Cookies | Dessert Surveillance

Feb 18 2024

Cake, Cookies, Gingerbread, Holiday Desserts

Gingerbread

America’s Test Kitchen Gingerbread Snack Cake / Photo Courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen

Why focus on Gingerbread in February? Is it due to the laziness of the poster, who couldn’t get the post together earlier? Why, yes. But is it also related to the year-round appeal of Gingerbread? Yes, again.

Dominique Ansel’s Gingerbread Croissant / Photo Courtesy of Dominique Ansel

Before we go much further, let’s define Gingerbread. According to the Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets, “Gingerbread is a term that applies to a broad category of baked goods, flavored with a combination of spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbreads range from cakes to breads to cookies.” And as you can tell by the image above, you can even find Gingerbread Croissants. (For anyone who might be curious, Dominique Ansel, of Cronut fame, is the creator of this Gingerbread Croissant, and it’s made with Gingerbread-spiced almond frangipane [pastry cream] and topped with pecans and marshmallows.)

Breezy Hill Orchard’s Gingersnap Cookie / Photo Courtesy of Marcia Mermelstein

I guess my adoration of sweets is pretty evident. While I dislike a strong ginger flavor in savory foods, when it comes to dessert, I’m usually all in. I also find the texture of Gingerbread particularly appealing, especially when it’s in the form of thin and chewy cookies.

Pop-Tarts Lodge, Listed on Zillow / Photo Courtesy of Pop-Tarts

Gingerbread turns up in a lot of unexpected places—in Eliksir Gingerbread Gin, in Carb Killa Gingerbread protein bars, and even as a limited Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts flavor. (The snack division of Kellogg’s is now known as Kellanova.) To keep the “gingerbread spirit” going, Kellogg’s created a lodge made out of Pop-Tarts, listed the lodge on real estate platform, Zillow, and sponsored a $15,000 gingerbread contest.

Working PNC Bank Branch, Made Out of Gingerbread / Photo Courtesy of Bredenbeck’s Bakery (bakers) and PNC

But if you think Kellog’s Pop-Tarts gingerbread-Zillow promotion was a bit over the top, stay tuned for more eye-opening gingerbread news. As reported by American Banker and Adweek in 2015, PNC Financial Services arranged for the construction of a (temporary but functional) gingerbread bank branch made out of 5,000 pounds of Gingerbread. The company situated this branch in Philadelphia. Presumably, to ensure bank customers and staff were not hit by falling Gingerbread walls, they used a wooden frame. PNC used this 12-foot banking novelty to publicize its Christmas Price Index—a calculation of the adjusted prices of the gifts featured in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Jefferson Market Library Gingerbread Replica – at the Museum of the City of New York – Artist: Maria Sieber of Cray Cray for Cakes / Photo Courtesy of Marcia Mermelstein

Let’s move along to more traditional gingerbread structures—Gingerbread houses. In addition to boosting the reputation of local bakers/artisans, these whimsical models can even comprise museum exhibits, as was the case with the Museum of the City of New York’s Gingerbread Borough Bake-Off.

Some of the Gingerbread Houses at Mohonk Mountain House / Photo Courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House

Gingerbread houses can also be a force for good. In 2023, The Food Bank of The Hudson Valley raised $25,000 through a Gingerbread Competition, held at Mohonk Mountain House, a resort in New Paltz, NY. Mohonk publicized this competition, raised money through day passes and its Executive Pastry Chef, Audrey Billups, was one of the competition judges.

Costco’s Gingerbread Muffins / Photo Courtesy of Costco

Let’s hear it for all kinds of Gingerbread desserts!

