Certified Gluten-Free Cheryl's Cookies and Brownies

It has been forever since I posted a product review, but I just couldn't keep this a secret. Last week, I was sent a free Gluten Free Have a Sunny Day Gift Tin from Cheryl's Cookies. Most people with celiac disease would run the other way from a cookie company, but I asked all of my celiac questions before agreeing to the samples. The person who responded to me could answer every question, provide me with details about production, and gave me a full list of all ingredients. I felt comfortable with their response and happily accepted the free cookies.

Here is what they had to say:

"The Cheryl's Cookies Gluten Free assortments contains walnuts, eggs, milk and soy.  They are all produced in a dedicated gluten free kitchen on shared equipment with eggs, milk and soy. The gluten-free products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization to be less than 10ppm, 50% lower than the FDA regulations and are individually wrapped and labeled with the certified gluten-free logo." 

These cookies were INSANELY DELICIOUS! My husband and I could not stop eating these cookies. The cookies were thick, chewy, and "awesome" (so says my husband). My personal favorite was a toss up between the snickerdoodles and the chocolate chip cookies. But the brownies and the walnut cookies were just as good. The buttercream frosted cookies were good but a little too sweet for me. My husband said they tasted just like our gluten-free wedding cake. Let me remind you that he eats gluten and he loved these cookies as much as I did. We finished the tin in less than a week and literally rationed out the very last one. They were that good.

Besides being certified gluten-free and delicious, I love that we have options at Cheryl's Cookies. There are 17 different gift tins, cookie towers, and even a monthly cookie club. I highly recommend these cookies to anyone looking for a treat for yourself or your favorite gluten-free friend. (My b-day is in April, hint hint).

To see all of the options, visit the gluten-free cookie page on the Cheryl's Cookies website. Here are your options:

• Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie - Rice and Tapioca Flour, Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, an Emulsifier, Natural Vanilla Extract), Light Brown Sugar (Sugar, Cane Syrups), Butter (Milk), Sugar, Eggs, Honey, Corn Starch, Water, Vanilla Extract, Salt, Baking Soda, Xanthan Gum.
• Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookie - Sugar, Rice and Tapioca Flour, Butter (Milk), Eggs, Powdered Sugar (Corn Starch), Nonfat Dry Milk, Cornstarch, Water, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Xanthan Gum, Baking Soda, Salt, Cream of Tartar (Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Adipic Acid, Corn Starch).
• Gluten Free Buttercream Frosted Sugar Cookie - Powdered Sugar (Corn Starch), Butter (Milk), Rice and Tapioca Flour, Sugar, Eggs, Evaporated Milk (Milk, Dipotassium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Vitamin D3), Nonfat Dry Milk, Cornstarch, Water, Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Baking Soda, Salt, Cream of Tartar (Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Adipic Acid, Corn Starch).
• Gluten Free Brownie Walnut Cookie - Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla Bean Seeds), Sugar, Eggs, Rice and Tapioca Flour, Butter (Milk), Walnuts, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa (Alkalized), Cornstarch, Water, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda, Salt, Xanthan Gum.
• Gluten Free Fudge Brownie - Sugar, Butter (Milk), Eggs, Rice and Tapioca Flour, Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla Bean Seeds), Chocolate Liquor, Corn Starch, Nonfat Dry Milk, Water, Natural Flavor, Salt, Xanthan Gum.

Thank you Cheryl's Cookies for this gift tin. We will definitely be buying these again in the future! 

Although I was sent free products from Cheryl's Cookies, all opinions are my own. 

Walkers Shortbread Goes Gluten-Free

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!

If you read other gluten-free blogs, you might have already heard this news. Just in case you missed it, the famous Walkers Shortbread has introduced three, brand-new gluten-free options to their shortbread line.

When I was in Scotland, Walkers Shortbread was EVERYWHERE! I guess I never noticed it at home before since I couldn't eat it. My mom brought home tins of this Scottish shortbread as gifts for family and friends. She was raving about how good it was, but as a celiac I could not enjoy this traditional Scottish shortbread. Until now! 

According to the Walkers Shortbread website, "Our shortbreads contain the same butter and sugar content as our regular shortbreads, but the wheat flour is replaced by a blend of rice flour, maize flour, and potato starch. As is the Walkers custom, they contain no artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives." In addition when I asked about the production of the new gluten-free shortbread, the Walkers representative said The gluten free line is made in a dedicated part of the Scotland facility."

The new gluten free line includes three shortbreads:

• Gluten Free Pure Butter Shortbread: The classic pure butter gluten free shortbread offers a crumbly "melt-in-your-mouth" texture and all butter taste.
• Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Shortbread: A generous helping of chocolate chips provides a rich and luxurious complement to this classic shortbread.
• Gluten Free Ginger & Lemon Shortbread: This crumbly shortbread combines the best of traditional Scottish baking with the exotic tang of Lemon and Stem Ginger.

