The Ultimate Guide: Gluten-Free Chocolate Desk TreatsBy Angelica Malin
To celebrate National Chocolate Week, today we’re talking sweet desk snacks; and in particular, the perfect chocolate treat for that 3 o’ clock energy dip. Yes, we know it’s naughty, so we’ve added in some raw and vegan treats too; great if you’re thinking about the waistline, not just the taste line.
Whether you like a biscuit dunked or not, here’s a gluten-free chocolate treat for you:
1. The Ultimate Dunker: Kent and Fraser – Chocolate Butter Crunch Cookies gluten-
What: The chocolate biscuit is a classic and why should the gluten-free intolerance sufferers miss out; this is an all-time favourite – chocolate chip cookies made with creamy butter, muscovado sugar and a generous measure of dark chocolate chips. Just add tea.
Price: £2.29 for 125g – buy
Why buy it: Get a banana, some peanut butter and make a chocolate cookie sandwich. You’ll thank us later.
2. The Popped Pal: Joe and Seph’s – Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn gluten-free chocolate
What: This treat needs no introduction, but I’ll give you one anyway. Joe and Seph’s have taken London by storm with their range of innovative and quirky handmade gourmet popcorn (think Margarita and Gin and Tonic flavour), all made with natural flavours and a personal touch. The gluten-free chocolate one is perfect for the mid-afternoon snack attack at work; just make sure you don’t have to share.
Price: £4 for 80g bag – buy
The Idea: It’s 3 pouches for £12 when you buy online – treat a loved one. Or yourself; over and over again.
3. The Bounty Hunter: Biona Organic – Chocolate Coconut Bar gluten-free chocolate
What: Sweet and nutty, this confectionary bar is made with 25% coconut and milk chocolate on the outside. It’s rich and dense so will keep those sweet craving at bay for a good few hours – a good one to have in your bag. We also love Biona’s range of gluten-free breads and spreads, as does blogger Deliciously Ella.
Price: 99p for a 40g bar – buy
Why Buy It: It’s like a really grown-up Bounty bar.
4. The Melting Pot: Pudology – Chocolate Puds gluten-free chocolate
What: This is, and will forever will be, one of our favourite chocolate treats on the market. Not only are Pudology products totally gluten-free, they are also dairy-free and suitable for vegans. Today we’ve chosen the simple chocolate pud which is made with coconut milk and Madasgcan vanilla (pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds for ultimate melty chocolate heaven), although you’d be foolish not to try the choc orange and bannoffee pots too.
Price: £2.75 for 85g x 2 – buy
Why: They are currently reduced in price on Ocado, go go go.
5. The Super Charged One: Punch Foods – Raw Cacao Boost Superseeds gluten-free chocolate
What: Alexandra Dudley, the creator of Punch Foods, has created these amazing superseeds which fitness fanatics and health foodies alike adore. The seeds are packed for goodness; a 100% raw mix with no ingredient exceeding 42° combining raw cacao, rich in anti-oxidants with delicious coconut for that healthy chocolate fix. Purely indulgent, 100% guilt free.
Price: £3.99 for 6og – buy
The Idea: Sprinkle on your muesli in the morning for a yummy chocolate health kick
6. The Sofa Day: Lazy Day Free-From – Millionaire’s Shortbread gluten-free chocolate
What: This product is exciting as it’s both a gluten-free biscuit and it’s tasty. The Millionaire’s Shortbread is made using rice and potato flour, and made using dark chocolate, it’s also suitable for lactose intolerance sufferers and vegans.
Price: £2 for 150g – buy
Why: Because we all have a lazy day sometimes.
7. The Crazy Coconut: CoYo – Raw Chocolate Coconut Milk Yogurt gluten-free chocolate
What: Sometimes you just want something rich and creamy. CoYo is a big hit in the vegan community; the yogurt is made with 99% coconut milk, whipped up to be thick and delicious. When you need a chocolate fix, the cacao infused CoYo is great – it contains no preservatives or flavourings – so get stuck in.
Price: £2.10 for 125g – buy
The Idea: We’ve used one to make a chocolate banana smoothie and we can report it’s only good news.
8. The Party Piece: Shaken Udder – Chocolush Chocolate Milk Shake gluten-free chocolate
What: Ok, we know milk shakes are normally for kids, but these ones are really, really good. Shaken Udder pride themselves on the quality of their produce; made with fresh British milk, real Belgian chocolate and added B12, they are the perfect afternoon pick me up, guaranteed to brighten any slow day work.
Price: £1.29 for 33oml – buy
The Idea: Buy them for the kids, drink it yourself.
9. The Raw Deal: Booja Booja – Hunky Punky Chocolate Ice Cream gluten-free chocolate
What: Made with cashews, agave syrup and pure water, this is the first almost ‘raw’ ice cream on the market, which is also totally dairy-free. Unlike normal dairy-free alternatives, this is actually super tasty. The agave is better as a slow release sugar, so you’re less likely to have a spike in energy. It also tastes nice, so you can enjoy it at your desk without too much worry.
Price: £2 for 110ml – buy
10. The Nice Nibbler: The Raw Chocolate Co – Chocolate Covered Mulberries gluten-free chocolate
What: We love the whole range by Raw Chocolate Co, but these chocolate covered treats are something else. All their chocolate is raw; the cacao beans are sun dried, not heat treated, which is better for the planet and all the products vegan. They have won Gold Stars in the Great Taste Awards for their unusual chocolate bars – the Goji Berry and Orange is delicious if you like exotic flavours.
Price: £1.49 for 32g – buy
The Idea: Also try their Raw Cacao Powder – made with almond or soya milk, it’s great for a healthier alternative to hot chocolate al desko.
