Ethel's Baking Co. - Brownie (GF) with coffee - Apr. 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethel's Baking Co.
Brownie (Gluten Free, contained coffee)
Good +
Weight: 2.66 oz. (75.6 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total container of 3 brownies
Calories: 340 calories in 1 brownie/bar
Cost: $6.59 for 1 container (3 brownies)
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Gluten Free Brownie was from Ethel's Baking Co. (Shelby Township, MI).

Aroma notes included: sweet chocolate (brownie and chocolate cake).

These generously sized, gluten free brownies (3 bars in one container) were soft, sweet and chocolate-y on the inside, and had a very thin, flaky crust layer. 

These relatively dense, fudge-y cake brownies had an authentic egg and butter richness and heft to them.  

They were also very sweet. So much so that even all that rich chocolate and faint touches of coffee and salt couldn't balance all the sugar for me. (I found myself enjoying this brownie with a handful of pecans, walnuts and a dash of small cinnamon to help cushion a potential blood sugar spike--that did not happen.)

Those with a sweet tooth who enjoy a good, hearty brownie and are looking for a substantial gluten-free dessert will rejoice. However, the relatively high sugar level made it difficult to detect other possible chocolate flavor nuances. 

Next time, I'll share one of these large brownies with a friend; or will pair this thoughtfully constructed (gluten free, and made in a GF dedicated facility) sweet brownie with a stronger coffee beverage.

Ingredients: Semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin, vanilla), cane sugar, butter (sweet cream, salt), eggs, Ethel's gluten-free flour blend (brown rice flour, modified tapioca starch, potato starch, corn starch, corn flour, white rice flour, xanthan gum), bittersweet chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, vanilla), water, vanilla extract (water, ethyl alcohol, extractives of vanilla beans, coffee, leavening agent (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate).

Allergen-related information: Contains eggs, milk, soy. Made in a facility with tree nuts. Gluten free (made in a gluten free dedicated facility).

Wholly Gluten Free - Fudge Brownies - May 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Wholly Gluten Free
Fudge Brownies
Good ++
Weight: 3.2 oz. (90 g.) / 8 oz. (225 g.) in total package of 5 brownies
Calories: 340 calories in 2 brownies (plus nut and cocoa nibs)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from:  Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Nuts and Nibs Theme Week.

What goes well with nuts and cocoa nibs? Chocolate fudge, cake, brownies, ice cream, and many other desserts. With that thought in mind, I selected today's Wholly Gluten Free Fudge Brownies, distributed by Run-A-Ton Group, Inc. (Chester, NJ). 

I found these individually-wrapped Fudge Brownies (sold in a box of five) in the freezer section. I enjoyed two (de-frosted) brownies: one by itself, and the second with nuts and nibs. 

I thought that, especially after being frozen and de-frosted, this gluten-free brownie might have a heavier texture. But that was definitely not the case. The light (almost fluffy) rich chocolate cake-style brownies with chocolate chunks and a rich, moist chocolate fudge-cake texture and flavor tasted fresh baked.

The second brownie--paired with pecans and walnuts, cocoa nibs (from Nicaragua) and a dash of Saigon cinnamon--had a lot going on. (Note to those with nut allergies: this brownie did not contain any nuts, before I added some.) 

The added nuts, nibs and warm spice added crunchy texture and flavor(s), and helped balance the sugary sweetness. However, these additions also pulled the focus away from the light, soft fudge-y cake-like brownie underneath all these toppings. 

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, water, sunflower oil, cocoa powder, gluten-free whole oat flour, brown rice flour, chocolate chunks (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, natural vanilla extract, salt), tapioca syrup, potato starch, tapioca starch, chia seeds, garbanzo beans, vanilla, aluminum-free baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, corn starch, baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), sea salt, guar gum, baking soda.

Allergen-related information: (Contained corn (corn starch).) "Free from wheat dairy, egg, soy, nuts (and) sesame." "Produced in a dedicated gluten free bakehouse."

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."

Lumineux Chocolate - Ghana 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lumineux Chocolate

Ghana 80% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $40 for 5 bars ($8 for 1 bar)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week.

Today's Ghana 80% Dark Chocolate (Batch #258) bar was made by Lumineux Chocolate (Greenville, SC). The company "offers small batch, European-style chocolate," frequently showcasing African cacao.

Aroma notes included dark chocolate (brownie) with a natural/implied vanilla-like sweetness, and very faint sweet-tart green (oxalis, sorrel) and spice notes.

