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!

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!

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?

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! 

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 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!

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP | SAN FRANCISCO

Anthony's is a cookie-lover's Heaven.  During my trip to San Francisco, everyone asked if I'd been to Anthony's.  It was my last stop, and in my opinion, it was the best.  When you walk in, there's pretty much only a counter where you order.  And behind the counter, there are cookies.  ONLY cookies.  Pan after pan, stacked on baking racks, there are cookies of all types ready to be eaten.  To order, you look at a chalkboard menu, where the available cookies are charmingly marked with a check.  I, of course, went for the Classic Chocolate Chip.  It did not disappoint! 

I ordered the one ounce size, which fit in my palm and allowed me to have room to try other types of cookies.  The classic was just the right amount of crispy on the outside and had a light, gooey center.  The chip-to-dough ratio was 50/50.  In my opinion, this cookie lived up to its name.  It was classic, simple and delicious.  Next time I'm in San Fran, I'm ordering four.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Try everything!  My second type was Cookies & Cream.  It had the same perfect texture as the Classic Chocolate Chip, but it tasted just like cookies & cream ice cream.  It would be amazing dipped in a cold glass of milk.  I'm convinced that you can't go wrong at Anthony's!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You can find Anthony’s Cookies in the Mission District.  It’s a little off the beaten path from the typical tourist stops, but well worth the trip. 

COMPOST COOKIE | WASHINGTON, D.C.

How excited was I to try the infamous Compost Cookie?  Very.  How much did I like it?  A lot.  This cookie is a super salty and sweet mixture.  Even with pretzels and potato chips in the batter, the cookie was chewy and chocolaty.  What I love most about the Compost Cookie is how creative the recipe is.  It’s no average cookie, so I’m recommending you add this to your “must-try” list!

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

I had the cereal milk soft serve as an appetizer for my Compost Cookie.  Milk Bar wasn’t lying–it truly tastes like milk and cereal. Looks like I know what my breakfast stop is next time I’m in New York or D.C.!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

With locations in New York, D.C. and Toronto, you can get your Compost Cookie in three different cities.  Check milkbarstore.com for all of their locations.  You can also buy their cookie mix and cookbooks to try their recipes at home.  The Cookie Tour doesn’t have to stop when your vacation ends!

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CHIP | OKLAHOMA CITY

I stumbled on this beauty while I was enjoying The Hall’s delicious pizza.  Salted caramel with my favorite, chocolate chip? Yes, please!  The caramel is swirled perfectly through the cookie, making it extra chewy.  If you look closely enough you can see it (insert heart eyes emoji here)! It perfectly complements the chocolate and makes for an overall divine cookie experience.  If you like a little extra something special with your chocolate chip cookie, you’ll love this!

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Try all the things. And maybe take a seat on their rooftop patio.

1. Appetizer: Quinn’s Burrata

2. Pizza: Saturday Night and Roasted Goat

3. Dessert: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie (obviously) and the Strawberry Shortcake (fresh berries, cream cheese whipped cream and an orange sauce that’s out of this world. Need I say more?)

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You’ll find The Hall’s in the alley at 9th Street and Hudson in Midtown.  It’s a little off the beaten path, which makes it that much more fun to visit.  There are also lots of great places to visit within walking distance, preferably when it's patio weather.  After you enjoy The Hall's rooftop, skip downstairs to Barrios for a margarita on their blissful patio and then over to R&J's for a club special with some tiki flair.  And now I wish it were summer. *sigh*

CHOCOLATE CHUNK | WASHINGTON, D.C.

It’s always a good day when a quick sandwich stop surprises you with a gem of a cookie.  I popped into Taylor Gourmet before a flight out of D.C. and grabbed a chocolate chunk cookie (as I always do) just to give it a try.  What I found was my MVC of Washington, D.C.!

It was unreal!  The cookie was so doughy it tasted almost like it wasn’t even baked.  It had that “fresh out of the mixer” taste, if you know what I mean.  If you love dough just as much as the cookie itself, you need to get yourself to Taylor Gourmet. 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Try the Toffee Heath Bar Crunch cookie, too.  It’s got the same chewy texture as the chocolate chip, but it’s filled with sticky toffee.  Delish!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You can find Taylor Gourmet across D.C. and in Maryland and Virginia (locations are listed at taylorgourmet.com).  That means while you visit the national monuments, Smithsonian Museums, and everything else D.C. has to offer, you can always have a cookie in hand.  Lucky you!