COOKIES: So Many to Choose From
By Brittany Bousquet
July 19, 2012

They have a variety of origins and come in almost any flavor you can imagine. They can be found at any type of celebration or simply hanging around just because. This week’s dessert is the cookie.

Cookies do have a variety of origins depending on the type of cookie in question. The snickerdoodle got its start in 19th century New England. The peanut butter cookie was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in Saint Louis. Chocolate chip cookies were invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in 1930. She invented them at the Toll House Inn Restaurant in Massachusetts, originating the name Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies. Oatmeal cookies originated in the 20th century, but they have a complex history. The raisins, nuts and spices found in oatmeal cookies came from the Middle Ages, while oats were introduced to America in the 17th century. And the cookies themselves come from oatcakes of the British Isles.

The world’s largest cookie was made at the annual Riponfest in Ripon, Wisconsin on July 11, 1992. It was a chocolate chip cookie with an area of 907.9ft2 and a 34 foot diameter. It contained nearly 4 million chocolate chips.

Not only do cookies have an interesting history, but so do the items that have been designed as a result of their creation. Joplin, Missouri is home to the Joplin Museum Complex. Within this complex is the National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum. Also interesting is the fact that American cookie jars evolved from British biscuit jars and first appeared during the Depression when more cookies were being made at home.

Perhaps because of their wide variety, cookies have a number of holidays. June 12 is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day and July 9 is National Sugar Cookie Day. National Pecan Cookie Day is September 21. October is National Cookie Month, while October 1 is National Homemade Cookie Day, and December 4 is simply National Cookie Day.

Be sure to check out the delectable cookies that can be found in New London’s bakeries. Sweeties’s Bakery & Café makes their own cookies, and the selection includes chocolate chip with sea salt and their specialty cookie of oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chip. Little Sister’s Bake Shop makes cappuccino crinkle cookies among other varieties. Mangetout Organic Café offers a unique selection of cookies that include Alpha Omega Oatmeal Cookies which are wheat and nut free, Chocolate Caramel Chew Bars, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies which are vegan and gluten free, Peanut Butter Chocolate Crisp Bars which are vegan, gluten free and soy free, and Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies. Muddy Waters Cafe also sells cookies.

Be sure to check back next week to learn about our featured dessert!