Basquia Rice Bakery - Chocolate Madeleine; Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie; Chocolate Cake - Dec. 18, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Basquia Rice Bakery 

Chocolate Madeleine
Good ++
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $4.50 for 1 piece
Purchased from: Mega Mart, East Palo Alto, CA

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie
Good ++
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $4.50 for 1 large cookie
Purchased from: Mega Mart, East Palo Alto, CA 

Chocolate Ganschu Cake
Good +++
Weight: 6.9 oz. (196 g.) total piece
Calories: unknown
Cost: $6.50 for 1 slice/piece of cake
Purchased from: Mega Mart, East Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Rice Theme Week.

Today's chocolate baked treats were from Basquia Rice Bakery--a (Korean and European-inspired) bakery that uses rice flour instead of wheat flour. They offer an array of baked goods including, small and large cakes, cookies, breads, madeleines and special items like a cheesecake cooked in a green kabocha squash. 

Basquia offers "the comfort of rice" -- which for me meant I could enjoy any item in their bakery, because items were made with gluten-free rice flour. (A first for me in a bakery.)

Chocolate Madeleine

This small, shell-shaped French buttery cake was topped with a generous, smooth, thick and creamy chocolate icing layer. The firm, cake-like base was buttery and sweet like a cookie, but had the slightly dense sponginess of a cake that could be eaten like a cookie. Just what I'd hoped it would be.

Ingredients: unknown

Allergen-related information: No ingredients list(ed). Contains dairy/butter, egg

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie

This generously-sized, buttery, fresh-baked cookie had a soft crunch with pleasing half-melted chocolate chips/chunks and a chocolate-y (gluten-free) Oreo cookie embedded in the center/middle of the cookie. This item was very close to what I remember a wheat flour-based cookie tasting like.

Ingredients: No ingredients list(ed). Contains dairy/butter, egg

Chocolate Ganschu Cake

Creamy, fluffy and lightly sponge-y cake layers were surrounded by whipped buttercream frosting and chocolate whipped cream in between layers of cake. Topped with a curl of dark chocolate and a floret of whipped cream -- this cake almost floated from the plate into my mouth. I loved the ethereal lightness of this whipped cream chocolate cake. (Mas-issneun keikeu.)

Ingredients: unknown

Allergen-related information: No ingredients list(ed) on 

I went a little overboard at Basquia (and forgot about the high sugar levels in bakery items). But, these items were all fun to try, visually appealing, and available in single-serving, pre-packaged portions (thank you). And they were skillfully and thoughtfully executed. A big thank you to Basquia Rice Bakery.

Flour Craft Bakery - Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie - Aug. 3, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Flour Craft Bakery

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie

Good - Good +

Weight: 4 oz. (112 g.) (estimate) in 1 cookie

Calories: 385 calories (estimate) in 1 cookie

Cost: $3.00 for 1 cookie

Purchased from: Flour Craft Bakery

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie was from Flour Craft Bakery (and Cafe) in Mill Valley, CA.

This generously-sized, gluten-free chocolate chip cookie had a slight saltiness, but not the full savory tang of many sourdough breads). The cookie had a satisfying, crunchy, semi-soft chew.

I sampled today's Flour Craft cookie with a handful of toasted almonds and with an Almond Ball from Health Lab (also gluten free, made with dates and almonds). 

Ingredients for Flour Craft chocolate chip cookie: unknown. Made with a gluten-free flour blend.

Rowe of Venice - Coconut Organic Gourmet Super Snacks - Jan. 31, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Rowe of Venice
Coconut Organic Gourmet Super Snacks
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 1 package
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Farm Fresh To You CSA box delivery service, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and ABCD Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Covid-19 has made travel to chocolate shops and destinations more challenging. So, I was happy to learn that my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm-to-home delivery service offered chocolate items, including craft (bean-to-bar) chocolate (from Theo Chocolate, Cru Chocolate and others) that I've featured previously, as well as several chocolate-related snacks.

