Company FAQ

Who is Erin Baker?
Erin Baker is a real person! She created our original product, the Baker's Breakfast Cookie, in a rented 4-H kitchen in Langley, Washington. In 1996, she moved her growing company to Bellingham, Washington where it remains today. She continues to play a vital role at the bakery, doing everything from product development to sales. When she's not at work, you can find her trail running, mountain biking and snowboarding in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

Where is Bellingham?
Nestled in the Northwest corner of Washington State, Bellingham is about 90 miles north of Seattle and 21 miles south of the Canadian border. The city encompasses about 28 square miles, with the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands to the west, the Chuckanut Mountain Range to the south, and snow-capped Mount Baker and the North Cascade Mountains to the east.

Product FAQ

Why are they called the "Original Breakfast Cookie"?
Erin Baker invented the original Breakfast Cookie with passion and ingenuity. When Baker's Breakfast Cookies began in 1994, the idea of a cookie for breakfast was a novel concept. Erin pioneered the idea of putting healthy, nutritious ingredients into a cookie that could be enjoyed for breakfast. A perfect "meal on the go", our Breakfast Cookies created a new trend in breakfast. This all-natural "portable bowl of oatmeal" provides sustained energy and wholesome nutrition to millions of people who don't have time for breakfast. Although you will find imitations, nothing will ever beat the best-tasting, nutritious, Original Baker's Breakfast Cookie.

Can I toast a Breakfast Cookie?
Toasting Baker's Breakfast Cookies is a delicious treat. Just open the package, pop one in the toaster and you have a warm, chewy, just out of the oven cookie! If you have chosen to freeze your cookies, toasting is a great way to defrost and warm your cookie in one easy step. Try it!

Are Organic Brownie Bites dairy-free?
Yes, all our Brownie Bites are dairy-free. Using the finest Belgian chocolate and all-natural ingredients, we achieved a great-tasting brownie without the extra calories.

What does "soft-baked" Granola mean?
Our Granola is handcrafted in small batches and undergoes a unique baking process that allows it to retain the taste and texture of the organic ingredients. This method creates a granola that is never hard and always soft-baked to perfection.

What does "Natural" mean?
Although there is no nationally-recognized criterion for products to be considered "natural", Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods is committed to using the best ingredients possible. This means our products will never contain high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, or anything artificial, including artificial colors or flavors. When you eat our products you can rest assured that they are as close to nature as possible.

What does "Organic" mean?
Organic ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation. Organic foods are grown and processed in an environmentally sustainable way, helping to restore and protect the health of the soil, and thus the environment. The National Organic Program Standards were created to assure the public that the organic foods they purchase are grown, processed and certified in accordance with these guidelines. Our bakery operates under these regulations, bringing you the healthiest, most environmentally-friendly products possible.

What does Kosher mean?
The Hebrew word kosher means fit or proper as it relates to the kosher dietary law.  For more information, please visit the Orthodox Union (www.ou.org/kosher)

What does this mean to me if I am not concerned with a Kosher diet?
To receive kosher certification, our manufacturing facility has to meet stringent cleanliness and processing guidelines.  Our facility is regularly monitored by a Rabbinical Field Representative to insure that these guidelines are consistently followed.

What does Vegan mean?
A Vegan diet contains no animal products, including meat, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy.  Our Vegan cookies were created to appeal to people with this personal dietary requirement.  However, you will find they are just as tasty as the rest of our great products!

What makes Erin Baker's Homestyle Granola sweet?
The only sweeteners you will ever find in our Organic Granola come straight from nature. Our homestyle, soft-baked Granola is sweetened with organic honey and organic maple syrup. You will never find corn syrup in any of Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods.

Where can I buy Erin Baker's products?
Our products are available in grocery stores, cafes, gyms, coffee shops and many other retail locations nationwide.  If you cannot find them in a store nearby, you can order them online or call us toll-free at 877-889-1090.