Tagged Bredenbeck's Bakery, Dominique Ansel, Gingerbread, Gingerbread Houses, Gingerbread Pop-Tarts, Mohonk Mountain House, Museum of the City of New York Gingerbread NYC Borough Bake Off, The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley

Feb 12 2022

4 Comments

Cookies, Linzer Cookies, Sandwich Cookies

Linzer Cookies

Which Cookie is: a colorful and popular addition to Cookie trays, a staple of Christmas Cookie exchanges, a Valentine’s Day favorite, and even a mainstay of some Jewish-style and kosher bakeries? Yes, that’s right, the delightful Linzer Cookie. But before we talk about its adaptability, let’s briefly cover its origin.

Linzer Tortes originate in the Austrian city of Linz. (What’s the difference between a “torte” and a “cake”? Well, it depends on whom you ask. Some equate “torte” with “cake.” But it can also refer to a flourless cake or a fancy cake.) While variations abound, Linzer Torte dough, typically rich with butter, almonds, lemon zest, spices, and sometimes flour, is filled with jam. A pretty lattice top completes the torte. Linzer Cookies, the “progeny” of Linzer Tortes, typically are buttery, nutty sandwich Cookies filled with jam. A window is cut out of the top Cookie to see the contrasting jam center, and powdered sugar can be sprinkled on top.

Best Damn Cookies’ Amoro Linzer Cookies/Photo credit: Simon Leung Photo

Unlike drop Cookies, rolled and cut Cookies, like Linzers, can take a variety of shapes—from circles to squares, to heart shapes for Valentine’s Day, to trees for Christmas, to dreidels for Chanukah. (A handy tip for those of us who believe that the function of the Cookie is to hold the jam: In her book, Rose’s Christmas Cookies, Rose Levy Beranbaum explained she likes making Linzers as squares because that shape offers the best ratio of jam to Cookie.)

Best Damn Cookies’ Carrot-Citrus Rye Linzers (along with other Cookies it offers)/Photo credit: Best Damn Cookies

Mo Sahoo, of Best Damn Cookies in Manhattan, thinks Linzer Cookies permit chefs to use their imagination to create something that speaks to them. As an example, its Carrot-Citrus Rye Linzers (developed in conjunction with Gertie, a modern diner in Brooklyn) add earthy tones, as compared with more traditional Linzer Cookies that are often bright in flavor. Mo also thinks Linzers have a very interesting history, which adds to their popularity. Best Damn Cookies offers a special Linzer Cookie for Valentine’s Day, an Amoro—a chocolate-hazelnut Cookie with a blood orange marmalade filling. And different Linzers are on the Cookie line-up over the next year.

But it’s not just the shape of the Cookie that makes them so versatile. The dough or filling can be varied. As noted in a Philadelphia Inquirer article (December 14, 2017), Linzer Cookies have been adapted for American tastes and you can even find Linzers with caramel. (I’ve been dreaming of Buttery Walnut Cookies with a Coffee Caramel filling, but I digress.)

Classic Linzer Cookies/Photo credit: King Arthur Baking

Which states are the biggest fans of Linzer Cookies? Well, if we use online search activity as our metric, people in the Northeast are real Linzer devotees. The top five states are: Maine; New Jersey; Rhode Island; Vermont; and Massachusetts. With their strong (and wonderful!) Wedding Cookie Table tradition, I’m surprised Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia are not in the Top 10. But then again, many different kinds of (fabulous) Cookies adorn Cookie Tables at weddings in these three states.

Here’s to a sweet Valentine’s Day (with or without Linzer Cookies)!

Tagged Best Damn Cookies, Linzer Cookies

Aug 04 2015

2 Comments

Cookies, Food Entrepreneurs

E&C’s Snacks: Entrepreneur Profile

Oatmeal White Chocolate Hunks from E&C’s Snacks – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

A recipe is locked in a safe for more than 30 years, unseen by anyone except the recipe’s creator. A nephew urges his aunt to start a business, selling her baked treats. A cookie is called a “Hunk” because it is square in shape.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Hunks – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

What do these three statements have in common? They all describe the cookie company, E&C’s Snacks.

