Erin McKenna’s Holiday and New Items
We recently stopped in to check out Erin Mckenna’s holiday offerings. The menu items are typically a hit or miss for us – some we like, some we can skip due to their dry texture. All items are free of dairy, egg, soy, and gluten and are certified kosher. There is coconut oil in many of the products. While not paleo or keto-friendly, this bakery is a haven for those who are gluten-free.
My personal favorite is the pineapple upside-down cake. Since October, they have also offered it with cranberries as a seasonal option. Both are excellent choices. You can see a photo of it on the right side below.
As you can see, there are also cake slices, cookie sandwiches, mini cupcakes, and regular size cupcakes in assorted flavors available. One of the newer items is the festive holiday cakes on the top shelf in the photo below. They had three different cakes displayed the day we were there.
I love looking at the display of donuts, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cake. Unfortunately, I find many of the items look prettier than they taste. Do not let that put you off – especially if you have a gluten-free child. A trip to Erin McKenna’s to stock up on sweets is a must-do. Everyone has their favorites; you will have to try some different items to discover yours.
New Items and Holiday Treats at Erin McKenna’s
You would expect to find some traditional holiday items such as gingerbread and sugar cookies this time of year. Of course, there are always the delicious tea cakes that you sometimes get at Be Our Guest for breakfast if you are gluten-free. My personal favorite is the lemon tea cake.
In the photo above, you will see the bakery cups in the background. These are one of our favorite purchases as they contain an assortment of day-old goodies. My daughter likes it when they have lemon tea cake and raspberry “anything.” On this day, they were all holiday-themed. One of my favorite things to do with the bakery cups is to take them home and turn them into “bread pudding.” You can find my recipe here.
The gingerbread man cookies below are sold in a pack of 2. Sugar cookies come individually.
Gingerbread Time
Speaking of the holiday treats, the photo below shows what we purchased on our recent visit. Because my daughter is not 100% gluten-free, she compared this sugar cookie to the one shaped like a moose from Wilderness Lodge that is not GF. Big mistake. I thought this one was ok, for a sugar cookie – something I do not normally eat, to begin with. She said it was dry and bland – partly because she is in love with the other one. We made a separate trip back there before we left so she could get a second one.
I had also tried the gingerbread man cookie from Contempo Café (not GF) at the same time I tried these. Neither option was a total hit. I found the gluten-free version from Erin McKenna’s a bit too hard and the flavor so strong that it was slightly peppery. The one from Contempo café was too soft and chewy and did not have enough flavor. That being said, when I stored my second GF cookie in with the one from Contempo Café, it softened up and tasted better. As long as you like a strong gingerbread flavor, I recommend buying the GF version from here.
Now to my favorite treat of the season – the gluten-free gingerbread loaf slice from Erin McKenna’s holiday selections. I brought this huge slice home and have been limiting myself to one bite a day to make it last. It has the perfect taste and consistency, and I cannot recommend it enough. The icing is delicious and adds the right finishing touch to this treat.
Veggie Bombs!
Finally, we have an exciting new option – a display featuring Veggie Bombs! I was surprised to see this item hidden in the back behind all the sweets.
Each well-sized veggie bomb is packed with broccoli, red and yellow peppers, and onions and is a welcome savory treat. Here is my word of caution – get there first thing in the morning. I bought the last one at 1 pm. The veggie bomb was wonderful as is, and the next day, I enjoyed it cold, straight out of the refrigerator. It was also excellent when warmed up and smeared with butter or herb cream cheese. I think this is my new favorite and will be a must-buy on every future visit.
There you have it, our review of Erin Mckenna’s holiday and new items. Happy and healthy holidays to all!