Ginnybakes Glutten-Free Love & Nut Bars
It used to be that going gluten-free meant bidding adieu to quality baked goods.
In 2010, Ginny Simon sought to bring the joy back to wheat-free confections with her line of cookies, bake mixes and biscotti, Ginnybakes. Now her latest creation, the Love & Nuts bar ($24 for a box of 10), brings an even more healthful spin to sweet cravings.
The organic, vegan bars are studded with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, as well as almonds, walnuts, raisins, cranberries, Medjool dates and pistachios. Shredded coconut, water and agave nectar bind the pleasantly chewy mixture together. There are no preservatives in the kosher, dairy-free bars, and 4 grams of fiber, as well as 5 grams of protein, make them a substantial snack or a light breakfast.
What we were struck by most, though, is the bars' deliciousness: They taste like a decadent trail mix in compact form; the coconut gives them a mildly tropical bent.
And we must confess: A pan of brownies made with Ginnybakes' gluten-free mix disappeared at a recent company potluck.
Even we have our weaknesses.