Today's first of two chocolate and coconut snacks was from Rowe of Venice Super Snacks (Venice, CA/Los Angeles, CA). Rowe of Venice is the "nutritional love child" of Rowe Samieian, who, inspired by autoimmune issues, consulted with Ayurvedic, Chinese and other medical practitioners to create a series of natural snack offerings.

Today's Rowe of Venice's Organic Coconut Gourmet Super Snacks were vegan dairy free and gluten free. They had a refreshingly authentic, real coconut and almond aroma, flavor and chew with a rich carob flavor note, accented with a faint hint of Himalayan sea salt. Coconut oil and blue agave nectar provided cohesiveness, a touch of healthy fat (satiation) and bit of sweetness. (Note: do watch for nut shell fragments.)

There was one "missing" ingredient here...cacao or cocoa! 

Carob can be a good substitute for people wanting to avoid cacao. Understood. But clearly, Chocolate Banquet welcomes all things cacao. And, more to the point, to qualify for a daily chocolate entry on this site, an item must include some form cocoa solids. 

Thankfully, I'd ordered a second snack item from Farm Fresh To You (with cocoa solids). Both were from the L.A. area. And I've added this item (below). Close call. Cacao withdrawals avoided.

Ingredients: Organic raw almonds, Organic carob powder, Organic unsweetened shredded coconut, Organic raw blue agave nectar, Organic cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil, Himalayan Pink Salt. 

Foodstirs Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies

Foodstirs
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Good 
Weight: Portion: 2 small baked cookies / 7.94 oz. (225 g.) in total package of dry mix
Calories: Approximately 110 calories in 2 small cookies
Cost: $7.00 (estimate) for 1 package of mix + cost of additional, required ingredients
Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You, CSA box delivery service, online add-on

The second item sampled today was a finished cookie made from a Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie mix created by Foodstirs (Santa Monica, CA). The company, founded in 2015, sells baking kits, mixes and baked goods. One of the three founders was actress Sarah Michelle Gellar.

I added the required ingredients to this gluten-free cookie dry mix: a generous, lump of butter, almond milk and vanilla extract, and baked them in the oven. 

The resulting cookies didn't taste too sugary sweet which was a plus. There was, however, a noticeable non-sugar, sweetener flavor--from the erythritol used as a sugar replacement, that made the Keto label possible. (The mix also contained stevia, and a bit of organic cane sugar in the chocolate chips.)

The small chocolate chip cookies hung together and browned up fairly nicely (thank you butter). A cookie fresh out of the oven is a pleasure on a cold wintery day.

Ingredients: Organic almond flour, organic erythritol, organic pea protein flour, organic chocolate chips (organic cane sugar, organic cocoa liquor, organic cocoa butter), organic coconut flour, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sea salt, organic cacao powder, organic stevia extract, organic chocolate extract, organic vanilla extract.

Sinister Labs - Sinfit Protein Cookie - Chocolate Chip Cookie - Nov. 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sinister Labs
Sinfit Protein Cookie - Chocolate Chip Cookie
Good
Weight: 2.75 oz. (78 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 310 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $0.99 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Sinfit Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie was manufactured for Sinister Labs (Southlake, TX). Sinister Labs offers protein powders, protein-enhanced pancake and waffle mix, caffeinated and non-caffeinated spreads, and protein cookies.

This generously-sized, soft baked, gluten-free* cookie contained 20 grams of protein (soy, milk, peanut) and was "covered with chocolate icing and chocolate chips," yielding a more satisfying chocolatey experience than most chocolate chip cookies offer.

Upon first opening the sealed packaging, there was a slightly artificial or processed aroma, but this dissipated. The cookie was fairly filling and could almost serve as a meal replacer if one was in a hurry or in a remote location.

Not sure what to make of the open jawed skeleton graphic... It looked poised to either offer you a sinister sinful cookie, or take a big bite itself. Take a bite, if you dare!

