Cookies and other baked goods have been a real issue in our family every since we discovered our son’s peanut allergy. No free cookies at the grocery store, careful ingredient-checking on any store-bought dough, constant worry over cross-contamination… When my husband and I buy baked snacks for ourselves, we often have to keep them hidden as if they’re dangerous chemicals.
Jill Robbins, president and founder of HomeFree bakery allowed us to try each of her peanut free cookie flavors out on my son. We tested chocolate chip, chocolate chocolate chip, and oatmeal cookies. My son enjoyed all three and I enjoyed handing him a cookie knowing that it was peanut free—and baked with organic ingredients.
Each flavor got a hearty thumb’s up from my three-year-old. Here are my thoughts:
Organic Chocolate Chip – A pretty standard chocolate chip cookie. This is a semi-chewy cookie, with a nice crumble to it and highly flavorful chocolate chips. The aftertaste is almost tea-like, sort of herbal and yummy. I really enjoyed these.
Organic Chocolate Chocolate Chip – Looks very chewy, but isn’t. The chocolate flavor is subtle—not too sweet, not too dark. The chocolate chips are intense and great. This is a messy cookie if you have a three-year-old who doesn’t understand the concept of melting chocolate.
Organic Oatmeal – While I generally don’t prefer oatmeal cookies, these were my favorite! Deeply flavorful, with a molasses-like tone, these were moist, soft, and chewy. The texture is hearty and feel healthy, but these don’t taste like “health food,” they’re just great. Were my son’s favorites as well.
Because you can purchase Home Free cookies in a box with individually wrapped cookies, these can make excellent treats for classroom parties or birthdays. I love the convenience and thoughtful packaging.
Home Free baked goods are:
- Peanut Free
- Egg Free
- Tree Nut Free
- Dairy Free
Free Stuff Alert
Jill at HomeFree generously offered to share three boxes of Home Free cookies with one lucky reader.
To enter this giveaway you MUST:
- Visit the Home Free FAQ. Comment with something interesting you learned.
Happy Feet move For up to three additional entries:
- Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with your Tweet or Username!
- Blog about food allergies and include a link to this giveaway. Comment with a link to your post.
- In a comment, tell us what your favorite snack is.
COMMENTS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE ENTRY RULES WILL BE DELETED. Open to US and Canadian Residents only. The winner will be chosen using a random-number generator. This giveaway runs through May 22 at noon EST. Please make sure you leave a valid email address.
About the author: Maria is surrounded by boys. She gets all aflutter when she finds good deals, new episodes of Gossip Girl, and big bold bottles of red wine. Read more from this author.Related Reviews:
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I learned that their products are certified Kosher!
I learned that barlet contains gluten! I didn’t know that.
I learned that they don’t use wheat in their products!
A good thing to know that they stay fresh for about 3 months in the cupboard
stay fresh for about 3 months in the cupboard
they are kosher
I am honestly glad that I learn about the whole grain symbol – Now I am going to be looking for it on my food and in stores
My fav snack is raw celery – I love how its crunchy and it doenst hurt my tummy afterwards
http://twitter.com/crownthequeen/status/1809193115 that is my twitter link for you
http://crownthequeen.blogspot.com/2009/05/your-mama-giveaway.html that is my blog about this giveaway for you
I learned that the cookies are made with NO wheat, however, since the grains are processed in shared facilities with wheat, there’s still traces of wheat in the products.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/1809456470
Favorite snack is potato chips.
I learned the cookies stay fresh 3 months in the cupboard. And 6 months in the freezer. That’s great!
My favorite snack is yogurt..yum!
We understand that many people with food allergies may also be allergic to latex. We therefore use only non-latex gloves in our kitchen.
my favorite snack is cheese
Our cookies are wrapped to stay fresh for about 3 months in the cupboard.
They offer discounted rates to non profit and schools.
My favorite snack is ice cream.
You can store these cookies in the freezer for 6 months.
My favorite snack is my grandmother’s homemade pound cake.
“OK” certified as Kosher Pareve
I learned that they don’t use wheat in their products!
PEANUT free my BIL can finally have cookies
I learned that barlet contains gluten.
austma7@aol.com
I learnt that they don’t ship to stores in Canada but they would ship to my house!
I learned that these will keep for 3 months in my pantry.
I learned that the “Pareve” in Kosher Pareve means that none of the ingredients, products, or equipment has ever had contact with any dairy product. All of Home Free’s products are Kosher Pareve.