The texture was, uniform, smooth, thick and substantial (almost fudgey) that matched the flavor notes of pure, dark fudge brownie. This satisfying bar had deep, dense and rich chocolate flavor and relatively light acidity. 

Just a few bites of this 80% cacao "brownie" bar silenced a chocolate craving. It was a sophisticated and approachable ultra-dark bar with no funky/earthy notes. It was not ultra-bitter; and it was not too sweet (thank you).

Maker's tasting notes: "Brownie batter, molasses, vanilla"

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (None listed that I could find on packaging.)

 

Wholesome Bakery - Fudge Brownie - Aug. 7, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wholesome Bakery
Fudge Brownie
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in one container/brownie
Calories: 160 calories in 1 brownie
Cost: $6.50 for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Zombierunner, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's vegan and gluten-free Fudge Brownie was from Wholesome Bakery (San Francisco, CA). The women-owned bakery, founded by Mandy Harper in 2009, offers high-quality, allergen-friendly and plant-based bakery items.

This brownie was lower-glycemic (sweetened with organic coconut sugar) and was made with 74% dark chocolate, coconut milk and almonds (almond meal).

The paleo-friendly brownie was sweet, moist and dark chocolate-y. (The coconut flavor was very subtle.) The brownie managed to have, simultaneously, a soft semi-velvety and nutty texture and chew. It was very satisfying, and didn't leave me with a sugar buzz. (Thank you.) Although I did find myself wanting to eat another one. 

Ingredients: "Organic, fair trade 74% dark chocolate, coconut cream, raw almond meal, organic coconut sugar, tapioca flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, sea salt, pure vanilla extract."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that works with nuts. Produced in a dedicated gluten free, vegan and soy free facility."

Simon Coll - 70% Cacao with Almonds (bar) - July 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Simon Coll Xocolaters 

(Chocolates Simon Coll S.A.)

70% Cacao Con Almendras (Almonds) bar

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 298.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week. 

Today's "70% Cacao Con Almendras" dark chocolate bar was made in Spain by Chocolates Simon Coll S.A. (Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Barcelona, Spain). The company's chocolate-making roots stretch back several generations to 1840. (The company also acquired the historic Spanish Chocolate Amatller brand in 1972.)

The aroma and flavor notes in today's dark, gluten-free chocolate bar included: chocolatey notes (chocolate cake, freshly baked brownies with nuts), vanilla, nut (almond, walnut), faint fresh ripe banana and light molasses/brown sugar spice (banana licuado); and a balanced, bittersweet dark chocolate (earthy fudge brownie).

Almonds, vanilla and the addition of cocoa powder (that may or may not have been alkalized*) would have helped mellow the overall chocolate taste (and send one to fresh brownies-right-out-of-the-oven territory). These three additions can also soften bold, bitter or acidic notes. Regardless, today's chocolate had best-of-brownie flavor without being too sweet. (Thank you.)

This chocolate had a hearty, uniform texture and fudgy chocolate flavor, with some satisfying secondary flavors, and a light dark chocolate brownie finish.

Ingredients: "Cocoa mass, sugar, almonds (20%), cocoa butter, fat reduced cocoa powder, emulsifier (soya lecithin) and flavouring (vanilla). Cocoa solids: 70% minimum."

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds, soy. "May contain milk and other nut traces."

*On the 14-point pH scale that measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) substances are, the middle of the scale (7) is considered neutral. 

Cocoa powder often has a pH of around 5 (making it acidic). Alkalized cocoa powder, treated with an alkaline substance, can bring the pH back to a more neutral level (pH of around 7 or 8). The resulting cocoa powder (sometimes also referred to as "dutched" cocoa) is milder and has a slightly darker appearance than non-alkalized cocoa powder. 

Sweet Street - Gluten Free Manifesto Honduran Chocolate Brownie - June 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Sweet Street 
Gluten Free Manifesto Honduran Chocolate Brownie
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in 1 brownie
Calories: 350 calories in 1 brownie
Cost: $3.81 (estimate) for 1 brownie (with sales tax)
Purchased from: Rubio's Grill, Sunnyvale, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week.

Today's Gluten Free Manifesto Honduran Chocolate Brownie was made by Sweet Street Desserts (Reading, PA), and available at Rubio's Restaurants, Inc. (San Diego, CA).

This rich dark, gluten-free chocolate brownie was made with authentic-tasting dark chocolate (yes, alkalized, but it also had some faint earthy bold flavor left) and had a pleasing soft, velvety dark texture (especially when fresh). It was cohesive without being too firm, with a very thin layer of cooked, light flaky brownie on top.

