Peanut/Nut Free Christmas Candy and Chocolate

Don't know if you're in the US, but hershey's makes santa shaped chocolate bars, snowman shaped white chocolate bars with cookie bits, and snowflake shaped peppermint patties, all of which are very good [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Codyman, do the items themselves have to look Christmas-y or are you going to make the basket look Christmas-y enough?

I've always loved the thought of receiving (or buying) that rather large box of I believe it's Trebor Allan Licorice Allsorts that are PA safe - actually, it may not be Trebor Allan. I always see the boxes out on the displays with Christmas candies/chocolates

Would you be interested in buying any chocolate/candies that are imported from the U.K. and are different than the ones we have in Canada, but still PA safe - so something different that the people may not have tried?

I'd also be quite content with the big bags of Dare candies that are PA safe - the jelly beans, ju jubes, gum drops. I'm not sure if they have bags made up in Christmas colours or not.

You need some help from The Candy Guru, erik, here, or Thomas whose wife did work for Trebor Allan.

I'll try to remember this when I go out shopping tomorrow (just in the grocery) and see if I spot anything that looks interesting.

Oh, this is Canadian specific.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

Sorry, meaning that I know Codyman is Canadian so she's asking Canadian specific.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

Codyman -

Some things I have come across on my annual "safe" chocolate /candy hunt...

I found some Xmas chocolates by vadeboncouer in Walmart (Canada) the other day (which I bought for my PA son) - they had plain chocolate x-mas shapes, and caramel filled teddy bears. They actually say peanut/tree nut free on the box. Not the most luscious chocolate, but pretty good if you're not looking for total luxury.

Just wondering if you are looking for stuff that actually says "peanut free" on the package? If not, I think that Nestle After Eights are safe as well. Also found some cadbury snowmen (plain and caramel filled) that looked safe.

I also recently tried Dare Ruffles (actually in the cookie section, but more like a chocolate - they are filled with coconut though, like a Bounty bar - don't know if you're ok with that).

There is a company in Nova Scotia called Robertson's Candy. They make hard candy - Clear Toys, Christmas Hard Candy, and Chicken Bones. None of their candy has nuts or peanuts in it. For the past two years they have been sold across Canada in Zellers - I haven't checked this year.

The Cadbury Snowmen are peanut free - they are usually found with the chocolate bars with four snowmen in a package.

Comet makes peanut-free Christmas confectionary items. Small foil bells, Santas, etc. Comet products are at Dollarama, and some Loblaws and A&P/Dominion stores. -Canada-

Quote:Originally posted by starlight:
[b]Don't know if you're in the US, but hershey's makes santa shaped chocolate bars, snowman shaped white chocolate bars with cookie bits, and snowflake shaped peppermint patties, all of which are very good [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img][/b]

Canadian specific ... forgot to add it in the Topic

Quote:Originally posted by csc:
[b]Codyman, do the items themselves have to look Christmas-y or are you going to make the basket look Christmas-y enough?

I've always loved the thought of receiving (or buying) that rather large box of I believe it's Trebor Allan Licorice Allsorts that are PA safe - actually, it may not be Trebor Allan. I always see the boxes out on the displays with Christmas candies/chocolates

Would you be interested in buying any chocolate/candies that are imported from the U.K. and are different than the ones we have in Canada, but still PA safe - so something different that the people may not have tried?[/b]

The items don't "have" to be "Christmas-y".

I didn't know that the Licorice Allsorts were safe.

I don't know of any UK products that are safe, as I usually avoid imported products. If you know of some, please post.
Thanks.

Quote:Originally posted by happycat:
[b]Codyman -

Some things I have come across on my annual "safe" chocolate /candy hunt...

I found some Xmas chocolates by vadeboncouer in Walmart (Canada) the other day (which I bought for my PA son) - they had plain chocolate x-mas shapes, and caramel filled teddy bears. They actually say peanut/tree nut free on the box. Not the most luscious chocolate, but pretty good if you're not looking for total luxury.

Just wondering if you are looking for stuff that actually says "peanut free" on the package? If not, I think that Nestle After Eights are safe as well. Also found some cadbury snowmen (plain and caramel filled) that looked safe.