I wanted to stick with the original so I tried a sample of the Gluten Free Pure Butter Shortbread. This new gluten-free cookie from Walkers did not disappoint. With a cup of tea, this was the perfect dessert or afternoon snack or both in my case! It's really delicious.

Walkers Gluten Free Shortbread will appear at retailers across the country in the coming months and is available for purchase online at http://us.walkersshortbread.com/.

  

Or you can win your very own box of gluten-free Walkers Shortbread right here! Enter by leaving a comment at the end of this post or through the Rafflecopter widget below. Don't delay, giveaway ends on February 6th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: Walkers Shortbread sent me this complimentary box for a review. Views expressed in this post are my own. 

Tate's Bake Shop Soon to be Certified Gluten-Free

I was very excited to learn yesterday that Tate's Bake Shop is expanding and getting certified gluten-free by the CSA. If you haven't had Tate's Bake Shop Gluten-Free Cookies yet, you are missing out. These things are GOOOOOOD. I brought one package to the last party I went to so I would have dessert while everyone else was eating cake. You know what? These cookies were gone faster than the cake! Everyone loved them and no one realized they were gluten-free.

I know many people will not eat products unless they are made in a dedicated facility so they might not have tried Tate's in the past. In June, Tate's Bake Shop is expanding their bakery to include a CSA-certified baking facility which includes a new 3,000 square foot addition dedicated solely to gluten-free products! This summer, you will finally get a chance to eat the delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookies that us bloggers rave about!

Read on for more information about Tate's gluten-free expansion and certification in their press release.

TATE’S BAKE SHOP EXPANDS GLUTEN-FREE FACILITY

BAKERY ADDS TWO NEW GLUTEN-FREE COOKIES

NEW YORK, NY– In response to a growing fan base that follow a gluten-free diet, Tate’s Bake Shop is excited to announce the addition of two new gluten-free cookies, available nationwide June 1, 2013. The growth of Tate’s Bake Shop’s gluten-free product line is made possible by the expansion of their CSA-certified baking facility to include a new 3,000 square foot addition dedicated solely to the production of gluten-free goods.

“I noticed more and more customers were coming in to the bake shop looking for gluten-free options so I felt the need to expand our offerings nationwide," said Kathleen King, owner and founder of Tate’s Bake Shop. “I wanted to be sure to create treats that could be enjoyed by all, and I think I’ve accomplished that with these recipes; my friends can’t even tell they are gluten-free.”

Available nationwide beginning June 1, Tate’s will introduce two new gluten-free goods to the market: the gluten-free Ginger Zinger cookie and the gluten-free Double Chocolate Chip cookie (suggested retail: $4.99/package). These products are in addition to the gluten-free Chocolate Chip, Tate’s second best selling
cookie. The Ginger Zinger is a thin, crisp butter cookie with chunks of crystallized ginger in every bite. The Double Chocolate Chip is a crisp chocolate cookie with dark chocolate chips. Tate’s Bake Shop is proud to only use the highest quality all-natural ingredients. The new gluten-free cookies are made with rice flour in place of wheat flour.

The new gluten-free facility, open for production this June, will house gluten-free dedicated equipment lines that will increase Tate’s Bake Shop’s gluten-free product output by 100%. Tate’s Bake Shop currently offers two gluten-free products nationwide: a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie and a decadent gluten-free brownie.

ABOUT TATE’S BAKE SHOP

Tate’s Bake Shop, an award-winning bakery nestled in Southampton, NY, is committed to delivering classic and delicious baked goods made with the highest quality, freshest ingredients. Best known for its chocolate chip cookies – voted #1 by Consumer Reports– Tate’s offers a full selection of simple, mouthwatering treats
including cookies, bars, cakes and pies. Owned and operated by Kathleen King who began selling cookies at her family’s farm stand when she was just 11-years old, Tate’s Bake Shop now includes a thriving wholesale operation and a highly successful ecommerce site, www.tatesbakeshop.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

The Door • Jetty-Jane Connor • jetty-jane@thedooronline.com • 646-340-1771
The Door • Katy Darnaby • katy@thedooronline.com • 847-414-4411

Enjoy Life Soft Baked Cookies

I was trying really hard to resist opening the Enjoy Life Cookies that were sent to me a few weeks ago. I have been snacking way too much and my waistline has been feeling it. Last night, I could no longer resist. I broke into the Enjoy Life Soft Baked Snickerdoodles and I was not disappointed!

