Showing posts with label Food Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food Review. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

One of the hardest things about sticking to a keto diet or low carb lifestyle is finding good, grain-free alternatives to conventional wheat bread, rolls, buns, etc. The same is true for people with food allergies or other medical conditions that require following a dairy-free, sugar-free, grain-free (or wheat-free) or gluten-free diet.

While a burger wrapped in lettuce or sandwiched between pieces of low carb, keto-friendly bread (or whatever wrapper meets your dietary restrictions) is fine, sometimes you just want to eat a burger inside a real hamburger bun. The challenge is finding one with a good enough taste and texture that also fits within your preferred (or medically necessary) healthy eating lifestyle.

Today, I'll share my product review of KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix, the best low carb keto sandwich and burger buns mix I have found since 2019, when I started my keto weight loss diet that helped me lose nearly 60 pounds and then continued to follow a healthy low carb lifestyle.

UPDATE:  July, 2023 KetoBakes has announced that it is going out of business. I will try to find a good replacement for their wonderful keto sandwich and burger buns mix.

Main Image - KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Mix

Low Carb, Keto Friendly Burger Buns With a Great Taste and Texture

I have tried quite a few commercial low carb burger buns that claimed to be keto friendly. My favorite from a taste and texture perspective are the Sola Golden Wheat Hamburger Buns, which have a taste and texture that resemble their high-carb counterparts more than most. They're soft, sturdy enough to hold up well as a "hamburger holder" or sandwich bun, and both the taste and texture are improved after a minute or two in a toaster oven. They are baked fresh weekly, are shipped frozen and defrost in transit, and the company recommends freezing them upon receipt and thawing them as needed. 

They contain 14g of protein, which is great, and 11g of dietary fiber. They also contain 19g total carbs and 6g net carbs after you subtract the 11g of fiber and 2g of sugar alcohol (erythritol), which can be a bit high for someone who is trying to lose weight on a ketogenic diet and has a low daily net carb limit. 

Even though they are marketed as "keto-friendly," they contain ingredients such as wheat that are fine for people who are doing so-called "dirty keto" or "lazy keto" but don't fit the requirements for a "clean keto" or strict keto diet. They also contain some ingredients that are food allergens and, therefore, make them off-limits to my friends and family members who need to eat gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, grain-free or even just wheat-free. So, while I really like the Sola Golden Wheat Hamburger Buns, I also wanted to find some low carb burger buns that had not only a satisfying taste and texture but also fewer net carbs and only "clean keto" ingredients. 

I have tried a couple of very good low carb recipes for keto burger buns for when I have the time, energy and inclination to bake from scratch, but since we eat burgers twice a week, I wanted low carb burger buns that were either ready-to-use or quick and easy to prepare, especially during the hot summer months. Ideally, they would also be wheat-free, grain-free, sugar-free, soy-free and gluten-free, so all my friends and family members could enjoy them, and a less expensive option than the Sola burger buns would be a bonus.   

I tried several keto baking mixes for burger and sandwich buns. Unfortunately, most were disappointing in their taste, texture, or both. Recently, however, I tried a mix from a company I had not heard of before but that had great product reviews: KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix. My expectations weren't very high, based on my experiences with other keto sandwich bun mixes. Frankly, as someone with a professional background in product marketing, I also was skeptical of a product name that made such a bold marketing claim.

To my surprise (and delight), the KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix really does live up to its name, based on my experience so far with burger bun mixes from competing keto baking mix brands. (I'm always trying new products that fit my low carb lifestyle, so if another challenger de-thrones the KetoBakes low carb sandwich buns mix, I'll update this product review.) 

Why KetoBakes Sandwich Buns Baking Mix Really Is the "Best EVER" Keto Burger Buns Mix

Why do I think KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix lives up to its name?

