If, like me, you have food intolerances or have chosen a health conscious plant-based lifestyle, then you probably know the heartbreak of looking at a bakery counter and feeling like an afterthought with one measley free-from option available.
For years, vegan-gluten-free was practically code for dry, crumbly and vaguely cardboard-flavoured air. My own home bakes and recipes attempting to recreate such traditional classics in alignment with my food intolerances also left a lot to be desired, which is why I eventually gave up hope and resigned to going without.
Thankfully, those dark days are now officially behind us, as today there are so many thoughtful, heartfelt independent bakers proving that you don’t have to miss out on the things that you love most, just because your diet looks a little different today.
I was reminded of this in the best possible way when I recently crossed paths with Chapter Eight Bakehouse at the Vegan Life Live exhibition. From the moment that I chatted with them and tasted what they were about, I was hooked. Their passion for crafting genuinely indulgent, cruelty-free treats is infectious and it didn’t take long before I had a delightful box of delicious treats delivered to my door.
An Indulgent Cruelty-Free Adventure
Ordering my handmade vegan, gluten-free cookies online left me spoilt for choice, which is refreshing considering I’m used to having only one option for my dietary requirements on some menus, and no options on most.
I chose the Chapter Eight’s Bakehouse ‘A Bit of Everything’ Box, because it was impossible for me to choose between so many delicious flavours available, and I like the idea of having a taste of everything. They also allow you to build your own box if you already know what you love and are looking for.
In my ‘A Bit of Everything’ box, I had six wildly creative, chewy, chunky cookies that felt like a luxurious bakery experience from the comfort of my home. My box contained:
- 1x Milk Chocolate Cookie… was such a comforting classic
- 1x Miso White Chocolate Cookie… which was sweet-and-savoury umami magic at once
- 1x Web Trap Cookie… had an incredible Ube, white and dark chocolate combo
- 1x Monster Cookie… had a vibrant, earthy mix of matcha and Ube
- 1x Apple Spice Cookie… tasted like a cosy autumn-in-a-bite
- 1x Dark Chocolate Orange Cookie… which was rich, zesty and decadent
The Beauty Of An Artisan Bakehouse
Because Chapter Eight is an artisan bakehouse, rather than a mass-produced factory, everything is made with so much love and care which you can taste in each bite.
A box of delicious cookies costs just £24 and prep time is roughly 1–2 days, with delivery taking a further 1–2 days on top. The team pauses their baking and shipping over the weekend to run their adorable market stalls in person throughout London, which was a lovely surprise whilst I was out shopping in Soho and had time to grab a hot coffee and cookie en-route.
Whilst each cookie is generously sized and gloriously filling, if you can’t finish a batch over a weekend, you can always freeze them in an airtight container and enjoy them whenever you like. Who doesn’t love a gourmet cookie stash for when cravings strike!
My daughter loves cutting her cookies up into nine bite-sized cubes, which we dip into whenever we share a coffee or have a mid-afternoon nibble. They’re the perfect portion size in cubes for a sweet treat without ruining your appetite at mealtimes and taste delicious alongside a hot drink in place of adding sugar or syrups.
Finding The Sweet Spot: Balance, Cheat Days & Cosy Weekends
Whether you have a special occasion approaching, a birthday, party, gathering, rainy weekend curled up on the sofa, or a well-earned cheat day from the gym, there is something deeply comforting about sitting down with a cup of coffee and a sensationally good cookie.
Living a healthy, balanced lifestyle isn’t about abiding to strict restriction or cutting out all forms of joy, but enjoying nourishing food for the majority of the time, and savouring such lovely treats in moderation without a shred of guilt. Knowing that these treats are cruelty-free, lovingly made, and safe for sensitive tummies like mine makes every bite taste that much sweeter.
So, if you’ve been feeling left out of the bakery aisle lately, take this as your sign to treat yourself. Food intolerances might change how you eat, but thanks to brilliant bakers like Chapter Eight, they definitely don’t mean you have to miss out!