Ellen Redmond and Casey Webber - Photo Courtesy of E&C's Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

Ellen (Ella) Redmond and Casey Webber – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

Ellen (Ella) Redmond created a cookie recipe in high school. Family and friends adored these cookies. In fact her nephew, Casey Webber, had been eating these cookies since he was a baby. Years later she changed the shape of the cookie (to a “Hunk”) and sent a batch to Casey, who was graduating from college. Casey convinced Ella to go into business with him, selling the Hunks. And Casey became the first person to see the recipe in more than 30 years!

E&C’s Booth at the July Specialty Food Show in New York – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

I met Ella and Casey at the Specialty Food Show in New York last month and sampled their very tasty cookies. I also took home a “Hunk two pack.”

The array of Hunks – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Prairie Eden, MN)

The recipe was recently tweaked so all of the Hunks are gluten-free. Flavors include Original Oatmeal, Oatmeal White Chocolate, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, and Oatmeal Raisin. And the most popular flavor is Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. (Since Chocolate Chip Cookies are so popular, this is probably not surprising.)

I asked Casey about their plans for new flavors and if these new flavors would also be gluten-free: “Moving forward, everything will be gluten-free. We have a couple of flavors in mind but nothing concrete yet……I can say, though, that we’re playing around with peanut butter, dark chocolate, cranberries, and toffee. So the new flavor will most likely consist of one or two of these ingredients.”

An Early In-Store Demo – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

E&C’s Snacks is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and distribution is primarily in the Midwest. However, they’re planning on “expanding in small circles eastward and we plan to have a presence on the East Coast in the coming months.”

Ellen (Ella) and Casey by the Production Line – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie, MN)

This is what Casey had to say about their biggest challenges: “Our biggest challenge right now is making the Cookies. The growth has been very rapid and with a new business there’s no track record, so we can only get so precise in our forecasting. Aside from that, we’re just trying to find time to sleep.”

Two Hunks – Photo Courtesy of E&C’s Snacks (Eden Prairie)

I hope these entrepreneurs find time to sleep and I look forward to hearing about E&C’s new flavor. I’ll check back with them.

Tagged E&C's Snacks, Heavenly Hunks

Apr 12 2015

2 Comments

Cookies, Dessert Entrepreneurs, Uncategorized

Mindy Segal and Cookie Love

The Cookie Love Cookbook - Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant & Dessert Bar (Chicago)

The Cookie Love Cookbook – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

I recently attended a talk on one of my favorite topics – Cookies! Mindy Segal, author of the recently published Cookie Love cookbook and owner of Chicago-based HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar, provided the “Cookie Scoop.”

Mindy Segal, author of Cookie Love – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

Mindy is well qualified to discuss Cookies. She is a pastry chef by profession, has owned her restaurant for 10 years, and perhaps most importantly, is an ardent Cookie fan. As Mindy puts it “Cookies don’t save the world but they save the mood.”

Fresh baked rugelach - Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant & Dessert Bar (Chicago)

Fresh baked rugelach – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

While Mindy created plated desserts for several years she decided to “let the young kids do this” and instead focused on her craft. She baked Cookies every day and came up with a variety of different techniques. In fact, when she opened her restaurant, the pastry case was filled with mostly…. You guessed it, Cookies!

Mindy Segal in Her Restaurant - Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant & Dessert Bar

Mindy Segal in Her Restaurant – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar

Her mind explodes with ideas for Cookies. Nutter Butter-type Cookies, Oatmeal Cookies, Milano-type Cookies, Thumbprint Cookies…….the list goes on and on. Mindy also likes creating “Dessert in a Sandwich Cookie.” How about a Banana Cream Cookie?

Hot Chocolate - Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant & Dessert Bar (Chicago)

Hot Chocolate – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

She’s a seasonal baker – in February she developed a number of Chocolate Desserts and her restaurant is now featuring a spring collection of nostalgic desserts.

