Pressed For Time, But Craving Healthy Home-Baked Style Cookies -- Look No Further Than Maxine's Heavenly -- Now Available in Season Flavors and Gift Boxes, Too! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

A few months ago I was introduced to Maxine's Heavenly cookies and was sent samples for my family and I to try.  We had a fun taste tasting night with the four flavors I was sent to review -- Cinnamon Speculoos Crunch, Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Chocolate Chip and Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  The Cinnamon and Chocolate Chip cookies were crispy cookies, while the Chocolate Chunk and Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin cookies were super soft bake.  Before I get into what we thought of these cookies, I wanted to share more about the Maxine's Heavenly brand, and why these cookies were like nothing we have ever tried before, and an instant favorite in our house, thus putting this brand on our subscribe and save monthly deliveries with Amazon, as we can't live without them, and make sure to have a few boxes on hand in the pantry to snack on and to share with family and friends who come to visit.

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About Maxine's Heavenly:

"We set out to create not only the healthiest cookies you can buy, but the most delicious cookies you could buy as well. It was imperative to us that our cookies taste like mom’s homemade, even when we were swapping in healthier ingredients. We think Maxine’s Heavenly cookies are the best cookies outside of your own kitchen.

We started with Maxine’s beloved recipe, and substituted ingredients one by one, taking out all the processed flours and sugars, gluten, animal products and, with them, all the empty calories.

We replaced them each with better-for-you alternatives that preserved that special taste while making the cookie nutrient-rich and guilt-free.  With Maxine’s Heavenly, you can feel good about what you're eating, and make your own special moments with those that bring you joy and comfort in life."

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Like I mentioned above, the kind folks at Maxine's Heavenly sent along four of their cookies flavors for my family to try, and we had so much fun sampling them.  I am usually a soft baked cookie fan, but found myself gravitating towards to the two crispy cookies from the brand.  And, my husband, who is not big into treats, as he doesn't like too much sugar or sweetness, really liked the cookies, especially with them only containing 5-9% sugars. The sugar used is healthier than you would get if you baked them yourself, as this brand uses coconut sugar, along with oats and other healthy ingredients.  

At first my girls were reluctant to try this new brand of cookies, as they saw that they were healthy and didn't think they would taste good.  They think that if it doesn't contain sugar or sweeteners that it will be dry and lacking flavor.  But, after seeing my husband and I really enjoying the cookies, and reaching for another, they both ran over to take part in the taste testing before the cookies were all gone.  And, as soon as they took their first bite, they too, were hooked and loved the four cookie varieties.  

I asked everyone what their favorite flavor of the four that were sent, but just like me, it was hard for them to choose, as they said they liked them all.  My girls did say they liked the soft cookies, as they soaked up a lot more milk than the crispy ones, when we tried them with a cold glass of milk.  

My husband has always been a fan of oatmeal raisin cookies, and thoroughly enjoyed these cookies...but, he also said the chocolate chunk were also up there, as they were jam packed with chocolate chunk pieces and full of flavor.  

We finished off the four boxes in one sitting, which usually never happens.  And, once they were done, we were looking on the Maxine's Heavenly website to check out the other flavors available, and to see where we could pick up more boxes, to get our fix. I was happy to see they were sold on Amazon, and quickly logged into our account and ordered more of the flavors we were sent, along with their peanut butter and mint chocolate chunk.  Now whenever we have friends and family over, I make a point to put a plate of this cookie brand out for all to enjoy, as I know there will be no issues with food allergies, thanks to them being gluten free and plant based, along with non GMO. 

Just in time for the holidays, you can now send boxes of Maxine's Heavenly to family and friends who are foodies, or just love a good cookie to dip with their hot chocolate or cup of cold milk at the end of the day. 

They have some fun holiday flavors available -- Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies & Cinnamon Crunch Cookies -- which as you can see below come in a fun gift box, so no need to wrap! :-)

Buy now for only $34.99

As a surprise for my nieces and nephews, I gifted them with this Maxine's Heavenly Cookie Assortment gift box, which comes not only with the cookies, but also knit stockings...

Buy now for only $54.99

Each of the stockings are filled with individually wrapped cookies in their best-selling flavors:

Chocolate Chocolate Chunk

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk

Almond Chocolate Chunk

Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin

Whenever they come to our house, they are always asking for these cookies. Now, they will be surprised to find a stocking filled for each of them to enjoy. And, their parents will not have to worry about a sugar rush, thanks to the healthy ingredients that go into these homemade-style, sweetened by nature, delicious cookies.  

You can learn more about Maxine's Heavenly cookies, and check out all their different varieties by visiting https://maxinesheavenly.com/.  And, like I said, you can also order them off of Amazon, too!  Once you take your first bite of these cookies, you will see why my family love them, and how we can't live without them.

