I’m so excited to be partnering with Pamela’s Products to bring you some great gluten-free Back to School lunch box and treat options!
By next week most kids in the U.S. will be back in school. Besides getting back into the homework routine, and kicking off after school activities, moms will be endeavoring to pack nutritious, filling lunches to keep their students fueled for a full day of learning! I think I’m like most moms, my first priority is a well-balanced lunch. I always try to pack a great protein source, fruits and vegetables and maybe a cheese stick and yogurt. Being gluten-free, my kids often pack some rice crackers, gluten-free pretzels and maybe some nuts for a quick snack between classes too.
However, despite packing good-for-you foods, my kids love something sweet too. I’ve done this long enough that I know something fully sugar-laden isn’t a great choice. It’s the first thing they might eat, leaving the apple slices or baby carrots to steam away in a hot lunch box until unpacked, untouched, at home. Also dense sources of sweets tend to cause one’s blood sugar to spike, offering an exhilarating pick up followed by a crashing low, which isn’t conducive to paying attention in a warm classroom.
Regular readers will have noticed I have a small army of gluten-free partners who are staples in the Boulder Locavore kitchen. They are often the perfect swap out for a gluten ingredient, allowing us to eat as ‘all the gluten-eaters’ do. They are stealthy, never letting on with taste or texture that they are a gluten-free ingredient and are often natural, organic or made with wholesome ingredients we cherish. Pamela’s Products is a star in that line up for us. We’ve been using their mixes for years, both directly as instructed as well as swapping them into other recipes for a shortcut. We love Pamela’s and trust them.
Imagine my thrill to learn Pamela’s has come out with a gluten-free cookie reminiscent of a gluten-filled childhood favorite. ‘Figgies & Jammies’ are extra-large, soft cookie filled with figs and fruit; flavors include, Mission Fig, Strawberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig and Blueberry & Fig. The flavors are true and fresh with a texture that is irresistible.
In addition Pamela’s Products has also just released a line of gluten-free graham crackers, both full sized and minis, in Honey, Chocolate or Cinnamon flavors. Both the Figgies & Jammies, as well as the Grahams, allow easy on-the-go snacking or lunch box additions. Both the Figgies & Jammies and the Grahams are produced on lines certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) and are made with clean, non-GMO ingredients without artificial flavors or colors.
I feel great about adding to Figgies & Jammies and Grahams to our school lunch boxes, to be eaten as is, as well as with some spreadable option for the Grahams. A smear of natural peanut butter on any of the flavors of full sized or minis make fun little sandwiches. Cream cheese spread instead of, or with the peanut butter, offers a delicious different cookie sandwich that is equally delicious.
When school is done for the day, Do It Yourself No Cook S’more Treats are great fun! Pamela’s Honey Grahams spread with a thin layer of marshmallow fluff (store purchased or our recipe for Organic Marshmallow Fluff below) and sprinkled with mini chocolate chips are an irresistible taste treat. Kids can make the treats themselves (with Mom’s watchful eye on quantity!) and they are a ‘just right’ sweetness.
No Cook S'Mores Treats {gluten-free} with Homemade Organic Marshmallow Fluff
Ingredients
- Pamela’s Products Honey Graham Crackers
- ½ cup Mini Chocolate Chips (use more if making a larger quantity of treats), placed in a small bowl
- Organic Marshmallow Fluff (see below) or store-purchased Marshmallow Fluff
Ingredients for Organic Marshmallow Fluff:
- 1 large Organic Egg White , room temperature
- 1/8 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Organic Granulated Sugar
- ¼ cup Organic Light Corn Syrup
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1/8 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Accurate Candy Thermometer
Instructions
Instructions for making Organic Marshmallow Fluff:
- Set up a standing mixer with the egg white and cream of tartar in the bowl. Lightly whisk together by hand just to begin to mix the cream of tartar into the egg white.
- In a small saucepan on the stove top, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt over medium-high heat, stirring to combine and periodically while it cooks.
- Turn on the mixer to medium-high speed allowing medium peaks to form (the mixer should run while the sugar mixture comes to temperature on the stove top).
- Allow the sugar mixture to come to a boil and monitor the temperature closely. Once it reaches 240 degrees, remove it from the heat.
- Slowly drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of the hot sugar mixture into the egg mixture in the mixing bowl. Once incorporated, slowly drizzle the remaining sugar mixture into the mixing bowl as the mixer is operating (note: if it is poured too quickly it can cook the egg white). Continue to mix for 4 minutes at medium-high speed, during which time it will become glossy in appearance and airy in texture.
- Add the vanilla and continue to beat 2 additional minutes. Remove and use immediately or place in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Use within 2 weeks.
Instructions for making the S’Mores Treats:
- Split the graham crackers into two halves along the line in the middle. Spread some of the marshmallow fluff on the flat side of one of the halves.
- Place the marshmallow fluff side of the graham cracker half facing down on top of the mini chocolate chips; press down gently forcing the fluff into the chocolate chips.
- Remove the graham cracker from the chocolate chips and place the other half on top!
To find Pamela’s Products Figgies & Jammies and Grahams, check with their store locator for each online, and U.S. retail store locations. Happy new School Year!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Pamela’s Products and all opinions are my own.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I am a fan of ANYTHING with fluff. These sound SOOOO good.
Toni Dash says
Me too Robin! So glad you like these treats!