Sliced open burger bun made from KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix
This bun made with KetoBakesBest EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix is large (and tall) enough for a burger. You can see how nicely the tops brown and the airy texture that keeps these low carb buns from being dense or heavy, like so many keto baked goods.

Superior Taste and Texture

This mix produces low carb sandwich buns that aren't overly dense, bland, tough or spongy, unlike many other keto-friendly buns. The dough contains yeast, so the buns are light and full of tiny air pockets, while being sturdy enough for a burger or sandwich that you can pick up and eat with your hands without worrying about it crumbling, tearing or sagging. 

I find them similar in texture to sandwich buns from a good artisan bakery!

High Protein, Moderate Fat, High Fiber, 0g Net Carbs

Dividing the prepared dough into 8 portions makes buns that are a good size for a burger or sandwich.

Nutrition Facts

8 servings per container
Serving size: 1/8 (31g)

 

Per 1/8 dry mix

Per baked bun (1/8 prepared dough)

Calories

130

140

Total Fat

10g

10g

  Sat. Fat

  1g

  1g

  Trans Fat

  0g

  0g

Cholesterol

0mg

0mg

Sodium

360mg

410mg

Total Carbohydrate

9g

9g

  Dietary Fiber

  8g

  8g

  Total Sugars

  <1g

  1g

    Added Sugars

    0g

    0g

  Sugar Alcohol (Erythritol)

    1g

  1g

Protein

5g

8g

Net Carbs
9g total carbs-8g dietary fiber-1g sugar alcohols = 0 net carbs

0g net carbs

0g net carbs


Non-GMO, Wholesome, Clean Keto Ingredients

KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix contains the same wholesome, "clean" ingredients I use when I bake low carb, grain-free sandwich buns from scratch: 

  • Non-GMO blanched almond flour
  • Organic psyllium husk
  • Certified gluten-free oat fiber
  • Non-GMO erythritol
  • Himalayan pink salt
  • Baking yeast
  • Aluminum-free baking powder
  • Xanthan gum
  • Pure stevia extract powder

There's nothing that I can't pronounce or am not familiar with from baking keto recipes and no chemical preservatives.

Quick and Easy to Prepare

Just mix 1 cup of egg whites, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water in a mixing bowl, add in the mix and stir by hand or with an electric mixer for 1 minute (batter will be thick and have a "porridge-like" consistency). Let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken further, then portion the dough with a measuring scoop into 8 portions, either on a parchment-lined baking sheet or a mesh silicone hamburger bun mold. (Note: If baking the buns in this type of mold, increase the egg whites to 1.5 cups.)

Bake in a preheated 350 ℉ oven for approximately 55 minutes (covering with foil after 35–40 minutes if the tops are browning too quickly). Allow the baked buns to cool for 10 minutes before slicing or freezing.

I love that, even though this baking mix contains yeast, you don't have to wait for the prepared dough to rise!

Plate with BBQ pork tenderloin sandwich on a bun made from KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix

Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Grain-Free, Soy-Free, Dairy-Free

The mix is manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and both the mix and the prepared buns can accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences and food allergy restrictions. 

The Baked Buns Freeze Beautifully and Thaw Quickly

Since the mix contains no chemical preservatives, KetoBakes says the baked buns will keep at room temperature for one day, in the refrigerator for one week, or in zippered food storage bags in the freezer for up to four weeks. However, I have stored them successfully in the freezer for significantly longer inside my favorite Stasher Stand-Up Mega Sized Silicone Reusable Storage Bag, which has an innovative air-tight, PINCH-LOC seal that's a cinch to zip and unzip (unlike most zippered food storage bags).

The frozen buns thaw quickly and taste even better lightly toasted!

