Vegan and Gluten- and Dairy-Free Candies

Just because someone has food restrictions—like gluten-free or dairy-free—doesn’t mean you can’t gift him or her with delicious candy and chocolate. Here are some sweets that fit special diets.

Vegan & Dairy-Free. Red-flag ingredients for vegans include gelatin, lard or any unspecified natural flavorings that could be derived from animals. Most licorice is considered vegan, as long as it does not contain any flavorings or colorings derived from animals. Try: SunRidge Farms’ Raspberry Red Licorice Hearts sweetened with natural raspberry powder and grape juice concentrate.

Chocolate needs to be free of any milk-based ingredients, including casein and lactose. Try: Endangered Species’ Vegan Collection, a dairy-free line of dark chocolate, ranging from 70-88 percent cocoa content, that is made from ethically traded, shade-grown, single-origin cocoa.
Artisan, agave-sweetened chocolates are produced at low heat, contain no dairy and are vegan. Try: Fine & Raw’s Bonbon Bar, Lucuma & Vanilla Bar, and Raspberry and 78 percent Cacao Nib bars.

Gluten-Free. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with celiac disease and cause health problems. Artisan chocolatiers are increasing the number of gluten-free treats they offer and others are shifting their manufacturing to gluten-free facilities to ensure there is no cross-contamination. Try: Azure Chocolat’s Smore’s, Beauty Bark (also vegan-/dairy-free), Chocolat Smothered Grahams, Classic Toffee and hand-rolled fresh cream truffles.

Gluten-free treats are so delicious that they’re winning industry awards. Try: Bissinger’s Gummy Pandas, winner of the 2008 Outstanding Confection sofi™ Award, and Bequet Confections’ Licorice Caramels, Bozeman. –Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

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