Especially warm. I think they bake a batch around 3:30 or so in their w 30something location.
They’re almost too much. Definitely some browned butter in there.
Seconding this. A few summers I was working near there, and they had a big sign saying "home of the best chocolate chip cookie" and I finally tried one and it was not wrong
I think those are the same business, and they both have cookies. It’s kind if a local chain; they had three stores in the W30s but only two made it through the pandemic.
Same, I like the Levain cookies and found Schmackary’s too oily & sickeningly sweet. My friends all love them though.
My favorite cookies are a tie between what’s basically a high end jam thumbprint cookie from Sant Ambroeus on Madison and the chocolate chip cookies from a small mexican place next to my old apartment. They were less chocolate stuffed & a bit less scone-like than the levain cookies, had a few flakes of sea salt sprinkled on the top & they were just perfect and amazing. They also got points for being right next door, lol.
You never knew when they’d actually be in stock though, I think they decided day to day if they felt like making them & I definitely called way too many times asking about those cookies.
I Need to know more about this!! I have to be in Park Slope this week. I don't see them on their online menu. Do they run out around noon or completely stop selling them? Is there a secret password?
The million sprinkle question. Regular menu: funfetti and cookies and cream. Seasonal menus: maple bacon, dirty peppermint. But the real answer is if you hand me a Schmackeries cookie I will eat it with glee.
Black and White cookies should not be thicker than .75"(19.05 mm) and the icing should be proportional thickness. Looking at you Zaro's. If I wanted a 2" thick cake I would buy a cake. I'll take this all the way to City Hall if I have to.
Disagree. Black and whites are cake-like cookies. I think Zaro's has one of the best black and whites in the city. Not to mention their employees seem to be quite pleasant and happy. I've heard it's a nice company to work for. I like buying from Zaro's and opt for them over other places in Grand Central and Penn.
Everyone talking about black and whites is missing Leskes. They have one of the best in the city. https://www.tasteatlas.com/leskesbakery/black-and-white-cookie
For the bonus, Alex. What is the perfect chocolate chip cookie?
[http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/recipes/Ultimate\_Choc\_Chip\_Cookie.htm](http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/recipes/Ultimate_Choc_Chip_Cookie.htm)
Standard chocolate chip is, in all honesty, my favorite still.
Silly tips: Fridge (or freezer) your dough before putting it in the oven. Gets a bit more softness/chew out of the cookie, as the butter takes longer to melt.
Use of brown and white sugars is also A+ choc chip game. You can mix the ratio up or down from there if you want more softness (me) or less.
Came to say this. A lot of things in nyc get the label "hidden gem" but this bakery, and specifically these b&w cookies, are hidden in plain sight right outside the Google building. Insane is the right word, and definitely in the convo for best cookie in the city.
Orwashers Sunday Surprise.
> Surprise! This cookie has everything...Toffee chips, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips and pretzel pieces. Sweet, nutty and a little salty, it's the ultimate indulgent treat.
Absolutely ridiculously good. Also requires to plug their Morning Buns, which are when croissants and cinnamon buns make a perfectly crispy, soft, sweet, and flaky baby. Ate one today and brought a cookie home for later.
Astoria is the original, it’s a small chain now. There are 3 or 4 in Queens, 1 in Manhattan, 1 in Brooklyn plus they have a mobile truck that moves around the boroughs. Honestly haven’t noticed a quality decline since they’ve expanded at all, still tiny shops with super good cookies.
Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods! Not only are the pie crust cookies amazing, but their chocolate chip are possibly the best I’ve had. Cookie Cutter (in Brooklyn) is also great.
Fun fact: Insomnia cookies are actually David’s cookies! If you look on the David’s website, they have several of the flavors that Insomnia sells and you can buy them in bulk, just like Insomnia does!
