CLASSEN INN | OKLAHOMA CITY

Here we are in 2020, and staycation is the new vacation. As a travel-loving girl, I’ve been finding ways to recreate the excitement and revitalization of taking a trip and finding new experiences, including a virtual wine tasting and a drag show/sangria-making class by Drag Taste in Portugal. While these Zoom experiences surprisingly gave me the feeling of travel, I was more than thrilled when given the chance to spend the night at Oklahoma City’s newest little gem, Classen Inn. A change of scenery and real-life experience was just what I needed!

THE HOTEL

Classen Inn is a retro drive-up motel that simultaneously takes you back in time and makes you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot for ultra-cool modern design. The vivid color! The jungle wallpaper! The mod furniture! The mini Frigidaire! The cheeky snacks! I haven’t stayed in a hotel with this much personality in quite some time… maybe ever!

We checked in at The Superette, which doubles as the lobby and a quirky little bodega filled with snacks, bevs and beauty supplies—everything you need to enhance your stay. The funky, comfy chairs and wine selection that could excite any self-appointed enthusiast demand for you to open a bottle and stay a while. With bottles ranging from about $15 - $30 and a Palm Springs-style patio just outside the door, you better believe I’ve found my new happy hour spot and bottle shop!

THE ROOM

Opening the door to my room was like diving into a treasure trove. There was statement wallpaper, furniture, and art as well as personal details everywhere you looked. My friend and I were lucky to stay in the adjoining queen rooms with our own private patio, to boot! The rooms were spacious and the snack selection was perfection. I especially enjoyed the electric teapot and punny teas by The TeaBook in the morning.

THE LOCATION

Classen Inn’s location is fantastic. Even though I drive past it almost daily, it was fun to create a full staycation experience by sticking to the nearby neighborhoods. The Inn has bikes available for guest use, which makes it even more fun to stay downtown as you pedal through the modern homes of SoSA to Midtown or over to West Village and Film Row. After enjoying our wine in The Superette, we went to a late (and socially distanced) dinner at The Jones Assembly and had a night cap on our private patio. In the morning, we headed just a few blocks over to Elemental Coffee, which (as you know) has one of the best cookies in town!

THE COOKIES

You didn’t think I’d do my first hotel review and NOT include a cookie, did you? You’ve seen how beloved the sea salt chocolate chip cookies at Elemental Coffee are through my previous posts and the bike tour with Ride OKC, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a new addition to their cookie case today. They had an edible cookie dough bite! The flavor of their classic cookie topped with rich chocolate and sea salt, created the perfect sweet treat to top off a delicious brunch. Don’t miss this bite on your next trip to Elemental!

THE EXPERIENCE

Classen Inn is a can’t miss for OKC locals and travelers alike. Its personality is unparalleled. I can’t wait for my next visit and will see you at The Superette soon!

Featuring Bedré Fine Chocolate | Davis, Oklahoma

Sweet and salty. Isn’t that the combination everyone’s looking to perfect? I’ve got news for you: Bedré Fine Chocolate has already done it. Their Bedré Crisps are chocolate-covered potato crisps stacked in a charming, resealable can. Bedré’s divine chocolate covers each individual potato crisp with a perfectly thin layer and provide the sweet-to-salty ratio you’ve been searching for.

I was first introduced to Bedré Crisps in college when my roommate's grandmother would send her six cans at a time. SIX! Being the good roommate that I was, I graciously helped her eat those six cans of Crisps each time they arrived. I don’t think we ever used the resealable lids, but that’s neither here nor there.

Fast forward to today and my fandom for Bedré continues. When they reached out to me to see if I could create a cookie recipe using one of their products as an ingredient, I didn’t hesitate to select the Crisps. I was inspired by Milk Bar’s infamous Compost Cookies and couldn’t wait to put an Oklahoma spin on them. Not located in Oklahoma? That’s okay! You can still join in the fun and try this recipe because Bedré ships nationwide.

Bedré Crisps come in both, milk and dark chocolate. Because I would hate to leave out either type, I’ve created one dough recipe with two different Crisp + chocolate chip flavor combinations for you to choose from. If you can’t decide which combination you want to make, simply cut the mix-ins in half. After you’ve made the dough, half it and stir in the Dark Chocolate Crisp Cookie ingredients in one bowl and the Milk Chocolate Crisp Cookie ingredients in the other. Voila! You’ve got cookies for milk and dark chocolate lovers in one batch.

The Ingredients

2.5 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks at room temperature)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs (room temperature)

1 tsp. vanilla

Extra kosher salt, for sprinkling

For Dark Chocolate Crisp Cookies:

9 oz. Bedré Dark Chocolate Crisps (2 cans)

1 cup milk chocolate chips

11 oz. bag of caramels, with caramels unwrapped

For Milk Chocolate Crisp Cookies:

9 oz. Bedré Milk Chocolate Crisps (2 cans)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

The Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda.

With a stand or hand mixer, cream the butter and both sugars together on medium speed until the mixture is light in color and a little fluffy. Scrape the edges of the mixing bowl, add the eggs one at a time, and the vanilla.

Turn the mixer down to low speed and slowly add the flour mixture until just combined. The dough will be very stiff.

The Fun Stuff

Here’s where the fun begins! Take your Crisps and put them in a baggie. Crunch them by hand until you have quarter-sized chunks. They will continue to break into pieces as you stir them into the dough, so you don’t want them to be too small.

Pour the crunched Crisps, chocolate and/or peanut butter chips into the dough. Use your mixer to stir the dough with just a couple of turns so as not to crush the Crisps too much. Continue to stir the crunched Crisps and chips by hand (go ahead and count this as your arm workout for the day—I do!) until combined.

Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon 1.5 tablespoons of dough onto your prepared cookie sheet. Place dough two inches apart. If making Dark Chocolate Crisp Cookies, press a caramel on top of each scoop of dough. Bake for 10 - 14 minutes or until golden on the edges and lightly browned on the top. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and sprinkle with kosher salt (for both, Milk and Dark Chocolate Crisp Cookies).

Lessons learned

My oven tends to bake a little quicker than others, so you’ll want to watch your time closely and decide for yourself when your cookies have reached the juuuuust right level of golden brown. I also like my cookies a little more chewy, so I take them out when they’re just turning golden on the top. For crispier cookies, leave them in an additional minute or two until the top is golden brown and the edges are darker. If you’re using the caramels, do not try to cut them and incorporate them into the dough. It makes a mess! They are hard to remove from the cookie sheet and the caramel drips through the wire on the cooling rack. Ick, a cleaning nightmare! They were, however, still tasty despite their gooey appearance.

