If you’ve ever bitten into a gluten-free cookie and immediately knew it was gluten-free—in the not-so-good way—you’re not alone. That telltale aftertaste, the dry crumbly texture, the weird chew… it can be a letdown.
But not all gluten-free cookies are created equal. My family put three popular brands of gluten-free vanilla sandwich cookies to the test in a blind tasting to find out which gluten free vanilla sandwich cookie best delivers the most flavor, best texture, and overall best experience. Spoiler alert: one of these might just become your new snack staple.
How We Tested Gluten-Free Vanilla Sandwich Cookies
Just like in our gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and gluten-free Oreo tests, we kept things fun and fair. No one knew which cookie was which as each one was labeled A, B, or C and scored based on:
– Taste
– Texture
– Appearance
We used blind folds while doing the taste and texture portion of the rating since one of our cookies says the brand name on each cookie. We used a 3-point scale for each category (0-2), then averaged the results. I also asked testers to write down their honest reactions—some of which were hilarious. We have three gluten-loving people and one person that gluten hates (that’s me). My goal is always to test gluten-free foods with people who eat gluten because the best gluten-free products taste just like regular gluten-full food. Of course, taste is personal, but here’s what our family thought.
Which Gluten-Free Vanilla Sandwich Cookies Did We Review?
I picked three of the most widely available, highly rated brands:
– Great Value Vanilla Flavored Crème Sandwich Cookies
– OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies
– Glutino Vanilla Crème Cookies
All cookies are gluten-free, widely available, and shelf-stable.
Which Gluten-Free Cookie Tasted the Best?
Winner: OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies
Runner-Up: Glutino Vanilla Crème Cookies
Lowest Score: Great Value Gluten-Free Vanilla Crème Sandwich Cookies
There was a lot of variability in how our family rated OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies and the Glutino Vanilla Crème Cookies. When looking at the raw data, my husband and I much preferred the Glutino Vanilla Crème Cookies, while my kids preferred the rated OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies. That’s partly why the error bars (those little black lines on the bar graph columns) are so large. It was a split decision: kids versus parents. As a family, we will be re-buying both OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies and Glutino Vanilla Crème Cookies when we want a vanilla sandwich cookie.
Review: OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies – The Kids' Favorite
Taste:
The cookies were described as “actually pretty good,” with a “nice ratio of cookie and frosting,” and were found to be “nice and sweet.” One reviewer simply stated they were “sweet and yummy.” However, another critique noted that “The flavor of the crème is off, too sweet, and the cookie flavor is off as well.” A more positive note was that the cookies “taste fine,” with a “nice soft vanilla flavor,” and that “The filling and cookie go together well.”
Texture:
The texture was generally described as “normal,” with “nice and crunchy cookie, with smooth frosting.” One reviewer simply called it “purrfeck.” On the other hand, a comment suggested that “The texture could use improvement.” Another detailed description mentioned that “The cookie texture is good, but the filling is too soft.” It was also noted that “The cookie sandwich parts collapse when you bite into it.”
Appearance:
The appearance was consistently described as “normal,” with one enthusiastic comment stating “like a OREO!!!!!!” One review noted it “Looks edible but bland in appearance.” Despite this, another description mentioned it “looks appealing,” with “the top raised parts are toastier in color than the background of the cookie.”
Overall Impression:
OREO’s gluten-free golden sandwich cookies are a top contender, loved for their classic structure and appealing flavor. While a few noted the crème could be improved, most found it worth having again.
Review: Great Value Gluten-Free Vanilla Crème Cookies – Are They Worth Trying?
Taste:
Reviewers found the taste to be “too sweet and weird,” “a little grainy,” and noted the frosting was “too sweet.” There was a “bad initial taste and aftertaste.” One detailed comment described the smell as “sweet,” but the vanilla as “kind of fake.” The reviewer disliked the flavor, questioning if it was the cookie or the frosting, calling the frosting flavor “gross” and “weird,” ultimately stating, “I just don’t like it.”
Texture:
The cookie’s texture was described as “too soft” multiple times. The frosting was noted to be “thick and a lot of it.” One review stated the cookie was “stale and too soft.” While the cookie’s texture was described as “fine,” the filling’s texture was deemed “awful,” compared to “eating putty.”
Appearance:
The appearance was described as “pretty.” One reviewer noted it “looks ok,” but had a “bit of a weird brown/tan/yellow color.” Another comment stated, “It looks like cardboard.” However, one positive comment mentioned it “looks appealing,” with edges that are “more golden than the deeper parts of the cookie,” which gives it dimension and interest.”
Overall Impression:
Despite its affordable price point, Great Value Gluten-Free Vanilla Crème Sandwich Cookies fell flat in both flavor and texture. Testers appreciated the appearance but found little else redeeming.
Review: Glutino Vanilla Crème Cookies – The Parents’ Favorite
Taste:
The taste was described as “not bad,” with the crème flavor being “good.” One reviewer found the frosting “yummy” and “pretty sweet,” though perhaps “a little much” for them, suggesting it might be better for others. They noted the cookies had a “good non-gluten-free cookie flavor” and speculated the overall taste was “too sweet.” Another comment indicated the cookie “smells mild, taste of the cookie is good,” describing it as “nice and mildly vanilla,” with a “natural” flavor. The filling, however, was noted to taste “a lot like a marshmallow.”
Texture:
The texture was described as somewhat inconsistent. It was liked by some but critiqued by others for not matching the cookie’s visual appeal. There was mention of it being soft in parts.
Appearance:
The appearance was highly rated, and it nearly tied with OREO. The golden color and nicely formed edges gave it a polished and appealing look.
Overall Impression:
Glutino’s cookie came close to taking first place, with its nostalgic flavor and sweet, marshmallow-like crème. It’s a good option if you want the combination of a mild vanilla cookie and a sweeter filling in your cookie.
Download My Gluten-Free Cookie Taste Test Score Sheet (Free Printable)
The chaos of prepping for taste testing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gluten-Free Sandwich Cookies
Are gluten-free cookies healthier?
Not inherently; for people who can’t eat gluten (like me), they are a fun treat.
Are these gluten-free vanilla sandwich cookies suitable for people with other dietary restrictions (e.g., dairy-free, vegan)?
Glutino Vanilla Creme Cookies have eggs and soy. It’s Certified Gluten Free (GFCO Certification), OU Kosher Logo certification, and at a GFSI-certified facility.
Great Value Gluten-Free Vanilla Crème Sandwich Cookies are Certified Gluten Free and Kosher. It has soy and may have nuts and eggs due to the processing facility.
OREO Gluten Free Golden Sandwich Cookies are certified gluten-free. They have soy.
As always, brands can change ingredients and processing methods. Please check the packaging or call the brand for all serious food allergies.
Where can I purchase these specific brands of gluten-free vanilla sandwich cookies?
You can purchase them online from the brands or check your local supermarket/big box store (like Target) for Glutinos and OREOs. The Great Value brand is only at Walmart.
Share Your Favorite Gluten-Free Cookies in the Comments
Have you tried any of these gluten-free sandwich cookies? Got a favorite I should try next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
This is a friendly cookie zone—you’re here for honest opinions and shared treats; constructive and on-topic comments are welcome.
Disclaimers: When writing this post, no financial compensation was derived from any of the sources, products, or people mentioned. For more information about the financials of this blog, please go here.