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Malt Shop Cookies -- The Best Kept Secret for Mail Order Malted Milk Cookies (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Order by Tuesday, December 20th to Get In Time for Christmas!!!

Growing up, what was your favorite cookie?  Next to my Italian grandmother's cookies, I would have to save malt cookies my Mom would make.  This was the first cookie she learned how to make as a child from her mother, and she used to make all the time for my brothers and I.  We thought these were the norm for cookies, until we started having friends over and they tried the cookies.  They were quick to respond with "that was different" or "that doesn't taste like the chocolate chip cookies my Mom makes."  But, after a couple more bites they were hooked, too.   My mom would usually get a phone call after asking for her recipe from our friends' moms, or they would ask what type of cookie it was.  This is when we learned malt cookies were unique, and that some people have not have the pleasure of trying.  Fast forward to today and now I am making malt cookies for my girls, and introducing their friends to this tasty cookie.  

Have you tried malt cookies before?  They have been around for a long time...ask a Baby Boomer you know and they will probably rave about these cookies.  When you get them talking about malt cookies they will probably ask why or if you know where to get some, as they probably miss the flavor.  When they do, be sure to tell them to check out Malt Shop Cookies.  I was recently told about this site and had the opportunity to review a personalized bucket of their cookies for inclusion in my holiday gift guide.  And, while they don't taste like my Mom's malt cookies (come on, who can cook or bake better than your own Mom), they hit the spot and remind those who grew up enjoying malt cookies about childhood memories of dipping these cookies in a cold glass of milk, enjoying hot out of your grandmother or mother's oven, or at a holiday party.  Memories of your childhood enjoying malt cookies will come rushing back to you once you take a bite of a malt cookie from the folks at Malt Shop Cookies.

So, what are malt cookies for those who haven't tried this popular cookie?  As the name suggests, these cookies are made with malted milk, hence the unique flavor you may not expect with a cookie.

"Malted Milk is best known as the flavor that gave birth to every Malt Shop, Soda Fountain, Diner and Lunch Counter all across the USA. It is that. But times change. It’s still got that fine and sweet finishing touch flavor. But Malted Milk also offers something else. Made from malted barley, wheat and whole milk, it’s a natural, completely natural, preservative. That means our (your) cookies stay soft and moist for a long, long time. No artificial preservatives needed. Just an all natural way to deliver the wonderful flavor that it is. So, Malted Milk in a cookie? The way it was meant to be."

I don't know about you, but it is hard for me to find a good cookie at the market that tastes fresh baked.  Cookies on the shelves have so many preservatives and ingredients that you leave you scratching your head.  And, the bakery leaves you wishing you just made a batch of cookies yourself.  But, if you are busy parent on the go, finding time to get in the kitchen and bake is hard to do.  I stay home with my girls all day, but find that my time is limited when it comes to baking and cooking, as we always seem to be doing something or on the go.  

So, I was excited when I found out Malt Shop Cookies, as I love to order food online and have it delivered to the house.  Tasty treats like this always come in handy especially around the holidays when I have family and friends stopping by to visit.  I can now offer them malt cookies, and introduce to them to malted milk flavored cookies for the first time, or reminisce with them about our childhoods enjoying these cookies.  And, because I know so many people from my childhood, as well as my parents and other relatives who are Baby Boomers, having an online shop like Malt Shop Cookies comes in handy for birthday and holiday gift ideas, as everyone loves tasty treats, especially when they arrive on your doorstep unexpectedly. :-)

Like I said, I was sent a sample tin of malt cookies from the folks at Malt Shop Cookies.  They wanted me to see their personalized tins you can customized with a personal message and photo, to surprise that special someone in your life with malt cookies.  Check out the cute tin I was sent, which included 3 of their malt cookies flavors to sample with my family...

Isn't this a cute idea?  I loved the cute dog on the cover, but the best part were the cookies that were inside the tin. :-)  When you order from Malt Shop Cookies you can choose to fin your personalized tin (or even a gift bag) with any of their three flavors (with more flavors to come) -- chocolate chip, double chocolate and mocha chocolate.  

Want to try all three flavors?  Then, choose their variety pack and they will include 18 cookies in their medium tin - (6) Chocolate Chip (6) Mocha Chocolate and (6) Double Chocolate.  Or, opt for the large tin and get 36 cookies in total: (12) Chocolate Chip, (12) Mocha Chocolate and (12) Double Chocolate.