*The cookie contained no wheat or gluten-specific ingredients, but carried the shared manufacturing space with common allergens notice that many products do. Not certified gluten free, but probably OK. It did contain milk, soy, almond, peanut and sucralose. (While sucralose, an artificial sweetener, is not technically an allergen in the same way that soy or peanuts might be, it can cause an upset digestive system for some.)

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

Bakeology - Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookie Bites - Mar. 28, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bakeology, LLC
Formula 1: Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookie Bites
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Starches Theme Week. Some starches are delightful, in the cake and cookie form. When creating gluten-free baked goods, alternatives to wheat flours and starches often play an important role.

For example, today's "Formula 1: Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookie Bites," manufactured and distributed by Bakeology, LLC (Malibu, CA), had organic rice flour and organic tapioca starch to thank for their success.

These small crunchy, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies were also vegan and contained no trans fats.

Green Girl Bakeshop - Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie ice box treats - Nov. 27, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Green Girl Bakeshop
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie ice box treats
Good
Weight: 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in 1 ice box treat
Calories: 400 calories in 1 ice box treat
Cost: $5.99 for 1 ice box treat
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA


Welcome to Day #4 of Cookies with Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's frozen Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream and cookie treat was from Green Girl Bakeshop (San Leandro, CA).

A generous layer of chocolate, dairy-free (coconut milk) "ice cream" was sandwiched between two, gluten-free, soy-free chocolate chip cookies.

bobbilicious - b. chocolate chip walnut cookie - Dec. 19, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

bobbilicious baking company
(for Whole Foods Market)
b. chocolate chip walnut (cookie)
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total cookie
Calories: 280 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.49 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to the last day (Day #5) of Chocolate and Walnut Series.

Today's "b. chocolate chip walnut" (cookie) from bobbilicious baking company (for Whole Foods Market) came individually packaged.

It was, what I call, a contradiction cookie. It was generously sized but slim; it was healthy but tasted rich (slightly oily), moist and slightly chewy. It looked robust, but was somewhat crumbly; it was sweet, but somehow managed not to be too sweet.

What was clear: it was made with almond flour and all natural ingredients, with no hard to decipher or pronounce artificial substances. And precautions were taken to segregate ingredients "in a facility that processes dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts and tree nuts." (Hurray, no wheat flour, which tends to get everywhere.)

If I understand correctly, bobbilicious baking company (created by bobbi cohen) supplies Whole Foods Gluten-Free Bakehouse (Morrisville, NC) with gluten-free and dairy-free cookies and bars for distribution in Whole Food Market stores. I bought this cookie at the local Whole Foods Market in the Bay Area (California). (Please feel welcome to correct me if this is incorrect.)

Cohen has developed relationships with quality suppliers. She uses Guittard chocolate, Bob's Red Mill gluten-free offerings (e.g. steel-cut oats), and has come up with her own almond flour blend.

Ingredients: almond flour, organic agave nectar, chocolate chips, organic sunflower oil, walnuts, vanilla extract, almond emulsion, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

WB Kitchen - ONA Chocolate Chip Cookies - Jan. 27, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

WB Kitchen
ONA Cookies - Chocolate Chip Cookies
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package
Calories: 80 calories in 1 cookie (1/2 package)
Cost: N/A
Purchased from: N/A - from ONA Cookies/WB Kitchen

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookie Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate, Honey and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's ONA Chocolate Chip Cookies, were distributed by WB Kitchen (Loveland, CO). They were part of a line of individually wrapped, certified gluten free and certified paleo, honey-sweetened bars and cookies.

Pictured at right is a sub-set of their products. (E.g., they also created a honey nut bar.)

The first ingredient in today's turquoise package of 2 slightly chewy rounds: almond flour. Second ingredient: honey. Number three ingredient: cacao nibs—that served as the chocolate chips.

Today's cookie also made good use of coconut (sugar, flour, oil and shredded coconut). It's hard to out-shout that much coconut, but maca powder, cinnamon and sea salt created some nice background flavor. These cookies felt substantial and satisfying.