Enjoy Life cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, tree-nut free, soy free, egg free and casein-free and DELICIOUS! The recently reformulated recipe is a success, as is their cute new packaging. These cookies are moist, chewy, and kind of addicting. I stopped at three cookies with a glass of milk last night because really, three cookies are more than enough. I really enjoyed these cookies and can't wait to share the other samples with my nieces who have a lot of allergies but are also little cookie monsters.

Thanks Enjoy Life!


Here is some more information from Enjoy Life:

"Soft, chewy and totally yummy, it's hard to believe our cookies are gluten-free and allergy-friendly. Made with natural ingredients, unrefined sweeteners, no trans fats and nothing artificial, they're a real hit among kids big and small.

This version of the cookies features all new packaging, as well as an even better tasting formula. The newly reformulated cookies are still in line with our brand promise – completely free of gluten and the 8 most common allergens, allowing almost anyone to Eat Freely!"

Learn more from these links:
http://www.enjoylifefoods.com
http://twitter.com/#!/EnjoyLifeCMO
http://twitter.com/#!/ELFCeo

Silvana's Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie Countdown

I am excited to be a part of the Silvana's Dish Towel Diaries Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie Countdown. As you may know, Silvana Nardone is the author of Cooking for Isaiah and former founding editor-in-chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. Silvana is filling December with delicious gluten-free cookie recipes and gift giveaways from her good food friends—and some of your favorite people on the planet! Gluten-Free Fun is thrilled to be included! I am partnering with Shabtai Gourmet for a gluten-free giveaway. Stay tuned!

Silvana's Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie Countdown 2010
http://www.dishtoweldiaries.com/whos-your-baker/

Each day, one baker will give away a cookie recipe and a gift to one lucky winner!

COOKIE COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY RULES
1. WHEN TO ENTER: You can enter online for your chance to win all 31 gifts starting December 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010. One entry, per person or email address per day.

2. HOW TO ENTER: No purchase necessary. To enter, post a comment on each cookie recipe post. One winner will be selected at random using Random.org’s True Random Number Generator from all eligible entrants for each cookie recipe post on or about January 4, 2011. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. The winners will be notified by email or by a comment on the cookie recipe post on or about January 18, 2011. If, for any reason, the Giveaway gift becomes unavailable, you will receive a gift of comparable value.

3. LIABILITY: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use of any gift.

4. PRIVACY POLICY: DishTowelDiaries.com values your privacy. Personal information provided by you will not be shared without your permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice.

Product Review and Giveaway: Greyston Gluten-Free Cookies

This week, I was sent samples from Greyston Bakery. Greyston has been producing gourmet gluten-free treats for a year now and they wanted to share their cookies with me. They offer gluten-free chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin cookies, and "Award Winning" banana bread. I opted for the chocolate chip cookies since both the gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies and the banana bread are made with gluten-free oats and you all know I don't eat oats of any kind.

We opened the cookies in my office and everyone really liked them a lot. They tasted sugary to me, but I really liked that and the chocolate chips which were abundant in these cookies. They had a nice crunch to them and they were really quite good. Even the gluten-eaters in my group enjoyed the gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and they tend to have strong opinions on my gluten-free goodies. The cookies came wrapped with a pretty red ribbon (see picture) and I think these would be a great gift this holiday season.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Ingredients:
Chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla, and salt), brown rice flour, butter, sugar, brown sugar, whole eggs, water, pure vanilla extract, baking powder (sodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn startch, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate), baking soda, salt, xantham gum.
*Contains: Milk, Egg, and Soy

I asked the company about cross-contamination with their other products and here was their response:

Greyston Bakery has dedicated a section of the bakery to manufacture ONLY gluten free baked goods. We have a Quality Assurance Manager who monitors and tests the room and our products regularly. There are strict procedures followed upon entering the room, i.e. Cleaning Station, Separate Lab Coats, Sticky Mats, etc. Our Gluten Free Room also has its own dry storage and freezers as well as Mixers, Ovens, Pans, Cleaning Sinks, etc.


We have been manufacturing Gluten Free baked goods for a year now and we are also in the process of receiving the Official Gluten Free Certification.

Good to know and I thanked them for being so thorough with their response.

100% of the profits are contributed to the community development works of the Greyston Foundation to fund affordable housing, childcare, health care and community garden. This makes their cookies a unique gift for this holiday season. If you would like to order any of their gluten-free products, click here!

To participate in this giveaway, I would like to follow the social mission of Greyston Bakery by knowing how you are giving back to the community this holiday season. Are you volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating clothing, or something else? Please include in your comment the following:
1. how you are giving back this holiday season
2. which gluten-free product you would like to try from Greyston Bakery
3. your email address

The giveaway will be open for one week. The winner will be chosen randomly on Friday, November 26.

Good luck and happy holidays!

