Goldilocks Goodies Double Chocolate Pecan cookies

Once upon a time there was a little blonde girl named Stephanie who was on the quest to find the perfect cookie. Her expectations were high, but she was positive the ideal cookie would be found. She ventured into her local grocery store to search the endless aisles of healthy junk food. "But, these cookies are made with soy," she exclaimed when looking at one box. "And these cookies taste like glorified dog treats," she thought after tasting a sample of other treats. Disappointed, she left the supermarket. 

On her way home she decided to grab a cup of tea at a local coffee shop that also sells food products from small businesses. What did Stephanie find at the coffee shop? She found the cookies that were just right: soy-free chocolate cookies. 

Goldilocks Goodies is a bakery company creating small batches of sweets in Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania. The sweets are a dream for those wishing to avoid allergies as every product is gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, corn-free, vegan, and made with natural, wholesome ingredients. 

Let's see if these cookies would satisfy a particular Goldilocks in the Sans Soy test.

Product: Goldilocks Goodies Double Chocolate Pecan cookies

Quality: Density is the name of the game with these cookies. As they are gluten-free and dairy-free, the cookies do not contain wheat flour, butter or eggs. To compensate, the cookies are made from a batter comprising finely ground peanuts, almond meal, and almond butter. As a result, the texture is very chewy and the consistency is on the sticky side. Eating a few cookies is a major jaw workout. The chocolate chips are made soy-free from a mixture of chocolate liquor, vegan cocoa butter, and evaporated cane sugar.

Taste: Finely ground peanuts are the backbone of these cookies and replaces the flour used in traditional baked goods. The combination of this with the chocolate results in the cookie version of dark chocolate peanut butter I previously reviewed. Following the nut and chocolate flavors is a strong cinnamon undertone. The visible salt crystals on the exterior of the cookie help to offset the sweetness from the sugar and cocoa.

Price: One pouch of six cookies of about two inches in diameter cost $7.75.

Overall grade: B+. Yes, Goldilocks Goodies Double Chocolate Pecan cookies were just right for a soy-free, vegan, gluten-free treat. An extra effort of jaw power is needed to power through the cookies because they are dense. I feel the cookies are pricey at almost eight dollars for six small cookies. Overall, the cookies are a tasty and somewhat healthy treat that would please even the most food allergy-laden critic.

Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

We are still in the month of February. This time of year seems to move at a glacial pace. Short days, cold weather, and dark winter skies do not assist with the enthusiasm I find myself lacking mid-winter. However, as I keep attempting to eat well and drink hot tea, I have been on the lookout for a soy free, sweet way to cheer myself up from the “blahs.”

One way I like to treat myself without feeling too guilty is by pairing my indulgence with a healthy partner. Yesterday, it was +Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams with a side of fresh, Fuji apple. The chocolate satisfied my sweet tooth, and the apple was fresh. In my book, that is a win-win scenario.

Previously, I wrote about my experience with another Peanut Butter & Co. product, White Chocolate Wonderful. The peanut butter and white chocolate spread performed well in the Sans Soy test, but did its dark chocolate sibling fare the same?

Product: Peanut Butter& Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

Quality: The peanut butter has a consistency that is thick and velvety. A chocolate aroma with peanut undertones quickly fills the air once the jar is opened. As previously noted with the white chocolate spread, this butter does involve extra effort to smear on bread. Unlike more common peanut butter brands, the ground peanuts and oil do not separate to create an unsightly top layer when initially opening the jar.

Taste: Peanuts are detected in this spread, after all, it is peanut butter. However, the shining star is the chocolate. Ever so sweet, and slightly bitter, the chocolate enables the spread to be sweet without rotting teeth. A faint taste of vanilla rounds out the flavors.

Price: One jar of the dark chocolate peanut butter costs $6.00 from the Peanut Butter & Co. online store.

Overall grade: B+. I enjoyed the pairing of dark chocolate with peanut butter. The consistency, even being thick, was easy to blanket my apple slices without fear of slipping off. Also, it would be delicious topping a banana. In line with organic nut butters found at health food stores, the price is reasonable. But, this is not a product made with organic ingredients, which would be an addition I would happily enjoy.

P.S. The Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich at the Peanut Butter& Co. NYC Sandwich Shop looks delicious. A sandwich made with dark chocolate peanut butter, cherry jam, and shredded coconuts? Yes, please! 

Evolution Harvest Pepita, Almond, Raisin & Cranberry snack bar

Hunger. It can come fast and furious, at busy times when you are engrossed in work. With few minutes to eat a full meal, finding a quick yet healthy snack can be an obstacle to clean eating. Last week, I was in this predicament. During a short run to my local +Starbucks Coffee store, I selected an Evolution Harvest snack bar to accompany my foamy latte.

Unlike a traditional granola bar, this snack was chock-full of nuts and seeds: almond and pumpkin were the bulk of it. Raisins and cranberries, along with agave syrup and sea salt also made an appearance. My hunger was satiated with the grub, but how did the Evolution Harvest snack bar fare in the Sans Soy test?

Product: Evolution Harvest Pepita, Almond, Raisin & Cranberry with Agave Syrup & Sea Salt Snack Bar

Quality: Seeds, nuts and dried fruit are the primary characters in this snack bar. In fact, you may feel like the bird when first looking at the bar due to the large amount of visible seeds. The pepitas and almonds were not mealy, but a combination of agave syrup, brown rice syrup and pineapple juice concentrate make the snack very sticky.

Taste: This snack bar was the Goldilocks of taste: not too sweet, not too tangy and not too bitter. When eating, it would be useful to have a decent set of pearly whites as it is sticky and the plethora of seeds requires extra chewing. Perhaps, this would not be convenient to eat for those sporting braces on their chompers. There is, however, a strong salt taste underneath the sugariness. For me, I found it be overwhelming and I would not have missed it.

Price: One bar set me back $1.95.

Overall grade: B. As someone who likes a variety of nuts, seeds and other grains to fulfill nutritional needs, I greatly appreciated the deluge present in the Evolution Harvest snack bar. The sea salt was not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed the combination of dried fruits and sweet syrups as an energy source for a hectic afternoon. The bar is on the small side, boasting an average width of one inch and length of 3.5 inches, judging by the size.