If you're looking for gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free and/or paleo offerings that incorporate some cacao (nibs in this case), give them a try.

WB Kitchen's mission:
"WB Kitchen is dedicated to creating whole food sweet treats with the highest quality ingredients possible."

Winter Fancy Food Show - San Francisco
I met WB Kitchen president and founder, Chris Feuille, from Colorado, at the recent Winter Fancy Foods Show in San Francisco. I enjoyed speaking with him on the show floor. It was fortunate to have found them, amongst the 1,000s of people there.

There were more gluten-free and specialty health offerings like this than I remember seeing at this show before. (There were fewer confectioners with artificial and heavily processed ingredients (hurray).)

This show list included cacao/chocolate items to be sure—as well as many items that I was inspired to combine with chocolate, back home at my mad scientist chocolate lab. (Saffron spice blends, lassi, grass-fed everything, pork dust, rice cakes and matcha green tea from Japan, coconut palm sugar from the Philippines, gluten free wraps, honey, cheese, crickets, etc.) More about these in coming weeks.

Sweet or savory...the possibilities for cacao are truly endless.

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

Simple Mills - Gluten Free Almond Flour Mix, Chocolate Chip Cookie - Jan. 26, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Simple Mills
Gluten Free Almond Flour Mix
Chocolate Chip Cookie (check name and date above in title)
Good - Good+
Weight: .95 oz. (27 g.) / 7.4 oz. (216 g.) total package of dry mix
Calories: 133.5 calories in 3 small cookies
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package of mix
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA


Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookies Theme Week.

Simple Mills (Chicago, IL) produces a family of Gluten Free Almond Flour mixes, including today's Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor.

Their line includes "No Refined Sugars," and is considered "Low-Glycemic, Paleo-Friendly, Non-GMO, Free of Grain, Gluten, Soy and Dairy."

These cookies had a subtle nutty, almond butter aroma, and a satisfying chew (and weren't too sweet* - thank you!). The melted organic chocolate chips and vanilla suffused these almond flour cookies with pleasing added flavor. A bit of organic coconut flour added a very slight coconut note.

*These cookies were sweetened with organic coconut nectar.

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

Milton's - Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies - Jan. 23, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Milton's Baking Company
Milton's Craft Bakery
Gluten Free Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
Good
Weight: .74 oz. (21 g.) / 5.9 oz. (168 g.) in total box
Calories: 90 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $1.99 for 1 box of 8 cookies
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookies Theme Week.

Milton's Baking Company (Carlsbad, CA) offers a line of gluten-free crackers and cookies. Today's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies came packaged in a box of 8.

These soft-baked cookies held their shape, weren't too crumbly and, as promised, had a soft bite and slight chewiness to them. A fairly generous sprinkling of chocolate chips added some rich flavor and melt in a sea of cookie sweetness.

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

Nairn's - Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies - July 19, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nairn's
Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 5.64 oz. (160 g.) in total box
Calories: 90 calories in 2 cookies (per label)
Cost: $5.39 for 1 box of 4 packages of cookies
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate, Grains and Grasses Theme Week.

I found today's Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies from Nairn's (Edinburgh, Scotland) strangely addicting. These crunchy, satisfying sweet oat cookies were peppered with small chocolate chips and had a mild, oaty, chocolate flavor.

And the Scottish know their oats. Nairn's has been making oatcakes since 1896, and produces a line of gluten-free cookies made in a dedicated gluten-free bakery. They are careful to source gluten-free oats, and mention (on the back of the box) that one of their sources, a farm in Wyoming, is owned by a family of celiacs.

The box contained 4 "snack and go" packs (with 4 cookies per pack), a perfect size for a packed lunch, hike or emergency snack.

These cookies were made with gluten-free whole grain oats (50%) dark chocolate chips (14%), palm fruit oil from sustainable sources, demerara sugar, inulin, golden syrup, dark chocolate powder (3%), baking soda and sea salt.