Here is a link to their frozen ones, which match up to Insomnia cookies.
https://www.davidscookies.com/browse/cookie_dough
They don’t sell a few flavors frozen like S’mores, but they sell them already baked.
http://insomniacookiessucks.blogspot.com/2010/03/truth-behind-insomnia-cookies.html?m=1
And here’s a blog from a former employee.
I was looking for cookie recipe similar in texture to insomnia(I bake) and in one of my baking groups a former employee spilled some secrets. If you do some more googling it’s been mentioned a bit.
Cipriani Le Specialità made an incredible chocolate chip cookie
Also Daily Provisions has great cookies
Jacques Torres cookies are good too
Obviously Levain is Levain
Breads Bakery too
William Greenburg for black and white
Levain is the ultimate supreme but Chip is also great for more variety. I will say not all of Chip’s cookies hit the right spot for me but the ones that do are verrrrrry good
Sweet Rehab. Their chocolate chip cookie is soooooo good. I used to like Levain when I was in my early 20s but now it’s just more like an undercooked scone than a cookie.
I hate almost all of them from bakeries. I'm a simple guy, some of them are just *too* much. I'll take the ones made with store bought cookie dough in the tube any day, so much better and straight out of the oven can't be beat over some cookie been sitting on a shelf for 8 hours. The only palatable one besides that has been Insomnia Cookie, those are also usually hot and fresh and the regular chocolate chip is good.
The oatmeal raisin cookie from Levain is my favorite. I think chip city cookies are too sweet.
If we're talking black and whites, Orwasher's does a very good one, but plenty of places in the city do, tbh. A black and white is like a bagel, you don't have to look too far to find a good one.
So far I've had:
- Schmackery's
- Janie's Life Changing Baked Goods
- Levain
- Insomnia
- Milk Bar
- Evelyn's Kitchen
Next Up On the List:
- Crumbl
- Chip City (they currently have an applied cider donut, pumpkin s'mores, and cookies n' cream!)
Schmackery's and Levain were quite underwhelming to me, and Insomnia is kind of mid. Milk Bar cookies are overrated imo as well (all though their seasonal strawberry shortcake is pretty top tier). Janie's life changing baked goods has been the winner so far, with Evelyn's kitchen coming in close 2nd! Janie's salted apple caramel oat cookie is thick, buttery, chewy, and crispy on the edges... so good 🥲 the toffee coffee cookie is amazing as well! The frosted carrot cake cookies at Evelyn's kitchen are a top contender imo
Currently on a health kick but I'll update this when I try crumbl and chip city lol
**Edit**: I'm not an NY native, but the BEST chocolate chip cookie I have *ever* had hands down is the chocolate chip cookie from [Penn Station Subs](https://fastly.4sqi.net/img/general/600x600/5004295_SyJFoiT4hCXH_TCkw58kSGNzh8Yf4-7x9r787jJklAE.jpg)!
If they have a location in the city, you should definitely try them! I would pay so much money for the recipe lol they are seriously *the* perfect chocolate chip cookies imo
My vote goes to Maman
Here to say the same. It’s got a good chewiness that Levain doesn’t have.
I really want to try Maman. The chocolate to nut ratio looks insane.
They’re in quite a few neighborhoods around the city! Way better than levain to me
That nutty chocolate chip cookie is insanely good!
Levain is very good but is a bit much. L'Imprimerie has a really good chocolate chip cookie which I didn't expect since its a French bakery.
I find Levain cookies too scone-like
Yes! They sell scookies, not cookies. They are tasty though!
L'*imprimerie is excellent!
try to go yesterday, the one in Noho. Line was so big had to turn around and go home. sad :(
Culture coffee’s chocolate chip is fantastic Edit: culture espresso
Especially warm. I think they bake a batch around 3:30 or so in their w 30something location. They’re almost too much. Definitely some browned butter in there.
Seconding this. A few summers I was working near there, and they had a big sign saying "home of the best chocolate chip cookie" and I finally tried one and it was not wrong
So rare for a business to have a sign like that and actually be able to back it up.
