Having food allergies and intolerances is never fun – I am coeliac so have to follow a strict gluten-free diet and I feel like I spend my life checking the labels of something that sounds delicious, only to be disappointed that I can’t eat it. It can be even harder for little gifts and stocking fillers too, especially if you also need to follow a dairy-free diet; I’m lucky and I can still eat dairy but lots of coeliacs can’t.
So it was great to be asked to try out a range of sweet treats that would be perfect stocking filler gifts, just in time for Christmas. We were sent a selection of items from Pulsin and Livia’s products: Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars from Pulsin (£17.82 for 18x35g Bars), Cookie Dough and Choc Brownie Nugglets from Livia’s (£12.99 for 9x35g Bags) and Salted Caramel and Chocolate Orange Million Squares from Livia’s (£15.99 for 12x60g Bars).
All of the products use dates or date paste as a basis, as lots of gluten-free products do. This means that they are a lot more natural than some gluten-free products which can have a tendency to be stuffed full of chemicals and preservatives. It’s also worth noting that the Livia’s products also use gluten-free oats – again, I’m absolutely fine with these but I know many coeliacs can’t tolerate them.
![](https://www.ourfamilyreviews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/LiviasChocBrownieNugglets.jpeg)
![](https://www.ourfamilyreviews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/LiviasCookieDoughNugglets.jpeg)
The Livia’s Nugglets come in small packs that are ideal as a little stocking filler or lunchbox snack. They are small balls of cookie/brownie flavoured yumminess, about the size of a Malteser. The texture is soft but firm, almost like a chocolate truffle, and I have to say that they are delicious. The date flavour doesn’t overpower like it can do in some products, and the flavour of the cookie dough / chocolate brownie really shines through. I also enjoyed the chocolate – I very often don’t like vegan chocolate but this was really nice. My favourite of the two is the chocolate Brownie flavour, but they were both really nice.
![](https://www.ourfamilyreviews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/LiviasMilltionSquares.jpg)
The next product we tried was the Million Squares – we were sent the Caramel and the Chocolate Orange flavours. These resemble little millionaire shortbread cubes, and each pack contains 3 little treats. They are comprised of an oaty biscuit base, a date-paste filling and a ‘chocolate’ topping. Of all of the snacks, I thought these had the strongest taste of dates, probable because they were filled so generously. I really enjoyed them but if I’m honest, I’d say these were probably more one for the adults as the flavour wasn’t quite sweet or chocolatey enough for the kids. Still a great standby for lunchboxes though, and again fantastic for if you’re looking at putting together a gluten free hamper or Christmas stocking.
![Pulsin](https://www.ourfamilyreviews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/PulsinDoubleChocBrownie.jpg)
Finally, my absolute favourite of the products! The Pulsin Choc Fudge Brownie Bar. Oh my goodness, this is delicious! It’s a bit bigger than standard a cereal bar so there is plenty there and it is absolutely delicious! There is a definite fudge flavour along with a rich, dark chocolate taste. I personally couldn’t detect any date at all, although the ingredients tell me it’s there! The texture is squidgy and decadent, and it is a real treat. You wouldn’t know it was gluten free at all, and it was so hard not to go back for another bar! I promise that anyone, coeliac or otherwise, would be delighted with this in their Christmas stocking!
DISCLAIMER – ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTS ALL STATE VEGAN AND SOYA FREE:
THE MILLION SQUARES May contain tree nuts, eggs, soya, sesame & peanut.
THE NUGGLETS May contain tree nuts, eggs, soya, sesame & peanut.
THE CHOC FUDGE BROWNIE BAR May contain nuts, peanuts & date pits.
For more information or to buy, visit www.pulsin.co.uk.