Blackberry Turnovers with Brown Butter - Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant & Dessert Bar

Blackberry Turnovers with Brown Butter – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar

These are a few of her Baking/Cookie tips:
— After you beat hot fudge with a mixer and it’s aerated, it makes a great frosting
— And continuing the hot fudge theme…..hot fudge and jam make a wonderful rugelach filling. When it bakes, the hot fudge will ooze out a bit, but that’s OK.
— Brown butter is a fantastic addition to desserts. At the restaurant, brown butter is prepared in advance so it’s always on hand.
— Goat butter (not goat cheese) imparts a mild delicate tang to baked goods

Chocolate Chip Cookies – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

I asked Mindy which Cookies were particularly popular now. She thought Egg White Cookies (since egg whites provide a rich texture they can replace dairy, wheat or other ingredients) and French Macarons (of which she is not a fan). But as she remarked “You can’t get away from Chocolate Chip Cookies – they’re number one.”

HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

And for those of us wondering what enables a restaurant to survive and flourish, since so many fail, Mindy summarized her own rules: she owns only one restaurant; she’s there six days a week; and when she’s not there, a trusted person, such as her husband, the manager, or the pastry chef, is.

Box of Cookies – Photo Courtesy of HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar (Chicago)

Mindy believes “There’s a Cookie for everyone” (well, there are probably hundreds for me, but I digress) and “Cookies are tiny little nuggets of happiness.” I couldn’t agree more!

Tagged Cookie Love, HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar, Mindy Segal

May 06 2014

1 Comment

Choccolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Chips – Photo Courtesy of Ghiradelli

Chocolate Chip Cookies are a truly classic American dessert.

So what would make them stand out? An extremely unconventional baking method? Sounds like that might do it.

As reported in The New York Times in 2009, (and it originally appeared on MSNBC), a New Hampshire woman baked Chocolate Chip Cookies on the dash of her Toyota RAV4. Since the temperature inside a car can get quite high, it can function as an oven.

For those seeking Chocolate Chip Cookies prepared in a somewhat more traditional manner, what varieties are available and what’s popular?

Levain Bakery’s Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie – Photo Courtesy of Levain Bakery (NYC)

New York City-based Levain Bakery offers a Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie as well as a Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie. A spokesperson for Levain said “All of our Cookies are popular, but the Classic (Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie) tends to get the most press so it is our most popular Cookie…….Chocolate Chip Cookies offer so many options: large or small; with or without nuts; fat or thin; soft or crunchy; super sweet or salty; so many variations so people can be satisfied with their own favorite “Chocolate Chip Cookie.” The Levain spokesperson also observed that foreigners are fascinated by American Cookies.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies from Broadway Baker (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Broadway Baker

Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of the most popular Cookies for New York City-based Broadway Baker. (The number one spot goes to Lemon Raspberry Shortbread Cookies.) Jim Osorno, owner of Broadway Baker said he has also made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies. And he’s working on a gluten-free version with unsweetened coconut and crushed pecans.

Wildflour Pastry in Charleston, South Carolina – Photo Courtesy of Wildflour Pastry

Lauren Mitterer of WildFlour Pastry in Charleston, South Carolina, reported: “We offer a regular Chocolate Chip Cookie and a Double Chocolate Chip Cookie. We have occasionally done Mint Chocolate Chip and Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies, although they are not in the daily offerings. I think they [Chocolate Chip Cookies] are holding steady….with chefs pushing the envelope in flavor combinations, they are a nice return home.”

Classic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookie from Bumzy’s – Photo Courtesy of Bumzy’s (San Francisco)

Toni of San Francisco-based Bumzy’s Chocolate Chip Cookies pointed out that National Chip Cookie Day is May 15^th. She also noted that the “Bumzy’s Classic,” a plain semi-sweet Chocolate Chip Cookie, tends to sell out first. But the Double Chocolate Chip Cookie is also very popular. And the “Bumzy’s Classic with Nuts” also goes over well with customers.

