Indulge in the Best: Good Housekeeping's Sweet Snack Winners

This isn't your average chocolate bar – Blue Stripes uses the whole cacao fruit combined with creamy hazelnut butter for a delectable bite.

LAB RESULTS: Not only is this a more sustainable choice, but utilizing the whole cacao pod amplifies the nutrient-density of the bar. "I especially like the combination of textures in this chocolate bar - I think that's what makes it really special," one person said, adding that the snack checked several boxes for them since it's vegan and kosher too.

Indulge in a blissful afternoon pick-me-up with these caffeinated dark chocolate bites from AWAKE. Smooth, rich and delicious, each functional bite packs in as much caffeine as half a cup of coffee, just enough to get you through that post-lunch slump.

LAB RESULTS: Testers unanimously raved that each bite tasted like high-quality dark chocolate, and loved that it was individually wrapped. "Often times I don't want to consume a coffee midday, but this was the perfect amount of caffeine to give me a jolt of energy and keep me going," one person said.

Made with simple, thoughtfully-sourced ingredients like almond and coconut flours, each mini grain-free cookie popper from REAL is lightly sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar.

LAB RESULTS: Not only was Cookies & Creme a crowd-pleasing flavor, but our nutrition pros love that the treat is vegan and gluten-free. "This flavor-bursting treat is satisfying and serving size is plenty," one tester said. "We are definitely adding this delicious treat to our snack pantry. A treat that appeals to young and old alike."

Vegans, rejoice! Finally, a delicious and creamy dairy-free milk chocolate bar from LOVO. Swiss chocolatiers have discovered a way to make this delectable bar using almond milk and non-GMO beet sugar for natural sweetness (though slightly over our sugar threshold, so indulge mindfully).

LAB RESULTS: Food influencer Yumna Jawad adored the smooth, creamy texture of the bar, adding that it was "sweet, but not too sweet." Testers appreciated the high-quality ingredients and great taste, with one saying, "It was really good. A nice chocolate, and even better for people with dairy allergies to be able to enjoy!"

Inspired by torta caprese (a flourless chocolate cake), Lexington Bakes Hazelnut Brownie is a gluten-free treat that uses the highest quality ingredients for a seriously delectable snack. And the Maple Brown Butter Chilled Oat Bar is reminiscent of a British Flapjack.

LAB RESULTS: The ingredients are top-notch, and the hazelnut pieces in the brownie added, "a perfect bit of crunch to the soft bite," said one taste tester. "The flavor is on point, sweet without being too sweet and just the right amount of chocolate," another person commented. And one described the oat bar as the "perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors."

Beloved chocolate brand Hu's newest innovation makes for the ultimate sweet indulgence. The coconut flavor mixes real coconut flakes with a creamy coconut butter filling, while the hazelnut butter is its best-selling bar flavor in mini bites form.

LAB RESULTS: "I really enjoyed the rich, smooth taste of Hu's hazelnut butter and dark chocolate—it’s the perfect bite-sized treat," registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman says. "It's great that the bars are free from dairy, soy, gluten and refined sugars, making them a simple option that keeps the sweet, tasty chocolate flavor we all appreciate and love."

Mightylicious transforms nostalgic oatmeal cookies to create a gluten-free version that is delightfully chewy and flavorful. Each bite is completely vegan and free from preservatives too.

LAB RESULTS: "Great for coconut lovers, with a soft crunch," said judge and influencer Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie, with many testers adding that they loved the coconut addition to the classic oatmeal cookie. Even Kevin Curry of Fit Men Cook admitted, "I embarrassed myself by how quickly and voraciously I attacked these darn cookies. But yolo!"

With their gooey caramel centers and premium dark chocolate shells, these SkinnyDipped squares strike the ideal balance of salty and sweet to satisfy any craving.

LAB RESULTS: Testers loved that the delicious treat only has 2 g of sugar per bite. "Usually I put my chocolate snacks in the fridge to get that 'snap' feel when biting into it. This candy has that wonderful 'snap' as you bite into it without even refrigerating it," one person raved.

Your classic chocolate chunk cookie mix, but without the junk! My Better Batch uses premium semisweet chocolate chunks and a simple list of non-GMO ingredients. Just add an egg and some butter for soft, chewy cookies that taste like they're made from scratch.

LAB RESULTS: "I loved the ease of preparing it and it turned out 'homemade' without the added work," one tester said, adding that the instructions for baking were spot on. And although this mix is slightly above our added sugar limit, it has significantly less than other cookie mixes on the shelf.

You know that chocolate-filled tip of a waffle cone that you look forward to at the end of your ice cream sundae? Muddy Bites are just that – bite-sized waffle cone tips that are filled with chocolate (and some with peanut butter too!).

LAB RESULTS: "I get what all the fuss is about. Brings me back to my childhood and that final perfect bite of ice cream," chef and TV personality Alejandra Ramos said. "I bet these would be amazing in a bowl with milk." They are slightly over our added sugar threshold, but we couldn't pass up this sweet treat that adult and kid testers raved about.

Perfectly moist and indulgent, these vanilla donuts from Southern Roots are surprisingly vegan but don't compromise on taste or texture. They are baked, not fried, and made using oat milk and other plant-based ingredients.

LAB RESULTS: The vegan donuts performed remarkably well in taste tests, and the vanilla drizzle was a big hit. "This was a great classic glazed donut, and one of the best-tasting ones that I had. It was fresh and dense but still felt airy, and the glaze was yummy," one taste tester said. It's slightly over our added sugar limit, but a mindful indulgence that's well worth it.