It’s 8pm and as you tuck your little angel into bed she looks up at you and says, “Oh yeah Mom, I forgot to tell you, I need to take a snack to school tomorrow for my class.” Now at a moment like this, most parents will let out a little groan and start racking their brains for a snack they can miraculously pull out of thin air before 7am the next morning, but for the parent of a Celiac child, this news bulletin can cause full scale panic.

In celebration of ‘Back to School’ (and we know you are all celebrating), we’d like to share 3 great emergency school snack ideas that you can keep up your sleeve for just such an occasion. Then, the next time your child surprises you with the last minute snack for 20 concept, you can smile sweetly and pull off the miracle without the stress or late night run to the grocery store.

Valentine’s Day Crisis (True Story)
This idea and experience was shared with us by my doctor, Dr. Jean Layton of Bellingham, Washington. The night before Valentine’s Day, Jean’s daughter delivered the message, “Oh yeah Mom, I forgot to tell you, I need to take a snack to school tomorrow for my class.” Jean went to her freezer and pulled out a container of Glutenfreeda’s Chocolate Minty Python Real Cookies. She let the pre-formed cookie dough pieces thaw, then cut a small triangle out of the tops and formed the bottoms of the dough pieces into points, creating perfect chocolate hearts. She then baked them as directed and sent her daughter to school the next day with delicious gluten-free dark chocolate mint hearts.

All Glutenfreeda’s Real Cookies
This may seem like a biased selection for an ‘Emergency Snack’ but these bake at home cookies are the perfect solution for any immediate emergency. These cookies are pre-formed and frozen. You can simply keep them in your freezer until you need them. They bake directly from the freezer and are already shaped into the perfect cookie size, so there is no need for any prep. All you do is place the frozen cookie ‘puck’ on a baking sheet and bake. Glutenfreeda’s Real Cookies taste authentic and will be enjoyed by every child in class; there is no worry that other children will find these cookies anything other than delicious. Unlike packaged baked gluten-free cookies, they will not get stale or gritty sitting in your cupboard. They are fresh baked every time you eat them. These cookies are also perfect for impromptu dinner guests. If I have not had time to prepare a dessert for guests, I simply pop these cookies in the oven while everyone is finishing up their dinners. My guests are always pleasantly surprised when I present warm, fresh baked cookies for dessert with absolutely no fuss!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats

These treats are a delightful and fun snack for children. For mom’s and dad’s they are quick and easy to prepare. The recipe only has 5 ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes. You can cut the treats out with cookie cutters that are specific to the season or occasion.

Servings: Makes about 16 servings.
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 cups light corn syrup
• 1-1/2 cups peanut butter
• 6 cups EnviroKids Koala Krisps (this product can be found in most natural food stores)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Place the sugar, corn syrup and peanut butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat. Stirring constantly, cook the mixture until blended and the mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat and set aside.

Combine the cereal with the chocolate chips in a large bowl. Stir in the hot peanut butter mixture until combined. Spread the mixture into a 13x9" lightly greased baking pan. Let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for 15-20 minutes or until set. Cut into squares or fun shapes with cookie cutters. Serve.

We hope that these ideas help make this new school year a little less stressful for you and help to convince your children that you really can pull a rabbit out of a bag.

- Chef Yvonne