Less Expensive Than My Favorite Ready-to-Eat Low Carb Sandwich and Burger Buns

High quality keto and low carb baked goods and baking mixes are, of necessity more expensive to produce than their conventional, big brand name counterparts, thanks to the higher cost of cleaner, more nutritious ingredients (e.g., almond flour and natural sweeteners vs. wheat flour and cane sugar). The best quality mixes made with wholesome, less processed, healthier ingredients are also often made by smaller companies. Both these factors contribute to the higher retail price of good quality of high quality, healthy, low carb, keto-friendly baked goods and baking mixes.

The Sola Golden Wheat Hamburger Buns are already baked and ready to eat. Naturally, that convenience costs more. I always order six packages of four, since the price per bun for a single package of four is cost-prohibitive. As of this post's publication date, a two-pack of 4 Sola hamburger buns (8 buns) costs $13.99, or $3.50 per bun(!), whereas a six-pack (24 buns) costs $32.10, or $1.33 per bun.

A single bag of KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix makes 8 large buns and sells on Amazon for $9.99 as of this writing, or $1.25 per bun plus the cost of the added egg whites and apple cider vinegar. The price for a 3-pack of the mix (24 buns) is $29.99, which comes out to the same price per bun as the single bag of mix. You can also buy a 6-pack of the mix (48 buns) for $55.23, bringing down the cost to $1.15 per bun (plus the cost of the egg whites and vinegar).

Versatile Keto-Friendly Baking Mix for Sandwich Buns, Burger Buns, Dinner Rolls or Baguettes

In addition to making delicious sandwich buns, the prepared KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix dough can be portioned out with a 1/3-cup scoop to make 10–11 dinner rolls or shaped into baguettes no wider than 3" in diameter. The package directions provide the adjusted baking times for these variations.

Family-Owned Small Business

I love to find great products from small, family-owned businesses, especially when the quality is superior to what is available from the big-name brands and huge, multinational corporations that dominate the food industry and sacrifice quality for profits.

Note from KetoBakes small business owners on back of sandwich buns baking mix package

I also trust small, family-owned companies like KetoJoy and its KetoBakes brand low carb baking mixes, whose owners put their faces, names, personal stories and passion for their mission on their products and marketing.

If you've been looking for great-tasting, healthy, low carb, keto-friendly sandwich and burger buns with wholesome, non-GMO, clean ingredients, I'm confident that you'll love KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix as much as I do!

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix by Margaret Schindel

Posts About My Keto Diet Journey

My First Year on The Keto Diet

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part One

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part Two

Low Carb Muffins & Cupcakes: Treats to Enjoy on a Keto Diet

Low Carb Keto Chocolate Yogurt Granola Chip Pudding Recipe

Good Dee’s Keto Cookie Low Carb Baking Mix Review

Hamama Microgreens Growing Kit Review & Success Tips

My Favorite Hamama Microgreens Seed Quilt Accessories

Keto Cheddar Cheese Biscuits With Chives Recipe

The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

The Best Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Muffins

Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe

The Good Chocolate 100% Organic No Sugar Dark Chocolate Review

The Best Advice to Maintain Your Keto Diet Weight Loss

My New Irresistibly Delicious Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe

Luscious Low Carb Keto Triple Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick & Easy Livlo Blueberry Scones Keto Baking Mix Review

Snack Better With The Best Healthy Keto Cookie Dough Bites

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

Blueberry Biscuit Scones — New, Easy, Low Carb Keto Recipe

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

Delicious Sugar-Free Keto Cookies That OREO Fans Will Love

Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats Recipe

Easy, Decadent, High Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones

How to Make Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda (With or Without Cream)


Reviews of the Keto Diet by Barbara C. (aka Brite-Ideas)

My Personal Keto Testimonial

How I Stayed Committed to the Ketogenic Way of Eating

Read More Food Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Product Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Reviews About Health and Wellness by Our Review This Reviews Contributors




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Wednesday, July 6, 2022

The Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads With No Added Sugars

The original Nutella is a luscious, thick, milk chocolate hazelnut spread manufactured by Ferrero. It has been beloved by chocolate and hazelnut lovers worldwide since it was introduced in 1964. Unfortunately, it's also packed with refined cane sugar and carbohydrates! That means it's unsuitable for anyone who is trying to avoid added sugars, following a keto diet or embracing a healthy, low carb lifestyle.

