Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Muffin Mix Review

Product Description: From the manufacturer: “With our Gluten Free Muffin Mix, making scrumptious gluten free muffins at home is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just combine the mix with a few simple ingredients, add your favorite “mix-ins” (fruit, nuts or chocolate), and bake. It’s never been easier to enjoy simple, wholesome gluten free muffins at home. Mixed and Packaged in our Gluten Free Facility, each batch is tested in gluten free laboratory to ensure its gluten free status.”

Ingredient List: Gluten Free Flour Blend (Sweet White Rice Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Whole Grain Sorghum Flour, Tapioca Flour, Xanthan Gum), Sugar, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch and Monocalcium Phosphate), Sea Salt, Natural Vanilla Powder (Sugar, cornstarch, Vanilla Extract).

Test Kitchen Overview: We are fans of Bob’s Red Mill products in general. They are consistently high quality. The breadth of their offerings continues to grow and we especially like their minimal packaging. While we often turn to them for whole grains – rice flours, sorghum, amaranth, cornmeal and others – we have been watching them closely recently, monitoring their blends and mixes. For years they offered a gluten-free flour blend that had a fairly high garbanzo bean content and it tasted a bit “beany”. When they came out with their Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour, which was a whole new all-purpose GF flour blend, we took note. This was a company that was dedicated to specialty baking needs. They have been adding more and more blends and mixes and this Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Muffin Mix is a great example. The mix is dairy free as well as gluten-free, making it versatile for those wanting to steer clear of dairy. The mix is easy enough. Simply add vegetable oil or melted butter, milk (or non-dairy milk), egg and add-in of choice. We went for classic blueberry.

Pros: Easy to use. Versatile in that we had a choice to use milk or a dairy-free milk option. (Note that the package only calls for cow’s milk but we have had great success with almond milk and coconut milk from the carton). The muffins pictured used whole milk and melted butter and 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries. Batter was ready to go into oven even before oven finished pre-heating. The flavor of the batter is basic but still flavorful (see the vanilla mentioned in ingredients) and would work with all kinds of dried fruit, nuts, other fresh fruit, etc.

Cons: We like the minimal packaging because we transfer dry goods to airtight containers and suggest that you do too. Their bags are not re-sealable, so this may be a negative for you.

Suggested Use: Great to keep in the pantry for near instant muffins.

Where to Buy: From Bob’s Red Mill’s site or in stores near you. The site also has a store locator.

Price at Time of Review: 16-ounce bag (makes 12 muffins) for $4.29. 25-pound bag for $72.40

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

CO YO Coconut Milk Yogurt

Product Description: From the manufacturer: “CO YO is a creamy delicious alternative to dairy yoghurt made from the creamy milk of the coconut with plant fed Probiotic cultures.

CO YO is made from the freshly squeezed cream from the whole flesh of the coconut. 98% pure coconut – in fact, it takes more than one whole coconut to make a small tub of CO YO.

100% dairy free, CO YO is gluten free, lactose free and soy free. And because it’s made from plant-based cultures, it’s suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.”

Ingredient List: CO YO is available in Natural, Mango, Mixed Berry and Raw Chocolate

Natural label: Coconut Cream, Stevia, Tapioca, Pectin and Probiotic Cultures

Raw Chocolate label: Coconut Cream, Chocolate (raw cacao, apple juice concentrate), Stevia, Tapioca, Pectin and Probiotic Cultures

Mixed Berry label: Coconut Cream, Mixed Berry (Apple Puree Concentrate, Puree of Blackberry and Raspberry, Water, Puree Concentrate of Raspberry and Strawberry, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Sodium Citrate, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (for color), Calcium Chloride), Stevia, Tapioca, Pectin and Probiotic Cultures.

Mango label: Coconut Cream, Mango (Mango Puree Concentrate, Water, Natural Flavor, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Sodium Citrate), Stevia, Tapioca, Pectin and Probiotic Cultures

Test Kitchen Overview: I came across CO YO at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC and it was love at first bite. And let me tell you how shocked I was because it is sweetened with stevia. And I cannot stand stevia. It truly tweaks my palate and I do not eat anything containing it. I took a bite of the Natural and was immediately struck by the luxurious texture and the very lightly sweetened and balanced flavor profile. And then I learned it was sweetened with stevia. Okay, live and learn. I would not have tried it if I had read the ingredients first. I took another bite and then, upon looking for it, detected a faint stevia-like taste, but the product was so fabulous, I didn’t care. This was a coconut milk yogurt I wanted to learn more about – and taste again. The Raw Chocolate intrigued me and I sampled that next and decided this could easily be a dessert treat for me. I asked for samples to be sent so that I could bake with it and you can see those results in our Gluten Free Lemon Coconut Yogurt Snack Cake.