How did your Bedre Crisp Cookies turn out? Leave a comment and let me know!

Colossal Claus Cookies | Maggie Humphreys of Sharing Thyme

Are you looking for a new star cookie recipe? Do you want to blow minds with a cookie that is the perfect combination of sweet and salty? I have good news for you. You’ve found the perfect recipe! This is one of my go-to recipes and it’s also the most-requested. Now that we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 quarantine, I know we are all looking for things to do. Considering I’ve given this recipe out twice in 24 hours, I think there is no better time to share my friend Maggie’s incredible Colossal Claus Cookies.

Maggie created this recipe years ago and, to be honest, I’ve had the recipe open in my Safari browser on my iPhone for many of them. I’m sure it shocks no one to learn that I have a cookie recipe open on my phone at all times and that I basically use it for my browsing homepage. If that’s wrong, then I don’t want to be right! I know these are some of Maggie’s most popular cookies, too. She is an amazing chef, so be sure to check out all of the recipes on her blog, Sharing Thyme.

Photo by Maggie Humphreys, @sharingthyme

Without further ado, here is one of my all-time favorites! These cookies are totally chewy and achieve the salty-sweet balance with a sprinkle of salt on top. As she bakes them, Maggie’s cookies are huge (almost the size of your hand), and make the perfect everyday indulgence. I have tweaked her recipe just a bit by adding more chocolate chips and making them with my smaller cookie scoop that’s the size of a melon baller. I find that they’re a popular size at parties because people don’t feel guilty coming back for seconds (or thirds). Whichever way you bake them, every cookie will be gone by the end of the night!

Directions for both versions of the recipe are listed below, but be sure to head to Sharing Thyme for the full recipe with step-by-step photos!

Maggie’s Colossal Claus Cookies

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 egg white

2 teaspoons vanilla

To make the original: 14 ounces chocolate chips

Modification: 24 ounces chocolate chips

Kosher salt, for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt butter in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring in between until it is fully melted. Let cool for five minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.

Pour both sugars into your mixing bowl and mix together briefly.

Add the melted butter and mix on a medium speed until the mixture is light brown (about 3 minutes).

Add the two eggs and one egg white one at a time while mixing. Scrape the edges and add the vanilla. On a low speed, slowly add the flour mixture until just combined.

Now it’s time for the chips! If you’re making Maggie’s version with the large cookies, stir in 12 ounces of chips and leave 2 ounces to place on top of each cookie dough ball when they are on the sheet. This makes picture-perfect cookies. To make smaller cookies with lots of chips, throw all 24 ounces (or however many ounces of chocolate chips you have) directly into the bowl for mixing. Let the paddle turn on the mixer three to four times. Remove the paddle from the mixer and stir by hand until the chocolate chips are combined as to not overwork the dough.

These cookies will spread, so be sure to leave 2 to 3 inches between each cookie. For large cookies, use an ice cream scoop-sized cookie scoop. For smaller cookies, use the melon baller-sized scoop and still place the dough about 2 inches apart.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. You may need to leave them on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to a cooling rack - they will be gooey! Sprinkle each cookie with a little kosher salt while they’re still warm. Enjoy!

What’s your favorite recipe? Join the #CoronaCookieSwap by leaving a comment or finding me on Instagram at @cookie.tour!

Pumpkin Pecan White Chocolate Cookies | Annie Tucker of take a bite

I have to be honest… I don’t typically like pumpkin flavored food. You’ll never see me waiting in line at Starbucks for a PSL. I don’t search through the aisles at Trader Joe’s for their seasonal pumpkin selections each fall. It’s never been on my radar. That’s why I surprised myself when I wondered if I could find a good pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe to share with you. Where did this thought even come from?! I don’t know, but I am definitely glad I had it.

When I asked the Insta-verse where they found their favorite pumpkin cookie recipe, my friend Annie Tucker answered the call. Annie is a fellow OKC girl (now Dallas, too) and her Take a Bite Blog is a foodie’s dream. She shares recipes galore as well as her favorite restaurants and food-related products. This continues on her Instagram, where I am a dedicated follower of her weekly grocery haul on Sundays. Trader Joe’s fans unite!

The Cookie

I have nothing to say except that you need to make a batch of these cookies. The pumpkin flavor definitely comes through, but it’s not overpowering. Is it just me, or does pumpkin pie spice give you that warm feeling on the inside? I think this is the key ingredient for keeping the cookies sweet. I found the cookies to be light and pillowy—totally soft. The chocolate chips make these cookies classic even with the added pumpkin flavor. This recipe is great for a crowd, as it yields around 30 cookies.

View fullsize

I loved these cookies so much that I baked a second batch within two days of my first. Confession: I also ate A LOT of the dough before it made it onto the cookie sheet. There aren’t any eggs in this recipe so I didn’t feel bad, not that I ever would! These cookies are perfect exactly as Annie’s recipe reads, but I took her recommendation and used semi-sweet chips instead of white chocolate for batch #2. I liked these even better than the first! I also tested adding more than a cup of chocolate chips as the recipe calls for, and I never thought I would say this, but you really don’t need the extra chips. The dough is the star of this show, so let it shine. Neither of my batches had pecans because, as you may have learned, I’m #TeamNoNutsAllowed when it comes to cookies (or my diet in general). But if you like them, feel free to go for it! I’m under the impression that Annie is a baking genius and will not steer you wrong.

Click the button below to get the full recipe and bake these cookies!

Did you make these cookies? Tell me how you liked them! You could also take a peek at this pumpkin beauty from Suss Cookie Co. to satisfy your cravings.

CAFE DISCO | OKLAHOMA CITY

What happens when you take the sweetest treat in France and throw in a splash of an American classic? A new intercontinental delicacy, that’s what.

Cafe Disco has given us a gift, Oklahoma City. They have perfected both, the French macaron and an edible chocolate chip cookie dough, and combined them to create one perfect little bite. Let’s get to the details!

The Cookie Dough Mac

• This macaron is Cafe Disco’s August special so (first thing’s first), you’ve got to get there soon to enjoy it!

• The macaron cookies are baked with a basic almond flavor. They are light, uniform in texture and appearance (little critique I received from The Great British Baking Show) and allow the cookie dough filling to shine.

• They nailed the cookie dough filling with a classic, equal-parts-white-and-brown-sugar taste and tiny chunks of chocolate to round it out.

• Don’t worry—the dough is safe to each. And guess what? The mac and dough are both gluten-free!

The Cookie Tour Stop

Cafe Disco is a cute little macaron shop in nestled in the heart of Downtown Oklahoma City. Their specialties are Macs (macarons) and Capps (cappucino), which is a pretty perfect pairing if you ask me. The owner, Amanda Sakurai, has a passion for macarons and it shines through the care she takes to present them.

When you visit Cafe Disco, you walk into Oklahoma City’s historic Main Street Arcade to find an airy bistro with a rainbow of macarons waiting to be chosen from the case. With a comfy pink couch and tables built for two, Cafe Disco is the perfect place to sit and catch up with someone you love.

As for flavors, I’ve yet to find one I haven’t enjoyed. Of course I’m obsessed with this month’s special, but strawberry, honey lavender and chocolate with salted caramel have all given me the heart eyes.

While You’re There

The Arcade is home to more than just Cafe Disco. You’ll also find a gorgeous nail salon and OKC’s most Instagram-worthy bar. Bar Arbolada (known affectionately as Abracadabra by my friends) has the coolest vibe as well as refreshing cocktails on a summer day. It’s a local favorite for a casual happy hour or special celebration. It’s also within walking distance to another one of my most-frequented places, the Civic Center Music Hall. What? Did we just plan your next girls’ night? Mani/pedis at Revel 8, pre-show Macs and Capps at Cafe Discco, a fabulous musical or ballet, and then post-show drinks. BRB, texting my friends with the plan…

In the meantime, why don’t you dance your way downtown and try this gem? I’ll see you there!

Süss Cookie Co. | Midway, Utah

Hello, Cookie Tourists!  I apologize for my long absence.  I have traveled and tasted and continued the Cookie Tour, but I’ve been holding out on you.  I have so many sweets to share and can’t wait to bring them to you! 

I thought I’d start with sharing one of my all-time favorite visits.  I had the great fortune of visiting Süss Cookie Co. in Midway, Utah and meeting its lovely owner, Jess Larson.  Meeting Jess during my October trip to Utah still stands as one of the highlights of my Cookie Tour.  Her cookie philosophy is the same as mine—it’s all about connecting with other people.  I remember Jess saying, “Cookies came easily.  It’s all about the people for me.”  You really can tell how much love and care is poured into every batch!  Every bit of Süss is thoughtfully created.  From the cookies to the packaging to the smiling faces who bake all the goodness, Süss truly represents “the sweet life.”

I connected with Jess via Instagram after I ran across her cookies in Pink Elephant Coffee.  Pink Elephant is on the second floor of a cute little shop on Main Street in Park City.  Park City quickly became my Heaven, but I digress.  Süss Cookie Co. made just about every “Best of Utah” list I found before my trip, so I couldn’t believe my good fortune that I found one of their cookies on my first day.  I posted a photo of the Süss cookie and Jess was so kind as to send me a message and invite me to visit her shop.  I was floored!  Because of their hours and the way my trip fell, the only time to go was early in the morning before my flight on Monday.  As you can probably tell, it was more than worth the 20 minute drive down the mountain at seven a.m.!

Jess and her staff quickly welcomed me into their store as they continued their prep for the day.  I saw mountains of dough and racks of freshly baked cookies stacked high.  We talked about our love of cookies and how Jess got started baking in her home.  She said her business quickly took over her kitchen and she and her husband decided to make the leap and open the shop in Midway.  Now with another store in Provo, I’d say Süss Cookie Co. is a hit!  

Now, let’s get to the cookies!  You know I tried the Classic Chocolate Chip first.  It is pillowy perfection.  You will get the full effect of my enthusiasm for this cookie if I quote my notes from the visit:

”Suuuuuuper soft and doughy.  Not a bit of crisp.  Not much chocolate, but the dough is the star.  It even tastes doughy without being under cooked.  A mystery!!”

You know I also said each of those phrases aloud to my friends.  So, traveling and tasting with me is a lot.  My poor, poor friends...

Let’s walk through the rest of the cookies from Süss.   All of them are absolutely incredible.  But before we do, I’m going to do you a favor and let you know that they DELIVER NATIONWIDE.  You can order here ——> https://susscookieco.com/collections/cookies.

There is even a Süss Cookie Club.  YOU GUYS.  A DOZEN COOKIES PER MONTH. Add to cart now.   

Prepare to fall in love... 

 Gingersnap & Coconut Joy

Double chocolate chip​

Pumpkin & Snickerdoodle

Lemon

Jess sent me home with this precious box of cookies and, honestly, I can’t believe they didn’t get eaten while we were still at the airport!  I shared a few with my travel buddies and would like to say a special thank you to my friend Kyle, who graciously cared for the bag of cookies when I already had too many bags to carry them on myself. 

The biggest thanks goes to Jess for this amazing cookie experience.  Jess, please come visit!  I’ll be your Oklahoma tour guide anytime—first stop is The Merc! 

Salted Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies | Alison Roman

If you follow as many food bloggers or dessert-focused Instagram accounts as I do, you likely saw Alison Roman’s Salted Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies overtaking your feed earlier this year.  Known affectionately as #THECOOKIES, this unique recipe was getting rave reviews in every post I saw.  Instagrammers were using terms like “MIND-BLOWING,” “LIFE-CHANGING,” and “THE BEST COOKIES I’VE EVER HAD,” so you know I had to find out for myself if #THECOOKIES were worth the hype.

This was a fun and pretty simple recipe.  At first glance, I was surprised at how few ingredients were required.  It calls for salted butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and flour.  I had most of these in my pantry already—check!  The finishing touches require dark chocolate chunks, flaky sea salt and Demerara sugar.  I was a bit worried about finding the final ingredients without a boutique grocery store nearby.  It took a little searching, but I found the perfect items.  I picked up a giant tube of coarse sea salt at Whole Foods (365 brand so it was even inexpensive!). After looking in a few places, Target came through with this six-ounce bag of Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Baking Chunks—exactly the amount of chocolate chunks you need.  I’ve ordered Demerara sugar from Amazon before, but I substituted brown sugar instead and it worked like a charm.

When I say this recipe was fun, I mean it!  You start by cutting your butter into cubes and letting your trusty stand mixer do all the work to mix it with the sugars and vanilla.  After adding the flour and chocolate chunks, you get to roll your dough into two little logs.  Alison does a great job here of explaining exactly what to do in her instructions.  She says your logs should be about six inches long and two inches in diameter.  I feel like somehow exact measurements never work out for me when I bake or cook, so I got out my tape measure to see how my logs compared.  To my amazement, they were perfect!  *Bless you, Alison, for providing a recipe that actually turns out the way you say it will.* As a side note, it was very difficult to make cookie dough logs photogenic, so I apologize for not providing photos of this step.

After crafting your dough into logs, they need to chill for at least two hours.  So, I washed my hands and enjoyed two episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as I waited.  By the way, if you’re not watching, what are you even doing with your Amazon Prime account?!   

Now, for the rest of the fun part.  The egg wash, the rolling in the sugar, and the slicing.  Once you sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top, you will be amazed at how beautiful these cookies are before they’re even baked.  

Into the oven they go!  Be careful of your time here.  My oven tends to be a little warm, so I took my cookies out before the recommended 12 minutes.  What I’ve noticed in all my cookie-baking is that you’ve got to find that perfect amount of time for each recipe.  Even one minute more or less can make a big difference!  

Once out of the oven, I also recommend using a very thin, stiff spatula to move your cookies from the pan to the cooling rack.  I tried using a silicon spatula but it wouldn’t hold up under the density of the shortbread and they broke. This isn’t the end of the world, because the broken cookies always become my tasters!  But if you want to present beautiful cookies to your guests, you’ll want to be a little more careful.

Speaking of guests, #THECOOKIES were approved by party-goers one and all.  I took these to two different Christmas brunches and at each event people couldn’t get enough.  

Comments I heard were:

“ARE THESE SHORTBREAD?!”

“OMG MY MIND IS BLOWN.” 

”I CAN’T STOP EATING THESE COOKIES.” 

”PLEASE MAKE THESE AGAIN AND AGAIN.” 

In conclusion, yes, #THECOOKIES were worth the hype.  I hope you’ll make them for a brunch near you soon.

You can find the full recipe with instructions at  NYT Cooking or in Alison Roman’s cookbook, “Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes.”  

Enjoy!  Leave a comment to let me know how your batch turned out! 

HiVolt Coffee | New Orleans

At HiVolt Coffee, I’ve gotta say, they know their cookies, too.  I knew I would like this cookie from the moment I picked it up.  It sort of sunk into my hand because of its softness.  It’s a little crisp on the outside while maintaining its thickness throughout.  This cookie really goes into hi-volt when you find out it is full of both milk and semisweet chocolate chips with a little cinnamon or nutmeg to add some extra flavor.   HiVolt Coffee’s chocolate chip cookie is a must-eat when you’re in New Orleans.  

The Cookie Tour Stop

The cookie wasn’t the only thing I loved about HiVolt.  Let’s talk about the location.  It’s in the Lower Garden District, which is a very cool, non-touristy part of New Orleans.  It’s right by Magazine Street, which is home to countless one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.  I will tell you we walked what was probably the entire length of Magazine Street, so maybe have your cookie, walk a little way, and then hop in a cab to get up the street.  

​HiVolt Coffee also displays the work of local artists, so you really get a taste for New Orleans’ culture (outside the coffee and cookies).  I was in to the whole aesthetic—artsy vibes, enviable tile work, beautiful pastries... What more could you want in a coffee shop? 

While You’re There

Like I said before, Magazine Street!  You’ve gotta go.  My friends and I had the best time popping in and out of shops.  We happened to walk down the street at sunset and got to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of old, windy trees and whimsical homes in the golden hour.  Couldn’t have planned it better.  

We walked a few more blocks over to peek into Lafayette Cemetery Number One, which is right across the street from Commander’s Palace.  I once had the best meal of my life at Commander’s Palace, but that’s a story for another day.  It’s a staple in the NOLA food scene, so make sure you snag a reservation before you leave for your trip.  

With so much to see and do in the Garden District, you’ll be happy you got out of the French Quarter and experienced a different side of New Orleans.  I can’t wait to hear about your trip!

Chek out another New Orleans cookie stop I found off the beaten path!  

Chocolate Chip Cookie | New Orleans

A great chocolate chip cookie in a butcher shop? Only in New Orleans!  We all know that New Orleans is infamous for incredible food.  One of my favorite things about dining in NOLA is that it is never predictable.  Their chefs create unimaginable combinations of flavors and foods.  The most impressive thing about this?  They do it all really well.  

Cochon Butcher is no different.  Their cuts of meat are impeccable and, yes, the cookies are perfection.  I stumbled upon Cochon Butcher while I was taking a lunch break from a conference.  Walkable from the convention center, this local gem is a must-try. 

Alright, now for the cookie.  Its size is just right—big enough to satisfy your craving but not so big that you’ll feel bad about it.  It’s got a hint of crispness on the edges but they’re still thick and chewy.  Speaking of chewy, let’s talk about that center.  MMM-MMM.  Chewy and full of chocolate.  Cochon’s cookie isn’t too sweet and the chocolate is outstanding.  It’s nice and light and I ate the entire thing.  Can’t stop won’t stop.

The Cookie Tour Stop

Cochon Butcher is located in the Warehouse District.  It’s the more casual sibling of Cochon, which serves upscale Cajun Southern cooking.  Cochon Butcher is more than just a sandwich shop.  It’s a revival of the butcher shop with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and beautiful charcuterie.  It’s got an eclectic vibe and the best sandwich you’ll ever have (sandwich people, don’t @ me).  

While You’re There

I don’t even know what to tell you to try, because I hate to limit your options!  I will say that I had the Cuban with their homemade potato chips and it was the best Cuban sandwich I’ve ever had.  Their commitment to quality meats is what really stands out here, but no detail is missed.  How about I ask you to try whichever sandwich you like and report back?  I am drooling just thinking about eating there again, so I’m going to need some suggestions to ponder before my next trip to NOLA. 

THE PIONEER WOMAN MERCANTILE

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE | PAWHUSKA

Hold on to your hats, because this post is going to be a long one.  I recently took the trip to Pawhuska, Oklahoma with my friend Tory for the full Pioneer Woman experience.  We left no site unvisited and no crumb on our plates.  I know that many of you are probably considering making the trip to P-Town, so if you read no further (though I hope you will!), here is my advice:  GO!

While I will take you on this full journey with me, I want to start by answering the most pressing question on your mind: How is the chocolate chip cookie?  Here is my answer.  Ree’s Chocolate Chip Cookie is reflective of her lifestyle on the ranch.  No fuss, no frills, just pure goodness exuding from within.  