My favorite snack is potato chips! Especially salt & vinegar chips!
ceritifed kosher mverno@roadrunner.com
Are your products certified Kosher?
Yes. We are “OK” certified as Kosher Pareve. The pareve means that none of our ingredients, products, or equipment has ever had contact with any dairy product.
http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/1811611700
fav snack – popcorn :)
I learned that Home Free’s cookies are wrapped to stay fresh for about 3 months in the cupboard.
My favorite snack is cheese – any kind!
I learned that the company name was originally Gak’s Snacks.
Popcorn in my favorite snack!
I didn’t know they mad quinoa flour!
My favorite snack is chocolate chips
(good with sunbutter and apples if I’m feeling particularly health conscious
I really didn’t know there was a whole grain symbol, you learn something everyday!
I love Home Free. Never knew they had coffee cakes before!
That they are kosher and do not use wheat.
They use non-latex gloves in their facility to cater to people with allergies.
My favorite snack is home popped popcorn, with absolutely no butter & no salt.
many people with food allergies may also be allergic to latex.
Why do the individually wrapped cookies and the cakes say “Gak’s Snacks” rather than “HomeFree?”
Our company began with the name Gak’s Snacks. There are two reasons we still use that name, for now, on some items. First, as an environmentally caring company, we are trying to use rather than waste some of our remaining Gak’s packaging. Second, of the many people who have come to love our products as “Gak’s Snacks, some are very young children. We thought that keeping some Gak’s packaging for a while might help them realize that Gak’s still exists even as we transition to our new name and package design.
FAQ- Why do these products cost more than what I am used to in the supermarket?
We make our products from wholesome ingredients such as 100% whole grain flours, high quality natural chocolate and cocoa powder, apple sauce, fruit juice, and non-hydrogenated oils. Most of our ingredients are certified organic. And we do allergen testing for peanut, almond, egg, and milk proteins on our ingredients and on random batches of finished product. Finally, we bake in small batches. In fact, we make the cakes totally by hand!
My favorite snack, that is hard to pinpoint I like so many. My favorite is chocolate chip cookies, homemade of course.
What does the Whole Grain Council symbol mean?
Whole Grain Stamps quickly and easily identify real whole grain products. The recommended diet includes three 16 g servings of whole grain each day. For every serving of HomeFree.
It was nice to learn that they can be stored up to 3 months and remain fresh, but I think it would be the unusual family where cookies were not eaten WAY before 3 months were up!
My favorite snack varies–sometimes healthful, like an orange, sometimes definitely not, like anything chocolate!
They have a 3 month shelf life, although it isn’t recommended and certainly wouldn’t be in our pantry that long!
just to cool
I learned that their company name used to be Gak’s Snacks, thats pretty interesting.
I learned that many people with food allergies can be allergic to latex. I didn’t know that! And the chocolate chocolate chip cookie sounds delicious. Thanks.
Gak’s Snacks was their previous name!
Yes. We are “OK” certified as Kosher Pareve
I learned they use only non-latex gloves.
They don’t use any of my son’s allergens– egg, wheat, peanut, or dairy. Yay!
I learned that only their oatmeal cookie does not have soy lecithin in it. Thanks.
My favorite snack lately is organic cashews (nuts). Thanks!
Their kitchen is latex free.
I learned that the products are nut free.
They use non latex gloves because of the possibility of latex allergies in those with food allergies too. Very thoughtful!
The name used to be Gak’s snacks. Unusual.
The coffe cakes are more than 40% fruit and fruit juice! Yummy!
Adreisinger@aol.com
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/afabozzi/statuses/1829304694
Adreisinger@aol.com
My favorite snack (this week) is cashew butter and strawberry jam sandwiches!
Thanks!
Adreisinger@aol.com
the products are nut free
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
i was intrigued by their listing of flours used – and wonder what they think about coconut and rice flours… I tasted a cake with those flours and it was amazing – seems like they are sweeter for baking.
Tweeted about this too! http://twitter.com/evelynfloyd
I learned that I don’t have to “sneak” that sliver I cut for me everytime my son asks for a slice of the Coffee Cake. It’s HEALTHY…so, I can be proud that I’m eating it and that I’m serving it to my son!!
I learned what the Whole Grain Council symbol means, I found that interesting.
electricisland(at)gmail.com
Tweet – id- electricisland)
electricisland(at)gmail.com
Favorite snack … Cake with icing
electricisland(at)gmail.com
I learned they don’t use genetically modified ingredients .