Pros: Unparalleled texture. Satiny. Thick, but not gloppy thick like some Greek-style yogurts. Just pure luxury. Fabulous flavors. The Raw Chocolate and Natural are our faves. I hope you can see the amazing texture from these images above and below of the chocolate flavor.

Cons: Availability. For now this might be hard to find. Go to your local natural food store and advocate for them bringing it in. I apologize for getting you all excited about a product that has such limited availability but it is so fabulous I am sure that will change soon. (They are adding new locations constantly and the website is not yet up to date. CO YO is now available at Sprouts Farmers Markets, Earthfare, Haggens, Central Market and select Whole Foods, in addition to other locations).

Suggested Use: Eating right out of the cup or baking with it as we did in our Lemon Coconut Yogurt Snack Cake

Where to Buy: Use the LOCATOR function at COYO.us.

Price at Time of Review: The 5.3oz retails around $3.99 and the 12oz $6.49

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Batterlicious: Edible Cookie Dough Review

Product Description: Certain things remain constant, like the love of cookie dough – as in raw cookie dough. We see “cookie dough” used as a flavor in ice cream, candies and other sweets and then there is the cookie dough itself. But as you all know by now, eating classic cookie dough in its raw form is not recommended due to the presence of raw egg. Batterlicious has solved this by creating a suite of flavors that are not only eggless, but formulated to be enjoyed raw or baked. We have reviewed raw cookie dough products before, but this is the first one we know of that is marketed as being a raw from-the-jar product as well as one that can be baked, giving us the best of both worlds.

Company description: “Our edible, bakeable, and irresistible cookie dough is a way for our family to share our tradition with every other family, minus the mess or tummy ache and adding even more yum to every spoonful!

You can enjoy our gourmet cookie dough right out of the jar or bake some delicious cookies, or even a little bit of both. Best of all, our eggless dough contains no added preservatives.”

Test Kitchen Overview: We were sent two flavors: Delish Chocolate Chip and also the Dreamy Peanut Butter Cup. The packaging is attractive as seen above in top image with an easy to open and close airtight top.

Ingredients for Delish Chocolate Chip: Wheat flour (bleached wheat flor, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, mononitrate riboflavin, folic acid), Unsalted butter (pasteurized cream, natural flavoring), Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat, soy lecithin, vanillin -artificial flavor, milk), Brown Sugar (sugar, molasses), White Sugar, Spring Water, Vanilla, Sea Salt, Baking Soda.

Ingredients for Dreamy Peanut Butter Cup: Wheat flour (bleached wheat flor, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, mononitrate riboflavin, folic acid), Unsalted butter (pasteurized cream, natural flavoring), Brown Sugar (sugar, molasses), White Sugar, Peanut Butter Cups (milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR an emulsifier), peanuts, sugar, dextrose, salt, TBHQ preservative, Peanut Butter (roasted peanuts, sugar 2% or less than molasses, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils – rapeseed and soybean – mono and diglycerides, salt), Spring Water, Vanilla, Sea Salt, Baking Soda.

The dough was sampled raw and baked. Raw it is very similar to what we experience at home (when we cheat and eat egg-rich dough) although the texture was a bit different. It is hard to describe but it is softer and seems a bit less substantial. The soft texture, however, was a boon when it came to scooping out for baking. Even straight out of the fridge it was very easy to create nice round mounds that baked up into nice round cookies. Testers liked that they could dole out enough for one or two cookies at a time and even bake them in the toaster oven, making hot chocolate chip cookies a near instant gratification item.

Pros: Knowing that we don’t have to worry about the health risks of raw egg put our minds at ease and the ability to also bake the batter was appreciated. The jars have a refrigerated shelf life of several months.