The brownie I purchased from Rubio's was freshly defrosted and was quite good cold.

Ingredients: "Sugar, unsweetened chocolate (processed with alkali), cocoa butter, milk, milk fat, sunflower lecithin, vanilla, vanilla extract), cage free eggs, butter, cocoa (processed with alkali, brown rice (rice flour, rice bran), safflower oil, tapioca flour, rice syrup, arrowroot flour, buckwheat flour, water, whole milk powder, cream, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), guar gum, natural Madagascar vanilla, stabilizer blend (xanthan gum, sodium alginate, guar gum), glucose, KD.

Allergen-related information: "Contains egg, milk, soy." Made with non-GMO ingredients; gluten free.

Eat Like a Woman - Love Chocolate Brownie - Jan. 26, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Eat Like a Woman, Inc.
Love Chocolate Brownie
Good 
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 2 bars for $1 (sale)
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's Love Chocolate Brownie was distributed by Eat Like a Woman, Inc. (Burbank, CA).

The company targets their nutrition bars, shakes and books to women, who, they point out, have different nutritional and health requirements. (Women develop heart disease differently than a man might, or metabolize food differently, have different digestive needs, experience different life phases, experience stress differently, etc.)

The look and feel of today's "customized women's nutrition bar" was a cross between a compressed energy/protein bar and a thin brownie.

Ingredients that provided the chocolate brownie flavor included 85% cacao chocolate chips, almond butter and coconut oil, and "cocoa natural flavors."

This bar was slightly chewy, with finely ground ingredients like brown rice protein (#1 ingredient) chicory root fiber, and seeds (chia and hemp) adding some texture.

The sweetness level was relatively balanced. Sweeteners included brown rice syrup, clover honey and stevia leaf extract. 

Mariposa Baking Co. - Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Pain au Chocolat, Ginger Spice Biscotti - Jan. 22, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Mariposa Baking Co.
(All items listed below were gluten free.)
1.) Chocolate Chunk Cookies - Good ++
2.) Ginger Spice Biscotti - Good - Good +
3.) Pain au Chocolat - Good ++
4.) Bagel with seeds (toasted with cream cheese)
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $18.00 for multiple items
Purchased from: Mariposa Baking Co., Ferry Building location, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to the last day of Chocolate and Ginger Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Mariposa Baking Co. offers great tasting, gluten-free baked goods that taste like the real deal. (They are not overly heavy, dense, dry or crumbly.)

Today's assortment of gluten-free chocolate and ginger baked goods, purchased at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, CA, were indulgent pleasures.

Previously, ChocolateBanquet.com featured Mariposa's triple chocolate brownies and walnut brownies. Today's Chocolate Chunk cookies were dark, thick and fudge-y with chewy rich brownie-like texture and mouthfeel.

These cookies—and a buttery pain au chocolat (chocolate-filled pastry)—were paired with ginger spice biscotti. And speaking of ginger...Mariposa's ginger molasses cookies were also very tasty, and could easily be dipped in almost any favorite chocolate (fondue, hot chocolate, melted dark chocolate, etc.)

Misfits Bakehouse - Cardamom Brownie + Honduras Coffee - Dec. 21, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Misfits Bakehouse
Cardamom Brownie with sea salt
(enjoyed with Mayorga Honduras Coffee)
Good ++
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $4.00 (estimate) for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Misfits Bakehouse, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week.

Today's bit of Honduras came from coffee grown in Mayorga, Honduras.

The chocolate portion of today was provided by a delicious gluten-free Cardamom Brownie from Misfits Bakehouse (Palo Alto, CA)—a small, neighborhood bakery specializing in gluten-free baked goods and savory items as well.

Base Culture - Raspberry Cocoa Brownie - Dec. 2, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Base Culture LLC
Raspberry Cocoa Brownie
Good +
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in 1 package/brownie
Calories: 250 calories in 1 package/brownie
Cost: $2.49 for 1 package/brownie
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

Today's Raspberry Cocoa Brownie was from Base Culture LLC (Clearwater, FL).

This modern, paleo-friendly and gluten free take on a traditional brownie was made with honey, cashews (butter), coconut (oil and flour) and egg (in addition to cocoa and raspberry). This Kosher brownie contained no grains, wheat, dairy or soy.

It had authentic brownie and raspberry flavor and the texture was somewhere in between fudge brownie and chocolate cake. It was quite sweet, but enjoyable nonetheless.

