Cookies – Page 4 – The Celiathlete

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: 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.

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!

November 25, 2014November 25, 2014

Product Review: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Cookie — Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Product: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie – $2.75+

I want to thank Cuisine Cube for one of the most epic products ever to arrive in my box. No…this is for real. Because in September, my cube included a cookie. But this cookie was not there for dessert. Nope. It was clearly the item intended for breakfast.

A cookie.

For breakfast.

Being that I am a cookie monster, this totally made my day…my week…my month…perhaps even my year!

And, after running in the New York Marathon and then the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon, I was running out of food in my apartment. And it was a gym morning. And grocery shopping had yet to happen. To much travel time (not time travel, LOL!). Okay, there really isn’t such a thing, but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to go to work and get the much-needed grocery shopping done. And this was a morning I was at a loss as to what to have after hitting up the gym.

And then I remembered the cookie I had toted around with me to both New York City and Disney World…just in case I needed something to eat at some point. I never had to break into it on the go…but it was just the thing I needed when I returned home. Go figure.

The Lisa Harris Pantry‘s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is literally what it sounds like: a cookie intended to eat…for breakfast. I love being an adult. HA!

After getting in a good cardio session that morning, I ambled into work and was ready to settle in with something to eat before really beginning my day. This cookie was so convenient. It required no toaster oven, no microwave, and no hassles. All I had to do was open up the wrapper and enjoy. And that’s exactly what I did. The cookie was actually quite large, about the size of a small mason jar lid. And it’s thick too – a perfect drop cookie. I could see the bits of diced apples and the flecks of cinnamon throughout the entire cookie. It looked like a great balance. I also expected these cookies to be hard. But, while they had a crispy-ish outer edge, the center was soft and chewy and amazing. For real. It was, however, very sweet…due in part to the apples, apple flavoring, and the agave. So, I almost wish I had something savory to pair with it because it was borderline almost too sweet. But, it is, after all, a cookie. I thought the flavor was amazing though. I loved seeing the ingredients in the cookie. And I loved the boost of protein that came from the quinoa. As we know, I am always watching my protein intake due to my dietary needs (gluten-free/lactose free/vegetarian). And being so active…protein is a vital part of my diet. So, that was a huge win with me. I loved the texture. It wasn’t dry at all. Had the sweetness been tampered down even slightly, I think it would have been the new breakfast of champions. That being said, I would love to try the other flavor of breakfast cookies that are offered by Lisa Harris Pantry. Because, every day should start with “dessert first.”

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that go into the Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie. This flavor cookie is made from organic rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, quinoa flour, gluten free rolled oats, agave, egg whites, organic diced apples, lecithin, non gmo canola oil, milled flax seed, xantham gum, cinnamon, natural apple flavoring (whole foods compliant), salt. All ingredients are non-GMO. And this particular cookie is dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, high in fiber, high in protein, and low in sugar. YES…a cookie that is low in sugar.

While on that subject, let’s go ahead and tackle that all-important nutrition information, yes? A serving of Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is one entire cookie. And trust me…these thick and moist cookies are definitely filling. One cookie will give you 245 calories and 8 grams of fat. They are cholesterol free. Each cookie has 69 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be getting filled up with 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein! These are definitely hunger satisfying, naturally energizing and perfect for any time of the day, not just breakfast. But the slow-release carbohydrates will definitely keep you going for hours without even the slightest bit of hunger.

I didn’t believe for a moment that a cookie could fill me up, particularly on a gym morning when I tend to be ravenous. But it did. If it weren’t for the sweetness, I think this cookie would be the perfect way to start the day. I mean, who doesn’t like dessert for breakfast? I definitely want to check out the other gluten-free options (not all of the products at Lisa Harris Pantry are gluten free) now. And without Cuisine Cube, I never would have even know these existed!

Another great product brought into my life thanks to Cuisine Cube!

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie — Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

November 23, 2014

Product Review: Zena’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Homestyle Cookies

Product: Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies – $5.49+

Cookie Monster is back with a vengeance.