After trying many different keto-friendly chocolate hazelnut spreads over the past three years, I can highly recommend my three favorites as excellent Nutella alternatives for chocolate lovers who are watching their carbs, trying to cut back on sugar or just trying to eat healthier without feeling deprived.

Today, I'll be comparing and reviewing these top three product picks, which also fit a variety of other dietary restrictions and special diets, such as gluten-free and soy-free:


Low Carb Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads No Added Sugar
These luscious keto-friendly chocolate hazelnut spreads are so good, you'll never miss the sugar!

Before I embarked on a keto diet in 2019 and decided to make the switch to a low carb lifestyle long term, I was a huge fan of the original Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread from Ferrero for many years. Unfortunately, Nutella has 22g of carbohydrates and 21g of net carbs, of which 19g are added sugars (cane sugar), according to the Nutella nutrition information on the manufacturer's website.

My favorite low carb Nutella alternatives with no added sugars are Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (2g net carbs), ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (1g net carbs) and ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (1g net carbs). All three of these spreads are delicious, high-quality products. Which one(s) you choose will come down to personal preferences, price and dietary requirements.

For example, Livlō Zellō has the most pronounced hazelnut flavor and a somewhat sweeter taste than the ChocZero spreads. It has a thinner consistency and can be refrigerated to firm it up, if desired. It's also more expensive per ounce. Another difference is that you can purchase Livlō Zellō in a choice of jars or a 10-pack of convenient, portable, single-serving packets that you can pop in your purse, backpack, bag or lunch box to take on the go.

The ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Spreads (both regular and dark cocoa) have a more chocolate/cocoa-forward flavor and are a bit less sweet than the Livlō Zellō, especially the dark cocoa hazelnut spread. Both these ChocZero spreads have a thicker consistency that's more similar to Nutella, and refrigeration is not recommended. They are also significantly less expensive per ounce.

Although all three spreads contain no added sugars, the Livlō Zellō contains 1g of sugar, so it isn't considered "sugar-free" based on USDA nutrition information product labeling requirements. The ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread and the Livlō Zellō are both vegan and dairy free, whereas the regular ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread contains milk.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Livlō Zellō and ChocZero Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads With No Added Sugars

Flavor, Size and Price

 

Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

Flavor, Sweetness & Consistency

Milk chocolate hazelnut flavor, hazelnut flavor is stronger than in the two ChocZero spreads, the sweetest of the three, thinner consistency (can refrigerate to thicken, if desired)

Milk chocolate hazelnut, nice balance of cocoa and hazelnut, medium sweetness, medium-thick consistency

Dark chocolate hazelnut, leans more toward cocoa than hazelnut, a bit deeper and less sweet than the other two spreads, thickest consistency

Size

10-ounce jar OR 10 single-serving packets

12-ounce jar

12-ounce jar

Amazon price (at publication date)

$12.55 OR $15.90

$8.49

$8.49

Amazon price per ounce (at publication date)

$1.26 OR $1.41

$0.71

$0.71

Free Amazon Prime delivery

Yes

Yes

Yes


Nutrition Facts

 

Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

Serving size

2 Tbsp

2 Tbsp

2 Tbsp

Calories

170

160

190

Total Fat

16g

10g

16g

  Sat. Fat

  2g

  4g

  6g

  Trans Fat

  0g

  0g

  0g

Cholesterol

0mg

<5mg

0mg

Sodium

70mg

35mg

0mg

Total Carbohydrate

8g

17g

17g

  Dietary Fiber

  3g

  16g

  16g

  Total Sugars

  1g

  1g

  0g

    Added Sugars

    0g

    0g

    0g

  Sugar Alcohol (Erythritol)

