Base Culture - Chocolate Chip Brookie - Apr. 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Base Culture
Chocolate Chip Brookie
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.99 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week. 

Today's "Chocolate Chip Brookie" was manufactured by Base Culture, LLC (Clearwater, FL). The company offers a variety of gluten-free, grain-free and "pure paleo" products.

This refrigerated, gluten-free, snack (with 5 g. of protein and made with paleo ingredients) was part cookie and part brownie bar--thus the name "brookie".

The square-shaped snack had a baked brownie and chocolate chip cookie aroma when opened, and featured the textures and flavors of both treats. 

The texture of this brookie was satisfying/substantial and relatively soft and moist (given it was bought in the freezer section). 

Overall, this combination snack was clever, tasty and relatively complex--with layered flavors. Some bites had more brownie flavor, and other bites tasted more like chocolate chip (cookie). I also could pick out some cacao flavors (faint earthiness in the dark chocolate, from either the brownie batter portion and/or the chocolate chips). 

And, last but not least, this honey-sweetened snack was not overly sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: Honey, eggs, cashew butter, unsweetened chocolate, coconut flour, coconut oil, soluble tapioca fiber, coconut sugar, almond butter, tapioca flour, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, sea salt, baking soda.

Allergen-related information: "Contains egg, almond, cashew, coconut. Manufactured in a facility that also processes: pecans. May contain nut shells, pieces or bits."

Zing - Double Nut Brownie Bar - Oct. 15, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Zing Bars
Double Nut Brownie bar
Good
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ unknown - lost receipt
Purchased from: unknown - lost receipt

What makes a brownie a brownie?

A deep chewy fudginess that is denser than a cake, but not quite a cookie? Today's Double Nut Brownies from Zing Bars (Seattle, WA) embodied some of these characteristics.

The creators behind this vegan, gluten-free*, soy free and Non-GMO brownie nut bar (finely ground almonds and walnuts) also incorporated some extra protein (rice, pea) and Vitamin E.

The chewiness and sweetness levels were just about right for me; that is, the bar was not too dry or crumbly, and not too sweet.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Brownie Theme Week.

*Zing bars are made in a certified gluten free facility.

Gratify - Milk Chocolate Pretzel Twists - Sept. 16, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

(Distributed by) Osem USA, Inc.
Gratify - Gluten Free Pretzels - Milk Chocolate Covered Twists
Good
Weight: 9 pretzels (31 g.) (estimate) serving / 5.5 oz. (156 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories 1.095 oz. (31 g.) serving
Cost: $1.99 in 1 bag/package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

There are all sorts of sweet and savory ice cream flavors now -- including some with crunchy pretzels and/or salted nuts.

Today I made my own pistachio nut ice cream sundae, by crumbling some Gratify* Gluten Free Pretzels (milk chocolate covered twists) pistachios and mixed salted nuts into some vanilla ice cream, for my own pistachio sundae.

The pretzels in the ice cream stayed crunchy even after sitting in the freezer overnight, and they added a touch of chocolate flavor. They were good by themselves, and with nuts as well.

Today was the last day of Chocolate and Pistachio Theme Week.

*Gratify pretzels were distributed by Osem USA, Inc. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ).

Sonoma Latina Grill - Mexican Chocolate cupcake - April 25, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sonoma Latina Grill
Mexican Chocolate cupcakes
Good + - Very Good
Weight: Not known
Calories: Not known
Cost: $8.65 for 3 cupcakes (1 regular, 2 small)
Purchased from: Sonoma Latina Grill, Novato, CA

Today was Day #5 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week.

I was happy to find both a "Mexican Chocolate" items for this week, and also one that was gluten free. I picked up today's regular and tiny-sized Mexican Chocolate cupcakes at the Sonoma Latina Grill, in Novato, CA.

These cupcakes were chocolatey and flavorful, with a touch of cinnamon; and the thick swirl of white icing was buttery soft and sweet.

delish - Chocolate Granola - Jan. 17, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

delish
Chocolate Chip Granola
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup serving
Calories: 130 calories for 1/4 cup (30 g.) serving
Cost: $4.39 (estimate) for 1 bag
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #17 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

This delish brand gluten-free granola from Walgreens (Deerfield, IL) was dressed up with small chunks of dark chocolate and a hint of coconut. Coconut is a common addition to granolas and complements oats nicely.

I enjoyed this cereal for an early breakfast with a few almonds and some green tea, without milk. This crunchy cereal would also make a good topping for vanilla ice cream, yogurt or sliced bananas. I'll likely add this granola to other gluten-free cereals, with milk or a milk alternative, in the future.

It was great to find a gluten-free granola, like today's entry, in a popular store such as Walgreens. Batches of gluten-free oats in the past two years seem to agree with me more, i.e. may "really" be gluten-free. (Suppliers have done a better job at preventing cross-contamination with wheat/gluten.)

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

ChocolateBet: July 28, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 brownie
Frankly Natural Bakers
Cherry Berry Brownie (gluten-free, vegan)
Good+-Very Good
Weight: 3.5 oz. (100 grams)
Calories: 360 calories in whole brownie (2 servings)
Cost: $2.39 for total package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA