Eat cookies, be happy
Award- wining writer Barbara Johnson once said, “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand,” and I couldn’t agree with her more. Just hearing the word “cookie” brings a smile to my face, my serotonin soars, and I can almost smell fresh, just- out- of- theoven homemade cookies. If you like cookies as much as I do, and if you’re looking for a fun way to spend a summer day in the Nutmeg state, why not combine the two and nibble your way across the Connecticut cookie trail? Grab your kids and your spouse, invite your friends, and begin your cookie- finding journey… there are dozens of cookie shops across the state and Hearst CT Media Group has provided just some of the sweet stops ( visit the internet for a comprehensive listing). Our first stop on the unofficial CT Cookie Trail: Norwalk’s Forever Sweet Bakery, which might well serve as the perfect jumping off point on your cookie hunt. What’s a must try at this bakery? “In addition to cupcakes and custom cakes, our crispy chocolate chip cookies and royal iced sugar cookies are very popular,” says Sky Mercede, owner. “Our cookies are not only delicious but we also give great customer
service to all of our customers, no matter how large or small the order is.” Forever Sweet Bakery also makes gingerbread cookies, decorated chocolate- covered Oreos, and giant chocolate chip cookie cakes. Next stop on our gastronomic tour is Milford’s own Kathy’s Famous Cookies, LLC. Absolutely, positively try Kathy’s toffee chocolate chip cookies. Equally impressive is the shop’s crispy, crunchy chocolate chippy, which can be found half dipped in chocolate or plain. ( Kathy, you had me at dipped in chocolate.) Some of Kathy’s other cookie confections include chocolate chip overloaded with M& Ms, double chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, oatmeal chocolate chip, oatmeal overload ( butterscotch coconut, chocolate chips), peanut butter, macadamia white chip, lemon sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon sugar, funfetti, and gingerbread. If you have any room left, you may want to try Kathy’s biscotti— including salted caramel, Almond Joy, and papaya coconut. What makes customers drive from all over to visit the store? “Our cookies are fresh and delicious and made with enthusiasm and love every day for over 20 years by a team of dedicated workers that are all like family, and we enjoy what we do,” says Kathy Klein, founder. “We give the customer what we would drive miles for.” Not too far from Kathy’s is Hamden’s Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies & Gift Baskets. This all- natural bakery focuses on great flavors— low sugar, letting the real ingredients shine. According to owner and CEO ( chief excitement officer) Marni Esposito, “Our original was the maple chocolate chip cookie that my mother created in culinary school more than 40 years ago, and which was the start of our company, so that holds a special place for us,” she recounts. “Our cannoli, cheesecake, s’mores, and ever- changing seasonal menu are also fan favorites, and we feature gluten free and vegan cookies, as well.” You can digest a bit as we head to Waterbury ( also known as “the Brass City”) to visit Sweet Maria’s Bakery, which has been rolling out and dolling out mouth- watering cookies, cakes, cupcakes, biscotti, and more since 1990. The top selling cookies for this Waterbury establishment are pignoli nut ( classic Italian almond macaroons topped with pine nuts), raspberry thumbprint cookies, and peanut butter balls ( these are “no- bake” cookies enrobed in dark chocolate), according to Maria Bruscino Sanchez, president of the business, who shares, “One of my favorites are the gingersnaps. Our cookies are special because we bake them the same way you would at home ( only in larger quantities). Every dough has its own recipe. Most of our customers know how to bake but don’t have time.” Once there, take your time as there are over 20 flavors of cookies from which to choose. The only thing that’s small about The Itty- Bitty Cookie Company in Watertown are the made- fromscratch small batches of cookies. “The most popular cookie we sell is hands- down our classic chocolate chip,” reports Robin Grande, owner, “while the runner- up would be our brookie cookie which, unlike traditional brookie cookies that are a chocolate chip batter and a brownie batter mixed, is a classic chocolate chip cookie loaded with actual pieces of our fudge brownie baked right into it.” The Itty- Bitty Cookie Company changes its menu every month, and daily the shop offers ten flavors, including chocolate chip, brookies, and sugar sprinkle, which are always available. Trying to decide between the sugar sprinkle ( a classic buttery sugar cookie loaded with rainbow sprinkles) or flavors like cotton candy, dark chocolate sea salt caramel, or June’s “Who’s Your Daddy,” a rich fudge cookie loaded with dark chocolate chips and fudge brownie pieces? Don’t worry— you can order the Halfsie Combo Tray, which comprises 12 assorted cookies cut in half and 12 brownie bites. Grande adds, “Our cookies are the best because we make them in small batches with ingredients you would have at home and our flavors are exciting. Our shelf life is short because we don’t use any preservatives. Real butter is in every cookie, which is baked crisp on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.” Following the CT cookie trail is all about options. If you prefer to peruse the internet for local cookies that can be delivered to your home, Shelton- based Queen Zuri/@ KimTheKakeQueen offers Nola pecan praline cookies, for example. “My pralines are handcrafted original New Orleans pralines and made with the freshest ingredients,” says Kim Soto, owner. “The recipe was handed down to me from my grandmother, and no preservatives are added to any of my products. I use high quality ingredients, and each order is prepared individually. Our customers know that Queen Zuri is known for delivering great, authentic southern desserts and pralines, as well as our customer favorite, banana pudding.” Visit queenzuri. com. At Fairfield- based online CT Cookie Company, LLC. Julia Ruggio, owner/ designer ( and licensed baker), makes butter/ shortbread cookies from a family recipe and covers them in fondant. “My company is an online business specializing in custom- designed cookies. Clients generally place orders by email or phone, and then we coordinate either a pickup, delivery, or shipment.” Ruggio explains. She collaborates directly with each client and allows enough time for a creative process, which usually involves sharing drawings and photos. “Because we’re a small business, everything’s made to order, so the ingredients are always fresh. It’s an unending source of joy to learn about the many different holidays and occasions that people celebrate.” Julia adds. You can get creative with Julia by visiting ctcookies. com or look for CT Cookie Company products at the Fairfield Sidewalk Sale this summer, where the company’s participation has become a delicious tradition.