I also recently tried Dare Ruffles (actually in the cookie section, but more like a chocolate - they are filled with coconut though, like a Bounty bar - don't know if you're ok with that).

[/b]

Forgot all about Vadeboncouer, bought the Easter ones .. will look for the Christmas ones. Thanks.
Today, I just bought the After Eights, saw a small bag with a warning but the classic boxed ones didn't.
Will look for the Dare Ruffles ... never heard of them before. Thanks.

AnnaMarie ~ I'll have to look for Robertson's Candy, never heard of them. Thanks.

erik ~ Just bought the Comet foil balls today at Food Basics $1.27 bag. I'll look at Dollarama for the Santas. Thanks.

I've added Hot Chocolate to the basket for MIL, need to get some Coffee for FIL.
Thanks everyone.
Keep the suggestions coming!!

Amanda's Own Confections

[url="http://amandasown.com/"]http://amandasown.com/[/url]

This chocolate is dairy-free dark chocolate.

Codyman, the Licorice Allsorts that I've looked at are PA safe (well, I haven't called, but I think they are labeled well, IMPHO) but I know they're not Trebor Allan, or fairly sure that they're not. Starts with a B I think. I did try to look to-day when I was in the store and couldn't really see anything that "burst my bubble".

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

csc, you are probably talking about Bassett's. They are made by Trebor Bassett (yes related to Trebor Allan and has good labelling). The box is black and has a picture of a man made out of the candy.

Yummy! Got a big box sitting in my cold room - with other Christmas candy I'm waiting [i]im[/i]patiently to eat. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Anna Marie, thank-you. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] At least I haven't lost all of my brain cells.

Now, to-day, when I ran down to the store to get ginger ale for my dolly, I looked at Queen Anne Cordial Cherries. Made in America. Nice box. Looked well labeled, but would have to check with them I kinda felt (although ingredient label did look okay - but no "may contains" listed at all).
$1.99.

Also, as I'm wandering, child-less, I noticed those things - pirouilles? Anyway, a chocolate stuffed long roll thing. Great description, eh? Anyway. $6.99. I was reading the label on them and although it did end up in disappointment - under vegetable oil they very clearly had PEANUT OIL. I didn't see any "may contains" or anything else after that, but I thought they did look like a nice gift item.

Checked out the After Eights on the same shelving as the Queen Anne cherries and they were PA safe. Glanced at a couple of other things to see why they weren't PA safe (i.e., the pre-packaged Turtles).

I think the website was [url="http://www.queenannecandy.com"]www.queenannecandy.com[/url]

Let me check that.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

Okay, I read their history and they originally made a caramel nut chocolate (1948) but in looking at their current product line, I can't see a nut in sight. Not that that means anything. It also looks like they are owned by Hershey's.

I tell you, I felt like scarfing something down to-day (which is rare - when it comes to chocolate anyway [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) and I almost bought them.

Someone else was looking for chocolate covered cherries recently.....

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

csc: what store did you find the Queen Anne Cordial Cherries? Yesterday, I bought the gift box/basket to put the items in ~ a pre-decorated Christmas box from our local dollar store. I hope to have a FULL box with some gift certificates insert amongst the candy/chocolate.

Went to Walmart and found the Licorice Allsorts it is a LARGE box. Also found some other candies made by DARE.

Codyman, glad you found everything! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Yes, it is a very large box, isn't it? Whenever I look at it and feel like buying it for my home, I have this feeling that I'm going to sit here and eat the whole thing! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]

I found the Queen Anne Cordial Cherries at ValuMart (Loblaw's off-shoot). I did purchase a box yesterday - I thought they were luscious. Maybe 12 in a box. But I hadn't contacted the company yet. There was no phone number on the box, just their website address. They were quite luscious though, really.

When I went to Sobey's yesterday, I didn't even think to look at anything different people were asking about here because I got rather dazed and confused (and also because they didn't have my vanilla candle in stock and I was surprised).

