Is Bake & share dough chocolate chunk cookies Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why these cookies contain gluten, we need to look closely at the formulation. The manufacturer prioritizes organic sourcing, but the fundamental structure of the dough relies on traditional wheat products.

The most critical ingredient is organic wheat flour. This is the standard flour used for baking cookies, providing the gluten structure that gives the cookie its chewiness and rise. Because wheat flour is the very first ingredient listed, it constitutes the bulk of the product. For anyone strictly avoiding gluten, this ingredient is an immediate disqualifier.

Additionally, the organic chocolate chips are generally gluten-free in isolation (composed of sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, and vanilla). However, in a manufacturing environment, cross-contamination is always a risk unless certified otherwise. Since the main dough contains wheat, the entire product is considered to contain gluten.

Other ingredients like organic palm shortening, organic brown sugar, and organic eggs are naturally free of gluten. The issue lies strictly with the flour base. Even though the product avoids artificial preservatives, the presence of wheat flour makes it incompatible with a gluten-free diet.

Nutritional Value

While these cookies are not safe for a gluten-free diet, they do offer a cleaner ingredient profile compared to many conventional store-bought cookies. The use of organic cane sugar and organic brown sugar provides sweetness without high fructose corn syrup, which is a plus for those monitoring processed sweeteners.

In terms of macronutrients, the combination of organic palm shortening and organic chocolate chips contributes to a standard cookie fat content. This provides the rich mouthfeel and flavor expected from a chocolate chunk cookie. However, consumers looking to manage calorie intake should be mindful of portion sizes, as the dough is designed to be rich and indulgent.

Because the product is sold as a dough, it is important to note that eating it raw carries the standard risks associated with raw eggs and flour. From a nutritional standpoint, it fits into an 'occasional treat' category rather than a daily health food, primarily due to the sugar and refined flour content.