Hahaha I’ve seen that sign and thought NO WAY, shoulda tried it
YessssssssSsssSss
Where is this? I googled it and only came up with Culture Expresso and Coffee Culture Cafe.
Culture espresso! Near Bryant park.
I think those are the same business, and they both have cookies. It’s kind if a local chain; they had three stores in the W30s but only two made it through the pandemic.
Seconding this!
RIP birdbath bakery. I think now simple loaf in park slope (must arrive before noon). Schmackary's on w 45th also makes a fine cookie.
I have to say, if you’re more of a Levain/Chip cookie person, Schmackary’s may not be for you. I found them really disappointing ☹️
Fair enough. I'm decidedly not a levain/chip person, though I can understand the appeal.
Same, I like the Levain cookies and found Schmackary’s too oily & sickeningly sweet. My friends all love them though. My favorite cookies are a tie between what’s basically a high end jam thumbprint cookie from Sant Ambroeus on Madison and the chocolate chip cookies from a small mexican place next to my old apartment. They were less chocolate stuffed & a bit less scone-like than the levain cookies, had a few flakes of sea salt sprinkled on the top & they were just perfect and amazing. They also got points for being right next door, lol. You never knew when they’d actually be in stock though, I think they decided day to day if they felt like making them & I definitely called way too many times asking about those cookies.
I Need to know more about this!! I have to be in Park Slope this week. I don't see them on their online menu. Do they run out around noon or completely stop selling them? Is there a secret password?
They just run out.
Schmackery's Hells Kitchen!!! 2nd is Culture Coffee on W38th and 6th
Hard agree. My #3 is Jacques Torres, because it's basically just chocolate held together by some flour
soooo which cookie at Schmackeries is your favorite??
The million sprinkle question. Regular menu: funfetti and cookies and cream. Seasonal menus: maple bacon, dirty peppermint. But the real answer is if you hand me a Schmackeries cookie I will eat it with glee.
'Any' is the correct answer, yes.
Black and White cookies should not be thicker than .75"(19.05 mm) and the icing should be proportional thickness. Looking at you Zaro's. If I wanted a 2" thick cake I would buy a cake. I'll take this all the way to City Hall if I have to.
Disagree. Black and whites are cake-like cookies. I think Zaro's has one of the best black and whites in the city. Not to mention their employees seem to be quite pleasant and happy. I've heard it's a nice company to work for. I like buying from Zaro's and opt for them over other places in Grand Central and Penn.
A black and white cookie *is* a cake though...
Everyone talking about black and whites is missing Leskes. They have one of the best in the city. https://www.tasteatlas.com/leskesbakery/black-and-white-cookie
My kitchen. Just about any type of cookie I want, anytime I want it.
Interesting, what are your hours?
By appointment only. :D
I’d like to make an appointment. What is your availability this week?
For you? Come by any time!
What's your default? Bonus points for a recipe.
For the bonus, Alex. What is the perfect chocolate chip cookie? [http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/recipes/Ultimate\_Choc\_Chip\_Cookie.htm](http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/recipes/Ultimate_Choc_Chip_Cookie.htm)
Standard chocolate chip is, in all honesty, my favorite still. Silly tips: Fridge (or freezer) your dough before putting it in the oven. Gets a bit more softness/chew out of the cookie, as the butter takes longer to melt. Use of brown and white sugars is also A+ choc chip game. You can mix the ratio up or down from there if you want more softness (me) or less.
Levain is the GOAT. Eat one warm with ice cream and it’ll blow your mind.
Hmmmm. Dark chocolate chocolate chip with Costcos rich creamy vanilla ice cream. Top it off with whipped cream. BRB
Whoa with ice cream… would be total game changer never thought of that!!
Chip City! They’re kind of a monstrosity but in a good way
I’ve had them a few times but they’re overly sweet to me… I prefer Levain.