Cons: We all wanted more chocolate chips and more peanut butter cup pieces in the dough, but that was easily remedied, as you can see in the image below. The cookies on the left were baked as is, out of the jar. For the ones of the right we simply sprinkled some extra chocolate chips on top of the dough before baking.

Suggested Use: Great gift for the cookie dough lover.You can buy the flavors individually or they also offer a Starter Pack and a Fabulous Four Pack, which also includes their Sinfully S’mores and Amazin’ Oats & Raisin flavors.

Where to Buy: Directly from Batterlicious. The 1 pint (473 ml) containers sell for $8.50. Wholesalers should inquire via phone 800-356-9091.

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

A Floral and Elegant Vanilla 

Two of my worlds collided when both an old friend from Australia and Rose Levy Beranbaum each mentioned Heilala vanilla to me in the same week. Obviously the universe wanted me to know about this vanilla company that makes extracts, paste, offers vanilla beans, vanilla syrup and vanilla sugar. I contacted Heilala Vanilla (say “hey-la-la”) and they generously offered to send me samples. Heilala Vanilla is located in Tauranga, New Zealand and named after the national flower of Tonga. The company was started as an aid project to help a remote village on the Vava’u Islands in the Kingdom of Tonga. A vanilla plantation was established in 2005 in organic virgin soil. Coconut husk frames hold the orchids, which are had pollinated and sun-dried.

Product Description: We were sent vanilla extract and paste. The extract comes in an elegant slender neck clear bottle enabling us to see the color, which is lighter and redder than most vanilla extracts we come across. It’s a gorgeous mahogany reddish brown. We received a small 2-ounce jar of the paste and clearly states on the label that over 12 pods have gone into the container. One teaspoon of paste is equal to one vanilla bean according to the manufacturer.

Ingredient List:

Vanilla Extract – New Zealand mineral water, Alcohol 35%, Heilala vanilla bean extractives.

Vanilla Bean Paste – Heilala vanilla bean extract (water, alcohol 12%, Heilala vanilla beans), Heilala vanilla seeds, Sugar, Natural gum).

Test Kitchen Overview: These products are more floral than standard vanilla extracts and yet not as different or floral as Tahitian. We liked this very much. It is like having a third vanilla profile available to use in our baking and desserts. We found the unique vanilla flavors were best showcased in un-cooked forms such as puddings, mousses, custards, ice creams and buttercreams. The vanilla was perfectly suitable to cookies and cakes, but some nuances were lost. Try our Vanilla Meringues with Gold.

Pros: A “different” vanilla, a boon especially to all you vanilla lovers out there (and you are legion; vanilla ice cream is still #1)!

Cons: A bit pricey and not easy to obtain, but worth the purchase.

Suggested Use: As mentioned above we liked Heilala best in uncooked recipes where it’s subtleties could be best appreciated.

Where to Buy: Through Heilala directly.

Price at Time of Review: $16.95 per 3.38 fl ounce/100 ml bottle

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

A Line of Artisanal Caramel Products from California

Product Description: Small batch, hand crafted caramel products including caramel corn, caramel candies and caramel based sauces. Keen attention to ingredients. For instance they use organic yellow popcorn from the Sacramento area, and the almonds are  sourced from a local grower.

We were sent the Rosemary & Cashew Caramel Corn, Bitter Sea Salt Caramels, Rosemary Infused Caramel Sauce and Chicory Coffee Caramel Sauce.

Ingredient List:

Rosemary & Cashew Caramel Corn: Brown Sugar, Butter, Organic Yellow Popcorn, Salt Roasted Cashew, Corn Syrup, Olive Oil, Rosemary Leaves, Kosher Salt, Baking Soda.

Bitter Sea Salt Caramels: Heavy Whipping Cream, Sugar, Butter, Corn Syrup, Salt.

Rosemary Infused Caramel Sauce: Cream (milk, carrageenan), Sugar, Corn Syrup, Sea Salt, Infused Rosemary.

Chicory Coffee Caramel Sauce: Cream (milk, carrageenan), Sugar, Cold Pressed Chicory Coffee, Corn Syrup, Sea Salt.

Test Kitchen Overview: A recent correspondence from CC Made informed us that corn syrup will be replaced with Tapioca Syrup in all of their products this fall. Products shipped after mid-September will have the Tapioca Syrup. The products we tested have the ingredient list as shown above.

