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Homemade Cookies!
We spend quite a bit of time thinking about cookies—and are always up for a tasty treat.
This issue is all about cookies you can bring as a hostess gift or ones that work well on a pretty plate for an easy dessert at a dinner party. This month we present cookie recipes for everyday eating. These are cookies that, while tasty enough to be considered for the Christmas cookie box, are really for your lunchbox or that three o’clock afternoon snack.
Let's begin with some of our favorite cookie baking ingredients.
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LET'S GET BAKING!
TCHO Bittersweet Baking Chocolate is perfect for baking, cooking‚ fondues, and snacking! This 66% dark chocolate blend combines warm, complex cocoa notes with hints of dried cherries, currants, and roasted coffee. Delicious!
Brer Rabbit Molasses—a trusted household brand used in cherished family recipes for over 100 years. This unsoldered molasses is available in both mild and full flavor.
Bob’s Red Mill Coconut is unsweetened and unsulfured, making it ideal for baked goods, granola, and more. It's packed with flavor, and we carry both the Shredded Coconut and Coconut Flakes.
India Tree crafts delicious baking sugars. We carry their Dark Muscovado, Light Muscovado, and Demerara Sugar from Mauritius.
Country Baking Co. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is for the times when you are craving something fresh from the oven without all the mess. The dough comes pre-measured, mixed, and scooped. All you have to do is pop the tray in the oven and enjoy warm cookies!
Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter is a creamy cookie butter from Belgium. It has a unique taste, whenever you enjoy a slice of toast or on your favorite fruit. Vegan friendly.
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READY-MADE COOKIES
Grand Bakery has been an Oakland fixture since 2017. They hand-craft high-quality, kosher baked goods for our community. Try their Russian Tea Cookies and the Macaroons.
Lilly's Brooklyn Black & White Cookies. New York's most iconic cookie begins with a light cake base that is hand-painted with vanilla and chocolate frosting for the perfect treat.
Rustic Bakery Shortbread Cookies melt in your mouth. They present elegantly while maintaining their rustic aesthetic. Try their Pecan or Chocolate Cacao Nib Shortbread.
Kelleys Kookies are made from traditional recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, we have a wide variety including Melting Moments, Chocolate-Dipped Macadamia Biscotti, Walnut Chocolate chip, and Shortbread.
Green Girl Bakeshop Icebox Sandwiches are made locally, in Alameda, from plant-based ingredients. Try their Vanilla Bean with Chocolate Chip Cookie, Fresh Mint Chip with Dark Chocolate Cookie, and Reishi Chocolate with Chocolate Chip Cookie.
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Porto
Have you tried port wine?
Many of our customers are not all that familiar with this flavorful wine. Porto, or port, is commonly enjoyed with dessert or a cheese course because its richness compliments sweet treats.
Port has flavors of raspberry, blackberry, caramel, cinnamon, and chocolate sauce. Delicious!
This wine is typically sweet and red. Although it also comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties.
Learn more and get our porto recommendations…
| THIS MONTH ON THE COCKTAIL POST | |
The Brown Butter Old Fashioned
From our blog, The Cocktail Post
This cocktail features a base of brown butter-infused bourbon.
Brown sugar lends an earthy sweetness to the classic Bourbon Old Fashioned, while the classic Angostura bitters lend spice and a muddled maraschino cherry imparts a rich fruitiness. It takes a little extra time to construct but is ultimately easy to make.
Get the recipe…
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The Sugar Cookie Martini
From our blog, The Cocktail Post
This yummy, sweet, cocktail makes the perfect dessert drink for times when baking a batch of cookies is not fast enough! Delicious to share for special occasions and easy enough to prepare on a weeknight when you have that sugar craving.
The ingredients for this recipe are common enough that it is worth having them on hand. The combined flavors of vanilla vodka, amaretto, and Irish cream are absolutely reminiscent of that favorite dessert, the sugar cookie.