What is the shelf life of Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods?
All of our products are made without preservatives, but because of our excellent packaging, our products stay fresher, longer. Breakfast Cookies have a shelf life of 90 days, though the shelf life of some flavors varies, depending on the ingredients. Our Organic Brownie Bites and Organic Breakfast Cookie Minis have a 4 month shelf life. Our granola keeps fresh for 9 months in an unopened bag. All of our products are baked fresh and then shipped, so when you're ordering from us you can trust you're getting the freshest product possible.

Can I freeze my Breakfast Cookies?
Yes, Breakfast Cookies can be frozen for up to a year. They can be quickly defrosted in a microwave or toaster, and are even more delicious when warmed!

Ingredient FAQ

Where does the protein come from?
The protein in Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods comes from a variety of ingredients, including: egg whites, oats, nuts and peanut butter. All of our recipes are formulated without fortified ingredients, ensuring that you get the freshest, most natural product possible.

What is Organic Evaporated Cane Juice?
Organic evaporated cane juice is organic sugar made from 100% certified organic sugar cane.  Within 24 hours of cane harvest the juice is extracted, field impurities are removed and it is then crystallized. Because it is far less processed than traditional white sugar it retains a natural blond color and a delicious natural taste.  (Source:  www.organickingdom.com)

What is Brown Rice Syrup?
Brown rice syrup is a thick, amber syrup made by culturing rice with enzymes to break down the starches.  When fermentation begins, the starches in the rice convert to maltose and other complex sugars, making this syrup a healthy alternative to simple sugars.  Due to their structure, complex carbohydrates release slowly into the bloodstream, breaking down slowly and not altering the blood chemistry; this provides fuel for the body rather than wreaking havoc on blood sugar levels.  (Sources:  International Starch Institute, www.starch.dk)

What is Expeller Pressed Canola Oil?
Expeller pressed oils are arguably the best for human consumption.  Canola oil is a rich source of vitamin E, an important dietary antioxidant.  Canola oil also contains the lowest amount of total saturated fat of commonly consumed vegetable oils and is second only to olive oil in the levels of the important monounsaturated fat, oleic acid.  Canola oil contains a healthy ratio of the Omega-6 (linoleic acid) and Omega-3 (alpha linolenic acid) EFAs, both of these fatty acids cannot be produced by the body and must therefore be obtained from the diet.  Canola oil doesn’t contain trans fatty acids.  According to the FDA, there is a direct, proven relationship between diets high in trans fat content and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and, therefore, an increased risk of coronary heart disease.  There are “good” fats and “bad” fats, just like there is good and bad cholesterol.  Saturated fats and trans fats have bad effects on cholesterol levels.  Polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats (such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil and corn oil) have good effects.  (Sources:  www.canolainfo.org and US Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov)

What is Chicory Extract (inulin)?
Inulin is a natural soluble dietary fiber, which is derived from chicory root.  Other fruits and vegetables also contain inulin, such as bananas, garlic, onions and artichokes.  Inulin provides fiber, is suitable for diabetics and increases the activity of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.  Recently, research has shown that the ingestion of inulin significantly increases the absorption of calcium in the diet, which benefits in improving bone density and reduces the occurrence of osteoporosis.  (Source: Medical Tribune October 2002)

What is Soy Lecithin?
Soy lecithin is extracted from soybean oil and is used as a natural emulsifier or stabilizer.  Lecithin provides an excellent source of choline, which is essential to every living cell in the body and is one of the main components of cell membranes.  Studies show that most soy allergic individuals may safely eat products that contain soy lecithin as this substance is fat based, and persons with allergies react to the protein portion of the food.  (Source:  United Soybean Board, www.unitedsoybean.org)

What is Chocolate Liquor?
Chocolate liquor is produced by grinding the cocoa bean nib to a smooth, liquid state.  A non-alcoholic substance, chocolate liquor is the basis of all chocolate and cocoa products.  Once cooled, the chocolate liquor can be molded into blocks also known as unsweetened baking chocolate.  (Source:  www.foodreference.com)