We discovered these products at the Fancy Food Show in NYC and the first product we tried was the popcorn. Full disclosure. I cannot stand classically savory herbs in my sweets. For some reason I asked to taste the popcorn and my taste buds woke up, did a dance and said MORE. I had to taste again to make sure I actually liked it, because I didn’t believe it at first. On second taste I realized I loved the Rosemary & Cashew Caramel Corn. Caramel corn can be unbearably sweet, which is one reason the sweet/salty combo in our Bacon Caramel Popcorn works. This blend with the brown sugar based caramel and hint of rosemary was positively addictive. I had to keep sampling. This culinary attraction entered me into a dialogue with the owner, Cassandra Chen (the CC of the name), and learned that she was born in Shanghai, went to UC Davis and was in the world of finance and international relations when she was bit by the baking and sweets bug. She worked with chef Traci des Jardins at Jardinière in CA, met her wine sommelier husband and decided to take the leap into retail with the caramel corn she had been making for friends and family. Recipe testing ensued and here she was at the Fancy Food Show and I was eating most of her freebies. I reigned myself in and asked her to send me some samples to our Test Kitchen. I wanted to approach her goods again with a fresh palate. The Fancy Food Show is filled with large corporate booths and in-between there are the small producers like Cassandra who I love to find.

The products arrived and the second time around was a good as the first. She also sent the Bitter Sea Salt Caramels and they are a good, basic caramel. When I came to the two sauces – the Rosemary Infused Caramel Sauce and the Chicory Coffee Caramel Sauce once again I was truly wowed with the balance of sweet, savory and unexpected. The caramel sauce with the rosemary took the great qualities I had tasted and appreciated in the popcorn and brought them together in a satiny, buttery sauce, with just a bit of chew (just how I like my caramel). The chicory coffee blend was unique and that is saying something in the very crowded field of caramel sauce. If you have never had chicory it is kind of hard to explain. Chicory is a root harvested somewhat like sugar beets. The root is dried, roasted and ground and has often been used as a coffee substitute or used to blend with coffee. It is very popular in New Orleans. Some say its flavor softens coffee when blended together, others describe it as being chocolate-esque. I think it is unique and it has found a happy home in this caramel sauce. Some words to describe it from our tasters are “roasted root”, “nutty”, “chocolaty”, and “reminds me faintly of something maple”. Let’s just call it sophisticated and delicious. If you are a caramel sauce fan looking for something new, give this one a try.

Pros: Simple, elegant packaging. The small size of the popcorn provides some portion control (which we needed)! This entire line is a refined approach to caramel sauces and products and stands out in the field. The long thin shape of the caramels is a nice change from the more typical “nuggets” one finds. The sauces would be a most welcomed host/hostess gift and as they last long in the fridge, why not get some for yourself.

Cons: My only wish is that the caramels themselves had a bit more chew and resistance to the tooth. Also, the term “Bitter” in their title seems misleading. The do have a rich, deep burnt sugar flavor but the term bitter might dissuade some from sampling. They are a good, basic caramel.

Suggested Use: The caramel sauces are going to be high on my list for gift giving this holiday season. The popcorn is a great snack food – consider offering it at an adult Halloween party. We served it at a cocktail party and it disappeared fast.

Where to Buy: Consult the buying locator guide on ccmade.com 

Price at Time of Review:

Rosemary & Cashew Caramel Corn: 8-ounce bags are $8; 3-ounce bags are $4.

Bitter Sea Salt Caramels: 2.5 ounce box is $7.

Rosemary Infused Caramel Sauce: 11-ounce jar is $12; 4-ounce jar is $5.

Chicory Coffee Caramel Sauce: 11-ounce jar is $12; 4-ounce jar is $5.

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Product Description: This is a 70% bittersweet chocolate that we received in bulk form, which means it came as random chunks suitable for melting or chopping for inclusion in cookies and bars. The container has minimal packaging and is 2.2 pounds/1 kilo in size. While this is best for the frequent baker, you can also buy this chocolate as a 3-ounce bar. It is Certified Kosher D.E., vegan and gluten-free.

_{Image: Peter Muka}

_{Image: Dédé Wilson}

Ingredient List: 67% cocoa liquor, 30% organic cane sugar and 3% cocoa butter, pressed in the Askinosie factory.