We added a colorful rim of sprinkles for a fun presentation.
Get the recipe…
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Cookies: The New Classics
By Jesse Szewczyk
A Cookbook Recommendation
One of the Ten Best Cookbooks of the Year
—The New Yorker, The New York Times, Food52, Salon, The Kitchn
Jesse Szewczyk is nothing short of a cookie mastermind.
—Food52
Move beyond the same-old chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal cookies with Jesse Szewczyk’s collection of 100 brand-new, boldly flavored, and intriguing yet familiar recipes. Sophisticated and approachable—many don’t even require an electric mixer—these new classics are divided into chapters by flavors and attributes such as Chocolaty, Boozy, Fruity, Smoky, and Savory.
Unexpected combinations like Malted Brownie Biscotti, Key Lime Pie Meringues, Smoked Butter & Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Chewy Blueberry Muffin Sugar Cookies, and Pretzels & Stout Cookie Bars will become your go-to treats for stealing the show at bake sales, gift exchanges, and holiday cookie swaps. Jesse’s trustworthy recipes and pro baking advice deliver sweet satisfaction to anyone looking to up their cookie game.
About the Author
Jesse Szewczyk is a writer, recipe developer, and food stylist. He is a cookie columnist at The Kitchn and his recipes have been featured in The Washington Post and on the Food Network, Food52, BuzzFeed, and Tasty, among others. Jesse is also the author of Tasty Pride.
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THIS MONTH'S STAFF PICKS
Medaglia d’Oro Instant Espresso
Unusually rich and aromatic. Medaglia d’Oro Instant Espresso is a true Italian coffee with a bold, dark taste that is never bitter. It is delicious hot and also dissolves instantly in cold water making a fantastic iced coffee in no time at all. And, we also use it in recipes whenever coffee is called for. We love it in baked goods and to flavor ice cream. Read more…
Snyder's Snaps
Snyder’s of Hannover presents the perfect pretzel. They offer all the flavor of traditional pretzels in a crunchy, checkerboard shape. We love this delightfully versatile snack because they’re crisp, buttery, perfectly salted, and have just the right amount of crunch. Read more…
Gina Marie Cream Cheese
This Cream Cheese has nearly a cult following because of its lighter, fluffier texture and genuinely fresh, creamy flavor. No other cream cheese tastes like it. And, it is fantastic in baked goods. Once you try it, you may never return to your old brand. Read more…
Stash Double Bergamot Earl Grey Tea
For lovers of Earl Grey, things just got better! Stash went the extra mile to make this bold-tasting tea using extra bergamot oil. Stash Double Bergamot Earl Grey is one-of-a-kind and delicious. The Bergamot lights up the tea with a wonderful fragrance, and upping the Bergamot yields a bolder flavor without overpowering the taste. Read more…
| THIS MONTH ON THE KITCHEN TABLE | |
Mocha Chocolate Chunk Cookies
We have a hard time refusing anything that has the flavor of coffee in it. Add chocolate to the mix and you have our full attention. These cookies are gooey from the oven but cool to something that is a bit chewier—like a brownie.
One of these cookies with a latte in the afternoon can change your whole outlook on life!
Read the post and get the recipe…
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Peach Crumble Bars
What to do with all the summer peaches? Sure, you could make a pie. But, the thought kind of makes me tired. I’m thinking this situation screams for a bar cookie—Peach Crumble Bars. If it can be done with apple pie and pecan pie, why not peaches?
Read the post and get the recipe…
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Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Crisp and buttery, these Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies have just five ingredients plus an easy lemon glaze. They are great for parties, tea time, and they make a delicious snack. And, The longer these cookies sit, the more intense the flavor will become.
Read the post and get the recipe…
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Pretzel & Guinness Cookie Bars
I recommend making a batch of these Pretzel & Guinness Cookie Bars. Everything about them screams football tailgate. Beer? Check. Pretzels? Check. Convenient and portable bar form? Also, check. Plus, they are pretty yummy!