I’m ready to dig into a piece of Americana!

Tagged Broadway Baker, Bumzy's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Levain Bakery, Wildflour Pastry

Feb 23 2014

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Scotchie Cookie from Schmackary’s Cookies (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Schmackary’s Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies aren’t showy or glamorous. And in a Cookie tray I suspect they’re often passed over for Brownies or Chocolate Chip Cookies. (I’d actually lunge for the Oatmeal Cookie, but not if the alternatives involved White Chocolate Chunks or Chips.)

I wanted to find out what varieties of Oatmeal Cookies are available and how loyal a following they have. Here’s the Oatmeal Cookie roundup:

Bluebird Bakers’ Browned Butter Oatmeal Cookies (Portland, OR) – Photo Courtesy of Bluebird Bakers

Chickie Massa, of Bluebird Bakers in Portland, Oregon, notes: “Our Browned Butter Oatmeal is our second most popular Cookie, coming right on the heels of our Chocolate Chunk with Sea Salt. We probably sell close to 1500 of them a week, between our wholesale and retail outlets. It is and will be the only Oatmeal Cookie that we offer because I just don’t think I could come up with another one that would be as popular! I don’t know if Oatmeal Cookies are increasing in popularity overall, but demand for the Browned Butter Oatmeal that we make has increased at a steady pace over the years.”

Lark Cake Shop (Los Angeles, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Lark Cake Shop

Three Oatmeal Cookies are in the lineup at Lark Cake Shop in Los Angeles: Cranberry Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal, and Golden Oatmeal. The most popular? Golden Oatmeal.

Anzac Cookies (with Chef Timers) from Icing on the Cake Bakery (Los Gatos, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Icing on the Cake Bakery

Icing on the Cake Bakery in Los Gatos, California offers an assortment of Oatmeal Cookies: an Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts Cookie, an Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookie, an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, an Anzac Cookie, and an Oatmeal Raisin Cream Sandwich Cookie. Lynn Magnoli, owner of Icing on the Cake, said that Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts is her most popular Oatmeal Cookie. It’s classic and a top seller, and always has been. When I asked about the popularity of Oatmeal, Lynn remarked “The great thing about Oatmeal is the texture. It will always be a staple ingredient of classic American baked goods.”

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from Nielsen’s Pastries (Seattle, WA) – Photo Courtesy of Nielsen’s Pastries

At Nielsen’s Pastries in Seattle, Washington, Oatmeal fans can chose between an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and a Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie. Purists can rejoice—the Oatmeal Raisin is more popular.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from August First Bakery (Burlington, VT) – Photo Courtesy of August First Bakery

Jodi Whalen of August First Bakery in Burlington, Vermont replies: “Our Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is very popular and we find that there is a population of people who really, really love them. We actually haven’t thought about trying other varieties, but now that you mention it, it might be worth a go (White Chocolate & Cherry?). I haven’t seen an upswing or trend in Oatmeal Cookies here in Vermont. However, we do sell a lot of homemade granola (hot, cold, and by the pound) and our new Apple Crisp, topped with our granola, flies off the shelf. So yes, maybe there is a rise in Oat consumption?”

Oatmeal Cookies (center) from Rosie's Bakery (MA) - Photo Courtesy of Rosie's Bakery

Oatmeal Cookies (center) from Rosie’s Bakery (Massachusetts) – Photo Courtesy of Rosie’s Bakery

Judy Rosenberg of Massachusetts-based Rosie’s Bakery, said the Oatmeal Cookie is very popular. Although it’s made with all natural ingredients, she’s trying out a healthier version with whole grain flour, coconut oil instead of butter, and turbinado sugar instead of regular sugar. Judy thinks a key trend is finding ways to make healthier (but still delicious) versions of our favorite treats.

