Amy's - Andy's Dandy Candy Dreamy bar - Oct. 13, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Andy's Dandy Candy - Dreamy bar
Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in 1 package of 2 bars
Calories: 200 calories in 1 package
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Halloween wEEKs. And happy spooky* Friday the 13th to you.

We've been examining traditional candy bars and healthier alternatives this week. And, healthier means different things to different people.

Today's Andy's** Dandy Candy Dreamy bar was from Amy's Kitchen Inc. (Petaluma, CA). While similar to a traditional candy bar in appearance, it's been substantially improved (and I would say it was healthier too).

The vegan Dreamy bar contained no 1.) high fructose corn syrup, 2.) preservatives or 3.) GMOs. Several companies have made a move away from the first two, not so much with the third.

Also, the bar was made with organic dark chocolate and real cocoa butter. (Much of the chocolate used in traditional candy bars is milk chocolate and often contains vegetable oils in place of cocoa fat/dairy butter, and a very low percent of cocoa solids—barely qualifying as chocolate in some cases. Beware when you see the term "chocolately.")

Amy's updated take on candy bars shows how this market has evolved. Their bars are gluten free, vegan and 98% organic ingredients, and can still satisfy a sweet tooth (via organic cane sugar and tapioca syrup).

It was sweet; but the high sugar contain (found in almost all nougat-centered candy bars) was also balanced by the use of dark chocolate and the addition of soy protein. The two smaller bars in one package made sharing and portion control easier (100 calories in each bar).

There were no dairy, wheat, gluten, or nut ingredients listed; but the packaging did contain the: "May contain traces of tree nuts" statement.

*Scarier than Halloween or Friday the 13th this week are the real life wildfires that are burning around some of the Amy's facilities in Northern California. I called to convey good thoughts, and as of this writing the facilities were fine, although many employees were being affected. 

** The name Andy's Dandy Candy came from Andy and Rachel Berliner. who founded the original company in 1987 and named it after their daughter, Amy. The privately-held, family business has grown over the years and produces a line of frozen foods, entrees, soups, and chocolates that offer consumers organic, gluten free and low-sodium options.

Amy's Kitchen - Andy's Dandy Lucky Candy Bar - Apr. 2, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Andy's Dandy Candy Bars
Lucky bar
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar (1/2 package)
Cost: $ need to find receipt
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cashew Theme Week.

Today's gluten-free "Lucky" candy bar was from Amy's Kitchen Inc. (Petaluma, CA).

Part of the company's Andy's Dandy Candy Bars* line, this Lucky chocolate candy bar was filled with nougat, caramel and a blend of chopped pecans, walnuts and...cashews.

*The Andy's Dandy Candy Bars line was named for Amy's father Andy.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Amy's - Gluten Free Chocolate Biscotti - Oct. 15, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's
Chocolate Biscotti
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total box
Calories: 170 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $6.79 for 1 box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Greetings, and welcome to the final day of Chocolate, Grains and Grasses Theme Week.

When I was small, my pediatrician thought I was too thin. "You need to eat more cookies and cake," she advised.

I'm no longer underweight, but today I'm belatedly honoring the good doctor's advice as I sample the last of several chocolate cookies, cakes, cereals and other items this week.

Earlier this year I ran a similarly themed Chocolate, Grains and Grasses Theme Week, which also included gluten-free chocolate items made with rice, corn, oats and quinoa (instead of wheat or barley). This was a fun part two.

I can't think of a better way to conclude this week than with a trio of gluten-free Chocolate Biscotti (cookies) from Amy's (Santa Rosa, CA).

These crunchy, gluten-free biscotti (cookies) were chocolatey good. Embedded almond pieces added pleasant nutty flavor and texture. And a blend of organic brown rice flour, organic oats, almond flour, butter and other ingredients did a fine job of replacing traditional wheat-based flour.

The content and images on this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Amy's - Gluten Free Brownies - Oct. 16, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies made with Organic Chocolate
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 7.0 oz. (199 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 brownie (1/5 package)
Cost: $6.79 in total box/package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Brownie Theme Week.

Up until recently finding great-tasting, gluten-free brownies was adequate cause for celebration. And now Amy's Kitchen Inc. (Petaluma, CA) is spoiling us with great tasting Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies -- made with Organic Chocolate.

I found these brownies in the freezer section. The size was perfect -- smaller than a party size and bigger than a single serving, enough for 4-5 generous servings. The brownie "pan" was a relatively shallow, white cardboard tray; and I used a knife to very carefully cut out and remove the brownie size I wanted.

The brownie I had was sweet, moist and chewy with a rich, authentic chocolate taste. I would definitely share these with others.

Amy's - Mocha Chocolate Chip - September 1, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen, Inc.
Mocha Chocolate Chip Frozen Dessert
Good ++
Weight: 1/2 cup (100 mL) serving / 1 Pint (473 mL)
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $7.59 for 1 Pint container
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

September 1st, Labor Day, was a hot one. It was a perfect day for a dish of cool, refreshing Mocha Chocolate Chip frozen dessert from Amy's Kitchen (Petaluma, CA).

This organic, vegan, non-dairy (and gluten free) dessert was made with coconut milk, that imparted a subtle flavor to the mocha (coffee) flavored scoop that was flecked with a flurry of small chocolate chips. (It was also certified kosher.)

While this dish of frozen goodness was fine all by itself, I also enjoyed adding sliced almonds and a cherry halfway through.

ChocolateBet: August 15, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Crispy bar - Andy's Dandy Candy
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) total package
Calories: 200 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $2.79 total package (2 bars/pieces)
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

If you're in the mood for a higher quality candy bar, you might want to try the Crispy bar, part of Andy's Dandy Candy bar line from Amy's Kitchen Inc. (Petaluma, CA). The product line moniker was inspired by Amy's father, Andy -- who was the son of a candy maker.

Today I enjoyed both Crispy bars (there were 2 bars in one package), part of the relatively new organic Andy's Dandy candy bar product line. Organic and gluten free, the Crispy bar contained rice crisps and almonds for a bit of texture, caramel, and a milk chocolate coating. The tiny amount of sea salt used was barely detectable, but was enough to enhance the caramel. Also notable: no high fructose corn syrup, preservatives or GMOs.

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Weeks. 

ChocolateBet: May 31, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Andy's Candy - Crunchy bar
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.)
Calories: 220 calories
Cost: $2.79
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Amy's new Crunchy English Toffee with Almonds in Dark Chocolate bar was part of a new line of Andy's Candy bars. (According to the label, the name was a tribute to Amy's father, Andy.) The package contained two smaller bars or pieces, making it easy to share -- assuming you share chocolate.

The dark chocolate coated bar(s) were filled with a thick section of crunchy toffee with small bits of almond. It was good, and crunchy as advertised, although a little sweeter than what I prefer these days. It will be just right for someone with a sweet tooth who enjoys toffee or caramel.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Toffee Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 16, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

2 slices cake + other items
Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Amy's Cakes - Chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 3.06 oz. (86.8 oz.) / 11 oz. (312 g.) total cake
Calories: 300 calories for cake (+ 75 calories for peach pomegranate jam sauce and light whipped cream)
Cost: $5.99 for total cake
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

To celebrate, I tried a piece of Amy's Gluten Free, Non-Dairy, and Vegan Chocolate Cake. You might think you'd be missing out with a label with so many omissions; but you'd be wrong. This chocolate cake was moist and delicious, and provided a great base for peach pomegranate sauce and whipped cream.