Thanks for the skinny on Diddy Reese, @ipsedixit. I kinda figured they were on par with Mrs. Fields. But the ice cream sandwich sounds enticing if I’m in the area, as I’m an It’s-It devotee too. Vincente Foods in Brentwood usually carries a nice selection of them.
With your moniker, how could you decline one of Clementine’s cookies? The only time I would forgo the cookie was for a ginger limeade, @TheCookie. I think I’m going to Clementine on Saturday to pick up some cookies as party favors.
Diddy Reese is not sounding so appealing, @sel. I used to like The Curious Palate, but their quality control was sorely lacking in later years.
LOL… I do love cookies! But Cookie is my nickname inherited from my dad. Our last name is Cooke… and I used to cook a lot .
Diddy Reese is better than Mrs. Fields. Some flavors more than others though. I plan on getting them again during the holidays (my co-workers loved them) and will report back.
My most recent “wow” cookie was the date miso cookie at Gjusta. I too love the salted chocolate chip cookie at Proof in Atwater Village that others mentioned. Molasses cookies at Milk on Beverly. Salted caramel macaron at Europane in Pasadena. Alfajores at Grand Casino Bakery in Culver City. I’m sure there are many more favorites I’m forgetting…I love cookies
I know the op already mentioned Milk Jar Cookies as their usual go to and is looking for something different, but for those of you that haven’t had the chance to try it I’ll urge you to do so! Whenever I have out of town guests I stop by and most tell me it’s the best cookie they ever had. Yes they are expensive and a bit heavy, but the unique gooey soft texture on the inside contrasted by the seemingly standard firm cookie exterior always gets praise. They also seem to keep well and can taste just as a good a few days after without refrigeration (which they say dries them out.). Milk Jar is on my best of LA must show visitors list easily!
That’s pretty much the recipe I use (just as my chocolate chip cookies are pretty much the recipe off the back of the Nestle’s bag). Tips include: use the best ingredients possible;* let the butter get really really soft; “age” the dough in the fridge for 24-48 hours before baking (that trick is c/o the NY Times); make the cookies big enough that you can get crunchy edges and a soft middle; and pull them out of the oven about a minute before you think you should, and then let them rest on the cookie sheet for 5-6 minutes before attempting to move them to a rack to cool.
*I wish there was a substitute for the Nestle’s chips that isn’t full of artificial flavors and colors, but so far I haven’t been able to find one.
Those Milk Jar cookies are hard to resist… The oatmeal raisin is my favorite, close second is the white chocolate raspberry. SO sticks with the chocolate chip, his standby cookie.
I really enjoy the banana split cookie at Milk Jar. I don’t remember what prompted me to try it as I had always gravitated to the chocolate peanut butter or straight chocolate chip, but it’s my top seed now.
Those are my same observations about Milk Jar, except for them being the best cookie I’ve ever had. I tried them when they first opened. It is a very good cookie. But I tasted the baking soda too much and that’s not a good thing. They are pricey, which is a deterrent when it comes to anything other than stopping by for a cookie fix. Buying dozens as gifts is prohibited. Yes, they are big and can be too gooey when fresh. But like you, I discovered after leaving them on the counter for a day they are perfect. What I like about Milk Jar is the incredible ingredients, the adorable store, and the location (it’s great having a good home-made cookie shop in this 'hood).
I’ve met one of the owners, as the wife is close to someone close to me. They are a couple who gave up careers to follow their dream. I love that.
I will give them another try to see if they worked out the baking soda issue.
Milk Jar
5466 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles (Mid-City)
Yes there are, @sel. I haven’t used Nestle’s chocolate chips in many years. It’s their butterscotch chips that I haven’t found a better substitute for.
The only time I would forgo the cookie was for a ginger limeade, @TheCookie. I think I’m going to Clementine on Saturday to pick up some cookies as party favors.
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