Schmackary’s Cookies in New York, NY – Photo Courtesy of Schmackary’s Cookies

New York City-based Schmackary’s Cookies is no stranger to Oatmeal Cookies. Flavors are rotated and current Oatmeal offerings include an Oatmeal Scotchie and a Chunky Monkey. Other Oatmeal flavors include: Caramel Apple Crisp; Blueberry Cobbler; Yogi Bare (vegan & gluten-free); White Chocolate Cherry Chunker; and Red, White and Blue. The most popular Oatmeal Cookie? The Oatmeal Scotchie. Zachary Schmahl, Owner/Creator/Cookie Master, explained “Oatmeal Cookies are definitely an area where I’ve been focusing my energy lately on coming up with more flavors.”

Cookies from OatMeals (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of OatMeals

OatMeals, in New York City, is an Oatmeal bar. In addition to bowls of Oatmeal, the cafe also sells baked goods made with Oatmeal. These Oatmeal Cookies are sold every day: Lemon Ginger Oatmeal; Old Fashioned Iced Oatmeal; Chocolate Chip Oatmeal; Classic Oatmeal Raisin; and Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal. The two favorite Cookies are the Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal and the Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. Samantha Stephens, Chef/Owner of OatMeals said “I think Oatmeal is having a revival/resurgence and I’m happy to be spearheading a lot of this movement.”

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Uncle Chip’s (Washington D.C.) – Photo Courtesy of Uncle Chips

An Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is on the menu at Uncle Chip’s in Washington D.C. Shannon of Uncle Chip’s mentioned that people “are surprised by how much they like Oatmeal Raisin once they try it. Some of them stick with it, too. I think a lot of what people eat has to do with habits and what they did as children. I had one customer this morning who told me he’s just always been an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie eater and there’s no other way.”

Captain Cookie & the Milkman Logo (Washington D.C.) – Image Courtesy of Captain Cookie & the Milkman

Who says you have to walk into a bakery or a restaurant to satisfy your fix for Oatmeal Cookies? Captain Cookie & the Milkman, in Washington D.C., operates Cookie, Ice Cream, and Milk trucks. The Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is a big draw and some people come to the trucks for that Cookie only. Oatmeal Cookie specials include Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin with Black Pepper. When customers order Oatmeal Raisin Ice Cream Sandwiches they most often order Vanilla or Black Cherry Ice Cream as the filling for their Sandwiches.

A Salted Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich from Sweet Wheels (Seattle, WA) – Photo Courtesy of Sweet Wheels

Sweet Wheels also sells handmade ice cream sandwiches through a truck. You can get Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Oatmeal Cookies. And the Salted Oatmeal Sandwiches are quite popular with the regulars. Ron of Sweet Wheels says “When people read the menu without having had our Ice Cream Sandwiches, they often choose sandwiches with Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies. However, when people are returning customers, with some experience eating our Sandwiches, then the Salted Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich is first.”

I had no idea there were so many varieties of Oatmeal Cookies! Clearly, I need to expand my horizons!

Tagged August First Bakery, Bluebird Bakers, Captain Cookie & the Milkman, Icing on the Cake Bakery, Lark Cake Shop, Nielsen's Pastries, Oatmeal Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Rosie's Bakery, Schmackary's Cookies, Sweet Wheels, Uncle Chip's

Jul 28 2013

Cookies (Not the High-Tech Kind)

Cookies from the Union Square Cafe restaurant

Who doesn’t like a good cookie? Cookies are fun to eat, tasty, and sometimes even delicious. And snacking on a few cookies doesn’t seem nearly as decadent as wolfing down an entire slice of cake.

But what about encountering thousands of homemade cookies? Well, if you’re lucky enough to be invited to a wedding reception in western Pennsylvania, or parts of Ohio, or West Virginia, you might be tempted by cookie tables. The bride’s relatives start the cookie baking weeks or even months in advance. To make sure guests don’t go through sugar deprivation the next day, they may be provided with take-out containers so they can enjoy left-over cookies.