My good friend, Jenn, knows me and knows that I love to try new gluten-free cookies. So, for my birthday, in my little bag of delicious birthday goodness, she provided me with three kinds I hadn’t tried before. Just after heading to New York City…and just before leaving for Walt Disney World…my roommate and I broke into the second brand she provided for me to try.

This time…it was Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I had never heard of this brand before, so I was a little excited to try it.

Okay…a lot.

Why? Two words: Chocolate Chunk!

HELLO!!

Do you see where this is headed? Because who doesn’t love a good chocolate chip cookie, right? It’s the most basic of drop cookies out there. It’s a classic. It’s the go-to cookie of choice. I mean, you’ve reached for a cookie before and bit into it thinking it was chocolate chip only to be disappointed that it was oatmeal raisin, right? It’s happened to all of us. There is something that is so simple, yet so magical and incredibly comforting about a chocolate chip cookie.

But these weren’t just chocolate chips, yeah? These were…chocolate chunks!

The Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies come in a box containing 8 individually wrapped cookies. Open box…open wrapper…enjoy. Simple and satisfying.

The thing was…I wasn’t completely sold on these at first bite. Here’s why:

The Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies were…bland. If you didn’t happen to get a bite with the sweet chocolate chunks in it, then the cookie itself couldn’t carry it as a delicious dessert. While I found the cookies to be a great soft texture, the sweetness was just…wrong. The base of the cookie should be able to stand alone, but this was seriously lacking unless you got a bit of the chocolate in that bite. And, unfortunately, the chocolate chunks weren’t scattered well throughout each cookie. A lot of times, these chunks were just focused in the center, making it seem like the cookies were scooped and…whoops…forgot the chocolate part. They weren’t bad…we enjoyed them enough to eat the entire box (not in one sitting, but over the course of four days, HA!), but they aren’t a cookie we would actively seek out again.

As for the science of things, the Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies are made from soy flour, palm oil, dark chocolate chunks, sugar, brown sugar, canola oil, potato starch, egg whites (frozen), natural flavors, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, baking soda, cream of tartar, ammonium bicarbonate, Ganaden BC30, and salt. I admit, I had to look up what Ganaden BC30 was…and it is a natural probiotic. These cookies are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and are kosher. They are also cholesterol free!

Now, let’s look at the nutritional value of the Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies. They are…cookies…so don’t expect great things here. A serving size is one cookie. This cookie will provide you with 130 calories and 8 grams of fat. One cookie will also give you 70 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. You will also be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not bad for a cookie, but there are other cookies I’d rather have over these.

So, while Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies weren’t bad…they weren’t great either. They made a good enough dessert for the few days I was home between the New York City Marathon and the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon…but they won’t be a brand that I rush out to purchase again.

October 26, 2014

Product Review: Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies

Product: Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies – $4.99+

My friend Jenn knows me. She knows me very well. So, it should not come as a surprise that my friend who might be a bigger chocaholic than I would, would pack me up a delicious birthday goodie bag complete with different flavors and brands of gluten-free cookies. Cookie Monster…he has nothing on me.

Mmmm…cookies!

I have tried a couple of varieties from Dr. Lucy’s line of cookies…but not the Maple Bliss. I was unimpressed with the crispy sugar cookies, finding the bean flowers used in her flour mix a little overpowering. However, the chocolate chip cookies were really good. So, I was on the fence when I opened up the box of Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies the other night to enjoy for a light, sweet dessert.

Every day should end with dessert. Just sayin’.

So…with one hit and one miss, I bet you’re wondering about how these cookies stacked up.

