best of my abilities. That being said, I am doing a little bit of cleaning up when it comes to my diet. And that does mean I am paying attention to ingredients that are in products that I purchase. While I prefer to eat natural and whole foods, there is no escaping the ease and convenience of processed and packaged goods at times.

And thanks to Cuisine Cube‘s Holiday cube (December), my New Year is off to a grand start. Let’s discuss, once again, the benefits and advantages I feel a service like Cuisine Cube offers. Because, if you’ve been reading this, you should be familiar with the service, but perhaps have been wavering on actually signing up. Hesitate no more. Just…DO IT! Cuisine Cube is a mail delivery service that happens monthly, delivering delicious, lesser-known, local, and less-processed gluten-free products right to your door. It’s fantastic. And each month is like Christmas, opening up the box and discovering what goodies are inside. It’s available at different price ranges, depending on how long you wish to order it for…be it month-to-month or a whole year. If you haven’t gone to the site to check it out…do it now. You will not regret it.

Available in each cube is a food that can be used for either a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner, a snack, and a dessert…and sometimes…a bonus. This month…an extra dessert. My sweet tooth stands up and salutes the Cuisine Cube gods and goddesses! But, the product that I tried out this morning was actually the breakfast item that was included.

We all know that I am a huge advocate for breakfast. It is my favorite meal of the day. Honestly. I could eat breakfast for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never get tired of that kind of food. Never.

This morning was one of those mornings where I would rather stay curled up in bed, hibernating under all my blankets. With a hard freeze warning in affect for my area, my 7 mile speed work run was not happening outdoors today. Nope. So, I had to set my alarm to get up early and go to the gym to run…7 miles…on a treadmill…at varying speeds. UGH! But, when training for the Boston Marathon, you do what needs to be done. You just suck it up, cupcake.

After my run, I returned home for breakfast. With my coffee brewing, I needed something easy and fast. I remembered that I still had some products from my December Cuisine Cube…which included a breakfast bar of sorts.

It is called The YES Bar. Yes…The YES Bar. It was created over three years ago in a home kitchen in Laurel Canyon, California. Creator, Abigail, was faced with some food sensitivities and health challenges when it came to her son. And she found herself constantly having to tell him “no” to the foods he wanted to eat. So, she set to work, collecting all the healthy, delicious, and yummy foods that she could find in her kitchen that were naturally free of gluten, dairy, soy and corn. She started with nuts and seeds…added in honey and maple syrup…then vanilla bean powder…cinnamon…dried fruits…and coconut butter. In went hemp and chia for added nutrition. And then…chocolate. Because chocolate should be in everything. And “chocolate is awesome”…she says on the Web site. It took months to get the recipe down and find the right consistency to make these little portable treats of breakfast goodness. From the first taste, even before they were perfected, Abigail’s son loved them. Her other son loved them. Her friends loved them. Her husband loved them. In fact, her husband started using them for his 50 mile bike rides…and then his cycling buddies wanted them. From there it was parties…then people wanting to buy them…then into local stores…and so on.

The YES Bar is a grain free bar, so if you follow a paleo diet, they work for you. I do not follow a paleo diet, nor am I a fan of said diet. But…every single ingredient that goes into these bars is real food. And that is a sticking piont with me these days. The less processed the better. No weird preservatives or binders or fillers. This is not a glorified candy bar. It is a delicious and 100% healthy bar that you can eat for breakfast, after a run, on-the-go, for dessert, or as fuel for your workout. In fact…The YES Bar makes the following promise on their site: “If it’s in our bar, it’s good for you. And when you eat it, it will be yummy. Like, really yummy.”

So, does it live up to all the Web site hype by the creators?

OMG…does it ever!! This is like a Lärabar on crack. The good kind of crack! HA! The package said to try it chilled, so last night I popped it into the fridge so I could enjoy it this morning as a breakfast treat after my treadmill run. It was fantastic. Sweet and savory and salty and just all around amazing and delicious. I loved the crunchy and chewy texture combination. And it was actually quite filling for a bar…and it should be because it is all real and natural ingredients. There is some sugar, but it is part of the dried fruits and the honey and syrup that is added. It’s not granulated sugar of any kind. Gotta love that. And the flavor…amazing. You do feel like you’re cheating on breakfast with this bad. The chocolate gives it that rich sweetness…the dried fruits add to the texture and sweetness, but the nuts give it a salty and savory feel at the same time. It’s like eating candy for breakfast…but candy that is actually good for you!