Whole Grain Stamps quickly and easily identify real whole grain products. The recommended diet includes three 16 g servings of whole grain each day. For every serving of HomeFree. ….
I like nutritious facts.
amerskine@hotmail.com
I posted your giveaway on my blog and linked it back here.
My favorite snack is a red delicious apple.
I learned they use only latex-free gloves — since I am allergic to latex, this caught my eye.
What a lot of great information! Interesting that the FDA sets the serving size for the coffee cake, and great that it contains 40% fruit and fruit juice!
My favourite snack right now is hemp granola with raspberry yoghurt! In a month or so, it will be garden strawberries though!
This product contains no nuts of any kind.
I found it interesting that they only use non latex gloves in their kitchen.
My favorite snack is Triscuits.
Sounds like a great product. Nut free and organic, made with whole grains.
@elleinthecity
Learned lots of interesting things, like they don’t even use latex gloves b/c some people have latex allergies.
Great giveaway–thanks for offerring.
happymom4444@yahoo.com
they used to be called gak’s snacks!
I see that Whole Grain Stamps quickly and easily identify real whole grain products. The recommended diet includes three 16 g servings of whole grain each day.
My favorite snack is usually just a handful of raisins or some chex mix.
We make our products from wholesome ingredients such as 100% whole grain flours, high quality natural chocolate and cocoa powder, apple sauce, fruit juice, and non-hydrogenated oils. Most of our ingredients are certified organic. And we do allergen testing for peanut, almond, egg, and milk proteins on our ingredients and on random batches of finished product. Finally, we bake in small batches. In fact, we make the cakes totally by hand!
The cookies last in the cupboard for 3 months and the freezer for 6 months!
Thanks
learned what the Whole Grain Council symbol means
We are “OK” certified as Kosher Pareve
The recipe book has variations for different flours to use, depending on your allergies.
I like how the products include three 16 g servings of whole grain each day.
I learned that they are made in a dedicated facility and contain 13 grams of whole grain.
Thank you for a great giveaway. I really like how there are 16g servings of whole grain. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Hi! I learned that even cakes that do have have much refined sugar in them can still have a high sugar content because of the natural sugars contained in the natural fruits/vegetables that are used in making the product. I have actually learned a lot from the FAQs too many things to list. I have also submitted the contest in the website/blog : http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/canadian-contests/ The products look to be top quality!
oh…and my favourite snacks are fruit…and the organic cookies or granola bars. thanks for the giveaway. natalie.richard@gmail.com
Soy lecithin at times can contain small amounts of soy protein. Most, but not all, people with soy allergies are able to tolerate small amounts of soy lecithin
The product sounds very good with a long shelf life; great!
I learned that they do not use any genetically modified ingredients (GMO’s) — Thanks for the giveaway:)
my fav snack is dried mangoes — I love them
Home Free cookies are certified as more than 70% organic, and the coffee cakes are USDA organic certified as more than 95% organic
No GMO’s! ye! and I think I read there are no eggs in these products? is that true? is that what they mean when they say ‘And we do allergen testing for peanut, almond, egg, and milk proteins on our ingredients and on random batches of finished product. ‘
My cousin is DEADLY allergic to eggs.
My favorite snack is Mangos cut like a checker board. Easy to cut, easy to eat and DELICIOUS.
I learned that the products are kosher parave. This is good because my family keeps kosher :)
I tweeted the contest at http://twitter.com/sbshortie/status/1849257489
My favorite snack is popcorn, I could live off of it :)
Their products are “OK” certified as Kosher Pareve.
I learned that I can finally have cookies that I do not make myself as they are peanut free!
Thanks for thinking of us peanut free peeps!
They state they have no corn in their facility.
They use only latex free gloves.
I like cookies as a snack
They do not use wheat in any of Their products or in their facility. Thanks. angel_2417@yaoo.com
I learned they dont use GMO’s
My fav snack is ice cream.My son’s is fruit.
I love that Home Free Bakery cookies are dairy free! My favorite snack is banana with a little peanut butter on it … yummy!
I learned: Our dedicated facility has no seeds.
fave snack: roasted almonds with cheese!
Their cakes will keep in the freezer for about 3 months. They are best stored frozen until ready to eat — their texture will be best the first day or two after thawing. The cakes slice easily while frozen for easy single serve snacking.
I was interested to learn that the products are kosher.