Read the post and get the recipe…
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Peanut Butter Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
These delicious, no-bake cookies are perfect for hot weather. They begin on the stovetop and are set in the fridge. This recipe is easy to prepare and yields a lot of cookies.
Read the post and get the recipe…
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Cookie Recipes from Our Archives
From our blog, The Kitchen Table
We absolutely love cookies, and here is a list of some of our favorite recipes.
BAR COOKIES
Chewy Chocolate Brownies
Brownies are a great way to end a meal. You can serve them with the ice cream of your choice on the top. Or, take it a step further and use the brownies as the base for an ice cream cake!
Blondies
The generous amount of real vanilla extract in this recipe is what makes them so delicious. Also, these are better slightly under-baked rather than over-baked.
Granola Bar Cookies
This makes a lot of cookies depending on the size. You can freeze half of the dough for later. And, you can play around with the add-ins.
Pecan Bars
We love using honey instead of corn syrup—it gives the pecan bars a more floral flavor. Plus, the addition of orange zest is delicious.
Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
The flavors in these cookies really remind us of fall. The brightness of the raspberry jam will make you smile…and we could all use a few more smiles.
Six-Layer Bars
These layer bars are the very definition of indulgence, of course, you would expect that from a Paula Deen recipe.
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CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
This recipe has no regular granulated sugar—It is all about the brown sugar. That is what makes them so gloriously rich and decadent.
HomeMade Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are a pretty precise replica of Tate's. They spread out on the baking pan, and are thin and crispy. Don’t expect anyone to share!
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pecan Cookies
While the addition of pecans and oatmeal may not actually make these cookies healthier, it does make them taste pretty good. So good that you can really only have one…handful.
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BUTTER COOKIES
Classic Sugar Cookies
It's hard to find a sugar cookie recipe that actually tastes good. These are sturdy enough for icing, and with plenty of butter for tastiness.
Red and White Pinwheel Cookies
These vanilla-flavored cookies add a splash of pure color to your table.
Classic Scottish Shortbread
This classic recipe adds some oats to the mix for a slightly nuttier flavor. It’s fantastic.
The World’s Greatest Cookie
These are buttery, flakey, and so darn good. But, they don’t travel well. These cookies are delicate and break.
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OTHER FLAVORS
Overstuffed Nutters
Somewhat easy to make and definitely worth it—but these are not cookies you whip up fast. Just beware of the altruistic soul who offers to taste them to check for poison.
Coconut Macaroons
We love coconut macaroons—and making them couldn’t be easier. Bonus! They are gluten-free.
World Peace Cookies
We are convinced that if everyone was eating one of these cookies, peace would reign over the planet.
Italian Hazelnut Cookies (Baci di Dama)
Tiny Italian hazelnut-chocolate sandwich cookies are made from a very rich, fragile dough that crumbles when you bite into them.
Cranberry Orange Biscotti
The best fall flavors. And, unlike classic Italian biscotti, which are quite hard, these are light and crunchy.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
This recipe has pumpkin cakes with a cream cheese filling. Anything with cream cheese filling is a winner.
Giant Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
Classic XL peanut butter cookie dipped in melted chocolate is a hands-down favorite.
Sutter’s Fort Gingersnaps
This historic recipe is from Sutter's Fort in Gold Country. And, it definitely stands the test of time.
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Guittard Chocolate
Vendor of the Month
Close to perfection! Guittard chocolate is our favorite for baking and candy making. With its rich, creamy mouthfeel, genuine chocolate flavor, and smooth texture, we use it whenever our recipes call for chocolate—it takes your baking to new heights.
We have but one warning…whatever you are purchasing, get at least double what your recipe calls for. We find it almost impossible not to sample away this ingredient…delicious!
Get the list of what we are currently carrying…
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Store Hours
Monday through Saturday from
9 AM to 8 PM & Sunday from
9 AM to 7 PM.
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4038 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 653-8181
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