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DS is celebrating his fourth birthday in a few weeks, and I want to bring a snack to preschool that he can enjoy with his friends. One of the children has a peanut allergy, and I'm having a hard time coming up with any baked goods (donuts, muffins, etc.) that would be safe to serve. Making something from scratch is not an option, as the school has rules against that.
Any suggestions would be a big help!
TIA...
have you checked Entenmann's? or the organic section of your grocery store, there must be cookies or something that would work. maybe fruit cups?
In Canada, Quaker makes some granola bars that are peanut free and individually labelled as such (not all of their flavors are peanut free). Not sure if you have those in the US or not. I've heard Nutrigrain bars are peanut free, but not 100% sure on that.
Dare also makes peanut free products, though their selection in the US appears to be far more limited than in Canada: http://www.darefoods.com/usa-en/nutr...ee/index.shtml
Entenmann's Little Bites snacks are a good compromise and readily available. The Little Bites Brownies taste fine, and are nut-free when we've gotten them. Please check the allergen label on each box and don't take my word for it. Allergen contamination happens all the time, and the box labeling should be the checked firsthand.
Individually packaged plain Rice Krispie Treats. I sent them in for my DD's birthday with a little bow on each one so everyone could "open" it.
ETA Check the box to be absolutely sure. I got this idea from a mom of a student in my class who had a life threatening peanut allergy. WHenever we celebrated a birthday he had his own stash of these rice krispie treats so he could enjoy the celebration too. When I sent them in for my dd (who is allergic to peanuts) they were okayed by the daycare.
Some other suggestions, although they aren't baked goods, are oreos, fudge stripe cookies, jello gelatin or pudding cups or popsicles.
Thanks for all the ideas so far.
I *wish* Dare sold Bear Paws in the U.S. I'd buy a case! DH is from Montreal, so we always enjoy those when we visit. :)
As much as I love Rice Krispie Treats -- DS doesn't. I love the idea of putting a bow on each bar, but I know he wouldn't be into them. :(
Will look at Entenmann's and all your other great suggestions! And I will read the labels closely...
Christine
Entenmann donut holes were the preferred "bring in for birthday party" snack when Sarah was at the JCC preschool.
I would just ask the mom what brand is safe...she will appreciate it and it will take the guesswork out it for you (our preschool did away with having parents bring in snacks for birthdays just because of this issue- it made it easier on the parents too as the birthday child got to have a special day, they picked the snack for the day, they shared their Birthday Pennant that they'd made and we were free to do a favor or not (most chose not like me)...when DD was having her 5th birthday party at home one of her classmates has multiple alllergies..I asked if there were candies she could eat as we were having a pinata...there were and I only bought those...the mom was so happy that I called (her DD couldn't have any cake....I even asked if a bakery in town made any cakes she could have but she has allergies to eggs and so many other things her mom just sends along a snack to parties....and her parent always stay with her epipen...)
convenience food for allergies can be expensive. Enjoy life brand has several cookies, but there's like 10 in a box for $4. The snickerdoodles are really good. If it's just peanuts you have to avoid, maybe something like rice krispies? I know you said baking isn't an option, but the receipe for applesauce cake is really good and so easy. I make it into minimuffins.
ETA: something about snacks/baked goods...Just be careful when you're reading the label that it not only doesn't contain peanuts, but that it doesn't say "may contain traces of peanuts or made on equip with peanuts." I think 10% of items that say this actually have some peanuts. That's why I don't give any candy bars at all, b/c most are made on the same equip as other candybars with peanuts. I have give nutrigrain bars with no problem to DS as they don't have those warnings, although other generic brands of cereal bars often say "made on shared equip"
My son and I are allergic to peanuts. And my DD was in the
peanut-free classroom for kindergarten.
Here are a few ideas-
*Chips Ahoy, you can buy the little individual packs.
*Oreos
*Rice Krispies individually wrapped treats
*Entenmann's Little Bites chocolate chip muffins (my son
LOVES these muffins!! They are so moist!)
Two other brand to try are Gaks Snacks and Divvies.
http://www.gakssnacks.com/
http://www.divvies.com/
Popsicles, Oreos, regular Chips Ahoy, and Hoodsie cups are also OK.
However, as the mom of a child with a PA. I almost always send in my own treat. I appreciate it when others try to accomodate her, but you can't be too safe.
It is so sweet that you want to bring in something for ALL of the kids. Quite often, my kids need to eat their "special" treat from home b/c someone brought in either something that was homemade, "manufactered in a plant...:, or actually had peanuts. They know that sometimes they cannot eat the birthday treats and are okay with their "special" treat but it is always fun for them to actually eat the same as the rest of the class. That being said, I am sure that the child in your DS's class probably has a special snack, too.
Some ideas:
- I second the Rice Crispie treats.
- "Enjoy Life" brand (http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/) is always a safe bet. The apple caramel things are nasty but the double chocolate things and the snickerdoodles are yummy. This brand would be expensive for the whole class though as the cookies/servings are small and one box of 10-ish is $$. You could bring in these and chocolate milk. :)
- Jello cups, pudding cups, and ICE CREAM (!!) cups with a can of whipped topping have always been a big hit.
- Hostess cupcakes seem to be safe. A child in my DS's class, who is even more peanut allergic than DS, has brought these in.
- Not exactly fun but applesauce cups with graham cracker sticks for dipping.
Good luck!