Liz says
Such a quick and irresistible treat! Perfect for Labor Day!!! Pinning 🙂
Toni Dash says
Thanks Liz! It does make S’mores easier to make and let’s littler people do their own (which I think they love)!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
WHAT?! I need to try these cookies! We love Pamela’s Products here, and those kind of cookies are the best! Since my hubby recently went gluten free, he is going to DEVOUR these! Pinned!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Such a classic wonderful treat! I remember making lunches and trying to encourage a balanced diet – trying is the key word here 🙂 Love your fluff and Pamela’s products sound wonderful. Love the Fig cookies! Pinning!
Kealy says
I love marshmallow fluff! Definitely adding this to my list to try. However, you repeatedly said “no cook”, which was confusing, since I’ve made mashmallows before and know that it typically requires cooking the sugar mixture on the stove before adding it to the egg white. I think what you meant was “no bake”. I know I’m being picky about semantics, but I was very curious to see how you made marshmallow fluff without cooking it, only to find out that you did, in fact, cook it. Regardless, can’t wait to try it!
Toni Dash says
My apologies Kealy for any confusion. The master recipe for the S’mores Treats is a no cook recipe since neither baking nor grilling is required to create the treat as with regular s’mores. You are correct, the Marshmallow Fluff recipe included does require stove top heating. The S’mores Treats may also be made with purchased marshmallow fluff. With that being said, I’m going to add a further clarifying note to ensure readers do not assume if using the homemade marshmallow fluff that it is a ‘no cook’ recipe too. I appreciate your comment!
Cookin Canuck says
My kids’ lunch boxes are always packed with healthy things too – protein, carbs, etc. – but I do love giving them a little something sweet to end their meals. These s’mores are such a great idea!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
Sounds like these would be right up my niece and nephews alley, for some reason I am not a marshmallow person, odd I don’t eat Smore’s but I love Mallomars! Weird Right?
Toni Dash says
I find store bought Marshmallow fluff or creme too sweet. The homemade version is much less dense in the sweetness department which I like. Like anything I think marshmallows are a personal taste thing.
Pam says
My daughter loves Pamela’s products. I love them too, partly because of the name, lol. 😉
TidyMom says
I wish all these great treats were around when our kids were in school! these look fabulous!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Wow do these look fantastic — I’ve made marshmallows, but never fluff!
Liz Mays says
What a fun idea! I’d love to make some of these for a special after school snack. They’re so cute!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This wins the internet! I absolutely love this idea. AND if you just really like your S’Mores warm, you can throw this together and zap ’em for a few seconds.
Toni Dash says
Excellent idea Stacie!
Debbie Denny says
That is a great recipe. I will also have to look for those cookies,
Melissa Pezza says
That’s the best idea for S’Mores ever. I see some super awesome nom noms for our next movie night!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love the taste of S’Mores, but hate how much of a pain they are to make. This is perfect for me!!!
Laura Gregory says
Funny I just read this after making my kids lunch. I’m already stumped and it’s only day1!! All the tips I can get will be helpful.
Marcie W. says
My husband recently went gluten free and has been having a tough time with snacks and sweets. These s’mores look like just the thing to make him smile and I love that they are no cook!
Catherine S says
This looks so yummy. I love anything to do with S’mores and how great that they are gluten free.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Why I’ve never slathered fluff on crackers is beyond me. Perfection!
Veronica says
Looks like a great snack for sure. Kids love smores. I know my son does
Jennifer Pridemore says
S’mores are the best! And this no cook version sounds and looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it out.
Penelope says
Those all sound yummy! I try to pack my kids a healthy lunch, and those Figgies & Jammies sound like a fun surprise.
Crystal says
Yum! All of those treats sound like things I need to be eating. I love fig cookies growing up too. Plus you can never go wrong with a smore!
Meagan says
What a cute snack idea! My son would love this in his lunch!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
I really love smores when the marshmallow is heated, but this is a great alternative when you’re on the go and can’t bring a heat source!
Kristi says
Oh those look delicious ! I wonder if they would work for breakfast? 🙂
Toni Dash says
I’ll never tell!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
What great treats and I’m sure they are super popular with the kids 🙂 Loving the marshmallow fluff!
tess says
marshmallows are a favorite in our house. I love that its homemade.
Rosey says
Ohh gluten free graham crackers is awesome. I have two kids out of four who don’t like smores, can you even imagine.
Jeanine says
Yum! What a fantastic idea. I know I would love these, but I’m pretty sure my kids would too! They look delicious!
Christie says
Um, this mom would indulge in a few of these treats too! What a great gluten free option for kids too!
Chrystal | YUM eating says
I just love the name “Figgies and Jammies” how adorable. Love your snacks. They look super tasty!
Diane (Created by Diane) says
What a super fun treat!
Debbie L. says
These look really tasty. Fun dessert that I know the kids will enjoy.
Cinny says
The delicious taste without all the work! I need to try this one out.
Michelle says
Thank you for sharing about the new Pamela’s products. I really look forward to trying the graham crackers. They look yummy! Thank you for the recipe for the fluff, too. Mmm.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
um I’m obsessed with the fact that you made organic marshmallow fluff!
Toni Dash says
You’ll be uber obsessed if you make it too! It’s light, creamy and easy to spread. Not sticky and ‘bouncy’ like the regular store type. The flavor is lighter too!
Michelle Palin says
S’mores are one of my favorite treats but I rarely get to have them since going gluten-free. I can’t wait to try your version!
Krystal says
That looks SO tasty. I love that it’s gluten free. Great dessert idea.