Mary’s Gone Crackers Sweetens its Snack Offering with Cookies

Online PR News
03-March-2010
Gridley, Calif. (Natural Presswire)

Mary’s Gone Crackers™, makers of gourmet gluten-free foods, today unveiled Mary’s Gone Crackers 'love™ Cookies,' a unique line of cookies available in deliciously traditional flavors, reinvented with revolutionary ingredients. Like all of Mary’s products, love Cookies are made without gluten, wheat, dairy, or eggs.

Perfect with a cup of tea, a glass of milk, or straight out of the box, love Cookies are a tasty treat that are also certified Organic and kosher. Love Cookies are made with low glycemic sweeteners, zero trans-fats, contain high omega-3 chia seeds and are a blend of hearty, healthful ingredients. They come in three delicious flavors, including Chocolate Chip, 'N’Oatmeal™' Raisin (no oats!) and Ginger Snaps.

“Our original crackers and Sticks & Twigs have long satisfied our customers’ cravings for savory snacks and I’m excited to be expanding our offerings into a sweet category. These cookies happily satisfy a sweet tooth without overwhelming it,” said Mary Waldner, founder of Mary’s Gone Crackers. “In choosing the nutritious, real food ingredients to put into our ‘love Cookies’ we know that we are mixing in a lot of love into each recipe, which is how the name was born.”

“In choosing the nutritious, real food ingredients to put into our ‘love Cookies’ we know that we are mixing in a lot of love into each recipe, which is how the name was born.”

Mary’s Gone Crackers love Cookies will be available nationally in grocery food stores and natural food stores in March. For more information about Mary’s Gone Crackers, please visit www.marysgonecrackers.com.

For distribution or sales information please call (888) 258-1250 or send an email to info@marysgonecrackers.com.

About Mary’s Gone Crackers
Founded in 2004, by Mary Waldner and Dale Rodrigues, Mary’s Gone Crackers manufactures a line of delicious gourmet, organic, gluten-free, vegan food including crackers, pretzels (Sticks & Twigs) and its new line of 'love Cookies.' Mary’s Gone Crackers always uses certified organic, kosher whole foods ingredients that contain no added oils, trans-fats, eggs or dairy. Mary’s Gone Crackers are available in natural and grocery stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.marysgonecrackers.com.

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Gluten-Free Betty Crocker Review and Free GF Giveaway!

In August, I became a Godmother for my best friend Trish's son Connor. I was very honored to be a part of their special day and of course, I came armed with goodies. I made the new Betty Crocker gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and the gluten-free brownies. I could barely get the cookies into the container for the train trip without having one or three! I am not usually a c.c. cookie fan (I know, blasphemy) but I think that came from growing up without a good gluten-free option. Well, here it is! The Betty Crocker gluten-free mixes couldn't be easier. One box, some butter, some eggs (depending on which mix you are using), pop it in the oven and you are done. I do love to cook and bake, but I love making things that are this easy. The cookies and brownies were a big hit! No one even knew they were gluten-free. There was one other Celiac at the baptism and she was nervous to eat the brownie when it was handed over to her by Trish. Trish reassured her that I am the "gluten-free expert" and that she would never give her anything with gluten. Needless to say this girl was pleasantly surprised that she even had a gluten-free option at the baptism. If you haven't tried the new Betty Crocker gluten-free mixes yet, look for them in your local grocer today!

And now for the big giveaway!!! I am giving away a gluten-free Betty Crocker prize package to the fifth comment on this posting. Tell me why you would like these gluten-free mixes! lease be sure to include your email address so I can contact you for further details. The prize pack includes:

* Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
* Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil´s Food Cake Mix
* Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix
* Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

HAPPY BAKING!

Mozzarelli's Gluten-Free Cookie Bar

As my loyal readers know, I love Mozzarelli's. They are definitely my favorite take-out restaurant in NYC especially for the friendly family staff if nothing else. I think it is the combo of their Gluten-Free Sundays, the innovative gluten-free pizzas, the greasy and DELICIOUS gluten-free zeppolis, tasty gluten-free desserts, and the wonderful staff that keep me coming back for more. Chefs Ronny and Elan are always trying out new things and trying to make their next pizza/cake/pasta dish better than their last.

I stopped in for lunch today and was completely overwhelmed by their new gluten-free cookie bar. They now have close to 30 types of gluten-free cookies for about $4.95 per package. Depending on the type of cookie, there are anywhere from 6 to over 20 cookies per package. There are free samples for you to taste before purchasing the cookies. Be sure to stop in today!

Mozzarelli's New York City
38 E 23rd St
New York, NY 10010
(212) 475-6777

In other Mozzarelli's news...

They are now open on weekends!

They have a brand new website with a complete gluten-free menu and gluten-free photo gallery.

There are gluten-free rumors swirling about gluten-free fig newtons coming soon!