Being the cookie freak that I am, after hearing about Pipernilli cookies on the Our Hen House podcast, I immediately contacted them to see about doing a review for VeganMos. Gayle over at Pipernilli was thrilled to have us do the review and sent us out samples to try. As soon as they arrived, Ethan and I cleared off the kitchen table and got to the busy work of eating cookies.
The box contained 7 sample packs, each containing 2 cookies. I love the 2 cookie package idea. A collection of them in a variety of flavors would make a great gift for the cookie fan in your life. Each sample pack has a label that not only gives the name of cookie but also a description of the flavor rather than a list of ingredients. I already know what goes in to a cookie, so I loved the flavor description.
Right off the bat, as a global comment on all the cookies, if you like your cookies soft, like they just came out of the oven, Pipernilli cookies are for you. They are not dry and crunchy like some cookies can be. These are soft and most. And now, in no particular order, on to the review…
14-Karat Cake: Imagine eating a carrot cake cookie. That is exactly this cookie. Ethan is obsessed with carrot cake, and is very critical about it, and he loved these. There is a hint of sweetness from the pineapple, but it is very subtle. I am not a fan of nuts in baked goods in general, but I know they are typically found in carrot cake, so I was prepared for it. And surprisingly I was not bothered by them. They were not intrusive at all. We both agreed that there was a little more ginger than we expected, but again, it was quite good. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Chocolate Jewels: Disclaimer, I am a chocolate chip cookie snob. It is hard to impress me with a chocolate chip cookie. When I saw these were gluten free, I was even more skeptical. But I was proven wrong. They are soft and moist, almost like eating raw cookie dough. Ethan, however, did not care for this cookie. He felt they weren’t sweet enough and a little pasty. I found them to be a little doughy, but as a fan of cookie dough, I like that. Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Apple Luxe: In the middle of his first bite, Ethan exclaimed, “Oh! I love that!” This is basically an apple pie cookie. The contrast between the softness of the cookie and chewiness of the apple chunks is wonderful. I would never have thought of adding apple to a cookie. I am so glad the people at Pipernill did. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Banana Chiffon: Banana bread baked into a cookie. I love banana bread and loved this cookie. The banana pieces in the cookie were a little off putting to Ethan, but he does not generally like bananas in things, he prefers them on their own. However, Ethan agreed that this was a good cookie. It is not super sweet so the taste of the banana stands out. If you like banana bread, you will like these. Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Dainty Dots: This is the one I was most excited to try. Just from the description on the website, I knew I would love this: “A luxurious blend of berries and vegan white chocolate makes our Dainty Dot cookie both refreshing and sensational. The perfect treat for anyone looking for an exciting new cookie flavor.” Strawberries and white chocolate in a cookie! Ethan said, “It is like eating little clouds of heaven.” The blending of the strawberries and white chocolate give this a creaminess, almost like strawberry ice cream, but in cookie. I could eat a dozen of these with no problem. Rating 5 out of 5 stars.
Cashmere Dots: This sweet potato cookie is the one Ethan was most excited to try. For me, the cookie wasn’t as sweet as I would have liked. I am also not a fan of lemon in baked goods, so that was a negative for me. However, I understand its used to add some brightness to what could have been a heavy cookie. Ethan loved this one. The bright orange color of this one is a nice contrast to the regular cookie color you might typically expect. The pop of color is quite appealing, and as you eat with your eyes first, it makes for a great first taste. Truly a unique cookie. Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Mocha Diva Rounds: This cookie is not overly sweet and we agreed that it is more cocoa like than chocolatey. A little more sweetness would bring up the chocolate taste. The chocolate chips, banana chunks and dried cranberries make for a complex cookie flavor. I love chocolate and banana together, and that zing from the cranberries was great. Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Our overall favorite was the Dainty Dots, but no matter what flavor you get, you will not be disappointed. If you ever need to bring dessert to someone and are not baker, Pipernilli cookies are a great option. It should be noted as well, that in addition to selling cookies, Pipernilli also does vegan dessert tables and favors for weddings and showers. Please check them out, and let me know the VeganMos sent you.