This no-nonsense cookie doesn’t place any emphasis on its appearance. No visible chocolate, a little crackly on the surface... nothing to make it stand out. Its emphasis is entirely on taste.  And you know what?  That’s exactly how it should be.  As soon as I took my first bite I knew it was a great cookie.  It is totally chewy and loaded with chocolate.  The semi-sweet chips perfectly complemented the brown sugar and butter in the dough.  It was one of those that you just can’t stop eating even though you’ve already eaten through chips and queso, cheesy grits, pulled pork, dinner rolls—I have to stop myself here and save some of the food news for later!  All this to say, when you visit Ree’s upstairs bakery, don’t be distracted by the beautifully decorated cupcakes and oversized sticky buns.  Go ahead and pick up the cookie.  You won’t fully appreciate the simplicity of the small town life without it.

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, or “The Merc,” is a gorgeously restored historic brick building in downtown Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  It stands proudly on the corner of what I would assume is Pawhuska’s main intersection and welcomes guests from all over the country with its simple charm.

Here’s a play-by-play of our Monday at The Merc. 

10:30 a.m. | Tory and I arrive at The Merc after about a 75-minute drive from Tulsa.  Other visitors are arriving and bustling through the shop.   I wouldn’t say it was busy yet, but we were glad we got there early.

10:45 a.m. | We shop for a few minutes but decide to wait until later in the day to make purchases so that we don’t have to carry our bags around (we are experienced travelers, you know).  The Merc’s web site told us there were Lodge Tours available that day, and that you had to ask any employee for a “ticket.”  We walk up to the cash register that had no line (this only happened in the morning) and the cashier discreetly handed us our pass to the Lodge.  For those who may not be familiar with the Lodge, this is where Ree films her Food Network show.  For those who are unfamiliar with mine and Tory’s travel habits, if there is a unique/random/once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity available to us on a visit, we’re going. Once we secured our ticket to the Lodge, we decide to hop in line outside for lunch seating in The Deli.

11:10 a.m. | Wow! A short wait!*  The staff efficiently seats guests and, after only about 20 minutes, we are shown to our table.  

*You will wait outside so I suggest comfy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. 

LUNCH | This is where I lose track of time. We had both studied the menu ahead of time but still had tough decisions to make.  Luckily, we did not eat breakfast that morning so we had ample eating room.  I also wore a roomy dress in preparation for this marathon of eating.  I highly recommend both of these tactics.  What did we choose?  Take a look.

​CHIPS & QUESO

The manu says this is the best queso dip you’ll ever eat and I would have to agree.  Served in a hot cast iron skillet, this thick, cheesy goodness is a little spicy and ​packed with Southwest flavor.

SPICY DR. PEPPER PORK

Just looking at this meal could put you into a food coma.  While the sandwiches and salads all sounded delicious, I just couldn’t keep my eyes off of pulled pork braised in Dr. Pepper.  My friends know that I sometimes refer to Dr. Pepper as “the sweet elixir of life” or “the cure to all ills.”  Drinking Dr. P is a habit that I’ve been trying to break, but until then I will have it however it is served​.  This includes as a marinade for pulled pork.  This dish did not disappoint!  It tastes just as good as it looks.  The pork was tender and flavorful.  The corn salad was fresh. The grits were insanely cheesy.  I’m sorry Southerners, but these were better than any grits I’ve had in Charleston.  Put them all together for one perfect bite and you’ve got a meal that will keep you smiling for days.

MAC & CHEESE

As if our entrees weren’t enough, we were so taken by the sound of the sides that we had to try them, too.  Our fabulous waitress encouraged us to stick with the classic mac & cheese.  It was just as you want it to be—warm, cheesy and delicious. No surprises here.

WHISKEY GLAZED CARROTS

WOWOWOWOW.  I am a fan of cooked carrots and these were glazed to perfection.  I don’t want to know how much butter went into the creation of this dish, but I’m not mad about it.  The carrots had a smoky flavor and were cut into chunks of sweet, buttery goodness. Yum!

I regret to inform you that we decided we didn’t have room for the famous chocolate cake.  I guess I’ll just have to go back.

 POST-LUNCH | Tory and I trudge our full selves up the stairs to The Bakery.  Because most people are eating at The Deli or waiting in line for a table, the line was also pretty quick for The Bakery.  I was prepared with my usual selection of a chocolate chip cookie, but was overwhelmed by the array of choices.

I landed on my cookie and a rainbow krispy the size of a brick.  And then I saw the miniature cakes that were about the size of a Lean Cuisine and had to go back for the chocolate sheet cake.   Because sheet cake.  I’ll be honest, the rainbow krispy treat was gooey and great.  That sheet cake tho.  It was your traditional chocolate sheet cake and I couldn’t get enough.  I am giving myself a big pat on the back for making it last a few days instead of eating it all in one sitting.  Tory bought the bourbon pecan sticky buns to take home to her sweetie. Check those beauties out.

 1:30 | We journey to the Lodge on Drummond Ranch.  It’s about a 40 minute jaunt to the Ranch, but If you have the chance to visit, you should make the trip.  When in Osage County, right?  I drive a MINI Cooper and while I love my MINI, I do not recommend taking one down 20 miles of dirt and gravel roads.  Bring your SUV, or if you want the true Oklahoma experience, take a truck.

2:15 | The Lodge! We’re here!  We are welcomed to the Lodge by a few friendly faces and are encouraged to look around to our hearts’ content.  Don’t mind if we do!  We posed for photos in Ree’s kitchen, saw the prep kitchen, 8 different Kitchen Aid mixers, Le Creuset pieces galore, props, spices, the works.  It was a lot of fun to see where the show is made and catch a glimpse of the Drummonds’ relaxed home life on the ranch.  

And the views!  Vast rolling hills and fields paint a serene scene.  I wonder what the film crews from L.A. or New York think when they roll into Osage County for the first time.  I can say that after I spent just a few hours there, I understood the appeal.  The simple grandeur leaves you simultaneously in awe and at rest.  Not a bad way to live, in my opinion. 

That’s where I’ll end the re-cap of our day. 

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

While you’re in Osage County, soak it in.  See the sights!  Tory and I visited cute boutiques near The Merc and stopped in at her new restaurant, P-Town Pizza.  We were still too full from lunch to have dinner, but we had to try the “Not Knots.”  We wrapped up our shopping at The Merc and decided to drive out to the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve where the buffalo literally roam.  We drove a little way into the Reserve and did our best to see the buffalo.  We saw them standing like rocks on hills in the distance and as tourists in a MINI Cooper, we decided that was probably close enough.

