Surfski Knowledge Base

Reivers Dustin Mar 9 2023 #33318

I've been searching for “the best” over the counter cookie. There's a few I haven't checked out yet (amazingly). My prior heroes have been downgraded. Old World Deli was king for a while, Mt Bakery …. Then I went through “browned butter cookie” from Whole Foods period. The “Best Chocolate Cookie” from the Coop has been a favorite for a long time. Lately I found the peanut-butter chocolate chip in the cookie bar at Whole Foods was best. … I know some folks don't groove on peanuts, but these ones have just the lightest touch.

Someone recommended “Bliss Desserts” and I have to say these are the best so far. I got my second one yesterday. I was hoping to try some other varieties, but they were sold out of all but the traditional ones. So check this out: the place opens at 11am. I was in there at 2:00. It was a Wednesday. I know those Whole Foods cookie bar ones are often out of stock, but they are more like the normal bulk produced things. They probably have a week's stock in the back and just have trouble loading the bin. But these Bliss things are going like somebody dropped cash on the sidewalk.

This could be it. These might be The One Cookie That Rules Them All. I'm staying calm. You're getting excited, not me. I'm calm. Just hang on here. And for Gods sake don't put this out there on-line.

Duncan Howat Mar 9 #33319

RD, and the cookie rookies out there. I've searched for 68 years, since I was 10, for the best chocolate chip cookies in the known universe, and I (after all these years ) came to the realization that I just have to make them my self. They're the only thing I ever learned to cook, sadly, I'm so bad at all other cooking I even burn drip coffee. Now I know your criteria is purchased cookies,but as a comparison,next Tuesday, if the weather is ok I'll bring some down for review at the morning paddle. This will let me know if I'm on the right path to fufillment or just have delusionary taste buds.

Dennis Mowry Mar 9 #33320

Dunc,
I'm a believer that most things done yourself can be much better, even if they turn out wrong. Better because of the extra attention and spontaneous creativity not always put into production cookies. Also the sense of accomplishment and learning process. Next to baking them yourself, if my wife or someone else bakes them, you'll hear me giving compliments verses complaining.

If I pay for some, cookies or anything, I like the convenience but I hope it would be better than what I can do.
I'll look forward to trying yours, even if they spoil me for bakery cookies and inspires me to do baking myself.
Thank you in advance,
:D'

David Scherrer Mar 9 #33322

Darn Dunc….I wish I was crazy for chocolate chip cookies. Me, I'd go for some oatmeal raisin ! Best recipe so far, on lid of Quaker Oats.
D.

Reivers Dustin Mar 9 #33324

Now guys, there's a reason for over-the-counter. It's like comparing pharmaceutical grade prescription vs what the normal person on the street can handle. But I'm totally in. So far Duncan has never steered me wrong. Except maybe telling me that it was better to go all the way around the green can in the gorge. That was not for the faint hearted. In fact today he suggested I try the brownie from Bliss. It was totally far out, man.

Let's pray for good weather. I'll bring folding table with some coffee. This is going to be for the oaken hearted. The Dunc knows a thing or two, because he's seen a thing or two. I'm going to try and drag out an old recipe. It might be good if a few of you first responders with EMT background are on hand. Bring the DeFib.

This is going to be good. For Internal Use Only. Do not operate heavy equipment after ingestion. Not for retail purposes. Do not transport across jurisdictions. Not for pets or small children under the age of 50. Transport in open containers may be subject to prosecution. Those with a history of chocoholism should notify their sponsor. If you don't know, don't go. Objects may appear smaller than in real life. If you see God, don't say anything about this. He'll probably show up after the first bite anyway.

whew. Always wanted to say that crap.

David Hooper Mar 9 #33326

Reivers, you have an uncommon gift. You say nuthin' better than anyone else I know! When I was in grad school, my advisor - known for his acerbic comments on student writing - added edits to one of my lab mates' thesis drafts as follows: “This paragraph says nothing, and that, not very well.”
That last paragraph of yours somehow managed to say nothing, but make it entertaining. Nice job!

D Hoop

Duncan Howat Mar 13 #33345

Reivers, don't forget tomorrow is cookie tuesday at MP. I hope to bring about 50 so you ,Dean, Kerry, Denise, Denise 2, Paul , Cup Cake, Tom, David(who only likes oatmeal cookies)Mikie, Beau, and others will stuff down so many before we go that you'all will be heavy and a little green allowing us older guys to keep up

Reivers Dustin Mar 13 #33346

It's totally on. I did up a batch, but they are not my finest work. Bringing a folding table and some coffee. see everyone at 10am.

rd

marvinisit@…Mar 14 #33347

I see no one has mentioned Great Harvest Bread .

marvin

Dennis Mowry Mar 14 #33348

My wife Elissa did, she's has good tastes. She chose me, :D'

Reivers Dustin Mar 14 #33349

THAT was a good thing. A little cool, so some of our regulars who don't bring change of clothes didn't hang. Big turnout and we needed all the reinforcements. Paddling was excellent: light air with overzealous waves. Something for everyone. Good old chop n' slop around the points and off the wall, Real energetic rollers offshore. The flats at Poe's Point were wonderful rollers that organized between the buoy and the dry dock. But enough about that. As soon as you got out of your car Duncan was floating the open cookie jar around.

