Exploring Gluten-Free Prepackaged Options: Brownie Mix Edition

Especially for those who want to have gluten-free-friendly options without going all in

A few years ago, my husband was diagnosed with celiac disease.

Shortly thereafter, two of our three children (who were experiencing chronic health issues) decided to go gluten-free, to see if it made a difference. When their lives changed for the better, they stuck with it.

I’ve tried and struggled to go gluten-free for years (even before my husband’s diagnosis), because I know my intestines function better without it.

I never celebrate my sobriety, but I can calculate that I am over 42 years (15,300 days) sober. So I never drink alcohol. I viscerally despise coffee. I rarely consume sodas. I am pescatarian so haven’t eaten meat for 30 years. I can eliminate many things from my food and drink choices.

But I have a soft spot for anything bread, cookie, cake, or donut related. They are my go-to celebratory foods. My warm hug on a hard day. My quick bite between cooking class gigs or on long road trips. Carbs are my comfort food. So the struggle to not consume gluten is real.

Without sounding dismissive of those who celebrate their sobriety with posts about how many days since they last drank or consumed drugs, I can proudly state that today I am 150 days gluten-free.

So I have been looking for quick-and-easy gluten-free alternatives to satisfy my carb (and sweets) cravings.

While I know it is anathema for many cooks to use pre-packaged products of any kind, the truth is some shortcuts (like boxed mixes) come in handy.

If you want all the tips and tricks - and recipes - for gluten-free cooking and baking, be sure to follow Rachel Ciordas with Next Level Gluten Free. She’s got you covered!

My Exploration

Today is the first of what I’m calling a “Exploring Gluten-Free Prepackaged Options” written particularly for those who want to have gluten-free options available for themselves, family members or friends — but don’t have the time, interest, or inclination to invest in learning

Four gluten free brownie mix options available in a local national grocery chain

My contestants:

1. King Arthur Gluten-free Ultimate Brownie Fudge Mix

2. Open Nature Gluten-free Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix

3. Pillsbury Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Premium Brownie Mix

4. Krusteaz Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix

No surprise

Sugar is the main ingredient. 18 grams added sugars for the first two and 15 grams for the second.

Main Differences

The first two, which boasted cocoa as the second ingredient, called for melted butter and 2 eggs, while the second two called for oil with one egg and included chocolate chips.

King Arthur has more tapioca flour than rice flour. Open Nature uses more rice than tapioca. Pillsbury relies on whole grain sorghum flour and Krusteaz uses brown rice flour and stabilized rice bran.

The mixtures looked significantly different:

The Finished Products

My Winner

All of them were chocolate and, therefore, delicious in my opinion.

My conclusions:

1. King Arthur: a little grainy and mushy. Because I tend to enjoy all the other King Arthur flours I use, I’ll give them another try just in case there was some user error.

2. Open Nature: my favorite - the perfect bite.

3. Pillsbury: an odd flowery fragrance and flavor

4. Krusteaz: a bit of a fruity fragrance and a mushy, gooey texture.

Your Turn

Do you use any pre-packaged shortcuts in your cooking or baking? Which are your favorites?

Do you bake gluten-free? Do you have a favorite brownie recipe?