The Zeer Blog

Zeer Smack-down: Gluten-Free Brownie Addition

In our effort to find the best gluten-free products out there, we hosted our first gluten-free taste test at our offices in Cambridge, MA. We invited 15 people living gluten-free to stop by and try a variety of products ranging from pretzels to brownies.

For our brownie smack-down, (our most popular taste-test), we had our ingredients-guru Gillian prepared 5 different batches of brownies for our taste-testers in her gluten-free kitchen. Gillian followed the directions on the boxes to the letter and we presented them to our taste testers and told them to chow down.

The Brownie Smackdown Contenders:

Betty Crocker, Gluten-free Pantry, Bob’s Red Mill, Pamela’s Products, and Cherrybrook Kitchen!

The Results:

Overall, people really enjoyed the brownie smack-down and to be honest, their enthusiasm for the products made this taste test one VERY close-call. However, when we tallied up the scores, a winner did emerge. That winner was Cherrybrook Kitchen.

1^st Place - Winner!

Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie Mix

Though we made Cherrybrook Kitchen’s recipe with dairy for our taste-test, the mix itself is peanut free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, wheat free, gluten free.  These brownies were incredibly moist and cake-like. I could easily imagine that they’d be awesome with a little frosting on top.

Tied for 2^nd Place

Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownie Mix

This newie on the gluten-free scene really impressed Zeer’s taste-buds. And it looks like the testers also enjoyed eating this selection as well. This brownie was incredibly fudgy, moist and as one tester pointed out it is exactly what you expect from the Betty Crocker brand.

Bob’s Red Mill Brownie Mix This brownie mix is one that Zeer’s assistant ingredient guru, Michele calls “So good that sometimes the batter never makes it into the oven!”

Another tester even pointed out that these bad boys “taste the most like the brownies I had in my childhood.”

Tied for 3^rd Place

Pamela’s Products Chocolate Brownie Mix This dairy-free, gluten-free option made our dairy-free, gluten-free testers extremely happy and I can see why - it’s easy to wonder when you’re diagnosed with dairy & gluten intolerances that you’ll never eat brownies again, but this brownie mix definitely was an exciting and tasty option.

Gluten-Free Pantry Chocolate Truffle Brownie Mix

Gluten-free pantry’s brownie was what many testers cited as the most fudge-like brownie, so if you like your brownies sticky and moist, this one might be for you.

To be honest, I found the results shocking! I did my own gluten-free taste test (my opinion was not included in the results) but I quickly plucked out Gluten-Free pantry as my personal favorite followed by Betty Crocker, but the taste-testers have spoken!

Once again, this taste-test was insanely close, especially between the top three contenders Betty Crocker, Bob’s Red Mill, and Cherrybrook Kitchen. In the end, the difference between 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place was only a couple of points.

There are still many more Brownie Mixes on Zeer we’ve yet to test including Namaste Foods Brownie Mix, Whole Foods 365 Day Value, and Arrowhead Mills Wheat Free Brownie Mix. If you know of any other brownie mixes we should put up against the taste test, leave a comment and let us know!

August 5th, 2009 Posted by Shannon S. | Uncategorized | 11 comments