Since we’re on the subject of ingredients, let me give you a run down of what all goes into The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar. This bar is made from macadamia nuts, maple syrup, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut butter, pecans, honey, dark chocolate, raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dried tart cherries, shelled hemp seeds, sesame paste, flax seeds, chia seeds, celtic sea salt, cinnamon, and vanilla bean powder. It is certified paleo friendly, certified gluten-free, and does not contain soy, dairy, gluten, or corn. It is also non-GMO! You gotta love all of that, yes?

As for nutrition, a serving size is one of The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bars. In this one bar, you will be served up a filling 200 calories and 15 grams of fat. Do not freak out over the fat…because it is the healthy fat that comes from the nuts and seeds that are inside this bar. This bar provides you with 105 mg sodium, 160 grams of potassium, and 9 grams of sugar. That may seem a little high for one bar, but it’s mostly coming from the maple syrup, the honey, and the dried fruits. So, it’s not the bad kind of sugar. To top it off, you will be taking in 3 grams of filling fiber and 4 grams of protein. It makes a perfect on-the-go snack and a great post-workout breakfast. Or…eat it while on your long run for fuel. Nothing should be offensive to the stomach. I might have to give that a try next time as I train up for my upcoming marathons!

I am beyond thrilled with The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar. And I never would have even known of its existence without my subscription to Cuisine Cube. They really do search for the best quality items to go in each cube. And they definitely hit the mark with this California based snack bar company. Loved this bar from first bite. It was great chilled, but I bet it would be just as good straight out of the package. Another win!

If you can’t find The YES Bar near you…be sure to check out their Web site! Trust me…you do NOT want to miss out on these!

January 8, 2015

Product Review: North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie

North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble - Double Chocolate Brownie and Heath Bar Blondie — North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Blondie

Product Review: North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie – $8.50+

Double your pleasure. Double your fun. Double your dessert.

Trust me…that is not a complaint.

I was surprised with my Holiday 2014 (December) Cuisine Cube when I found two amazing desserts inside. Even better…two of my favorite things for dessert. Cookies (which I’ll nosh and blog about later) and brownies. Not just one brownie…but two brownies. Pardon me whilst I drool a little.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, back in March I signed up for a fantastic gluten-free food delivery program called Cuisine Cube. Each month, I am sent a box of 5-6 different gluten-free products from smaller and lesser-known gluten-free companies. Some…are just from local bakeries…much like the product I am eating today. Cuisine Cube is a fantastic way to broaden your gluten-free culinary and foodie horizons, because, honestly, I never would have even known any of these products existed for the most part. New to me…and I’m loving it. I have already vowed to hit the Stock Up page on Cuisine Cube’s site more than once to get more of a product that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Dessert x 2 this month. As it should be with the holidays. Hey…I’m a runner and I work out. Dessert is not an option; it’s a way of life. I was raised having dessert every night after dinner…and that tradition carries over even now when I am on my own. It’s the best way to wrap up the day. A little treat at the end.

So, the first dessert I reached for was the one that came with two options. Yes. I am talking about North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble. Why “Double Trouble?” Well…inside this little unassuming bag are two decadent looking dessert bats. Yes. North Brooklyn Eats included a Heath Bar Crunch Blondie and a Double Chocolate Brownie.

Before I discuss the dessert bars themselves, let’s discuss North Brooklyn Eats for a moment. The local small town bakery is dedicated to making homemade confections that are gluten-free and “don’t suck.” (I pulled that right off the little info thing online!) It is run by two brothers, Josh and Michael Kimberg out of Beacon, NY, in the Hudson Valley. It is the goal of these two brothers to change everyone’s perception of gluten-free dessert. They specialize in gluten-free cakes and muffins, but, obviously, have other baked goods to offer as well, but desserts are their forte.

And yes…they are knocking it out of the park. A simple Double Trouble Home Run!!

As I believe in everything in moderation, including dessert (even if my sweet tooth says otherwise), I only ate one dessert bar at a time. And I split each one with my roommate (who is not a Celiac and doesn’t have to eat gluten-free). We started with (because I deemed it so) the Heath Bar Crunch Blondie.

