A few months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners of Fancypants Baking Co., Maura Duggan. Being from the Boston area, I love to meet the allergy-friendly businesses in town that I already support and enjoy often!
The day that Fancypants entered my life as a new favorite, I had just returned from living abroad in Italy and was on one of my endless adventures in the grocery store. I wasn’t used to having so many choices. It could easily take over an hour before I would emerge with my arms full of new safe foods to try along with groceries for the week.
This particularly special day, I was in a Wholefoods in Boston and saw these adorably decorated cookies. I couldn’t recall ever seeing a safe decorated cookie besides what my nana, mom, or aunt would bake for me as a child. With multiple food allergies including all tree nuts and peanuts, packaged baked sweets are often off limits. However, I noticed these and decided to look at the ingredients. I was shocked to see that they were peanut and tree nut free (and made at a dedicated nut free facility, no less). So there I stood, trying to decide which Fancypants fall themed cookie shape I should buy. I chose a pumpkin!
Since this initial encounter a few years ago, I have enjoyed decorated Fancypants cookies in the shapes of snowmen, butterflies and ladybugs just to name a few! I know I probably sound like a child, but as an “allergy kid” adult who never grew up with any safe options like this, I’ve decided that it’s okay to enjoy a decorated cookie on occasion!
Fancypants also has bags of cookies in four delicious flavors; Vanilla Bean, Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, and Brown Sugar (along with boxes of fun seasonal flavors). I like them all, but my favorite is the Double Chocolate. How can you go wrong with chocolate on chocolate?! They’re delicious, and it’s easy to eat a bag without hesitation! They have a good crunch to them and are the perfect size for snacking.
The company recently changed to new packaging, but the cookies remain the same amazing quality. I have a huge sweet tooth and although I love eating healthy food-food, sometimes I need something sweet! You know what I mean? In Italy nothing has more than five or so ingredients and everything is fresh. I always have that in the back of my mind when buying anything packaged.
Fancypants ingredients are non-GMO with no artificial flavorings. I love that they are dedicated peanut and tree nut free, so I don’t have to worry about cross contact. They have a great little video on their website about the beginnings of the company and the cookie making process. I definitely recommend visiting their site and keeping your eyes open for this yummy brand!