Test Kitchen Overview: My favorite chocolate has been Valrhona Manjari (64%) for so many years that I named my hard drive after it. I love the hit-you-over-the-head intensity of its acidic flavor profile. You taste citrus and red fruit; it makes you pay attention. I took a bite of this 70% Askinosie and I was floored. No chocolate has excited my taste buds this much in a long time.

While it shares some of the acidic fruitiness of the Manjari, this 70% Askinosie also has a bit of a rounder flavor profile that brings in strong notes of molasses and a touch of woodiness. I reveled in it. It is a brilliant formulation and I am thrilled to have discovered it. It melts beautifully in the mouth and melts in the bowl to a lovely flowy texture, suitable for dipping truffles or candies.

Pros: This chocolate is a welcomed addition to a world increasingly crowded with chocolate choices. If you are a fan of sharp, acidic chocolates, this is a must-try. Also, the Springfield, MO based company is extremely active in pursuing their business as socially responsibly as possible and in their words are “committed to fairness, sustainability, minimal environmental impact and community enhancement.” They practice Open Book Management and profit sharing ensuring clarity of process for all employees and the farmers that they work with directly. They keep their packaging to a minimum, which we also like.

Cons: The chocolate is pricey. The 3-ounce bar is $8.50 when purchased directly from Askinosie Chocolate. The bulk version, since it is in random pieces, is a bit less at $64 for 2.2 pounds/1 kilo.

Suggested Use: Love to eat out of hand. Marvelous in chocolate chunk cookies. Great to use in recipes featuring complementary flavors such as berries, citrus, toffee and caramel. Works well with nuts, too.

Where to Buy: Askinosie Chocolate

Price at Time of Review: $8.50 for 3-ounce bar. $64 for 2.2 pound

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Edible Glitter Review, Including Naturally Colored

Image from Cake Balls by Dede Wilson

Product Description: (Note to home baker: these products are also geared towards the commercial user, hence some of the industry language). From the manufacturer: “Edible GlitterTM flakes are toppings, inclusions, and color change systems. They are pure sparkle and magic. They can be used in a
wide range of applications and there are several different varieties available depending on your application… FDA Status: All ingredients comply with U.S.P., N.F., or F.C.C. specifications…All products in the Edible GlitterTM product line are certified Kosher by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.” Made in the USA by Watson, Inc., which has been manufacturing food ingredients since 1939.

Image by Watson

Test Kitchen Overview: While we do not use a lot of food colorings in our baking here, we do like a good “sprinkle”. This is the term we use when we reach for a (usually sugar based) sprinkle-able decoration for topping cupcakes, cakes or whatever it is we want to festoon. The array available to the baker has grown by leaps and bounds and in recent years there have been some quite vivid options. Unfortunately not all of them are considered edible! I know that sounds crazy but the classic metallic dragees (balls) are a perfect example. They are actually supposed to be used for décor only. Well, we like to be able to EAT our food. That isn’t too much to ask, is it?

We received some information from Watson Inc. about their Watson’s Edible Glitter and asked for some samples and you can see the array they sent in the above image. We are quite impressed with the selection, which is divided into several categories: Colored Edible Glitter, Flavored Edible Glitter, Metallic Edible Glitter and Edible Glitter Shapes.

It was actually the flower shape shown below that got us so excited as they have an elegant quality we do not often see in “sprinkles”.

Image by Watson

I used their tiny stars on the cake balls below from my book, Cake Balls: More Than 60 Delectable and Whimsical Sweet Spheres of Goodness.

Image from Cake Balls by Dede Wilson

And we liked that they have a line of naturally colored decors using cabbage juice, algae, carrots, radish, turmeric and annatto as color sources.

Many Watson products are available under some familiar brand names such as Wilton and CK Products Brand (see availability below).

Pros: Heat stable to 450°F without browning or burning. Can also be used on frozen baked goods (as seen below in ice cream). For commercial use Pantone matching is available as well as access to both soluble and insoluble forms. Also, the product goes far – according to the manufacturer you need 1/20th in weight of classic jimmies/sprinkles for the same coverage.

Image by Watson

Cons: Currently the naturally colored glitters and flavored glitters are only available in bulk direct from Watson. For the home baker, you are out of luck for now. Commercial buyers, contact Watson directly. We look forward to when we can use them in the home kitchen.