I learned that they use non-latex gloves in their kitchen. Thanks for the chance.
Their cookies should stay fresh for about 3 months in the cupboard or 6 months in the freezer.
I learned that the shelf life of these products is about three months :)
My favorite snack is a family tradition called GORP with raisins, peanuts, and M&Ms. So good!
I learned that they do allergen testing for almond, milk proteins, peanut, and egg in their ingredients.
This is great news for my daughter who’s developing more and more allergies over the last year or so!
My favorite snack is… well, anything chocolate actually, but we’ll start with fudge. :-) Sometimes I prefer something salty and crunchy like chips instead.
their products are are “OK” certified as Kosher Pareve.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I learned that the cookies are “OK” certified as Kosher Pareve.
I learned that they “use only non-latex gloves in their kitchen. Thanks for the giveaway.
My favorite snack is ice cream. I am so glad I don’t have problems with lactose or milk protein. Thanks for the giveaway.
HomeFree does not use wheat in any of their products or in their facility.
My favourite snack is yummy popcorn!!
they offer discounted bulk rates!
Thanks for the contest! :)
They are free of GMOs
My favorite snack is pita chips
My favorite snack is Chex Mix :) MMMM
They are Kosher :) Fantastic!
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
I did not know that spelt was in the wheat family.
I learned that their coffee cakes are USDA organic certified as more than 95% organic
They even use non latex gloves.
mercsmercado at yahoo dot com
I like that they don’t use genetically modified ingredients.
I learned that Home Free cookies are wrapped to stay fresh for about 3 months in the cupboard.
My fave snack is a s’mores granola bar.
Tweeted @ http://twitter.com/Naddez
I learned that their products are certified kosher
One of my favorite snacks is wasabi soy almonds!
they are certified as Kosher Pareve
I learned that Home Free cookies are certified as more than 70% organic.
My favorite snack is popcorn.
My favorite snack is fruit.
I love how committed to allergy free products they are – not only in the food products they bake with – but down to the disposable gloves (latex allergy here).
Thanks so much!
I learned that Home Free cookies are certified as more than 70% organic, and the coffee cakes are USDA organic certified as more than 95% organic.
They do use wheat in any of our products or in their facility. However, for those for whom traces of wheat could be a concern, their grains are processed in shared facilities with wheat. Further, due to agricultural practices in this country, oats often contain traces of wheat.
My favorite snack is oatmeal – yep really – I will often have a bowl in the evening just because I enjoy eating it!
My favorite snack is grapes.
Their products are certified kosher :)
We understand that many people with food allergies may also be allergic to latex. We therefore use only non-latex gloves in our kitchen.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
I am a potato chip muncher! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
certified as Kosher Pareve
I learned that they have a strict rule “No peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat or dairy are permitted in our facility for any reason at any time.”
My favorite snack is corn chips.
Wow – am I blind? I’ve never seen the Whole Grain Stamp before, so I didn’t know that there was one, which will quickly and easily identify real whole grain products.
my favorite snack is popcorn.
The company doesn’t use GMO’s
I found out that they have no corn in their facility. However, there is a small amount of corn starch in the baking powder in all but the oatmeal cookies and possible traces of corn in another minor ingredient.
My favorite snack are raw almonds.
I learned that their company began with the name Gak’s Snacks!
My favorite snack is broccoli with french onion dip!
Most people with soy allergies can still eat these products. I love that they are peanut free, my boyfriends son could eat these.
I learned that Whole Grain Stamps quickly and easily identify real whole grain products.
My favorite snack is potato chips.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a regulation for what it calls “heavy” cakes – cakes that are more than 35% by weight fruit or vegetables. Our coffee cakes are actually more than 40% fruit and fruit juice!
my favorite snack is pretzels
This product relates to people with food allergies
That is awesome
My favorite snack is popcorn
oatmeal please
I learned that their products are kosher. Thanks.
kport207 at gmail dot com
I love cookies.
i learned that they have a strict “No peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat or dairy are permitted in our facility for any reason at any time.” thats great for people with allergies!
I learned some recipes use gluten-free flours such as rice and quinoa, some use barley and oats, and some use spelt.
My favorite snack is a chocolate frosted walnut brownie
I sure hope you know you need a license, a health permit etc. or you could be in big trouble. I don’t know where you live, but in my town we have a free paper published once a week. Call Public information office in your city to find out if there is one in your area. Wish you lots of luck.