Cookies and their tasting notes!
72 Cookies - The Biden’s
Introduced for his Inauguration, We are loving these Oatmeal Cranberry, Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are oversized, and best served with warm tea in a porcelain cup (with saucer). We researched and these are actually the favorites of Dr. Jill Biden. But we don't think she would mind sharing. Cookies are best when shared with those we love.
72 Cookies - Biscotti
I never met Grandma Bessie, nor is she my grandmother, but if I had, I know she would have been my favorite Jewish Grandmother simply because of these biscotti. Grandma Bessie's real granddaughter and I have been making variations on this recipe ever since we met 20 years ago. We change it up - but the base is the same. This year for the holidays, we are going with a traditional cranberry almond. They are not too sweet - and pair perfectly with that mulled wine that should be brewing on your stovetop!
72 Cookies - Butterscotch Cereal Killer
My grandmother Wumsey was a collector. She LOVED candy jars. Grandpa Dougsey built here a cabinet that housed and displayed her mass collection. Us kids were only allowed to have the candy from one of the jars, the Butterscotch drops. As I grew older, my fondness for butterscotch hasn’t gone away, so I’ve taken the cereal killer recipe, added the butterscotch chips, and changed the cereal to cornflakes. You get a fun texture and all the flavor of butterscotch that I hope brings back some memories and creates a new smile to be shared.
72 Cookies - Cereal Killers
True Crime is all the rage (guilty as charged, dun dun…). What would have happened if there had been more cookies? Our Cereal Killers are a nod to the intersection of health and discerning nature that Californians are known for. We took a beloved Chocolate Chip cookie and added the texture and comfort of a bowl of cereal. A tacit understanding between butter and Special K.
72 Cookies - Cowbell Cookies
After a day on the range, no cowboy wants to come home to some fru fru pastry. That’s why our little ladies created the Cowboy Cookie. Founded on the sweet cream texture with a touch of chocolate our grandmas perfected, we added a firmer, layered small crumble texture and gussied up the flavors with lightly roasted nuts, a touch of dark brown sugar, and the ever so faint hint of winter cranberries. Sure to keep you cowboys and cowgirls galloping home for supper (or tea for you British folks) with the family!!
72 Cookies -Do Dads
When you think of an oatmeal cookie, two thoughts come to mind: Is there enough cinnamon, and are they sturdy enough to make an ice cream sandwich? The answer to the 72 Cookies version of the oatmeal cookie is a profound yes! Only we add white chocolate chips, dried cherries, and some toasted pecans to make these oatmeal cookies to the next level of love. They begin with a toastiness on the nose and then a comfort finish of cinnamon and oatmeal. Enjoy with a good book and a cozy snuggle.
72 Cookies - Chocolate Brit
One of my favorite cookies, when my family owned Jacaranda Gourmet in San Pedro, was the chocolate toffee cookie. When I remade them recently, they were not the same. Maybe it’s because I’m not baking with my mom or my sister. Maybe it’s because I have a newfound joy in acid. Maybe it’s because my palate has matured. So I’ve created this cookie originally for the Cookie Club, but now for everyone: The Chocolate Brit. A softer, saltier side to my childhood balanced with the chewy sweetness of brittle, and a tiny, ever so slight kick of crema espresso.
72 Cookies – Dutch Angles
Oh to be Dutch and in Hollywood. I grew up thinking that I was Dutch. I also grew up watching the Dutch angles in the Batman series on TV and hiking the hills in Griffith Park and visiting the Bronson Caves. So it only seemed natural when I realized that I was not Dutch, that my sugar cookie takes on the name of the infamous camera angle. What you taste is the butter, sweet cream, and vanilla bean that kinda make this the perfect cookie to compliment cream, or if you dare to ice and decorate on Christmas Eve for Santa.
72 Cookies - Earthquake Cookies
We may not have ever experienced a Hurricane or a Tornado, but in California, we are quite familiar with Earthquakes. We take our Earthquake Cookie dough and “shake” it in powdered sugar before popping them in the oven to bake and crackle. The fudge-like texture and richness of peanut butter chips make it the perfect cookie to enjoy on its own with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with no damage done!
72 Cookies - Ginger Molasses Cookies
In a desire to evolve towards better decisions, we occasionally stumble into a Health Food store. We don’t quite know where to go, but we always end up in the aromatic vestibules for inspiration. We open canisters and inhale the smell. That experience is what we bring together in our molasses cookie. It is the smell of your spice cabinet, mixed with the warmth of Christmas morning. A sturdy cookie capable of coffee or tea and most certainly a perfect gift for a friend of discerning tastes. London inspired and Hollywood made.