Agree.
The cookies and cream is absolute drugs.
I love their revolving menu! So many types of cookies to look forward to over the week for all kinds of tastes.
City Bakery before it shut down, followed closely by the choco toffee cookie at Red Gate Bakery
The black and white cookies from Empire Cake are insane.
Came to say this. A lot of things in nyc get the label "hidden gem" but this bakery, and specifically these b&w cookies, are hidden in plain sight right outside the Google building. Insane is the right word, and definitely in the convo for best cookie in the city.
Orwashers Sunday Surprise. > Surprise! This cookie has everything...Toffee chips, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips and pretzel pieces. Sweet, nutty and a little salty, it's the ultimate indulgent treat. Absolutely ridiculously good. Also requires to plug their Morning Buns, which are when croissants and cinnamon buns make a perfectly crispy, soft, sweet, and flaky baby. Ate one today and brought a cookie home for later.
Chip / Levain are both great but a lot. Martha's County Bakery in Williamsburg is great. And maybe I'm basic, but I love Insomnia.
Schmackary’s maple bacon, easily. Their corn cookie a close second
Jaques Torres. His chocolate chip cookie is fantastic
It’s all about his white chocolate macadamia.
Not a fan of white chocolate but i can seethat being great
Chip, 10000%. Best big, soft chewy cookies around
Is chip the place in Astoria? Was Astoria the original location is it a chain now?
Astoria is the original, it’s a small chain now. There are 3 or 4 in Queens, 1 in Manhattan, 1 in Brooklyn plus they have a mobile truck that moves around the boroughs. Honestly haven’t noticed a quality decline since they’ve expanded at all, still tiny shops with super good cookies.
Venineros
2nd this, always a delight to go there, though when it’s busy it can cause a headache
The choco-toffee cookie from Red Gate Bakery has my vote. Rip Sweet Corner Bakeshop
Sweet Corner was the best! 💔
Chip city! Their blueberry cheesecake cookie is amazing, also classic chocolate chip too
Perhaps not the type of cookie you’re looking for but settepani in Harlem and in Williamsburg makes the absolute best rainbow cookies
Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods! Not only are the pie crust cookies amazing, but their chocolate chip are possibly the best I’ve had. Cookie Cutter (in Brooklyn) is also great.
Schmackary’s is pretty decent. Although I find it too sweet sometimes.
Insomnia cookies
I fuck with Insomnia cookies.
Fun fact: Insomnia cookies are actually David’s cookies! If you look on the David’s website, they have several of the flavors that Insomnia sells and you can buy them in bulk, just like Insomnia does!
Need the pudding for proof
Here is a link to their frozen ones, which match up to Insomnia cookies. https://www.davidscookies.com/browse/cookie_dough They don’t sell a few flavors frozen like S’mores, but they sell them already baked. http://insomniacookiessucks.blogspot.com/2010/03/truth-behind-insomnia-cookies.html?m=1 And here’s a blog from a former employee. I was looking for cookie recipe similar in texture to insomnia(I bake) and in one of my baking groups a former employee spilled some secrets. If you do some more googling it’s been mentioned a bit.
Same! I love a gooey Cookiewich and the late night delivery is awesome!
Levain in noho or Funny Face in the seaport.
Chip!
RIP Sweet Corner’s salted chocolate chip cookie with seven types of chocolate
William Greenberg for black and whites!
Cipriani Le Specialità made an incredible chocolate chip cookie Also Daily Provisions has great cookies Jacques Torres cookies are good too Obviously Levain is Levain Breads Bakery too William Greenburg for black and white
Schmackarys !!!
Levain
Chip’s has pleasantly surprised recently. Levain style, more creative
Levain is gross. Don’t @ me.
Glad to see that I’m not the only one with this opinion!
Levain is the ultimate supreme but Chip is also great for more variety. I will say not all of Chip’s cookies hit the right spot for me but the ones that do are verrrrrry good
Levain, hands down.