Honestly…I like them! I mean, I’m not falling all over myself to praise them to the sky, but this is a very good cookie. The flavors are there…sweet maple with the added sweetness of sugar and all packaged in a crispy two-bite cookie. That’s a good blend. They were a little dry, I think…but I’m also used to soft cookies more than crunchy ones…so maybe it’s just a thing. My roommate also loves the flavor but also thinks they are a bit dry. Nothing a glass of almond milk can’t help, right? Right! While also made with that signature bean flour, the flavor isn’t as strong, probably thanks to that maple syrup shining through. Overall…I’d buy these again. And turn them into a base for S’mores. Seriously…that would be awesome. Seriously, these do strike that balance of crunchy without being just…sawdust. The natural sweetness does allow for a great amount of flavor and keeps everything in balance. If you love crunchy cookies…this is a great gluten-free option for sure. Remember though…bean flours do make things taste like…well…beans. But the sweetness helps to balance it out.

Let’s talk about what goes into the Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies, shall we? These cookies are made with Dr. Lucy’s Flour Blend (gluten-free oat, garbanzo/chickpea, potato starch, tapioca, sorghum, and fava flours), organic cane sugar, gluten-free oat flakes, soy milk, molasses, sustainable palm fruit oil, expeller pressed canola oil, olive oil, filtered water, citric acid, and flavoring from non-GMO corn, sunflower lecithin, non-dairy lactic acid, baking powder, baking soda, potassium bitartrate, vanilla extract, salt, xanthan gum, calcium carbonate, annatto, extract color, maple syrup, and cellulose gum.

It feels like a lot of ingredients and some of them do sound a bit more “chemical” than others. But…put them together and you do get a good cookie.

As for nutrition…a serving of Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies is 3 of the 2-3 bite cookies. This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. That, honestly, is GOOD for cookies. That actually impresses me! A serving of these cookies also provides 170 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. And finally…you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, making these a non-filling sweet treat.

Cookies are not created equally, but if you love a crunchy, crumbly cookie…and if you love the flavor of maple syrup…these are a fantastic choice. For me…they fall in the middle of the cookie scale. A great cookie for flavor…but I sort of like a bit of softness to my cookies. Like I said…these just seem dry. But overall…not bad. Not bad at all.

September 9, 2014

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites – $5.99+

Remember those wafer cookies that ever child grows up eating? Those ones that come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry? You know…thin wafer cookies with that thin layer of sugary cream in between layers? Remember those? I do…because I loved them. The strawberry were my favorite. Always my favorite.

Granted, I’m sure those cookies were (and still are…except I can’t eat them anymore and haven’t since I was a child, regardless) loaded with a plethora of artificial ingredients. They were simple, but delicious.

Fast forward to three years since my Celiac diagnosis. While gluten free snacks are everywhere, sometimes finding good ones are difficult. And don’t get me started on how most gluten free products out on the market are snack foods. As in cookies, chips, crackers, etc. Which, is all fine and good. Because, as we all know…I am a snacker…but I’m also an athlete who does try to keep snacks on the healthier scale.

That being said, this doesn’t mean I ban snack foods from my life. In fact, I like to indulge every now and again. And dessert is a necessity in my life. I grew up having a cookie or a scoop of ice cream after dinner. My family loves our dessert. Honestly. And nothing will ever change that. However, I try to either make my own desserts or really choose my treats carefully.

I admit…I didn’t use any methodical choice when I picked up a bag of the Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Cookies. Nope. I didn’t even look at ingredients. They just intrigued me. They were like…a grown-up, bite-size version of those sugar wafer cookies I grew up loving! And I didn’t care, as I put them in my shopping basket, whether they were good for me or not. These were cookies I simply just…wanted!

Cookie monster, remember?

So, tonight, after having a roasted vegetable sandwich for dinner, I pulled out the bag of Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Cookies for dessert. I was really excited about them and my anticipation was evident as the bag pretty much ripped as I attempted to open them! HA! This cookie monster wanted her treat. I got out my kitchen scale and placed a handful on a paper towel, weighing out a serving. I might love my sweets, but I always eat them in moderation and stick to that serving size. It was the perfect amount.

