It has finally happened…the gluten-free answer to the vanilla wafer has been discovered and it is the vanilla cookies made by Gefen. Now for the bad news…they are only available during Passover and they are made in Israel.
While strolling the aisles at a local Super Target we discovered Gefen’s vanilla cookies on clearance for $3.90 per box. What really caught my attention was the Celiac Disease Foundation logo on the box. The cookies are made from: potato starch, sugar, whole eggs, palm oil and vanilla. Somehow we just knew they were going to taste amazing and they do.
These cookies remind me of a vanilla wafer crossed with a butter cookie because they are thicker than a traditional vanilla wafer. They have the perfect crunch and crumb of a wheat-based vanilla wafer without being dry or chalky and the vanilla flavor isn’t overpowering, but just right. They would work wonderfully in banana pudding, dipped in chocolate, or just by themselves as a snack. They are not high in fat or carbs and a serving size is six cookies.
This Examiner has found Gefen’s vanilla cookies at a few online stores, but they will only be available until the inventory is depleted. It will not be possible for us to wait until next Passover to find them again! If you happen upon these wonderful cookies pick up as many as your pantry can hold and ration them throughout the year.
Now it seems to me that some fabulous gluten-free company would be able to manufacture these cookies year round because people eat banana pudding year round and want gluten-free vanilla wafers.
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Author Information: Jennifer D. Harris, Atlanta, GA
Jennifer D. Harris, http://www.jenniferglutenfreeingeorgia.blogspot.com
Gluten-Free Product Specialist, Return to Eden
Program Chair, Atlanta Metro CeliacsTwitter@jenniferGFinGA