    3g

  N/A

N/A

Protein

4g

2g

1g

Net Carbs (Total carbs-dietary fiber-sugar alcohols=net carbs)

2g net carbs

1g net carbs

1g net carbs


Ingredients

Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

Hazelnuts, Almonds, Erythritol, Cocoa Powder (processed with alkali), Dark Chocolate Chips (unsweetened chocolate, erythritol, cocoa butter, stevia extract, sunflower lecithin), Sunflower Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract

Fiber Mix (non-GMO resistant dextrin, allulose, fructooligosaccharide), Vegetable Oils and Fats (sustainable palm fruit oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter), Roasted Hazelnuts, Skim Milk Powder, Cocoa Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Monk Fruit Extract, Natural Vanilla Flavor

Fiber Mix (non-GMO resistant dextrin, fructooligosaccharide), Vegetable Oils and Fats (sustainable palm fruit oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter), Roasted Hazelnut, Cocoa Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Monk Fruit Extract, Natural Vanilla Flavor


Dietary Restrictions / Special Diets

One of the great things about these three chocolate hazelnut spreads with no added sugars is that they can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions for people on special diets.

 

Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

Keto-Friendly

Low Carb

Gluten-Free

Sugar-Free

𝗫

No Added Sugars

No Sugar Alcohols

Contains erythritol

Uses Only Plant-Based Sweeteners

Erythritol, stevia extract and monk fruit extract

Monk fruit extract, prebiotic fiber and allulose * **

Monk fruit extract and prebiotic fiber *

Soy-Free

Dairy-Free

𝗫

Vegan

𝗫

Food Allergy Awareness Info

Contains hazelnuts, almonds

May contain a trace amount of peanuts and other tree nuts because of processing on shared equipment.

Contains coconut, hazelnut, milk. Produced in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts.

Contains coconut, hazelnut. Produced in a facility that processes milk and peanuts.

* Check out ChocZero’s answer to the FAQ, "Is ChocZero keto friendly?" to learn why monk fruit extract and prebiotic fiber can be considered healthy, keto-friendly sweeteners.

** Read the Healthline article “Is Allulose Keto-Friendly?” to understand why allulose can be an excellent sweetener for someone following a low carb or ketogenic diet when used in moderation.


Jars of Livlo Zello and ChocZero regular and dark cacao chocolate hazelnut spreads with swooshes of each
The ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (left) is the thickest; the original ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (right) is slightly thinner; the Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (middle) is more fluid and spreads out more (unless you refrigerate it after stirring well).

Additional Considerations

Here are a few other considerations to help inform your product choices.

 

Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

Non-GMO

Also Available in Single-Serving Packets

𝗫

𝗫

Small business brand

Recommended Storage

Can be stored at room temperature, May be refrigerated (after stirring well) for a firmer texture, if desired.

Store in a cool, dry place, preferably at 63-68 °F (17-20 °C).

For best results, do not refrigerate or microwave.

Store in a cool, dry place, preferably at 63-68 °F (17-20 °C).

For best results, do not refrigerate or microwave.

Note: In my experience, refrigerating the original or dark cocoa ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread makes it quite stiff and hard to mix or spread. However, during the cold winter months, I often scoop out a tablespoon or two into a custard cup and microwave it for a few seconds to gently warm it slightly and thin it out, and then drizzle it over keto-friendly berries, ice cream or other low carb desserts.