These little bite-size wafer cookies are light and flavorful and fantastic. They are the epitome of the sugar wafer cookies I grew up on…better in that instead these vanilla cookies have a chocolate hazelnut cream layer. And these layers are repeated, making them repetitively delicious. Honestly. The thin layer of cream is just enough to kick up the sweetness level of what would otherwise be a relatively bland vanilla wafer cookie. Absolutely amazing. They were light, so they didn’t leave you feeling guilty or guiltily stuffed. And, most importantly, they were delicious. A grown-up version of those cookies you ate as a child. Each bite-size cookie offered up the right hit of flavor and sweetness without being too much all at once. These cookies are layered in love.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients, shall we? Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites are made from potato starch, cane sugar, coconut oil, hazelnut paste, cocoa powder, soy oil, soy lecithin, salt, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and natural flavor. These cookies are gluten-free and cholesterol free.

But how sinful are they? For cookies…not bad at all. A serving of the Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites is 30 grams (which the box says is 7 cookies, but it is actually more!). This serving of little bite-size wafer cookies will serve you 150 calories and 7 grams of fat. This serving also dishes up 45 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. And finally, you will be taking in less than 1 gram of fiber and less than 1 gram of protein. Like I said…they won’t fill you up…except with awesome cookie goodness.

Oh, it’s safe to say that this cookie monster definitely indulged and enjoyed dessert tonight. Glutino hasn’t had a miss yet with one of their products for as much as I have tried them. And this is only a good thing, my friends. They are certainly doing something right. Because, everything so far has been oh…so good! Another perfectly indulgent item! One that I’d buy again in a heartbeat!

September 4, 2014

Product Review: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits

Product: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits – $7.99+

Yep…I found another version of the My Dad’s Cookies brand of gluten free cookies at my local grocery store, Lucky’s. I’ve been more than pleased with the flavor and texture of these gluten-free delights. For sure. So, it seems, as long as they have cookies that I haven’t tried yet, I’ll keep going back for more. Why? Because, it seems, I must EAT. ALL. THE. COOKIES.

What started off with buying the Gluten Free Black and White Cookies has turned into a bit of a cookie obsession for me. No joke. The My Dad’s Cookies brand are not a gluten free brand that I had heard of prior to visiting Lucky’s…but now that I know of them, and know how good they are…well…I’m a bit unstoppable. For sure.

So, after trying the Gluten Free Black and White Cookies, the Gluten Free Vanilla Grahams, the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti…I went in with a much smaller selection this time around. I keep hoping they’ll restock the Lemon Cookies, but that hasn’t happened just yet. So, from the meager selection remaining, my roomie and I went through the stacks of what was left. And after much deliberation between us, we opted for the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits.

Cinnamon cookies.

Mmmm…two of my favorite things. Cinnamon. And cookies. How can this be a bad thing?

Tonight, I found out. And the answer…it can’t be a bad thing.

My roommate and I often get a little creative with our cookies and with the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits, we thought…S’mores. Nothing beats a delicious s’more, right? It’s even better when I can make it vegetarian (no marshmallows here…just Fluff) with some dark chocolate. Oh yeah. But, I still wanted the cookie to be the star, so I made sure I balanced the campfire favorite flavors to perfection.

The result?

The My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits were cookie perfection. The biscuits themselves were sturdy enough to hold up to the additions I sandwiched between them. They didn’t crumble like gluten free graham crackers do and the fluff and dark chocolate squares stayed in place thanks to the sturdiness of these cookies. The texture was perfection. Crispy, but without crumbling, these cookies were a great blend of sweet and spice. The cinnamon adds this nice hint of flavor to the cookies. They reminded me of the crispy bottom of sugar cookies and snickerdoodles. Nothing wrong with that combination, for sure. It was one amazing dessert, for sure. And the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits made these “no way I’m camping to have s’mores” dessert sheer perfection tonight. These are love.

My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits are made from a gluten free flour blend (tapioca, brown rice, white rice, soy, potato starch, and xanthan gum), sugar, water, organic palm oil, cinnamon, agave syrup, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. These cookies are gluten-free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, cholesterol free, and kosher.