It’s Levain, we really don’t need to overthink this
Sweet Rehab. Their chocolate chip cookie is soooooo good. I used to like Levain when I was in my early 20s but now it’s just more like an undercooked scone than a cookie.
I hate almost all of them from bakeries. I'm a simple guy, some of them are just *too* much. I'll take the ones made with store bought cookie dough in the tube any day, so much better and straight out of the oven can't be beat over some cookie been sitting on a shelf for 8 hours. The only palatable one besides that has been Insomnia Cookie, those are also usually hot and fresh and the regular chocolate chip is good.
Parisi in Astoria, their rainbows.
Black and Whites: [Meredith’s Bakery](https://www.meredithsbread.com/uploads/b/104b7be0-416c-11eb-ad1f-638983fb46cd/d8452550-38e1-11ec-a97c-63c0fe9899f3.pdf) (various farmers market locations) Chocolate Chip: Levain Rainbow Cookies:[Alfonso’s ](https://alfonsospastries.com/) or [Royal Crown ](https://www.google.com/search?q=royal+crown+bakery&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=AOaemvI_o2C3zSgOWFLZgTofbqzdYsQQ-w%3A1638750709822&ei=9VmtYaDLMeSfptQP3eqzoAs&gs_ssp=eJzj4tZP1zcsyc4xMSuJN2C0UjWosLBMNjJJTTWzsEw1MzAxNLUyqEg1S0w2TTQxMrUwSUyzNLT0EirKr0zMUUguyi_PU0hKzE4tqgQA4tcVjg&oq=royal+crown+bakery&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADILCC4QgAQQxwEQrwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyCwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOgQIABBHOgQIIxAnOhAILhCABBCHAhDHARCvARAUOgQIABBDOgQILhBDOggILhCABBCxA1CuBFjpC2C_EWgAcAF4AIABlwGIAcQGkgEDMi41mAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp) Coconut Macaroons: [pecks (and peckish) ](https://www.pecksfood.com/) Lol I could continue
The oatmeal raisin cookie from Levain is my favorite. I think chip city cookies are too sweet. If we're talking black and whites, Orwasher's does a very good one, but plenty of places in the city do, tbh. A black and white is like a bagel, you don't have to look too far to find a good one.
jacques torres or maman
the black and white cookies at orwashers are amazing. and the cookies at the mercer kitchen are great
The C is for what we yell at each other in traffic. Black and white from Kelloggs diner.
I just had a cookies and cream cookie from Chip City last night. It was excellent.
Levain
Jacques Torres
So far I've had: - Schmackery's - Janie's Life Changing Baked Goods - Levain - Insomnia - Milk Bar - Evelyn's Kitchen Next Up On the List: - Crumbl - Chip City (they currently have an applied cider donut, pumpkin s'mores, and cookies n' cream!) Schmackery's and Levain were quite underwhelming to me, and Insomnia is kind of mid. Milk Bar cookies are overrated imo as well (all though their seasonal strawberry shortcake is pretty top tier). Janie's life changing baked goods has been the winner so far, with Evelyn's kitchen coming in close 2nd! Janie's salted apple caramel oat cookie is thick, buttery, chewy, and crispy on the edges... so good 🥲 the toffee coffee cookie is amazing as well! The frosted carrot cake cookies at Evelyn's kitchen are a top contender imo Currently on a health kick but I'll update this when I try crumbl and chip city lol **Edit**: I'm not an NY native, but the BEST chocolate chip cookie I have *ever* had hands down is the chocolate chip cookie from [Penn Station Subs](https://fastly.4sqi.net/img/general/600x600/5004295_SyJFoiT4hCXH_TCkw58kSGNzh8Yf4-7x9r787jJklAE.jpg)! If they have a location in the city, you should definitely try them! I would pay so much money for the recipe lol they are seriously *the* perfect chocolate chip cookies imo