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Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cookies and Brownies Review
Posted by Ann | Posted in Reviews | Posted on 25-08-2009
So, I love to cook but I also LOVE trying new products, including mixes. Typically, Betty Crocker isn’t one of the brands I buy, but when I checked out the ingredients and understood what each one was and how it affects my body, I was excited to give these new products a try! I think it’s a never-ending quest to find the best mix for when you’re in a bind in this case. Plus, Betty Crocker is one of the old standards in American baking. Betty’s mixes are what people are used to, though not gourmet or fancy by any means. Heck, I’ve had some better tasting boxed mix cake than plenty of the expensive professionals’ cakes at weddings!
First I made the cookies. They spread pretty easily so I learned my lesson and packed them into tighter balls after the first batch, then they were much better. Having no gluten to hold them together the traditional way (I’ve found this is a zillion of my own personal gluten-free cookie recipes as well), taking the cookies off the baking sheet is somewhat of a challenge since they’re pretty delicate. I found the best way to do it was to lightly pick up a side of the cookie with my thumb and index finger, and then quickly slide the spatula underneath the cookie. They mostly stayed together when using this trick. Just trying to get the spatula underneath didn’t work so well, they really wanted to break. They’re much less breakable when cooled completely, but no one waits for cookies to cool completely before taking them off the sheet! What did they tatse like? Pretty much like a regular old chocolate chip cookie! I detected a very mild tartness that no one else seemed to notice, and also a slighly different texture-not quite as smooth on the tongue. Again, no one else noticed that either. All in all, they were a hit in that everyone ate them, but not so great in that some were thrown away after getting stale. I think this would be a great cookie to make for lots of people who are otherwise skeptic of gluten free or healthy cooking. OR, they would also be good for a classroom since the main allergen is the one egg you add to the batter - in which case I suppose you could use an egg replacer. I’m going to stick to my regular cookies and continue my quest for the perfect recipe. I haven’t had much time to cook or bake so these came along at just the right time for me.
The other Betty Crocker gluten free box mix I tried was the brownies. I love a good fudge brownie! These were extremely simple to make and tasted pretty darn good as well. They are only a little fudgy so I undercooked them a tad for some more fudginess. The chocolate flavor is a little semi-sweet but not dark chocolate. I’m a little biased to the richer fudge brownies that I make, but again, if you’re making for a crowd with kids, this is probably a better bet. Especially when you’re in a hurry. My son is used to my cooking and has developed a sophisticated little palate so he likes most of the treats I make, but not all kids are going to go for the gluten free hazelnut brownies or dark chocolate caramel brownies! I made mine in an 8×8 glass dish and baked them about 25 minutes at 350. If I make these again in a hurry, I’ll probably break up a candy bar or something and put it in the mix as well- just to add some excitement.
All in all, I’m very happy with the two mixes for when I’m in a bind! Though not amazing or gourmet or super-healthy, at least they are pretty normal:) I’d absolutely make either of these and bring it to a party (like a bbq or football party) and I’m sure no one would have any idea that they are gluten free! Though if I buy a mix, it’s typically in the health food section and I don’t usually buy it twice - I am glad I noticed these at Target! If you compare the ingredients to all the other mixes in the main baking aisle at the grocery store, I’d be surprised to find one much healthier than this. And you probably know that Betty Crocker would hate to tarnish their reputation with a gross healthy mix:) I can imagine the test kitchen and the many different combinations they tried before deciding on these! I was happy enough with these to buy the yellow cake mix. Sometimes I like making nut roll bars which call for cake mix, so I’m excited to see how those turn out with this mix!
these are hardly healthy…
so what if they’re gluten free?
I eat whole foods and avoid gluten naturally that way. I don’t understand why someone who cares enough about their health to avoid gluten would want to put highly processed crap in their bodies just because it’s gluten free.
they’ve got you fooled.
Thanks for your comment Monica! I didn’t said these were healthy - only fast and easier. They are, however, a healthier option than most other mixes and I’m very careful about what goes into my families’ bodies. My husband is allergic to wheat so these made me naturally curious. Also, the ingredients are much better than most mixes so I would eat these but mostly avoid them. On a scale of 1-10 sort of thing, I’d give them at least a 5? When I go to parties and restaurants I have no idea what’s in the food I’m eating, so I also try to mostly avoid what I assume will be bad but never truly know what’s inside the food. Plus, I try to be polite and just have a little anyway, a little won’t kill me! I don’t eat 100% whole, clean organic foods all the time, but I try to most of the time. I completely understand where you’re coming from though and do appreciate your comment. I hope you like some of my recipes of the whole and cleaner foods that I make personally rather than these boxed mixes! I debated buying them and then debated reviewing them, and each time thought…what the heck.
Ann
My husband, his mother and his brother all have Celiac Disease, so every time there is a birthday or other celebration they are often left with just ice cream. We eat *very* healthy around here, but there is a time and place for cake!
I have only bought one of these mixes and it was the chocolate cake. I’ve got to say I was very, very impressed. The chocolate cake is really darn good. I won’t be making my very expensive and elaborate chocolate cake again when this one is just as good or *gasp* BETTER!
mmmmmmm they sure sound good! It’s great that more companies are coming out with products like this!
sorry…I was sorta a rude bitch there…I was reacting to the title of the blog…and a culture that seems to need junk.
But of course I occasionally waver from my standards as well…it would be inflexible and unhealthy not to.
I also have never liked boxed stuff of this nature…my whole life actually…so it’s not something I miss or desire.
I’m sorry. I was in a bad mood the other day.
I have been looking at your blog…the polenta looked fantastic…I have you on a feed…
Denise: it’s true! We seem to have birthday cake more often now than I can ever remember. Adults and kids alike just keep turning one year older with cake/cupcakes! Or weddings, which keep happening as well. I keep thinking since I hit 30 they’ll slow down but amazingly they don’t. Maybe at 31?
Steph: I’m happy too that the BIG food companies are finally jumping on board - trying in their own way to make things not only for people with food allergies but those trying to eat healthier as well. I’m hoping more and more companies change their products or offer more so I can worry less everytime I can’t control what my kid is eating.
Monica: Ha ha! I went over tons of website urls and they were all taken or “parked” so this is the best one I could come up with. Honestly, I keep getting annoyed at it myself since I happen to do a lot of sweet stuff (usually with healthier ingredients (oat flour, almond flour, coconut flour) or natural sugar alternatives but still). I put at the top “healthier versions” but it really doesn’t mean it’s nourishing. I was really waiting for someone to say something like that - since I’m well aware of the difference - but with my sweet tooth, there’s not hope for all-out nourish. Oh well. I make those things all the time but they don’t end up on my site often! But don’t worry, I’m not easily offended and I like getting called out sometimes. Maybe I’ll change the subtitle at the top to try to address it better?
Hey, I tried these GF brownies, and I thought they were YUMMY!!!! If I make them again, I will buy two boxes and bake them in a 9×13 pan because they were too quick. My hubby and daughter pummeled them. Ok, I helped pummeled them too. ; )