My mouth is watering just looking at these photos of the cookie from Malt Shop Cookies, and remembering just how good they tasted.  My favorite was chocolate chip, while my husband and girls raved about the double chocolate ones.  It was nice to sit around the table with cold glasses of milk dipping our malt cookies in the cup and then taking little bites, savoring the flavor of these cookies.  I kept telling my girls that these were my favorite cookies growing up, and how I would teach them to make these cookies when they get a little older.  But, in the meantime, I can now get my malt cookie fix by ordering online at Malt Shop Cookies whenever I want.  And, you can, too!  So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to Malt Shop Cookies today and place an order to surprise someone you love with a personalized malt cookie tin, or just buy a tin for yourself to enjoy or so you can put these cookies out on your Christmas dessert table.  

Once you try these cookies you will see why I and so many others can't get enough of them! :-)

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Help Support a Great Cause, While Enjoying Some Delicious Homemade Cookies from Casey's Cookies (Review)

Casey's Cookies Mission:

Mentally disabled adults are as vulnerable as small children -- trusting far more than they should, and loving those who show even the slightest kindness.But, it’s difficult for them to find their place in society once they leave school.

A few may get jobs working in a hospital laundry, assisting with lawn care, bagging groceries, or working in a fast food restaurant, but most simply remain at home until their parent or guardian is no longer able to care for them.

Casey’s Cookies offers a new opportunity. Under the supervision of volunteers, participants bake cookies from scratch, then package and sell their gourmet and specialty cookies to individuals and local businesses. They learn the importance of teamwork and other valuable job skills while helping to build a business that will provide them with income and a safe place to live. It’s an exciting project, and one that you can be a part of.

We’re in need of donations to fund our cookie production and sales activities, gifts to help speed the development of a residential community, volunteers to assist with transportation and supervision, and also companies and individuals who want to buy cookies! If you would like to volunteer your time or make a financial gift to help Casey’s Cookies, please call (727) 388-4150, or email us at [email protected].

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Meet Casey of Casey's Cookies:

Casey was born with Goldenhar Syndrome, a congenital birth defect that includes deformities of the face and spine, and in some cases mental retardation.  In addition to having a low IQ, Casey is severely hearing impaired, and has had nine major surgeries to correct curvatures of her spine and severely dislocated hips.  But, throughout her physical ordeals, and despite her reduced ability to comprehend, Casey has never lost her sense of humor or her love of people.  She has learned to read and write, and can solve simple math problems.  She loves Gospel music, and credits God with healing her.  Casey is a 2010 special diploma graduate of Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the daughter of the couple that helped establish Casey’s Cookies.  She was one of the first four developmentally delayed individuals hired to be a part of Casey's Cookies, and spends every morning in the kitchen assisting with cookie preparation and packaging.

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My Thoughts:

I was sent a sampling of each of Casey's Cookies signature flavors, and was amazed at just how good they tasted.  I tried spacing out the 8 cookies that were sent my way over a few days, and couldn't believe that at day 3 they still tasted like they were just baked, and so moist.  My favorite by far was their blueberry cookie.  I have never had a blueberry cookie, so I can't compare with others.  You should have seen the whole, plump blueberries that they used in their cookies.  Other blueberry desserts I have tried, like breads, use smoothed blueberries, or these chips that are blueberry flavored.  But, when it comes to Casey's Cookies, they take pride in their baked cookies, and this can be seen by the quality of each of their cookies.  They offer some cookie favorites like chocolate chip, as well as unique flavors including cranberry with white chocolate chip and cinnamon oatmeal raisin, made with plump golden raisins.  

Casey's Cookies offer their cookies in gift boxes, part of cookie trays and party packs, as well as by the dozen.  And, with eight flavors to choose from, including two sugar-free cookies, you are bound to satisfy your sweet tooth, or offer up a delicious gift to family and friends, which they will enjoy eating.

These cookies are just the icing on the cake so to speak for such a worthwhile cause. Casey's Cookies offers physically and mentally disabled adults the opportunity to learn skills such as team work, in addition to offering them an improved quality of life and the ability to live independently.  Through daily assigned tasks such as mixing, scooping baking, packaging, etc., participants prepare these delicious cookies for us all to enjoy year round.  I have read so many positive reviews from their recent Valentine's Day sales, and can't wait to see what they have in store for Mother's Day, and new flavors that they come up with.

Casey's Cookies is truly an inspirational story, and one that needs more recognition for the work that they do with and for physically and mentally disabled adults.  And, it was all started because of Casey, as through her perseverance and drive, not only has she overcome so much, she also provides inspiration to others who participate and help to make Casey's Cookies a success.

So, with Easter around the corner, as well as the need for a good homemade cookie to dip into your hot chocolate this winter/spring season, why not consider ordering a cookie sampler from Casey's Cookies.  And, make sure you try the blueberry cookies -- they are truly out of this world.  I am hoping my husband gets me some for Mother's Day!  hint hint hint... 

---BUY NOW---

Click here to order a cookie sampler, dozen cookies, cookie tray and more directly from Casey's Cookies website.  Cookies are baked fresh daily!

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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