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars by Margaret Schindel

Posts About My Keto Diet Journey

My First Year on The Keto Diet

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part One

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part Two

Low Carb Muffins & Cupcakes: Treats to Enjoy on a Keto Diet

Low Carb Keto Chocolate Yogurt Granola Chip Pudding Recipe

Good Dee’s Keto Cookie Low Carb Baking Mix Review

Hamama Microgreens Growing Kit Review & Success Tips

My Favorite Hamama Microgreens Seed Quilt Accessories

Keto Cheddar Cheese Biscuits With Chives Recipe

The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

The Best Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Muffins

Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe

The Good Chocolate 100% Organic No Sugar Dark Chocolate Review

The Best Advice to Maintain Your Keto Diet Weight Loss

My New Irresistibly Delicious Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe

Luscious Low Carb Keto Triple Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick & Easy Livlo Blueberry Scones Keto Baking Mix Review

Snack Better With The Best Healthy Keto Cookie Dough Bites

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

Blueberry Biscuit Scones — New, Easy, Low Carb Keto Recipe

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

Delicious Sugar-Free Keto Cookies That OREO Fans Will Love

Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats Recipe

Easy, Decadent, High Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones

How to Make Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda (With or Without Cream)


Reviews of the Keto Diet by Barbara C. (aka Brite-Ideas)

My Personal Keto Testimonial

How I Stayed Committed to the Ketogenic Way of Eating

Read More Food Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Product Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Reviews About Health and Wellness by Our Review This Reviews Contributors




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, January 14, 2022

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Collectible Gift Tins Reviewed

Swiss Miss Tins
One of my favorite gifts that I received this year for Christmas was a set of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Tins filled with fabulous packets of instant hot chocolate.  This gift shows that my sister-in-law knows me well!

I am an unapologetic chocoholic. Any gift of chocolate is greatly appreciated.  Since I enjoy a mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter day, the hot cocoa was a perfect choice. 

I am also a collector of glass jars and tins.  I can trace my obsession to glass jars and tins to my favorite hobbies.  They make excellent and inexpensive containers for all kinds of craft supplies.  While glass jars are excellent for viewing contents, a tin won't break, which means they both have their place in my craft room.  

The adorable gnome tins will be an awesome addition to my collection of tins in my craft room when we have finished drinking the hot cocoa.  Correction:  when we have finished using them for hot cocoa. I have already had to replace the hot cocoa packets in two of my new tins and it has only been a few weeks since Christmas.  Most likely, I will keep two of the tins in my kitchen for continuous refills and use.

 

Swiss Miss Collectible Gift Tins

swiss miss collectible tins - gnomes
I had never seen the wonderful Swiss Miss tins before, but I will certainly be watching for additional sets.  

When writing this article, I checked Amazon to see if they had my gnome tins available.  While there, I noted some precious woodland animal Swiss Miss tins.  Of course, I had to order a set of those for my craft room.  I need more storage tins for craft supplies (yes, that was my excuse!) .  

Each Gnome tin contains 5 packets of hot cocoa.  My personal favorite is the marshmallow hot cocoa, but my husband prefers the milk chocolate. The animal tins contain 4 packets in each tin.  

For the first time in my entire life, I tried the peppermint hot cocoa that came in the tins.  I love it!  It is my new second favorite (sorry, the marshmallow can't be beat).  I also tried the caramel for the first time ever.  It is good, but the competition is stiff.  Still, if I run out of my marshmallow and peppermint, I'll be more than happy to enjoy a mug of caramel hot cocoa.  All of the flavors are fabulous!

 

How to Make Swiss Miss Cocoa Packets 

It is very easy to make hot cocoa with the Swiss Miss packets.  Simply pour the packet of mix into a mug, add 1 cup of hot water & stir.   It is important to note that you should only add 1 cup (measurement) of water.  More water will dilute it and diminish the chocolatey flavor.  

You can add fresh marshmallows, peppermint, or other toppings to create your own fun flavor of hot cocoa.

 

How to Get Your Own Set of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Tins

 Swiss Miss Gift Pack Tins Gnomes Characters, 6.9 Oz pack of 4. LIMITED EDITION. Milk Chocolate, Peppermint, Marshmallow and Caramel FlavorsCheck Price Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Variety Pack (4 Flavors), Hot Chocolate Mix, Hot Chocolate Variety, Hot Chocolate Swiss Miss, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Instant Hot ChocolateCheck Price

 





Read More Gift Reviews On
ReviewThisGifts.com




Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Collectible Gift Tins Reviewed by:
House of Sylvestermouse




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 4, 2021

Christmas Cookies History and Traditions – Food Review


An image of Christmas cookies

December 4th is designated as National Cookie Day. It's a good time for bakers across the country to warm up the ovens for holiday baking.


