Partake Foods was founded after Denise Woodard's daughter developed several severe allergies and was unable to eat many commonly available foods. The company has grown rapidly and now offers five flavors of cookies that are gluten-free, vegan and free of the top-8 allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts, fish and shellfish, soy, and wheat). I happen to be unable to eat three of those groups, so these cookies are perfect for me, and also easy to share with friends who have other dietary restrictions.
When a representative reached out to ask if I wanted to try some of their cookies, I excitedly accepted. I love cookies, but finding some that I can enjoy, and safely share with my friends has been a challenge. They sent all five flavors, and while all were good, some were better than others. The bite-sized cookies can be a little crumbly but are good for sharing and eating more than one in one sitting.
The motto "share with confidence" is written inside the box the cookies came in, and that accurately describes how we felt about them.
1. Double Chocolate Chip
The double chocolate chip cookies are the best. The cookies are chocolate-y, and they also have chocolate chips. They are made with beets and plums, but it doesn't taste like it. If these were served along with "regular" cookies, it would be hard to tell the difference.
2. Carrot Cake
Carrot cake comes in at a close second. It's hard to beat a good chocolate cookie, and these made it a tight competition. I wouldn't say they are carrot cake, however. The cookies have more of a gingerbread flavor than carrot flavor. They are a bit dry, but that fits in well with the gingerbread presence. Keep these cookies around for the holiday season.
3. Birthday Cake
The birthday cake cookies are just okay. They are a bit dry, but the sprinkles are fun. These cookies are made out of several vegetables including spinach, broccoli, and mushroom. They do it well, as you can't taste them at all. If this is counts as eating my vegetables for the day, I'm on board with it. The cookies will do well as a substitute for someone who can't eat the cupcakes or other birthday treats being offered around them.
4. Ginger Snap
Somehow the ginger snap cookies are less gingery than the carrot cake ones. They have a more mild flavor, so would be good for someone who doesn't want a chocolate cookie, but also doesn't want gingerbread. However, if you are still looking for a crowd-pleasing cookie, these will do the trick.
5. Chocolate Chip
The chocolate chip cookies were disappointing. The chocolate chips are good, but the cookie itself is dry and not as flavorful as the others. If you want a chocolate cookie from Partake, the best bet is to go all the way and grab a double chocolate chip cookie.
The cookies are available online in two quantities, a box of 15 cookies, or "snack packs" that come with 24 individually wrapped packages of three cookies each. The next time I'm asked to bring dessert to an event with dietary restrictions, I will be bringing Double Chocolate Chip cookies. They take all the hassle out of labeling ingredients and worrying about kitchen contaminants.