Whole Foods - Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie - May 9, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Whole Foods Market
Gluten-Free Bakehouse
Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 10 oz. (284 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $7.49 in 1 package of 8 cookies
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

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

There is nothing like the smell of hot baked goods with walnuts, right out of the oven. I re-heated a Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie from Whole Foods Market (Austin, TX), to reproduce this wonderful aroma and flavor. And I was not disappointed.

These gluten-free cookies were a great blend of thick, chewy, chocolatey, nutty, buttery and crunchy.

Hats off to Whole Foods and the team at the Gluten-Free Bakehouse (Morrisville, NC), a dedicated facility that's been making good-tasting, gluten-free versions of cookies, cakes and breads for more than a decade.

Barr Necessities - Walnut It'sa Meal cookie - May 6, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Barr Necessities
Walnut It'sa Meal cookie
Good +
Weight: 3.7 oz. (105 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) for 1 cookie
Cost: $4.95 (estimate) for 1 cookie
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

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

Walnuts* are less likely to be found in chocolate bars than some other nuts. Almonds* are everywhere. Walnuts and chocolate combinations in California are more likely to be found in trail mixes, the occasional walnut brownie or cookie, and chocolate covered nuts.

Thank you to Elana at SweetE Organic (Mill Valley, CA) for introducing me to these "It'sa Meal" cookies made with organic almond flour and flaxseed meal from Barr Necessities (Berkeley, CA).

These substantial and satisfying cookies, including today's Vegan Chocolate Walnut flavor, are gluten, grain and soy free. They're made with just enough raw coconut nectar to add some sweetness. (Coconut palm sugar scores lower on the glycemic index than white cane or beet sugar.) I love the fact that these cookies are less sweet; I can eat one without a trace of a sugar buzz.

The soft crunch of the chopped walnuts and the rich flavor of the chocolate chips were great additions as well.

*Both walnuts and almonds are great healthy snacks. Walnuts have more Omega-3s (alpha-linolenic fatty acids) than almonds, but almonds have a bit more protein, fiber and calcium than walnuts. 

Cybele's - Chocolate Brownie Cookies - Oct. 13, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cybele's (distributed by Free-to-Eat, Inc.)
Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies
Good
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 5.4 oz. (153 g.) in total box
Calories: 110 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $5.99 for 1 box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #13 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookie Theme Week.

These vegan and gluten-free Chocolate Chunk Brownie cookies were from Cybele's/Free-to-Eat, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA).

The cookies were notable for their soft, chewy brownie texture, but also for what they lacked. Notably absent were the top 8 allergens: dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. These cookies were made in a "dedicated gluten-free, allergy-friendly" facility.

Cybele Pascal (the force behind the Cybele's brand) became an allergy-friendly cook when her son was diagnosed with severe food allergies. She started baking from scratch and developed recipes that would help others enjoy allergy-safe versions of favorite foods.

HomeFree Chocolate Chip Cookies - Oct. 13, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

HomeFree, LLC
Mini Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Good
Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 5 oz. (144 g.) in total box
Calories: 150 calories in 7 mini cookies
Cost: $3.99 (sale) in 1 box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #13 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookie Theme Week.

These Mini Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies from HomeFree, LLC (Windham, NH) were small enough that I could enjoy a festive little pile of them on a tiny dessert plate. Cute!

Gluten Free, Nut Free and made from "Whole Grain" -- these crunchy, bite-sized cookies dotted with chocolate were made with a gluten-free whole oat flour base.

Tate's Bake Shop - Double Chocolate Chip cookies - Oct. 12, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Tate's Bake Shop
Gluten Free - Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 7 oz. (200 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 4 cookies
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #12 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookies Theme Week(s).

Tate's Bake Shop (Southampton, NY) is based in a charming village in the Hamptons. It will be a while before I can make it out to Southampton, but that is the beauty of food. It allows us to travel via our palette and imagination.

The company's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies were a hit, possessing all the qualities I look for in a crispy-style chocolate gluten-free cookie. My checklist is below.