History of the Christmas Cookie


Today's Christmas cookies come from recipes popular in Medieval Europe when many modern ingredients were introduced into the west.  Ingredients popular in these Christmas 'biscuits' included cinnamon, ginger, almonds and dried fruit.  


Cutting out cookies in cookie dough
Image Source: Pixabay

The Dutch brought the earliest examples of Christmas Cookies to the United States in the 17th century. 

Then between 1871 and 1906 changes in import laws allowed for cookie cutters to be imported from Germany. These highly stylized images had subjects designed to hang on Christmas Trees. Soon, recipes began to appear in cookbooks designed to use these cookie cutters. 



Christmas Tree ornaments made with sugar cookie dough
Image Source: Pixabay

Using the standard sugar cookie recipe and rolling out the dough, these 'cookie cutters' allowed us to create Christmas designs as Christmas Cookies. The cookies are often cut into the shape of candy canes, reindeer, holly leaves, Christmas trees, stars or angels. 


A snack for Santa - a plate of Christmas cookies and a glass of milk
Image Source: Pixabay
Beginning in the 1930s in Canada and in the United States the tradition of children leaving cookies and milk on a table for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve began.




Sugar Cookies Recipes


Sugar cookie dough, rolling pin and cookie cutters in this image
Image Source: Pixabay

Everyone seems to have their favorite sugar cookie recipe for creating cut-out cookies using their selection of cookie cutters. The one I like the best comes from Lindsay of Life, Love & Sugar. She says this recipe makes soft cookies with lightly crisp edges. The perfect sugar cookie for decorating!  


Sugar cookies are a classic holiday cookie tradition. Cutout cookies are also not just for Christmas. Using various shapes of cookie cutters, you can also make Hearts for Valentine's Day, Pumpkins for Halloween, and any shape for any holiday or event you desire. 



Summary



A holiday cookie tray
Holiday Cookie Tray - Wikimedia

There are numerous 'Cookie Days' throughout the year, including National Cookie Month in October and Bake Cookies Day on December 18th.  But it's never too early to begin your Christmas cookie baking, as most cookies can be frozen ahead to be ready for Christmas celebrations and Christmas gifts.  And, of course, Santa!


HAPPY COOKIE BAKING!


Merry Xmas spelled out in holiday cookies
Image Source: Pixabay


Related Links:



My Amazon Picks for Christmas Cookies


Christmas  Cookies History & Traditions Review written by

Wednesday Elf







Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Most Recent Reviews on Review This Reviews






Search for Reviews by Subject, Author or Title

The Review This Reviews Contributors



SylvestermouseSylvestermouseDawn Rae BDawn Rae BMbgPhotoMbgPhotoBrite-IdeasBrite-IdeasWednesday ElfWednesday ElfOlivia MorrisOlivia MorrisTreasures by BrendaTreasures by BrendaThe Savvy AgeThe Savvy AgeMargaret SchindelMargaret SchindelRaintree AnnieRaintree AnnieLou16Lou16Sam MonacoSam MonacoTracey BoyerTracey BoyerRenaissance WomanRenaissance WomanBarbRadBarbRadBev OwensBev OwensBuckHawkBuckHawkDecorating for EventsDecorating for EventsHeather426Heather426Coletta TeskeColetta TeskeMissMerFaeryMissMerFaeryMickie_GMickie_G

 


Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor

Susan DeppnerSusan Deppner

We may be apart, but
You Are Not Forgotten





“As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and or Etsy (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from purchases.” Disclosure Statement

X