The only thing I did to this blondie was that I gave it a quick warm up in the microwave. Desserts are always better when warm (when it comes to things like brownies, bars and cookies). It smelled absolutely fantastic when I removed it from the microwave. I got a knife and sliced through the blondie. Immediately I liked what I could see. The edges had this nice crispy border to them (my favorite part of any brownie!) and the inside was soft and chewy. I gave half to my roommate (Cathy), and kept the other half for me to devour. I tucked in under my snuggie (Hey…it’s cold here!) and dove in.

Holy dessert gods!! I have always loved brownies and enjoyed blondies. This blondie was definitely done up very well. The North Brooklyn eats Heath Bar Crunch Blondie tastes like…a Heath Bar…but in a more rich and decadent form. It’s like a sweet snack transformed into a delicious dessert. And I loved it. The blondie was baked to perfection, golden and speckled with toffee and chocolate goodness. It was a nice play of flavors on the taste buds for sure. I was just casually eating each little forkful, until I just had to pick it up and shove it in my face. Well, maybe not so barbarian and brutishly…but I did give up on the fork method as just getting my fingers on this treat was a necessary pleasure. It was moist and crumbly and just perfect. If heaven were a brownie…it would be a blondie! THIS particular blondie!!

The North Brooklyn Eats Double Chocolate Brownie was up the next night. Meaning…it was totally scarfed up tonight. HA! If you love chocolate…you will totally love this. This brownie…think cake-like, not fudgy, is a rich, chocolatey, delicious treat from the first bite to the last. I love that it isn’t overly sweet. It hits all the right notes. The brownie itself is light and soft in the middle, not heavy and dense. I love that. It makes me feel like I can eat more! The edges had that fantastic crunch to them, but inside was all chocolate and all business. Chocolate brownies with chocolate chips. Yeah…you can’t go wrong with that. Insanely good! Double insanely good.

As this is a product from a local bakery in the New York City area…there isn’t any information as to what ingredients they use or the nutrition information. But…they are brownies and blondies…assume it’s a treat. If you’re anything like me…you can split it with a friend or loved one. All the taste, half the guilty pleasure…er…guilt.

Two nights, two desserts, two fantastic dessert bars…all brought to me by the awesome people at Cuisine Cube…as well as the master bakers at North Brooklyn Eats. I’m still dreaming of dessert. If you want the best of both dessert bar worlds…opt for North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie. Enjoy every last bite! And then…go buy more.

December 14, 2014December 14, 2014

Recipe: Gluten Free Melted Snowman Cookies

It’s my favorite time of year! I love the Christmas holidays. Why? Because I get to make people some of my baked goodies. And I absolutely love doing this and then handing them over. I do this for the people at my bank…the gas station…my neighbors…my adoptive family…and my apartment office. I do it for friends and family. I just love, love, love, love to create something in my kitchen and then bring a little joy and sweetness to the people in my life.

Well, as my roommate and I have made friends with our new downstairs neighbors…we wanted to make some Christmas cookies for them. After asking if their young son had any food allergies (he doesn’t)…I went ahead with my plan to make these adorable Melted Snowman Cookies. I was just crossing my fingers the entire time that they would work out. They did. They require a little work when it comes to the faces…but totally worth it.

Recipe: Gluten Free Melted Snowman Cookies

Servings: 20-28 cookies
Time: Prep 50 minutes; Bake 9-11 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used Cup 4 Cup)
1 pound vanilla-flavored candy coating, coarsely chopped
20-28 bite-size chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Mini M&Ms for the face (which I separated ahead of time while the cookies cooled so they were ready to go!)1/4 teaspoon salt1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the cocoa powder and as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.

Shape dough into twenty 1-3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are just firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Place cooled cookies on prepared baking sheet. In a medium microwave-safe bowl microwave candy coating on 50% power for 2-1/2 to 3 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Spoon melted coating over each cookie to cover cookie and resemble melted snow. While coating is still tacky, add a peanut butter cup for a top hat and decorate with mini M&Ms or other candies to resemble snowman faces.

Let stand until set.

~*~*~

These cookies are not only adorable but they are amazing too! Lots of flavor. And they are so easy to make, but it looks like you spent hours in the kitchen making them. The difficult part is letting that candy coating cool so you can package them up. HA! If you are looking for a cute Christmas cookie idea…I highly recommend these!

Happy gluten-free baking, sweeties!