Our drive back to Tulsa presented an unexpected point of interest.  Barnsdall, Oklahoma’s welcome sign boasts that it is the home of Clark Gable.  Excuse me, what?!  A very quick Google search later, we find ourselves passing by his childhood home!  So there you go.  An added stop on your tour for the day.

All in all, we had a wonderful trip to Pawhuska.  I have to take a moment to recognize The Merc’s employees, local shop owners and servers.  They were the friendliest bunch I’ve experienced while traveling and made our trip memorable.

Leave me a note to tell me what your favorite part of your trip to The Merc was OR what you most look forward to doing when you visit!

Cuppies & Joe

Chocolate Chip Cookie | Oklahoma City

I love the simplicity of chocolate chip cookies and how they can make you feel warm on the inside because of their goodness.  For me, none can do this quite like the cookie from Cuppies & Joe.* 

*Your cookies do this, too, Mom.  Don’t worry - yours haven’t been replaced.  

The cookie from Cuppies & Joe is a classic.  It’s got the perfect level of sweetness.  It’s soft throughout.  And that chip-to-dough ratio?  Couldn’t be more ideal.  If you’re looking for a cookie that will give you the quiet comfort and delight that only a chocolate chip cookie can give, this is the Cookie Tour stop for you.

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

Cuppies & Joe is the coziest coffee shop in Oklahoma City.  It’s nestled in a bungalow on 23rd Street and offers vintage furniture and beautiful arrangements of fresh flowers.  With plenty of natural light and a nook wallpapered in pages of old books, you’ll feel like grabbing a hot coffee, curling up with a good book (or some work on your laptop), and staying a while.  It’s a little jaunt down the street from the hot spots of Uptown 23rd, so you should venture to Cuppies when you’re ready to slow it down.  You’re also only a couple blocks away from Perle Mesta Park.  Named for America’s “Hostess with the Mostest,” Mesta Park boasts gorgeous homes from the early 1900’s and a prime place for a picnic.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

You’ve GOTTA try the Boom Boom Pow.  It’s a vanilla bean cupcake with a dollop of salted caramel surrounded by a ring of chocolate buttercream icing.  Top it all off with a sprinkle of sea salt and WOW.    You’ve got a mind-blowing cupcake on your hands.  

Trying to Cookie Tour through Uptown 23rd? Don’t miss this stop!  

Cafe 7 & Old School Bagel Co.

Chocolate Chip Cookie | Oklahoma City & Tulsa

WOWOWOWOWOW.  That’s what you’re going to say when you find this hunk of a cookie.  It’s huge, it’s fat, it’s chock-full of chocolate.  That’s why I’ve dubbed this the “hunka hunka chocolate love.” (Please enjoy this Elvis pun.)

The chocolate chip cookie and friends sit right next to the cash register in all Cafe 7 and Old School Bagel Cafe restaurants.  It’s like the managers know that once you see these cookies, you have to have one.  It’s partially out of curiosity because you look at it and think, “Wow, that is huge. And it’s topped with a Hershey bar.  This cookie is not messing around.  But does it taste good?”  The other part of the thought process is, “There is so much chocolate I have to have it now!!!”  I think the latter is probably the more normal response.  Either way, you just seem to find your hand floating up to the shelves and grabbing one to add to your meal.

For the size of this cookie, it is surprisingly chewy.  There’s not a crisp piece of dough on this cookie.  Speaking of dough, it tastes freshly baked and has a strong brown sugar sweetness.  The chocolate chip cookie is dense, so you’ll want to share it with a friend (especially after you’ve enjoyed one of their delicious sandwiches or bagels).  It’s topped with a bite-sized Hershey bar, so the only thing you and your cookie buddy will fight over is who got the half with the Hershey bar! 

The Cookie Tour Stop

One of the best things about this cookie is that you can get it at multiple locations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.  If you’re headed to the Cafe 7 in Downtown OKC, you’ll want to hop over to the Myriad Gardens to see the city’s most beautiful park or enjoy the patio at Flint (one of my personal favorites) with a cool glass of wine.  The Old School Bagel Co. at Uptown 23rd is within walking distance to several local restaurants, bars, and shops - perfect for a Saturday stroll.   You might even walk over to catch a show at the Tower Theatre.  They’ve got touring shows and local bands playing most nights.  They’ve also taken this renovated movie theatre back to its roots by showing cult classics and Indie films.  Films I’ve seen here: Batman Returns and Ladybird.  10/10 would recommend. 

While You’re There

You’ve also got to try the Reese’s Pieces cookie.  It’s another cookie worthy of the heart eyes emoji—peanut butter dough filled with Reese’s Pieces and chunks of peanuts.  It’s got the same density and softness as the chocolate chip cookie.  This combo is mind boggling to me.  My only question - can I have the recipe?

Ida Red General Store

Cookie Dough Milk Shake & Okie Dough | Tulsa

Ida Red General Store was another stop on the Tulsa Cookie Crawl.  It was our last stop, in fact, and I fell in love!  It’s a good old-fashioned soda fountain with Oklahoma-themed gifts and apparel cute enough to make even a Texan want to buy it.  (I know those are strong words, Texans, but if you visit Ida Red I think you’ll agree.) 

For the Cookie Crawl, Ida Red created edible cookie dough dubbed “Okie Dough.”  A true classic chocolate chip, the dough had great texture, sweetness and a great chip-to-dough ratio.  It was light and tasty.  Unfortunately, you’ll have to catch Okie Dough when it’s on special, but it’s worth looking for!

The staple they have on-hand is their cookie dough milk shake.  YUM!  It had chunks of cookie dough and was topped off with whipped cream and a cherry.  I decided that when one is cookie crawling, there’s no need to cut back on calories.  This is always true for Cookie Touring, as well.  The shake was thick, milky and delicious.  It’s a nice way to mix it up when you’re craving cookies and ice cream.  Might as well just blend it all together!   

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

As I mentioned, Ida Red is a general store and soda fountain.  Their staff was the friendliest I’ve found in Tulsa, so grab a barstool at the soda fountain and chat a while!  They gave us great recommendations and an extra special experience.   Aside from friendly faces, this store boasts a fantastic selection of Oklahoma swag.  If you’re looking for a souvenir, this is your go-to spot.  