Suggested Use: Anywhere you want to add a little extra pizzazz. We reach for them most with cupcakes, cakes and doughnuts that have a frosting on which they can adhere and on top of chocolate dipped cake balls and chocolate dipped candies.

Image by Watson

Where to Buy: Check both Wilton and CK Products for home use. Contact Watson for commercial.

Price at Time of Review: Depends with choice of product and whether you are buying retail or wholesale. For the home baker many choices are less than $5 per unit.

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Sharp Microwave Review: Model R551ZS

Product Description: The Sharp Microwave Model R551ZS: “Roomy, family-sized 1.8 cu. ft. microwave has a bigger capacity to cook and reheat larger portions of food. Can be built-in and also fits nicely on a countertop. 1100 watts of power give you rapid reheating and fast cooking. Modern, brushed stainless steel finish with scratch-resistant glass door complements your style.” 15-inch glass turntable; 10 cooking power levels; +30 seconds key; keys 1 through 6 are Express Cook buttons (press “3” once for a quick 3-minute cycle, etc.), Precise Cook Sensor Technology; Popcorn and Beverage Settings; Auto Defrost; new Softening feature (see below), which blew us away – in a good way! Also available in black or white.

Test Kitchen Overview: The first thing we noticed upon using this Sharp Microwave is how quiet it is. A big plus for us as we are surrounded by buzzing and whirring appliances all day. As with every Sharp microwave we have owned before (at least 3) we found the control pad to be very intuitive to use. So much so that we started heating our tea with the Beverage function before we had completely read the manual…upon which we discovered the new-to-us Softening feature. This feature has its own area on the Touch Pad and lists Butter, Chocolate, Ice Cream and Cream Cheese as the items it can soften properly. If this was to be true, it was going to be a huge boon to us and any home bakers.

Soften Butter

We immediately ran out and bought ingredients and started experimenting. You simply press the Softening feature once to soften 1/2 cup (4 ounces; 1 stick) of butter. We took our unsalted butter straight out of the fridge and followed the directions. Looking at the image above you can see that the butter softened to the perfect consistency for creaming or spreading on delicate breads. Soft, but not too soft, melted or oily. We were very impressed and will be using this feature all the time.

Soften Chocolate

Next up, chocolate. We put 8 ounces of semisweet Ghiradelli in a bowl. We didn’t even chop it; we just broke it into pieces. We pressed the Softening feature twice as directed and the chocolate was partially melted, as you can see above, which is how we like it.

A mere minute later and the residual heat had almost completely melted the chocolate as seen below. A quick, gently stir and it was completely melted. The chocolate softening was a huge success.

Soften Ice Cream for Perfect Scooping

Then we tried 1/2 gallon of ice cream. We pressed the Softening feature three times and as you can see above and below the ice cream softened perfectly for us to very easily form into luxuriously smooth scoops, ready to eat.

Soften Cream Cheese for Perfect Spreading & Creaming

Lastly we tried 8 ounces of cream cheese. After pressing the Softening feature four times we got cream cheese softened very similarly to the butter as seen below – ready to be made into Cream Cheese Brownies or Cheesecake, or to spread even on delicate bread and pastries.

Pros: Sleek look that will blend in with many kitchen decors. Quiet operation and intuitive to use. All the bells and whistles we expect from a standard microwave plus the new Softening feature, which we really like, especially for butter and chocolate. Also, this is the first microwave we have had that defrosts really well. Prior units were okay, but we often ended up with some cooked food. We defrosted both ground beef and chicken thighs following the manufacturer’s instructions (in the enclosed manual) and were very impressed with the gentle approach this machine’s technology took with our food. Whereas before we never used this feature due to some less than great results, we look forward to using it with the R551Zs model.

Cons: We prefer a large microwave, because we like to use it for casseroles and other larger items, not just heating beverages or making popcorn. This one, at 1.8 cu feet, might command too much counter space in smaller kitchens (note that it can be built in as well, if you have that option in your kitchen design). Check out Sharp.com for other models, including smaller ones. Also, we were temporarily flummoxed when we went to set the oven for a 10-second burst. We couldn’t figure out how to set the oven for less than 30 seconds (which is very easy to do with one touch).We called the Customer Service number (800) 237-4277 and got a very prompt answer. You have to press the Power button once for Full/High power, then 1 and 0 for 10 seconds (1 and 5 for 15 seconds, etc.). This requires more button pressing than we would like and we do need small increments of time when making Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake (below) for example. One more caveat: with the ice cream softening feature: it is best if you use the whole half-gallon of ice cream at once so that you aren’t putting softened ice cream back in the freezer, which can lead to ice crystal formation.

