Easter is April 24.
In my search for candy makers with allergen-free Easter bunnies, gummies and jelly beans, I haven't found any that do it better than Indie Candy. I gave their chocolate and yummy gummies a try before Valentine's Day, and I "heart" them (read the review). Indie Candy balances their customers' food allergy needs with great candy making and taste. And after speaking to the owner, I have a feeling that their passion and knowledge for allergen-free sweets will bring them to new taste heights as their company grows.
The chocolate is high qualit and free of all 8 big allergens (peanuts, treenuts, dairy, wheat/gluten, soy, seafood, shellfish, and eggs). They even have treats that adhere to the Feingold diet - developed for those with ADHD.
Find them at www.indiecandy.com.
Our Tender Readers Recommend
We've started a list from our readers. Keep them coming!!
Premium Chocolates
To get guaranteed delivery by Easter, orders needed to be in by April 7. But the chocolate looks great! Thanks to Audrey for this suggestion.
Located in Lakeside, NJ, Online ordering available.
Yummy Earth Organic Candies
They sell wholesale allergen-free and organic hard candies with names like "Roadside Rootbeer Barrells" and Pomegranate Pucker". None specifically for Easter it seems, but they are in retail stores like Whole Foods, Baby's R Us and many Marriotts around the country. Thanks to NourishMD.com for this suggestion.
In Grand Rapids, MI: Harvest Health
Gimbal's Gourmet Candies
The gourmet jelly beans look great, and they make those and their other flavors without the Big 8 allergens. We haven't tasted them yet, but we like their ingredients and their philosophy. Their Honey Lover's flavors support a project that keeps the ever important honey-bee healthy, alive and pollinating. Gimbal’s donates 5% of Honey Lovers proceeds to the University of California Davis Honey Bee Research.
Sold online through Candy Direct.
Fancy Pants Bakery (Nut-free only)
Though the cookies are NOT gluten or dairy free, they ARE nut free. They also have adorable easter bunny shapes for a great alternative to candy.
Sold online directly through www.fancypantsbakery.com.
Jules Gluten-Free Easter Basket Cupcakes
Found this recipe through flour guru and gluten-free labeling activist, Jules Shepherd. It contains several fun gluten-free candies as well. The recipe looks fun and definitely worth a try!
Who's Your Favorite Allergen-Free Candy Maker?
If you have a favorite candy maker with Easter treats - Give an E-jingle and let me know who they are! I'm always looking for the folks who do it well. The only rule: they must produce their products in an allergen-free facility and test for at least one allergen (and must test for all allergens they are claiming to be free of). Remember, "Vegan" does not mean "Dairy-free". "Non-Dairy" also does not mean "Dairy-free". And "traces of..." can be quite harmful for those who have food allergies.
This post does not constitute medical advice of any kind. Please speak to your doctor and understand your own body and its food allergies. Please read each product label carefully to be sure that it is safe for your or your child's unique situation.
Elisabeth Veltman, The Tender Foodie