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Ida Red sits just across the street from Antoinette Baking Co., so there is no shortage of sweets on that block.  I recommend that you create your own Cookie Tour and visit both stops!  Maybe do yourself a favor and visit some of the other creative shops in the district in between—your stomach will thank you.  

Antoinette Baking Company

Orange Chocolate Chip | Tulsa

WOW.  That’s all I can say about the Orange Chocolate Chip Cookie from Antoinette Baking Company.  WOW.  This is the most unique cookie I’ve tried since starting this cookie tour, and clearly I’ve tried a lot!  Most people wouldn’t think to pair orange and chocolate, so I love the creativity Antoinette displayed in creating this cookie.  

The orange is somehow infused into the dough.  It tastes like they squeezed fresh oranges directly into the mixer just before stirring in the chips.  The orange isn’t overwhelming; it pairs perfectly with the chocolate chips.  This large, chewy cookie has so much personality.  It’s worth every penny and every calorie.  Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind cookie!    

The Cookie Tour Stop

Antoinette is a beautiful bakery in the Tulsa Arts District near downtown.  I’m convinced that they can do no wrong when it comes to baking.  Gorgeous cakes, creative cookies, coffee, the works.  They also just started making their own ice cream, and I can’t wait to go back to try it.  You know my philosophy: the best thing to pair with cookies is ice cream!  Every year, Antoinette hosts the Tulsa Cookie Crawl.  My friends and I went crawling this year and it was a blast.  Since there were so many of us, I think we bought almost every cookie they bake.  Check out all the fun options below!

While You’re There

Take a trip around the Tulsa Arts District.  It’s a hub for delicious fare, cool bars, and unique shops.  Just down the street you’ll find one of Oklahoma’s best craft breweries, Prairie Artisan Ales.  I also really enjoyed my trip to another of Antoinette’s neighbors, Laffa, for incredible Mediterranean food.  You could spend your whole afternoon and evening wandering the streets, so plan to stay a while when you make this cookie stop.

Before you go, share this post with a friend who loves all things orange! 

Signature Chocolate Chip | New York City

On my last visit to NYC, DŌ Cookie Dough Confections was on my must-try list.  I had heard about it, watched a story on the TODAY Show, ogled their Instagram for months... I was GOING to try this dough. 

Their neon says it best, “dreams dough come true!” This safe-to-eat dough was my idea of a perfect bite.  Chip-to-dough ratio?  On point.  Sweet vs. salty?  Totally balanced.  The signature chocolate chip was classic in every way. I am in love.

A word of warning - it was RICH.  Remember how you used to leave a considerable amount of cookie dough in the mixing bowl and claimed you “couldn’t get it to scrape off” with a spatula?   And then do you remember proceeding to miraculously scrape it off and eat every bite?  Was that just me? When I baked cookies last week?  Okay... anyway! Eating a scoop of DŌ is just like that. It tastes exactly the same and, if you’re not careful, can feel exactly the same, too.  I had one scoop and it was more than enough.  But if you’re brave - go for that triple scoop!  Try every flavor.  Carpe diem!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

DŌ is located in Greenwich Village and, like most NYC Cookie Tour stops, it’s a tiny little store.  It’s also a very cute little store!  It rivals my hometown favorite for a happy interior, so you know I lit up when I walked in.  It’s a tight squeeze and there will likely be a line when you arrive.  We had the luckiest trip - there weren’t long lines for any of our cookie stops!  We waited a few short minutes, selected our scoops, and scooted on out the door.  Even if we would’ve had to wait longer, it would have been worth it!

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Greenwich Village is rife with unique restaurants and local flair.  Washington Square Park is just steps away from DŌ, so I recommend walking that way to find a place to sit.  You’ll see the arch and cross another must-see off your list while you enjoy your scoop.

I also saw several sandwich boards for some fantastic brunch deals in the area.  I’m curious, though, about a sign for a restaurant that had bottomless mimosas for 90 minutes.  Is this a thing in New York? Because if someone instituted this rule in OKC my friends would definitely get kicked out. And does the 90 minutes start when you order or when you get your first mimosa?  Who’s timing?  Do they say “glasses down!!?” Must you drop your champagne flute like it’s a pencil after a standardized test?  New Yorkers - if you can help answer these questions, I may go for a 90 minute brunch prior to my next cookie dough stop.

Enough about my brunch questions.  Let’s get to those cookie dough stats! Enjoy that fresh-out-of-the-mixer taste, my friends! 

SALTED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE | OKLAHOMA CITY

 Elemental Coffee is one of my go-to places to work, catch up with a friend, or (of course) grab a chocolate chip cookie.  I LOVE these cookies.  They’re huge, they’re sweet and they’ve got the perfect amount of sea salt sprinkled on top.  They somehow magically taste just like cookie dough without being doughy at all.  Plus, they’re vegan, which is a whole other mystery to me.  I never understand how vegan cookies can be that good without butter.  But it’s possible!  I may have to try to bake them for myself one of these days, but until then, I’ll get my fix at Elemental.

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

Elemental is known for its signature in-house roasts.  The staff is always friendly, there is ample seating, and lots and lots of sunlight.  You’ll want to bring a book or something to work on and stay for a while.  I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it yet, but I’m not a coffee drinker.  I believe the Elemental-loyal, though, when they say their coffee is among the best in town.  I recently discovered their apple orchard green tea.  I am obsessed!  It’s got the perfect hint of apple and, when it’s iced, it’s incredibly refreshing on a warm day.  

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

The shop is in Midtown, so there is lots to do just steps away.  If you get hungry after your coffee and cookie, you should check out Tamashii Ramen House.  It’s just across the street from Elemental, has incredible ramen and is an OKC foodie favorite.  Save room for the garlic fried rice and gyoza.

THE CLASSIC | NEW YORK CITY

Schmackary’s is a happy little cookie spot.  It’s got a great atmosphere and even better cookies.  They have so many different kinds that it’s hard to choose just one!  Lucky for me, I’m focusing my efforts on chocolate chip.  It makes these decisions a little easier.  This chocolate chip was your beautiful, wonderful classic, hence its name.  It has a little sea salt on top that balances the sweetness of the chips.  It was chewy throughout with enough melted chocolate to make a mess.  Just the way I like it!

Cookies from Schmackary’s are all about medium-sized.  They’re not too rich, so you can eat more than one and not feel totally bad about yourself.   With that said, my second cookie was the Peanut Butter Patty.  MMM MMM!  I love a good peanut butter and chocolate combo.  And the ratio between the peanut butter cookie and creamy chocolate icing?  Perfection.  

