During the holiday season the entertaining circuit at my house gets amped up, just like everyone else. I usually have something snacky to serve (I can make crostini out of almost anything ingestible), and hopefully some recently baked cookies. But sometimes (more and more often) a guest will have to decline, because of gluten issues. And like most avid cooks, few things make me sadder than not being able to feed everyone in my house.

And that’s why I have discovered that having a few boxes of gluten cookies in the pantry is like having a few boxes of peace of mind. I have allergies of my own, and know what it’s like to miss out on various treats…. and I also know what it’s like to go to someone’s home who’s thought about your dietary issues and gone that extra step to make sure there is something delicious there that’s safe for me to eat.

I am very happy to have partnered with Pamela’s , and have a robust stash of their wonderful gluten free cookies at the ready so that everyone who swings by will be able to have something sweet and festive. They have a whole bunch of flavors in their cookie line— Chunky Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Chunk, Ginger, Butter Shortbread…..all truly delicious, and with pleasing textures.

Pamela’s has been crafting delicious gluten-free and non-GMO foods for thirty years. They source only the finest ingredients and they create very high quality products—just because someone is gluten-free doesn’t mean they won’t have something excellent to eat. Pamela’s products are available in many markets, and can also be easily ordered online.

And if you feel like going the extra mile, especially when you know there are gluten-free guests arriving, make them feel extra pampered with gluten-free ice cream sandwiches! Mix and match ice cream flavors to different types of cookies. I used vanilla and mint chip ice creams, and made sandwiches with a variety of the Pamela’s cookies: ginger, sugar, and a pepperminty chocolate version, which I had bought over the holidays.

Just place a scoop of slightly softened ice cream between two cookies, flat side facing inwards, and gently press them together. Use a knife to smooth the edges of the ice cream.

And if you want to go one step further and make the ice cream sandwiches extra awesome you can roll them in things like crushed candy canes, or peppermint bark (clearly I stocked up on holiday candy), or chopped crystallized ginger, or mini chocolate chips (white or regular), or sprinkles, or anything else you fancy. Make sure everything you use is gluten-free! This is also a nice project for the kids to help out with. Place them back in the freezer until they firm up.

Keep a robust stash of wonderful gluten free cookies at the ready so that everyone who swings by will be able to have something sweet and festive.

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You can make these up to a few days ahead of time; let them freeze on a plate and transfer them to an airtight container until ready to serve. And even if you do make the sandwiches, keep an extra box or two of the cookies around—perfect for a quick dunk in a cup of coffee for a midday pick-me up, or an after-dinner nibble.