This raspberry brownie also shows how far we have come in the gluten free baked goods category. Base Culture's single serving packaged baked goods (pumpkin bread, banana bread, almond butter and raspberry brownies) taste closer to the "real thing" and are healthier in many respects. For example, the list of ingredients* was simple and short, and there were not artificial flavors, colors or preservatives in this brownie.

Ingredients: Honey, eggs, cashew butter, raspberry swirl (raspberry, honey), coconut oil, unsweetened chocolate, coconut flour, raspberries, raspberry puree, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, sea salt.

Eclipse Chocolate - Flourless Brownie, Sea Salt Nib bar; Erthe - Raw Cacao Energy Truffle

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Eclipse Chocolate
Flourless Brownie topped with Cacao Nibs
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $4.00 for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Eclipse Chocolate, San Diego, CA


Eclipse Chocolate
Sea Salt Nib (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Warwick's, La Jolla, CA

Erthe Foods
Energy Truffle - Raw Cacao
Good +++
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown 
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 piece
Purchased from: Erthe Foods, Little Italy Mercado Farmers' Market, San Diego, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Nibs Theme Week.

Hello San Diego, California! A recent visit to this fair city yielded several chocolate items with cacao nibs, including the trio of chocolates featured in today's post.

Eclipse Chocolate
Eclipse Chocolate, located in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego, is a cafe/bar/bistro, event and tasting space and chocolate factory—all in one.

Inside, a display case revealed an attractive flourless brownie topped with a generous dollop of cacao nibs. This baked brownie was delicious and packed with chocolate flavor and topped with delicious, nutty nibs.

Also sampled on this trip: a small-sized Eclipse Chocolate Cocoa Nib Sea Salt bar. The chocolate, embedded with candied nibs, was smooth, well-balanced and well-executed and had a faint floral note from lavender-infused sea salt.

Erthe Organic Cafe - Raw Cacao Energy Truffle
Last but not least, was a quick run through the (Saturday) Little Italy Mercado Farmers' Market, where we found a Raw Cacao Energy Truffle from Erthe Foods (San Diego)—a local cafe specializing in organic and plant-based offerings, including beverages, bars and energy truffles.

The company's Raw Cacao Energy Truffle was generously-sized and covered in relatively mellow, nutty, raw cacao nibs. The truffle had a satisfying soft (almost brownie-like) texture and authentic chocolate flavor without being too sweet (thank you!).

Siren Snacks - Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bites - Feb. 17, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Siren Snacks Inc.
Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bites
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total package
Calories: 100 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bites were from Siren Snacks Inc. (San Francisco, CA).

These snackable bites had the texture of a firm but soft-baked cookie, and were dairy, gluten, grain, soy and GMO free. The protein came from pea protein (#1 ingredient listed). Dates and coconut sugar provided some sweetness.

While not as chocolatey rich as actual brownies, the chocolate flavor in these small, cube-shaped protein bites was supplied by organic chocolate chips, Dutch cocoa and "Natural Chocolate Flavor."

Muffin Revolution - Cha Cha Cha Cherry Chocolate Chia Muffins - Aug. 13, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Muffin Revolution

Cha Cha Cha Cherry Chocolate Chia Muffins

Good 

Weight: 2.25 oz. (65 g.) / 9 oz. (260 g.) in total container or 4 muffins

Calories: 170 calories in 1 muffin

Cost: $5.99 (guess) for 1 container of 4 muffins

Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate Brownie Week.

Chocolate Cherry Chia Muffins from Muffin Revolution (Richmond, CA) 

This grain-free, paleo-friendly and Non-GMO muffin was satisfying and less sugary sweet than most muffins or brownies (thank you!).  Sweetness was supplied by dates and fruits.

The texture was slightly more coarse—it was made with blanched almond meal/flour—than processed white grain flours. The chocolate flavor was pleasing; and the cherry and chia flavors were so well incorporated they might be missed.

So, while this is technically a muffin and not a brownie, if one were to bake a less-sweet, paleo brownie it might be similar to today's chocolate cherry muffin. 

The Muffin Revolution muffins also contained fruits and vegetables (apples, bananas, blueberries, cherries, zucchini) and eggs.

Picky Bars - Ah, Fudge Nuts! Cacao-Abunga Brownie bar - Aug. 12, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Picky Bars
Ah, Fudge Nuts! Cacao-Abunga Brownie
Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's Ah, Fudge Nuts! Cacao-Abunga Brownie bar was from Picky Bars (Bend, OR).

This energy bar with the long name was thoughtfully constructed with a short list of ingredients by three professional athletes Lauren Fleshman, Jesse Thomas and Steph Bruce.