As far as nutrition goes, for cookies, these stats aren’t half bad. A serving of My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits is 4 cookies. These 4 cookies will serve up 150 calories and 6 grams of fat. These cookies also provide 50 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. Not too bad for 4 cookies! And, finally, you’ll be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. A sweet treat that won’t fill you up…but it is full of flavor for sure!

My Dad’s Cookies is definitely baking up gluten free deliciousness in cookie form. And these cookies are no exception. I’ve been really enjoying exploring the different varieties I can find at the store. The Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits were just the right cookie at the right time. They make a great treat on their own, or doctor them up. Whatever you choose. But don’t miss out on these!

September 2, 2014

Product Review: Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies

Product: Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies – $5.89+

Cookies! Ooooh…cookies! More gluten-free cookies for this cookie monster to just…devour. Mine…all mine.

I was hanging out in Columbus, Ohio, visiting my friend Jenn, when she took Cathy and I over to her local natural food store, praising them for the huge gluten-free selection that they carried. I was hard pressed it could be anything beyond what we have around here, but I was instantly schooled. She was completely correct…The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, went above and beyond all my expectations for a gluten-free selection. It was huge. And there were items I hadn’t seen in my own area before. Call me one happy girl.

I piled a basket full of goodies…one of which was a box of Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies. While we do carry some gluten-free bunny cookies from Annie’s Homegrown, I hadn’t seen the Ginger Snap variety in my area as of that time. I’ve since found it, of course. But…that’s beside the point.

With a lot of fresh fruit items and other products that were in the pantry that would expire first, these cookies just sort of sat on the shelf. But after having to cancel my CSA bin this past weekend and having worked through everything else, when I was putting lunches and snacks together for today, these cookies were getting their time to shine.

I opened up the box and weighed out the contents to a perfect serving. I snapped a lid on the container and took them to work with me to enjoy for my morning snack. I eyed the little container all morning, glancing at the clock just as often, already anticipating these cute little cookies. When the time finally came…I lifted off the lid and grabbed one of the little bunny shaped cookies.

One bite…and that was all I needed to know that I had hit a jackpot with these cookies. The Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies were very reminiscent of my childhood where I could eat Teddy Grahams and Graham Crackers like they were going out of style. That’s what these little bunny shaped cookies reminded me of. Especially the graham cracker thing. I was a child that didn’t need the peanut butter of the chocolate and marshmallows for my graham crackers. I loved to eat them just the way they were…plain and right out of the sleeve. The initial flavor of the Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies takes me back to that…and then a bit of sweetness from the ginger comes through right at the end. It’s a nice play on the taste buds. I was elated and had to resist grabbing the rest of the little cookies in my palm and just shoving them all into my mouth and chewing for 5 minutes to completely chew them up and safely swallow. Because…it was tempting. But…I took my time an savored. These were fantastic little bites of cookie goodness for sure.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients. The Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies are made from rice flour, yellow corn flour, organic brown cane sugar, palm oil, tapioca starch, crystallized ginger, molasses, soy flour, corn starch, natural butter flavor, organic tapioca syrup, ginger, salt, soy lecithin,guar gum, and baking soda. The ingredients are all grown and processed without GMO’s. These cookies are gluten-free, peanut free, dairy free, egg free, tree nut free, nut free and vegan.

A serving size of Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies is 29 cookies (or 30 grams). This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 4 grams of fat. These cookies contain 55 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. Not bad for cookies. Also, a serving will provide 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. You won’t feel very full after eating them, but, boy, they sure are delicious.

These cookies were so amazing, not only because they reminded me of things I grew up eating and used to be able to eat, but because, on their own, they stand out as a tasty, delicious, bite-size cookie treat. The flavor was perfect – not too much ginger, but not too little either. It certainly brought balance to each bunny-shaped treat. I am totally in love with these and will treat myself to them again sometime. No doubt.