Suggested Use: Reheating might still be the #1 use of the microwave in your kitchen, but models like this Sharp Microwave Model R551ZS offer so much more and will change your routine. (Read our companion article.) The Softening feature will be used everyday by us and any frequent baker will appreciate it as well. Our best advice? Use it often. The more you use it and become familiar with its abilities, the more you will put it into regular use in your kitchen, saving you time and energy.

Where to Buy: Sharpusa.com or most small appliance dealers.

Price at Time of Review: $169.99

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels

This post is going to be a hybrid of product review and Mother’s Day gift recommendation. I tasted these caramels in 2014 when they were named as a Finalist of the prestigious SOFI awards and I fell in love – and the product line has only gotten better. With the addition of new flavors like Sea Salt and Espresso and the new Chocolate Covered Cocomels, it was time to do a proper review. Any of these would be perfect as a gift for Mother’s Day for the Mom who loves caramel, coconut milk or is interested in trying something new. And then there are those who just have a sweet tooth but like a non-dairy treat. Perfect fit.

We were sent several items for review: Original Cocomels, Espresso Cocomels, Sea Salt Cocomels (all of these preceding ones are now referred to as “naked” caramels by the company) as well as Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Cocomels, Dark Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Cocomels and Dark Chocolate Covered Vanilla Cocomels.

Product Description: The Cocomel line is based around coconut milk caramels. The Original Cocomels and the flavored versions (Sea Salt, Espresso, Vanilla) are all packaged in a resealable 3.5 ounce pouch containing 15 individual candies with attractive retro look wrappers. The Cocomel candies are made without dairy, gluten and soy and are non-GMO. The chocolate covered candies (2 per 1 ounce package) have a similar ingredient profile with the addition of dark chocolate that does contain soy lecithin. They are made in Boulder, CO by JJ’s Sweets.

Ingredient List 

Test Kitchen Overview: We love the creamy, slightly sticky texture of these caramel products. Sticky enough to provide that satisfying chew but not over the top where we fear for our teeth and fillings. The addition of the Espresso and Sea Salt flavors is inspired. The chocolate covered ones are fabulous. The slightly bitter dark chocolate works perfectly with the caramel. None of the products are overly sweet, which we like. For those avoiding dairy who want a true caramel experience, it doesn’t get better than this.

We were also sent a baking block of coconut milk caramel that we will use in recipe testing in the future.

Pros: The recommended serving size of the individual candies is a hefty 6 pieces and has only 120 calories! We love that we can have a true caramel experience without dairy – and we like the natural sweeteners used.

Cons: Not stocked in stores in certain areas, so order early for Mother’s Day. The packaging isn’t ultra fancy for gift giving (tuck in a gift basket).

Suggested Use: Gift or snack.

Where to Buy: 1200 stores around the country including Whole Foods and Krogers. Direct from cocomels.com or check cocomel.com for a store locator.

Price at Time of Review: $4.99 for a 3.5 ounce pouch; $24.99 for one pound bag; $45 for 30 ounce tub for the Cocomel Caramels. The Chocolate Covered versions come in a 1 ounce/2 pack unit for $1.99 or a 15 ounce/2 pack display case for $24.99.

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Laurie & Sons

Last summer I was wandering around the Fancy Food Show in NYC at the Jacob Javits Center, which, let me tell you, is not for the faint of heart. There are hundreds and hundreds of food purveyors and each one can have a single to dozens to hundreds of offerings – and everything is out for you to taste. It’s the classic my-eyes-are-bigger-than-my-stomach situation. You want to try everything, but your palate goes dead real fast.

I came upon a booth with some innocent looking candies, but the sign grabbed me. It said, “Dangerously Delicious Black Licorice Chocolate Toffee“.

