I’m a huge cookie snob. If it’s not homemade and perfectly soft, I’m not interested. My coworkers have high expectations about cookies, too, and why shouldn’t we? We’ve been spoiled by a city that offers some of the best baked goods in the world. But all of those delectable cafés and bakeries aren’t much help when it’s 10 p.m. on a Tuesday and an insatiable chocolate chip cookie craving hits.
Sure, you could wait it out or drink a tall glass of water, but let’s get real—you’re going to the corner market or nearest 24-hour supermarket to get your fix. But amidst those rows of packaged sweets, which one’s the best bet? Luckily, members of the DivineCaroline staff taste-tested various packaged cookies to make sure your next chocolate chip cookie purchase is a well-informed one.
The Winners
Newman’s Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies
True to its name, the chocolate chip version of Newman’s Champion Chip Cookie line was the overall winner. Granted, it’s nothing like a traditional homemade chocolate chip cookie. It’s crumbly and dry, but taste-wise, it was the most palatable. The flavor was natural and the chocolate chips, though small, were subtly sweet.
Pepperidge Farms Soft-Baked Dark Chocolate Chunk
This cookie came in at a close second for top choice among the testers. The texture was soft and chewy, but the cookie itself tasted slightly dry. Most agreed that the chocolate chips, which were deemed “quality,” were the perfect size. One coworker commended Pepperidge Farms on its chip-to-dough ratio. Now if only we could combine Newman’s flavor with this brand’s soft-baked texture, we’d be set.
The Not-Quite Losers
Brent & Sam’s Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chunk
The first thing I thought of upon sampling this one wasn’t chocolate, but coconut. It’s got a strong coconut taste that overwhelms the rest of the flavors, which probably isn’t what you’re looking for from a chocolate chip cookie. However, most testers thought the cookie itself was decent. It kind of reminded me of a vegan cookie—not the ones I like, but the ones I’ll begrudgingly eat just because they’re there.
