After figuring out that I can't handle wheat, I was relieved when the annual onslaught of Girl Scout cookies came, because I had a built-in resistance. Now instead of seeing delicious cookies, I saw the three days of stabbing abdominal pains they would cause me. It made it a lot easier to pass them up on my way in and out of the grocery store.
But starting this year, gluten-free eaters in certain markets can rejoice (or curse) because the Girl Scouts are launching a pilot program to test out gluten free cookies. The first flavor of 100% gluten free Girl Scout cookie is chocolate chip shortbread, and it sounds delicious. (Their shortbread cookies were always one of my favorites.)
Make no mistake, just because these cookies are gluten free, that doesn't mean they are healthy. They are made with real butter, real chocolate chips, and pure cane sugar. But what they lack in health appeal, it sounds like they make up for in sheer tastiness.
The test cookies will be available in 20 markets this year, debuting in areas of Maryland, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York and Wisconsin - areas served by ABC Bakers. Areas served by other baking companies will not be getting gluten free cookies this year.
The gluten free cookies are made with a proprietary blend of rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, and potato starch. They are also made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, artificial colors, or hydrogenated oils. So that's good, right? Why, it's practically health food.
Depending on sales, Girl Scouts of America may make these gluten free cookies nation-wide next year. And who knows after that, maybe they will bring out gluten free versions of their regular cookies, like Thin Mints and Samoas. A girl can dream, can't she?
Image courtesy Girl Scouts of America
0 comments