My take: Duncan's were thin, light, smooth inside with a crunch around the rim. The main thing was the flavor profile. Fresh, quality butter, flour and chips with a walnut overlay that gave some body to the aftertaste. For me, these were a next level cookie. While you are thinking about that, we had a spiritual visitation. Peter Marcus blessed our event with a cookie channeled by daughter Riley. These are a more traditional style with inobtrusive base flavors as a vehicle for awesome chocolate hit. A very clean aftertaste instilled a sense that large quantities of these would not cause any harm. (What the brits would call “more-ish”). I would rank my own cookies behind these towering achievements. Mine were voted “most healthy” - that's nice, but not really. On the plus side, I had some great complicated textures going on. The milk-soaked cornmeal gave some crunch. The tahini and toasted sesame oil gave great middle-ground feel. The sunflower seeds added pleasant high notes as a complement to the base notes of the chocolate. But the lovely feel of a walnut or almond addition might have helped.

So we're already talking about another “Cookies on Pi Day” event. Another possible name mentioned was “Cookie Hogs”. That would be something along the lines of if we see our shadow then it's time to get in shape for the season. The cookies did not get finished, so hopefully some will show up for the Saturday race. It was mostly just so nice to stand around in the sunshine and chat with all these cool folks.

And by the way if you've read all this junk maybe you can help me recover a white coffee cup with photo of my daughter, her husband and their three kids. Otherwise I think the only things lost or broken were some diet restrictions and cholesterol targets.

Duncan Howat Mar 14 #33350

Very nice write up Reivers. You should do food reviews for the New York Times. At least the Seattle Times. Great coffee that you brought also. Per our discussion, next time around, I'll bring a generator, and we'll do a coffee tasting, with fresh ground beans, per Denise, pour over I think Dennis, Drip per me and any one else with their favorite coffee regimen. Well, plus more cookies to go with that special coffee.

Paul Reavley Mar 14 #33351

Thanks Reivers - you're in good form.

More on naming question:

The ghost town of Terlingua west of Big Bend gets some of its modern notoriety from the Chili Cookoff competition still running as of 2022 (55th year). A friend of mine living in the area came up with an alternate season (February) attraction for Terlingua in the early 1980's he called the “Cookie Chilloff” which ran for at least 20 or 30 years…

Or as Reivers has mentioned we could call this unofficial non-event “Cookie Hog's Day” to signify our unofficial end of winter paddling - beginning of spring forward season. March 14 - “Pi day” seems like a good date.

Paul Reavley Mar 14 #33352

We could actually throw in some pie, since there have been some questions about the best local apple pie….

beau whitehead Mar 14 #33353

Well, all I can ad, is that Peter would have LOVED what happened today. That’s what he was all about.
Thanks for organizing guys.

Dan Mayhew Mar 14 #33354

My god Reivers, how many cookies did you have?

Duncan Howat Mar 14 #33357

Dan, out of kindness I wasn't going to mention anything, but it could be just those tasty health food ones he makes. Or, was it the wind, or is he hiding Hilde under there? In any case it' was a great time, and interesting we can get almost more paddlers out for a Tues morning paddle , coffee and cookies, than most races have entries on the east coast.

Reivers Dustin Mar 14 #33358

My plan was to get all you guys to eat lots of cookies. It didn't work like I thought. Kinda lost my boyish figure there. But I look happy don't I?

Hello everyone. My name is Reivers. I'm a chocoholic. … It all started when my friends and I decided to share our favorite recipes. …

Riley Marcus10:43am #33364

Thanks for yesterday Reivers! My dad would have been all about that. I may not paddle, but joined this online forum to keep tabs on all you hooligans, as all of the messages remind me of my dad and brings me a lot of joy. The paddling community was a family to my dad and he talked about you all often. He was my primary connection to the lot of you, but I just want to say that I love and appreciate the community you have all created for not just myself, but for so many others. If you ever need an extra volunteer, cookie or soup maker, race organizer or timer, please do not hesitate to reach out. After all, I have some pretty big shoes to fill.

PS - It sounds like I may need to figure out how to perfect Pete’s family secret Apple Pie recipe for next time…….