Gluten Free Cookies: Enjoy Life Soft Baked Double Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies

PRODUCT NAME:                    Double Chocolate Brownie Cookie

BRAND:                                   Enjoy Life

COST:                                      $4.19

SIZE:                                        6oz

COST PER OZ:                         $0.70/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         SCHILLER PARK, IL

SHELF LIFE:                             1 YEAR


*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.       

REVIEW:

When I tell people who are unfamiliar with an allergy conscious diet of the foods I am unable to eat, they often ask, “Well, what can you eat?” When I answer them with an enthusiastic, “A lot!” They look at me with pity in their eyes while their hands clutch their beers and pizzas. I don’t feel like I am really missing out on anything and Enjoy Life seems to understand that a great tasting food can be made without ingredients commonly consumed in a western diet. Made without the eight most common allergens; wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, and shellfish, Enjoy Life produces a product that can be enjoyed by just about everyone without sacrificing taste or texture. Focusing on snack foods, Enjoy life provides a variety of cookies, snack bars, trail mixes, chocolate bars, and so on.

Enjoy Life’s Soft Baked Double Chocolate Brownie was very chocolaty, soft and delicious. It didn’t taste exactly like a gluten-y brownie, rather, it tasted somewhere between a chocolate truffle and chocolate bread pudding. It was soft, but not chewy, full of chocolate chips and chocolate flavor. These half dollar-sized cookies did not leave a strange aftertaste or the chalky feeling sometimes associated with gluten-free baking after snacking.  They just were simply very tasty.

Not only were these brownie cookies made without the most common allergens, they were also created with only unrefined sweeteners like dates, fruit juice, and brown sugar. These cookies were also made of all natural ingredients and contain no trans fats all without sacrificing and ounce of richness. While slightly different that traditional brownies, there is no reason that anyone with or without an allergy would not be able to enjoy these cookies.

Taste: These cookies were chocolaty, rich and very delicious. I quickly ate about four of them as soon as I opened the package. They were soft, not too rich, but just decedent enough to satisfy my chocolate addiction.

Labeling:  The front of the package proclaimed these cookies to not only be all natural, nut and gluten free, but chocolaty and rich. There was a lot of information about what is left out of Enjoy Life’s products in addition to the standard, necessary information, like ingredients list and nutrition facts.

Packaging:   Six servings of cookies were stored in a plastic tray inside of a plastic bag which was then put inside a cardboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:                4  
Taste:                     5 
Value:                    3
OVERALL:              4


Reviewed  by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Mixes: Arrowhead Mills Brownie Mix - Product Review #101

Gluten Free Mixes: Arrowhead Mills Brownie Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                        Gluten Free Brownie Mix

BRAND:                                           Arrowhead Mills

COST:                                              $6.49

SIZE:                                                 17.5 oz

COST PER OZ:                               $0.37/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO     

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         NA              

ORGANIC:                                       YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         TEXAS DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

VEGAN:                                             OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN        

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           Boulder, CO       

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Arrowhead Mills has played a vital role in the natural and organic baking market since 1960, so I was excited to try this gluten-free brownie mix – especially in such close proximity to our previous experience with Cherrybrook Kitchen's brownies.

I made the Arrowhead treats for my family, and tasted them periodically over 24 hours – directly out of the oven, the next morning and again after dinner – really trying to put my finger on what was bothering me about them.

But first – the baking process. This mix was simple enough to prepare, with ½ cup vegetable oil, two eggs (or egg substitute) and ½ cup water. A quick stir, a pour into the pan and we were done. The ingredients are similar to those in Cherrybrook's mix: evaporated cane juice, rice flour, potato starch and chocolate chips that contain things like chocolate liquor and cocoa butter.

However, I could not account for the strange "after-texture" (I'll get to this in a minute) of the Arrowhead brownies. Everyone who tried them agreed that the initial taste was great – not too sweet, with those special little melted chocolate chunks. Even the consistency at first was pretty amazing, with a soft chewy inside and that well-known crusty coating every brownie should have. This is different than my experience with Cherrybrook's mix, which resulted in powdery soft brownies that melted as they hit the tongue.

And then, in the middle of an enjoyable gluten-free, chocolate-laden experience, everything goes downhill. A strange aftertaste ensues, from what I'm assuming to be the natural flavoring. Hey, I'm a fan of natural sweeteners, but let's just be honest with ourselves, we're dealing with brownies here, not applesauce. In addition to the aftertaste, there is an after-texture that follows, with what appears to be a coagulation of mix. Tiny beads form in the mouth, evoking the thought of seeds (my sister actually thought there were seeds in the batter), and just as quickly as they appear, they dissipate.