The gift basket sounds wonderful. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

Speaking of chocolate covered cherries, Cadbury Cerises are safe too. I just had some today (45 gram package)

can anyone tell me if any of these peanut free items happen to be egg free as well?

We have family in Canada that want to buy treats for us.

kkeene, the Robertson's candy in my cupboard is peanut and egg (and milk) free. I can't find a web-site for them though. Also, haven't seen them in stores this year. Is your family on the east coast?

The Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts (I have corrected the spelling since I now have the box in front of me) have the following ingredients:

sugar, molasses type syrup, wheat flour, glucose syrup, desicated coconut (contains sulphites), caramel, gelatin, modified corn starch, corn flour, low fat cocoa, modified potato starch, liquorice extract, natural and artificial flavours, colour, carnauba wax, sunflower or palm kernel oil, coconut oil [b]may contain traces of milk protein[/b]

I don't see anything that says egg to me. But, since i don't live with that allergy I felt it was safer to copy out the list for you. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

How is your family at label reading? Since egg is one of the major allergens, I'm pretty sure DARE would label for it. It's to late tonight, but I'll try to remember to check tomorrow morning.

erik, have you ever had the Queen Anne ones?
I haven't e-mailed the company yet. I did think they looked well labeled. They were priced really well - about 12 for $1.99. I have to say they were most luscious. Also, I liked the packaging for some reason - for gift giving.

I still want to confirm with the company but I did let Jesse try one. Would you like to guess what happened?

He didn't like it! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]

I also bought something else yesterday - I was in the peanut butter/other spreads aisle at Sobey's. They also had honey, jam and the No Nuts Peabutter (first time I've seen that). At any rate, they had a caramel spread (not something one would buy for protein, that's for sure). Shiriff's. I'll have to check the correct spelling. It looked really well labeled with the major allergens listed in bold in the ingredient list.

At any rate, sorry Codyman, nothing to do with your gift basket, do you think either child likes it?

I had some in the middle of the night and also again to-day and it reminds me of something - I'm trying desperately to put my finger on it. It may even be something from childhood. I may have to ask my Mom.

It's a very thick spread and it is caramel. I don't think I would want it on plain bread, but only toast. It's thicker than the caramel or butterscotch syrup things you buy for ice cream.

I'm going to have to ask my Mom. It may have been something I had as a kid. At any rate, I had never seen it before (that I can remember) until yesterday and I thought, well, I'll buy it for the kids to try, but no, neither one of them care for it.

I also tried the Rosemary/Olive Oil Triscuits and I found them a bit strong.

My apologies, Codyman. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]

Oh, and Anna Marie, about that box of Bassett's - sounds heavenly.

I'm wondering if the box of President's Choice is actually made by them (Bassett's). In my local grocery store, they only have the PC brand, on the same shelving where I found the Queen Anne cherries, so I was thinking of calling from the store one day. I do know that I would eat the whole box and then suffer the next day. I have not had them in a long long time.

I remember first seeing the Bassett ones at Giant Tiger in Belleville.

(Remember, I don't get out a lot - but of course, *have* to get out tomorrow when we're going to be hit with a major snowstorm and I have a twisted ankle!)

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

csc, you might have had that stuff as a child. I'm pretty sure I did. (And we seem to have lived parallel lives.) Who needs toast. I eat it off the spoon. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] (My kids don't like it either.)

When we are in Canada I pick up Map-O-Spread made by J.M.Smucker found in the jam area at A&P, Walmart etc...

Very Yummy

Anna Marie, see, I told you we're not that much different after all! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] You just think we are! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

Quote:Originally posted by kkeene:
[b]can anyone tell me if any of these peanut free items happen to be egg free as well?

We have family in Canada that want to buy treats for us.

[/b]

I suddenly remembered my late-night promise and just called DARE.

The woman I spoke with said if egg is added it would definitely be listed (she said it's required by law). However, egg would not be listed as a may contain if it runs on the same equipment as they have very stringent cleaning between every run.

She did say they list sesame seed as a may contain on some of their crackers because they are so tiny and have a habit of hiding. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]

If you would like to call DARE yourself the number is 1-800-461-3273 (for candy and baked goods).