With cookies like Schmackerdoodle, Sweet Corn, Cereal Killer and Maple Bacon, you’re going to need to take a few friends and try them all.

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

My friends and I visited Schmackary’s after a Sunday matinee of Hello, Dolly! *Everyone, please take a moment to bow to the queen that is Bernadette.* Schmackary’s is just off of Times Square, and is the perfect place for a post- or pre-show treat.  With a Broadway show and a trip to Schmackary’s, I was basically living my best New York life.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

You’re right on the cusp of Hell’s Kitchen when you’re at Schmackary’s, so there is good food EVERYWHERE.  We walked just one block over to 46th Street and had incredible hand made pasta at Becco.  All three of us had the Sinfonia di Paste, which is tableside service of the chef’s three daily pastas.  Oh, my.  Unlimited pasta plus a salad to start.  Becco is a true gem.  Be careful how many rounds of pasta you have—you’ll want to save room for your Schmackary’s stop!

P.S.

Schmackary’s is currently doing an online vote to see where their next location should be. OKC Cookie Tourists—let’s stuff that electronic ballot box and get that next location here!  VOTE HERE!

CHOCOLATE CHIP WALNUT COOKIE | NEW YORK CITY

Levain Bakery.  The legend.  It was at the top of my tasting list on my last trip to New York.  Before I left for the trip, everyone said I HAD TO VISIT LEVAIN.  In all caps.  Just like that.  I kept thinking to myself, “There’s no way that this cookie is that good.  It can’t be!”  Guess what?  IT WAS. 

A giant mound of chocolatey goodness, the Levain Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie is in a league of its own.  It is served so warm that it’s hard to get it to even stay put together!  This is one of those cookies that defies imagination.  How is it so big, yet so soft at the same time?  I don’t like walnuts, but they kept the cookie from being too sweet and added a nice layer to the texture. Do I like walnuts now?  How is this all possible?

I had a friend describe Levain cookies as a giant wad of dough.  I think that’s pretty accurate!  What’s incredible, though, is that this mountainous cookie has a crisp, golden brown outer layer.  Just underneath, there’s an extremely chewy, doughy center that melts in your mouth. And the chocolate?  It is everywhere.  I mean EVERYWHERE.  It was hard to take a beautiful photo of the center because I had chocolate all over my hands and, let’s face it, a gooey cookie just doesn’t really photograph well.  

In summary, there’s a reason why this cookie is the granddaddy of them all.  It’s one-of-a-kind.  Worth the wait.  A must-have. 

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

I visited the location on West 74th Street.  We were very lucky and the line was short when we arrived (little hint—they have a Cookie Line-Cam on their web site!).  Even the locals were amazed at the lack of people waiting.  When we got inside, we discovered why there’s always a line outside—aside from the incredible cookies.  The interior is simply a counter.  There is little space to sit or stand.  Make your decision quickly, because everyone wants to get through as quickly as possible.  The aroma from the cookies is delicious.  Grab a few and be on your merry way.

it was a snowy Saturday when two of my favorite Cookie Tourists and I visited Levain.  Instead of digging in right when we left the bakery, we walked across Central Park to the Met.  It was a dream New York day!  We sat in The Met’s cafe to eat our cookies.  I’m not sure if that’s frowned upon, but we did it anyway! 

WHILE YOU’RE THERE​

While you’re there, you have to try the ​Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie, too.  WOW.  It is incredible, too.  It is the same magical mound of cookie with the crispy exterior and gooey center.  The dark chocolate dough is just bittersweet enough.  It pulls apart and is also big enough to share.  Grab one of each and share with a friend!

Chocolate Chip Cookie | San Francisco​

This was the first cookie I happened upon during my trip to San Francisco.  Chippy, thick and all-around delicious, Split’s chocolate chip cookie ​is a can’t-miss.

Just look at this thing.  ​It’s crumbly.  It’s soft.  And when you look at the photo, you can see that it’s dripping with butter.  The chocolate chips are a little smaller than you usually see, but there are A LOT of them so there’s chocolate in every bite.  The texture is perfection.  The cookie’s density and chewiness all the way to the edges make it a standout.  Top it all off with a little bit of sea salt and you’ve got cookie heaven.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Try the burger.  Those who know me, know I’m an all-American girl.  I like cheeseburgers, fries and ice cream to go with my cookies.  I’m not going to start a Burger Tour anytime soon, but you can trust me when I say that I know a good one when I see one.  

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

Split has a few locations in San Francisco.  I went to the Yerba Buena location during a quick lunch break at a conference and loved its classic style.  Check out their web site to find them!  Spliteats.com

CHOCOLATE CHIP | OKLAHOMA CITY

Hot dang! That’s what they say about their Nashville hot chicken at NASHBIRD, but I think that should apply to their chocolate chip cookie, too.  This cookie might be as big as my face.  It’s thin and chewy all the way through.  Sometimes when cookies are this big, the chocolate chips are really spread out.  Not this time!  This cookie is loaded with chips.  And the brown sugar taste? Hot dang!  I’ll take the whole stack of these babies!

​WHILE YOU’RE THERE

​Needless to say, you have to try the Nashville hot chicken.  NASHBIRD offers different levels of heat, so fire it up to your heart’s content.  I’m sure you’re not surprised to find out that I’m not very brave when it comes to spicy foods (I have a cookie blog - the only heat you’ll find here is when cookies are fresh out of the oven), so I opted for the “chirp.”  That’s the lowest heat level you can go.  It was still spicy to me, but SO GOOD.  Their batter is crispy and the chicken is tender.  I also love their mac and cheese.  It’s creamy and pairs perfectly with the kick of the chicken.  

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

NASHBIRD is on 9th street, which is one of my favorite streets in the city.  You’ve got tasty food - Iguana Mexican Grill, S&B Burger Joint, Sara Sara Cupcakes - cute shops and the brightest, most instagrammable building in OKC, the Womb Gallery.  Excuse me for not providing a photo here, but you’ll know it when you see it.  When you’re done strolling 9th, walk over to Broadway for a trip down Automobile Alley.  More great shops - Sara Kate Studios, Plenty and SHOPGOOD - pizza, tacos, and steak.  There’s a new market on 8th Street, just south of NASHBIRD, that’s home to Prairie Artisan Ales, one of Oklahoma’s best craft breweries.  Looks like you’ll have to make a day of it to get through the whole neighborhood!