It is, of course, possible that I didn't mix the batter long enough. But the more I thought about it, the less I understood the reason for it.

All in all, a chocolaty, chewy, satisfying brownie. I suggest using melted butter in the place of vegetable oil and maybe adding some nuts. In terms of value, you get quite a bit of brownie for your buck, so if the taste and texture are right for you, this mix will be a great staple for your gluten free repertoire.

Taste: Satisfying in the chocolate department. The tiny chocolate chunks were a highlight when the brownies were still warm from the oven. They weren't too sweet, which I enjoyed, but there was a strange "health food" aftertaste, which is due to the natural sweeteners, I suppose. Overall, I was left a bit wanting, probably due to the distracting texture.

Labeling: Labeling is well done, with pleasing graphics and easy to read copy. Directions are in 1, 2, 3 form and simple to follow.

Packaging: Plastic bag within a cardboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:               4

Taste:                   5

Value:                  2

OVERALL:        3.7

Reviewed 3/18/11 by Mallory L

Gluten Free Mix: Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie Mix - Product Review #78

Gluten Free Mix: Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                    Fudge Brownie Mix

BRAND:                                   Cherrybrook Kitchen

COST:                                     $5.99

SIZE:                                       14 oz.

COST PER OZ:                         $0.43/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                    OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          Massachusetts

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
"The sweet solution for food allergies," is the motto for Cherrybrook Kitchen, the company that created the mix for these fantastic brownies. Not only is the mix gluten free, but completely vegan and nut free as well. According to their Web site, all equipment is dedicated solely to products that never touch dairy or nuts, and all goods are batch tested for traces of dairy, nuts and gluten for consumer safety.

I'm always in awe when something this good is made out of ingredients like cocoa butter and tapioca starch, but Cherrybrook Kitchen has turned my baking world upside-down once again.

I used a square 9x9-inch pan, one medium-sized bowl for mixing and a large spoon. To stay vegan, use 1/3 cup of a butter substitute, 2/3 cup of water and two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cherrybrook's Web site recommends Fleischmann’s™ Unsalted Margarine and Earth Balance™ as dairy-free alternatives. I used real butter in the test kitchen.

The butter has to be completely melted, and since we're not dealing with eggs, I poured the freshly melted liquid straight into the mix. Add the remaining ingredients, mix well (don't bother getting out the electric mixer, it's not necessary), and you've got yourself fresh batter in a matter of minutes.

Pour batter into your pan and place on the bottom shelf of a preheated oven. The box says "12 minutes for fudge-like brownies or 14 minutes for cake-like brownies." I'd have to argue that 12 minutes produced more of a liquid-like brownie, so set your timer and check on them after 12 minutes. Another five did the trick for me, and produced a combination fudge-cake brownie that melts in your mouth.

I'm not a huge fan of dense, decadent brownies, so these were really my style. They're so light, they verge on crumbly, but I was still able to eat them in square chunks with my hands. There are great little chips of vegan chocolate mixed in that melt to create sweet little surprises as you chew, which complement the not-so-sweet brownie base.

The foundation of the mix is rice flour, and I have to say, you can definitely tell. The chew that is created when using wheat flour is replaced with an airy texture that dissolves almost as quickly as it hits the tongue.

Nutritional facts say there are 140 calories in 1/12 of the tray, without the added butter or oil. If you stay vegan, chances are you're staying in a decent calorie zone. There are only 16 grams of sugar per portion as opposed to last week's chocolate cake, which contained 23 grams without frosting. My only concern is that they're so weightless, so neutral on the sugar spectrum, you'll eat them all at once.

As a side note, I left the tray at a friend's house and was informed that they actually got better the next day, so you have that to look forward to – if they last that long!

Taste: The taste was light, a cloud of chocolate that isn't too sweet at first bit, then hits your tongue with little blasts of sugary goodness from the chocolate chunks blended in the mix. Chocolaty without being overwhelming is nice, but be careful not to eat the whole tray in one sitting – this is very possible.

Labeling: The labeling is adorable and easy to follow. They used graphics and copy well, providing company information on one side, directions on the back and super cute animations.

Packaging: Box with a plastic bag inside to hold the mix.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             5
Value:            2
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 022511 by Mallory L.