Chocolate Chunk Cookie from Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies’ Chocolate Chunk Cookie

What if you’re struck with a cookie craving later at night and you don’t feel like baking? If you live near one of the thirty-two locations of Insomnia Cookies, order online and get your cookies delivered. Of the many cookie varieties offered by Insomnia Cookies, chocolate chunk is the best-selling standard-size cookie and S’mores is the most popular large-size cookie. Seth Berkowitz founded Insomnia Cookies from his dorm room at the University of Pennsylvania. He wanted more late night food options than what was available so he began baking and delivering warm cookies while still a student.

Margarita Sandwich Cookies from Vanilla Bean Unique Cookies

I first tasted Margarita Sandwich Cookies from Vanilla Bean Unique Cookies at the Fancy Food Show. (See the Day 2 of the Summer Fancy Food Show Posting.) Since I’m not a fan of Tequila, I didn’t think I would like these cookies. Boy was I wrong! These shortbread sandwich cookies are sweet, slightly tart, and slightly salty. The founders, Debbie Smith and Sandra Wharton, said Margarita Sandwich Cookies were developed as a result of a slight mistake. They were in the process of creating Cherry Chip Cordial cookies and realized they did not like the Cherry Chip Cordial Cookie in a shortbread form. Debbie and Sandra then thought about other unique shortbread flavor combinations that would work and the Margarita Sandwich Cookie was born.

Let’s hear it for cookies!

Tagged Cookie Delivery, Cookie Tables, Insomnia Cookies, Vanilla Bean Unique Cookies

Jun 16 2013

Broadway Baker: Keeping Family Memories Alive and Helping Others

Broadway Baker’s Lemon Raspberry Shortbread Cookies

I discovered Broadway Baker (www.broadwaybaker.com) at a Williams-Sonoma Artisan Market in Manhattan. These Artisan Markets showcase local artisan food producers.

Jim Osorno, owner of Broadway Baker, was a singer and dancer on Broadway before devoting himself to another passion — baking. His company bakes a variety of cookies, brownies, and cupcakes to order. A Carrot Raisin Oat Mini-Loaf and granola round out Broadway Baker’s product line. At the Artisan Market, I purchased the Lemon Raspberry Shortbread Cookies and they were great.

Grandma’s Mix-Up Bars from Broadway Baker

Growing up, Jim was always in the kitchen, baking and cooking with his parents and grandmother. A lot of the recipes he uses today were his mother’s and grandmother’s that he added his own twist to. For example, the Lemon Raspberry Shortbread Cookies are based on his grandmother’s Shortbread Cookie recipe — to which he added lemon zest and raspberry preserves. One of his favorite treats as a child was his grandmother’s “Mix-Up Bars.” And “Grandma’s Mix-Up Bars” are one of his brownie offerings now. A homemade graham cracker crust is topped with semi-sweet chocolate, unsweetened coconut, and crushed pecans, then the bars are drizzled with a sweet cream glaze. His “Mom’s Granola” is based on the granola that his mother prepared for him for breakfast.

Jim decided to experiment with gluten-free baking when he learned that his friend Michele was diagnosed with Celiac disease. She’s one of his “go-to” taste testers when he tries out new recipes and he wanted her to continue enjoying Broadway Baker’s treats. Today Broadway Baker offers a number of gluten-free products, including: Belgian Brownies, Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies, Coconut Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream. (Gluten-free items are baked in a kitchen in which wheat is present.)

He takes very seriously his desire to help others. A portion of Broadway Baker’s sales are donated to these charities: Alzheimer’s Association – NYC Chapter, ASPCA, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. After Super Storm Sandy, he donated 10% of the sales of special cookie and cupcake packages to the New York Cares charity for Super Storm Sandy relief.

We’ll check back with Jim to see if there’s any Broadway Baker news.

Dessert Surveillance

the business behind what's delicious

Category Archives: Cookies