I thought maybe we could make ginger bread houses,
and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating,
and maybe even hold hands.
-Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf
Cookies are the best things ever.
Once upon a time in a land not so terribly far away, I used to bake cookies. All. the. time.
I don’t have as much free time as I used to, which makes me feel sort of sad. But not nearly as sad as the other members of my household pretend to be while lamenting the shortage of fresh-from-the-oven baked goods.
To be fair, packaged cookies generally aren’t as good as my cookies. I’m not being boastful, those are the cold hard facts of preservatives affecting flavor and texture. It’s rare that I find any that everybody likes, with the exception of Oreos, which aren’t really pretending to be real cookies, and are pretty much the worst thing in the world for you after maybe eating straight up Crisco from a can.
But we recently got to try Udi’s cookies, and you know what? Those are some mighty fine cookies, y’all. They’re nice and soft and perfectly chewy and tasty, and even Jeff, our pickiest eater, ate them without any drama.
Udi’s carries chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and Snickerdoodles. The boys collectively fought over the Snickerdoodles (I only got a tasting bite and then they were gone). Cass favored the chocolate chip, and I got the lion’s share of the oatmeal raisin. I think if I hadn’t reined everyone in all the cookies would have disappeared in one snack session, but Mom-induced restraint managed to spread the love over a couple of desserts.
They’re gluten free, which isn’t really a concern for our family, but I know plenty of kids (and adults, now I stop to think about it) who adhere to gluten free diets. It’s nice to know I can serve this as a treat when they come over.
It’s worth noting that even though the package was clearly labeled gluten free, Jeff declared them “pretty good!” Usually when anything organic, vegan, gluten free or equally “suspicious” arrives at our door Jeff is ready and happy to point out its gastronomic deficiencies. In particular, we have issues with sugar substitutes; they tend to leave an aftertaste we don’t care for (but Jeff is especially vocal about). Not so with Udi’s. In fact, I think he ate the majority of the Snickerdoodles.
Udi’s also follows my new favorite company trend, clearly displaying the nutritional info and ingredient list on each product page. (Can I get a what what for transparency in food labeling?) Now, these are cookies, so I’m not going to pretend they’re chock full of healthy goodness. They’re indulgences and that’s fine.
As a for instance, the ingredients in Udi’s oatmeal raisin cookies: certified gluten free oats, butter, evaporated cane juice, raisin, whole eggs, oat flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, potato starch, molasses, salt, cinnamon, sodium bicarbonate, xanthan gum. Aside from the assortment of flours, this is pretty much the way I would make the cookies from scratch (sodium bicarbonate = baking soda, the cane juice subs for more sugar or an addition of honey. Xanthan gum being a natural thickener to make up for the lack of gluten). It’s a short list of ingredients and I know what all those ingredients are, a refreshing departure from most packaged treats.
Udi’s also carries gluten free bagels, breads, burger & hot dog buns, granola, muffins, and pizza crusts, which I can only imagine are as tasty as their cookies.
Hey!
Guess what?
I’ve got some cookies to give away!
One reader gets a sampler of chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and Snickerdoodle cookies from Udi’s to destroy in one sitting or dole out over several desserts, depending on how much nicer a mom you are than me. Just follow the directions below (subscribers will have to click through. Sorry!).
Maybe I’ll be inspired to bake some cookies now, now that our Udi’s are all gone 🙂
This giveaway ends at 12:01am on 11/11/11. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received cookies to review but no other compensation. All opinions are thoroughly our own!
If I don’t win this, I’m going to be pissed. Livid, even.
My favorite cookie is plain old chocolate chip. Boring but delicious.
My favorite kind of cookie is our family’s Christmas cut outs. After that I’d have to say jam thumbprints! Great, now I’m hungry! LOL!
My favorite cookies are snickerdoodles. I love Udis snickerdoodles.
I love Ginger Snaps.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
I love a classic chocolate chip cookie
white chocolate chip
Double Dark Chocolate is my favorite!
I love chocolate chip cookies
Snickerdoodles
I AM (ALSO) AN OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE CHIP LOVER
My favorite kind of cookie is the Chocolate Chip!
chocolate chip!
I love double chocolate chocolate chop cookies! Thanks.
Chocolate chip!
I love Snickerdoodles.
oatmeal is my fave
My favorite is chocolate chip.
Oatmeal has always been my favorite!
Double soft chocolate chip cookies
I’m currently going through an Oatmeal Raisin cookie love affair!
My favorite cookie is white chocolate and macadamia nut. 🙂
chocolate chip
vmkids3 at msn dot com
My favorite are peanut butter cookies.
Chocolate chip hands down!
Oatmeal chocolate chip. Best of both worlds! 🙂
I love choc chip cookies best.
My favorite type of cookie is chocolate chip.
My favorite kind of cookie is snickerdoodle
Chocolate chip.
My favorite type of cookie has always been chocolate chip.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I love Sugar cookies.
Mmm… I want to try the snickerdoodles but I generally lean towards anything with chocolate and PB.
My fave cookies are chocolate chip and peanut butter
I love chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate Chip is my ultimate favorite, but Snickerdoodles are always a holiday treat in my family.
Chocolate chip.
my favorite kind of cookie is snickerdoodles. I just love the cinnamon on top.
no bakes
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
Oatmeal raisin cookies are my favorite kind of cookie.
fresh baked chocolate chip cookies are my favorite
I love peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
I LOVE ALL COOKIES! :))
chocolate chip cookies
Snickerdoodles! =)
I love white chocolate macadamia.
I like chocolate chip cookies
I am crazy about oatmeal scotchies. Any kind of cookie is heaven to me, though, if it’s warm and gooey.
My favorite cookie is coconut macaroons.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
Chewy chocolate chip are my favorite.
Chocolate chip, thanks
chocolate chip!
Any with nuts in them or oatmeal cookies
Peanutbutter chocolate chip!
Heath bar cookies
oatmeal chocolate chip! but it has to be soft.
i love oatmeal raisin
I love Mom’s Spritz Cookies!
Chocolate chip!
ward-ward@live.com
Chocolate Chip!
iloveher6923 at yahoo dot com
I love the simplicity of a sugar cookie… but give me a dark chocolate chip cookie and I’m in heaven. Thanks for the giveaway
I love chocolate chips with walnut cookies.
Oatmeal chocolate chip is my favorite.
I like Snickerdoodles.
I like no bake cookies
Peanut Butter cookies!