Weekend Edition Hot Off the Press #4: Crave Bakery

Ever since the issues of gluten intolerance and celiac disease showed up on our radar, we have been searching high and low for good gluten free food to review.  We have the pastas and snacks covered, but we haven’t been able to find very many options for good gluten free baked goods.  In our search, one name kept coming up…Crave Bakery in San Francisco.  Crave specializes in gluten free baked goods such as brownies, cookies, cakes, and tarts.  A quick search on Yelp brought up rave reviews of their baked goods.  Intrigued by this, we knew we had to get a hold of them. 

A few days ago, I got the opportunity to interview Cameo Edwards, founder of Crave bakery.  In 2002, after struggling to figure out the root cause of her illnesses, Cameo came to the realization that she was sensitive to gluten.  “Craving” for the baked goods she loved so much, she put her family tradition of baking to good use fulfilling her cravings for baked goods in delicious gluten free form.  It all started with her famous gluten free, casein free brownies, and Crave Bakery was born.

The company has grown a lot since 2003.  They now have about 15 different baked items on their menu and sell in specialty grocery stores in 12 states.  They sell delicious cakes, cookies, cupcakes, tarts, and of course their famous brownies all of which are made with high quality and organic ingredients from small, local producers and family-owned operations.  They even have a special edition Pumpkin tart that is only available September through December for the holidays.  And if you’re looking to host a special event, Crave even offers custom cakes for your guests to enjoy.  Even if you have special needs due to allergies, it’s no problem for Crave, because they will be able to whip something up for you.

Crave puts a lot of care into their products.  From ingredients to manufacturing processes, they have everything figured out.  All of their ingredients are all of the highest quality and they make sure of it by researching all of their sources to ensure that they are confident about their operation practices.  Take for example

the eggs they use, which come from free-range, happy and active chickens in Petaluma.  In their manufacturing facilities, which are located in San Francisco and Sacramento, they have adapted segregated production which means that all of their products are made on gluten free specific machines that are run in their own section of the manufacturing facility.  And if you thought that wasn’t enough, they use third parties to ensure that their products contain no more than 5-ppm gluten.  That’s actually stricter than some gluten free certification agencies.  For those of you who have other allergies, you will also appreciate that they start their manufacturing everyday with the least allergenic products and end their production day with products that contain nuts.  

Cameo Edwards has done a spectacular job with Crave Bakery and we hope to see more from her and Crave Bakery.  If you’re interested in trying some of her products, you can find a list of all of their retail locations on their website or you can order directly online at cravebakery.com.  Visit us this coming week when we review some of the delicious baked goods from Crave Bakery. 

Gluten Free Brownies: Mariposa Triple Chocolate Truffle Brownie - Product Review #2

Gluten Free Brownies: Mariposa Triple Chocolate Truffle Brownie

PRODUCT NAME:                       Brownie

BRAND:                                      Mariposa

COST:                                        $2.95

SIZE:                                          2.25oz

COST PER OZ:                           $1.31/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

VEGAN:                                      NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           Oakland, CA

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW
When you see a nice big brownie, you don’t usually think gluten free.  That is exactly what we have here.  A Gluten Free  Triple Chocolate Truffle Brownie made by the people at Mariposa.  We had this brownie for dessert today and it was great.  Just look at the picture above.  We loved it so much left that all we have left is the empty package with a few crumbs left over.  If you like light cake-like brownies, this is probably not for you, but if you like a very heavy, rich and thick brownie, this is the brownie for you.  The size of the brownie is about the right size for 1.  It is a 3 inch square about 1 inch thick.  All 3 of us at the studio tried it and we loved it.  If I hadn’t known better, I wouldn’t have noticed that it was gluten free.

For those of you that are allergic to dairy, eggs or nuts, we regret to say it, but this brownie contains dairy and eggs and may have traces of nuts so this is not a product for you.  It looks like the factory that makes these brownies also have a walnut version, which is probably why this product clearly states on the package that it is “NOT SUITABLE FORE PEOPLE WITH NUT ALLERGIES”.  If you want more information about these guys, they have a website: www.mariposabaking.com.

We really liked this brownie and we give it a perfect 4.  Rody even went as far as giving it a 6 even though 5 is our max so you get an idea of how good this brownie is.


RATING:
Texture:        5
Taste:            5
Value:           3
OVERALL:     4.3

Reviewed by CC