• Good balance between crispy and chewy - Yes, 95% crispy, 5% chewy
• Holds together without an excess of vegetable gum(s), not too crumbly - Yes
• Slight buttery flavor and texture - Yes (contained butter)
• Quality ingredients list - Yes; first ingredient listed was chocolate chips (bonus points)

These chocolate + chocolate chip cookies were just the right thickness (i.e. not too thick or thin) for the optimal buttery crunch. And the tiny hint of salt was perfect.

Alternative Baking Co. - Chocolate Explosion - Oct. 8, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alternative Baking Company, Inc.
Chocolate Explosion cookie
Good
Weight: 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 240 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $1.79 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

This Chocolate Explosion cookie from Alternative Baking Company (Sacramento, CA) was gluten, egg, and dairy free. Chocolate chips or chunks created small bursts of chocolate flavor and texture with each bite. The cookie base was cohesive (consistent texture and it did not crumble), with a slight doughy taste.

Rebecca's - Chocolate Chip - Oct. 5, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Rebecca's Mighty Muffins
Chocolate Chip cookie
Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (84.9 g.) (estimate) in 1 cookie
Calories: 300 calories (estimate) in 1 cookie
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Rebecca's Mighty Muffins table, California Ave. Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookie Theme Week, and I found today's chocolate treat at a local farmers market. Rebecca's booth/table included several types of muffins and baked goods -- some vegan and some gluten free.

Rebecca's Mighty Muffins (based in Santa Cruz, CA) gluten free chocolate chip cookie tasted fresh, and had just the right amount of crunch. This generously sized cookie also had a very subtle hint of coconut that I liked -- perhaps from a touch of coconut oil or coconut flour). 

Liz Lovely - Gluten Free Cowgirl Cookie - Oct. 2, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Liz Lovely, Inc.
Gluten Free Cowgirl Cookie - Soft Baked Chocolate Chip
Good
Weight: 3.17 oz. (90 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 420 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.50 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

This generously sized, soft baked chocolate chip Cowgirl Cookie from Liz Lovely, Inc. (Waitsfield, VT) was gently striped with chocolate.

This is a noteworthy item for people with dietary restrictions. And, weighing in at 420 calories in 1 individually-wrapped cookie, this gluten free, dairy free, egg free, Non-GMO, vegan and kosher treat is a substantial dessert or snack.

Given that this cookie was crafted without egg or gluten, it held together well and had a rich, satisfying texture (not too crumbly or mealy). 

Purely Elizabeth - Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix - January 28, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Purely Elizabeth
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 15.5 oz. (439 g.) total box of mix
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) in 2 cookies
Cost: $8.99 for 1 box of mix
Purchased from: Abe's Market, Michigan (online)

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

I was having visions of rack after rack of chocolate chip cookies marching out of the oven, like the multiplying brooms and buckets in Walt Disney's animated film "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Why? This box of Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix (Appetite for Healthy Living LLC - New York, NY) made far more cookies than anticipated -- 41 to be precise.

I didn't mind having extra warm cookies perfuming my kitchen. But, it did take three sequential batches to cook them, and I needed to clear extra counter space to cool three large plates worth of them.

The base for these gluten-free and vegan cookie mix consisted of organic millet, organic almond and garbanzo fava bean flours, as well as chia seeds.

Directions for this mix called for 1/2 cup oil and 1/4 cup of applesauce, which helped establish a cohesive, chewy texture.

The golden brown cookies were dotted with small chocolate chips that seemed the right size for smaller cookies that I made. The cookies were sweetened with a relatively heavy dose of organic coconut palm sugar. While I like the flavor of this sugar -- often touted for its less refined, higher nutritional and lower glycemic properties -- I might use a bit less of this sweetener.

Because there was no raw egg in these cookies, the batter could be eaten (safely) uncooked, or could be enjoyed with other dessert items, e.g., ice cream. I tried this later -- layering cookie dough and crumbs with vanilla ice cream, to make a small shotglass dessert parfait. It reminded me of an oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich. And because I can't have wheat or oats, I appreciated this close facsimile.