5 Heavenly Cookies in NYC

 

Source: deviantart.com

I read the following quote on Pinterest that resonated with me: “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand”.  I have a love of cookies that rivals that of the Cookie Monster and in NYC there is no shortage of incredible, dare I say life-changing cookies.  As such, I have been on a quest to find the most delicious cookies that the city has to offer – two of which are located right in my neighbourhood!  Of course, this is by no means a complete list but it is a start and I will continue to add to it.  I also welcome recommendations from other New Yorkers.

Oatmeal Marshmallow Sandwich
Rudy’s Bakery and Café
905 Seneca Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385

Rudy’s has been a much-loved presence in Ridgewood since it first opened in 1934, serving an overwhelming variety of sweet and savoury delights, including breads, pastries, cakes, ice-cream and of course, cookies.  My personal favourite is their Oatmeal Marshmallow Sandwich – fluffy and sweet marshmallow sandwiched between two soft oatmeal cookies. 

Alfajores
Crème & Sugar
58-42A Catalpa Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385

This café’s tagline is “Bringing Peru’s sweet tooth to Ridgewood” and they certainly achieve that with a menu filled with sweet treats like Peruvian chocolates and cakes, not to mention their range of wine-infused ice-cream: Chocolate Cabernet, Cherry Merlot, Strawberry Sparkling and Raspberry Chardonnay.  When it comes to cookies, their Alfajores, “semi-sweet Peruvian sandwich cookies with manjar blaco (similar to caramel) in the middle” are winners.

Salted Milk Chocolate Caramel and Chocolate Mint Cookies
Milk & Cookies Bakery
19 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014 

According to their website, this bakery in Greenwich Village believes “there is nothing as comforting as freshly baked cookies” and they are committed to using “premium ingredients from the butter to the chocolate” in order to produce “the best product”. Besides serving comforting cookies, they also offer brownies and sweet bars, cookie cakes and ice-cream sandwiches.  The smell of the baking cookies when you open the door is intoxicating - and virtually impossible to resist.  The salted milk chocolate caramel and chocolate mint cookies are two of my favourites.

Black and White Rainbow Cookies
Dana’s Bakery
1011 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10065

Dana’s Bakery has a reputation for making the most unique and heavenly macarons with an American twist, “available in flavors inspired by classic desserts, pastries, candy and sweet treats! From Red Velvet to S'mores, Fruity Cereal, to Thin Mint…”.  However, I was drawn to the bakery’s mini outlet located on the lower level of Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side by its famous black and white rainbow cookie.  This “half-moon” cookie, frosted with vanilla on one half and chocolate on the other, originated in New York City.  Dana’s Bakery offers a more vibrant take on this traditional by using rainbow colours for the cookie itself.  Initially I thought this was to celebrate Pride month but discovered the colourful cookies are available all year round. 

Choconut Chip and Sch’mores Cookies
Schmackary’s
362 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

The official website for these “lip-schmackin’ good cookies” describes Zachary “Schmackary” Schmahl as  “a born cookie monster” who wanted to create “something different” when it came to cookie flavours.  In 2012 he opened his store in NYC’s Theatre District.  Customers can look forward to unique and creative takes on classic favourites, including maple bacon, strawberry rhubarb, red velvet and funfetti (a sugar cookie base topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles). On my first visit I opted for the Choconut Chip (with coconut and walnuts) as well as the Sch’mores (a tip for this one – eat it as soon as soon as possible or the gooey marshmallow on top will stick to everything in the packet, though I was not above scraping it off said packed with a spoon).