It won’t come as a surprise to many that The Grind has added new delicious muffins to their menu this year. Known as the “Hansa muffins” these vegan, dairy, and gluten-free treats are taking Lake Forest High School by storm.

Who makes them?

Holcomb Hollow, a local family-operated business, makes its muffins, jams, jellies, biscottis, and mini bread loaves daily and delivers to each of its retail locations each morning. All of the company’s products are vegan, gluten, and dairy free. Based in Mundelein, this family has a taste for adventure and is always willing to try a new recipe. The company offers a unique assortment of award-winning flavors.

What are these muffins made of?

As the muffins are vegan, gluten-free and dairy free as mentioned prior, what are these things actually made of? Holcomb Hollow substitutes almost all of its ingredients to ensure its vegan, gluten, and dairy free promise. Organic certified gluten-free flour, organic cane sugar, organic almond, non-gmo canola oil, and flax seed are some of the ingredients used to perfect thse muffins. For the many different flavors they offer, the company uses real ingredients including bananas, zucchini, carrots, and dairy free chocolate chips.

What Holcomb Hollow items can I get at The Grind?

The Grind offers a variety of Holcomb Hollow flavors and products. The coffee shop is constantly rotating muffin flavors, but you can commonly find flavors like Blueberry Lemon, Pumpkin Crunch, Triple Berry Cobbler, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Zucchini Chocolate Chip. The Grind also sells gluten-free oat cups from Holcomb Hollow with flavors like PB & J and Blueberry Maple.

Where can I get them around here?

As Holcomb Hollow gains popularity throughout Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, its business is also taking the surrounding suburbs by storm. You can find an assortment of Holcomb Hollow muffins, jams, jellies, and breads at these shops and farmer’s markets:

The Grind, Lake Forest High School

Hansa Coffee, Libertyville and Lake Bluff

LF Juice Lake Forest – (muffins)

Reprise Coffee Roasters, Lake Forest West Train Station

Corner Health Foods, Mundelein

AREA General Store, Mundelein

All Ways Healthy, Lake Zurich

Quick Pick, Mundelein

Lake Bluff Farmers Market

Libertyville Farmers Market

Mundelein Farmers Market

Chicago Botanic Gardens

North Shore Artisan Food Market

Jefferson Park Winter Market

If I have never had them before, are they worth the buy?

Like anything, it is always fun to try new things. The Grind has muffins, oat cups, and bread loaves from Holcomb Hollow in a variety of flavors. Many students are raving about the new addition and strongly encourage others to give them a try. Senior Eleanor Asma describes the muffins as delicious and goes on to say, “the crunch to squish ratio is divine.” If you are feeling a little bold on your next trip to The Grind, pick up a Holcomb Hollow muffin!