Image by Laurie & Sons

What, I thought, is that? I had to try it. It looked like a typical chocolate covered toffee…but once in my mouth, the buttery, toffee flavor and crisp texture blossomed along with a distinct black licorice flavor. Wow. This was new. I had never had this combo before. My palate got very excited! The chocolate had apparently garnered the attention of the industry as well and before the show was over had been named 2015 Gold Sofi Winner for Outstanding Chocolate. Food & Wine also named them one of the Best New Candies for 2015. And it turns out that Laurie and I had been at Hampshire College around the same time. It’s always nice to give a fellow alum some love, but – sorry Laurie – this is all about the chocolate! I love this stuff! This would make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the the chocolate lover on your list who is always looking for something new and unusual.

The 4-pack retails for $24 and you get four, 1.375 ounce packages of chocolate, each one filled with handmade toffee squares made with real black licorice & fresh ground star anise, lightly enhanced with Pernod liqueur, dipped in dark chocolate and topped with tiny crystals of Black Hawaiian Lava Salt for extra crunch.

Image from Laurie & Sons

Her Harlem-based company offers other items as well, such as this Moroccan Spiced Chocolate Toffee (below), which features cinnamon and cayenne, or if you are a milk chocolate lover how about her Milk Chocolate Toffees with Maine Sea Salt (the dark version is in our top image).

Order now to have in hand for your special sweetie for Valentine’s Day. You will not be disappointed. And while you are at it, get some for yourself. I want you all to experience this new taste sensation.

Nordic Ware Natural Prism Half Sheet Pan Review

Product Description: A new style of baking sheet pan from Nordic Ware, which comes in one smaller as well as one larger size as well. “Natural Aluminum; Interior Dimensions: 16.50″L x 11.375″W x 1.00″H; Exterior Dimensions: 17.88″L x 12.88″W x 1.06″H; Product Weight: 2.35; Lifetime Warranty; Made in the USA.” The “Prism” line also includes two sizes of high-sided baking pans – a 13 x 18-inch and a 9 x 13-inch.

Company description: “Embossed grid pattern enhances the performance of our supremely functioning baking pans. Exclusive Natural Prism grid adds strength, durability, scratch-resistance, easy release and improves air flow for crisping.”

Test Kitchen Overview: We immediately noticed the textured ridges on this pan. We wondered if they would make a difference during baking so we made cookies both directly on the pan as well as on parchment paper laid on top of the pan; we also made granola spread out directly on the pan. The hefty weight and general high quality construction was immediately apparent as well – as we have come to expect from Nordic Ware.

As you can see in the images, the bottoms of the cookies baked directly on the pan were perfectly and evenly browned. They even picked up a bit more caramelization than the ones baked on parchment, and we liked that very much.

The slight texture to the pan encouraged very even browning with our granola as well – and even though the sticky oat mixture was directly on the pan, clean up was a breeze.

Pros: Standard half-sheet pan, which is a size we reach for often. Large enough to hold a bunch of cookies but will fit in standard sized ovens, taking advantage of the rack size. Priced very well for such a great piece of equipment that will last for years.

Cons: Not a necessary item, but a solid addition to your equipment.

Suggested Use: Anytime you need a baking sheet pan with great heat conductivity. Would also make a great holiday gift for the bakers in your life.

Where to Buy: From Amazonor Nordic Ware directly. Ranges from $17.95 to $22.50

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.

Tovolo Skull Ice Molds

Product Description: Just in time for Halloween, these Tovolo Skull Ice Molds are fun and easy to use, will certainly inspire conversation and maybe best of all, they are large, so they won’t water down your drinks.

Company descriptions: “Creates 3 detailed skull shapes. Stackable, sleek design conserves space. Once frozen, sleeves with ice can be stored without base saving space. Tray handles for easy mobility. Set includes base and 3 silicone skull sleeves. BPA free, dishwasher safe and food safe.”

Test Kitchen Overview: These are fun. An ice skull bobbing around in your cranberry juice has a way of making the whole experience a little more, shall we say, gruesome – in a great way, that is.

Pros: Easy to use. Family friendly. Large size is great for not watering down drinks. You can make the 3 skulls, pop them out of the silicone sleeves, place them in an airtight container for freezer storage and keep making more.

Cons: Not a necessary item, but an entertaining seasonal one.

Suggested Use: Great host gift or for Halloween parties.

Where to Buy: Amazonand at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Price at Time of Review: $14.95

Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.