The gluten-free bar had a brownie and nut aroma, and a pleasant slightly fudgey chocolate chew. It contained 7 grams of protein, and had a clean finish—with no artificial after-taste that occasionally accompany some protein and energy bars.

Aloha - Chocolate Fudge Brownie bar - Aug. 8, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Aloha

Chocolate Fudge Brownie Organic Protein Bar

Good 

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 1.9 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 117 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Cunha's Country Store, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Organic Protein Bar was made for Aloha (New York, NY).

The plant-based bar's protein was primarily derived from a pumpkin seed and brown rice protein blend and cashew butter.  

This organic protein bar's slightly chewy fudge brownie texture and flavor was almost enough to conceal a faint protein bar flavor.

Flax 4 Life - Chocolate Brownie + bourbon ice cream, whiskey nibs - July 16, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Flax 4 Life
Chocolate Brownie (muffin)
Good ++
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 14 oz. (396 g.) in total container
Calories: 140 calories in 1 muffin
Cost: $4.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Bourbon and Whiskey Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Today's mini-muffin shaped Chocolate Brownie from Flax 4 Life (Bellingham, WA) was part dessert and part health-food. (The number one dry ingredient was ground flax seeds.)

Sadly, we may have neutralized some of the health benefits by pairing this cute and delicious muffin with a shot of Bourbon Maple Blondie ice cream sprinkled with whiskey-soaked cacao nibs. The nibs helped add flavor depth and texture and helped balance the creamy, caramel sweetness of the ice cream. Cheers.

Anna's Allergen Free - Black Bean Brownies - July 21, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Anna's Allergen Free, Inc.
Black Bean Brownie Mix from Anna
Good +
Weight: 3.5 oz. (99 g.) (estim.) / 14 oz. (396 g.) total box of dry mix
Calories: 285 calories for 1 finished brownie (1/12 of pan)
Cost: $9.79 for 1 box of brownie mix
Purchased from: Draeger's Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

What did Black Bean Brownies taste like? Well, I found out.

These brownies were evenly smooth, moist and cohesive. They had an interesting taste I couldn't quite nail down—with a very slight chocolate and olive note; and they were not too sweet (which I always like).

Anna's Allergen Free, Inc. (Iowa City, IA) makes certified gluten free baking mixes free of common allergens such as gluten, dairy, corn, soy, nuts and yeast.

Founder, Anna Sobaski, is a celiac and Type 1 diabetic and has a passion for helping people. Her mixes are also Non-GMO Certified and Kosher Certified.

Note: The brownies I made turned out a bit more cake-like due to use of a smaller pan and a slightly bigger egg.

Tin Pot Creamery - Gooey Brownie - July 20, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Tin Pot Creamery
Gooey Brownie
Very Good
Weight: 3.9 oz. (110 g.) (estimate) in 1 brownie
Calories: 410 calories (estimate) in 1 brownie
Cost: $3.25 (estimate) for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Tin Pot Creamery, (Los Altos location), CA

Welcome to  Day #2 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

It was another brownie for breakfast morning. This gluten free Gooey Brownie from the Tin Pot Creamery (Palo Alto, CA) managed to be perfectly firm on the outside and rich and gooey (as advertised) on the inside.

This brownie also kept well in the refrigerator, although nothing beats a fresh, right-out-of-the-oven brownie.

If you're local (to the SF Bay Area), I also recommend Tin Pot's gluten free Chocolate Walnut Cookie—which had a moist brownie quality to it.

de Young Museum - Hazelnut Brownie - July 19, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

de Young Cafe
Hazelnut Brownie (gluten free)
Very Good
Weight: 3.9 oz. (110 g.) (estimate) in 1 brownie
Calories: 430 calories (estimate) in 1 brownie
Cost: $4.50 for 1 brownie
Purchased at: de Young Cafe, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.*

Recently, I attended a Flower Piano day in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Different pianos were available to play in the different gardens inside Golden Gate Park's Botanical Garden in San Francisco. It was a great idea, and a beautiful day outside.

Lunch at the de Young Museum's de Young Cafe followed; and I picked up a gluten-free Hazelnut Brownie "to go" that I saved for today.

This dense, fudgey, nutty brownie had a very pleasing brownie aroma, flavor and texture. It was populated with visible flecks of nut and had subtle hazelnut flavor.

I wish I could credit who made this brownie, but I don't have this information. Thank you to the Cafe team for providing gluten-free choices and great-tasting, healthy food.

*As with all chocolates on ChocolateBanquet.com, brownies and other chocolate baked goods featured are gluten free.