72 Cookies - Ginger Snickerdoodle
It’s still a cookie with a funny name and a slight tang. Perhaps the name came from the Dutch, where I thought I came from. Perhaps it’s German. More than likely, it’s from New England in the 1900s when giving silly names to cookies was the thing to do. Ours keeps along tradition and adds the cream of tartar for that tangy acid, but we’ve also added the kick of ginger to add a layer to the true standby. We’ve kept the chewiness of the cookie, but flattened them so that the edges are crisp. The snickerdoodle may have evolved from a cinnamon coffee cake but the ginger and crisp edge make this cookie stand out instead of just standing by. Enjoy with some lemon tea on a crisp day.
72 Cookies - The Gladys
To this day, I still have the earthenware pot that emotes the comfort that is Grandma Gladys. It could also be the sound of the “dear, dear” that she said when I scraped a knee or had my heartbroken. But more likely it is the Oatmeal Cookies that were always stored in this pot. These cookies use a tiny bit of bacon fat to make them delicious and comforting. Enjoy them with anything and all the time. Grandma Gladys is sending her love
72 Cookies - The Kaley
There are stars on Hollywood Blvd that were effectively bought. There are stars missing from Hollywood Blvd's walk of fame that get offered only to be declined because occasionally there is talent there but no ego. Our cookies start from an inspiration. In this case, it’s a young lady in Arizona who is a mystery to us all - during covid, she had woken up every day (dough), put on hair and makeup (white chocolate), and does her best to maintain her schoolwork and her family (macadamia nuts). She does it with a smile and that’s why we included the cranberries. Most seek joy, some possess it. Take time to enjoy what is right in front of you.
72 Cookies - Little Angels
If a cloud were a cookie, it would probably be the Little Angels. These cookies will forever remind me of my Great Grandma Gladys because they are shaped with the original spoon that has been scooping cookies for over 75 years. These cookies are light, and comforting but with a little bit of the semi-sweet dark side. I bake these a little longer and at a little lower temperature to keep balance and the crispness just right. We love to pair wine and cookies, so we suggest these Little Angels with a Beaujolais. Perfect to cozy up with on a chilly day.
72 Cookies - Oatmeal Raisin
We have gone a little more traditional with the Oatmeal Raisin. We still like them crisp on the outside, but the chewiness of the raisins is what we remember. Sturdy enough to dip in a hot beverage or sandwich some vanilla bean ice cream, these cookies will get us through the winter with just the right amount of cinnamon.
72 Cookies - Peanut Butter
Some of the most wonderful recipes are the essence of one or a few ingredients, prepared by a cook who knows and adores those foods and can transform the simple into the sublime - a roast chicken, simple sashimi, a wedge salad, a meatloaf, etc.
It is that focus on singularity that we adore about our peanut butter cookies. Nothing flashy or surprising, just balance, focus, vibrancy, and a little nostalgia. A medium-firm cookie with little crumble, they capture the nutty, savory nature of peanut butter, balancing it with butter, yet refraining from being too sweet or too oily. A hint of roasting, but fresh from aroma to finish. Sometimes, you just need a great cookie for milk or tea and yes - it has the little fork marks on top! Enjoy : )
72 Cookies - Vegan Cereal Killers
We are full believers in butter, cream, and eggs. However, we know that not everyone is. Now there are plenty of vegan bakeries out there that do an amazing job with cookies, cakes, and yes, even cinnamon rolls. So if we were going to make a vegan cookie, it had to be a 72 cookie that just happens to be vegan. With the Vegan Cereal Killer, we have done just that. We have taken the bones of our flagship cereal killer and taken away all of the animal products. The flavors we blended and baked for you to enjoy are the honey corn flake cereal, the bitter-sweet chocolate, and the hearty dough that almost wants you to pick up a glass of red wine, or dare we say, a dram of whiskey (bourbon if you want to pair it nicely).
Other Goodies
72 Cookies - The Brownie
Sometimes the names of our treats come because we are inspired by loved ones, or perhaps the recipes come from some of our favorite people. The Brownie is not that. It is simply the best brownie that we have ever had. Hint of mocha, no nuts, but loads of chocolate and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips - a glass of milk is recommended.
72 Cookies - The The Harvey Wallbanger
I planted my blood orange tree 5 years ago and it clearly was waiting for 2021 to make its debut. My tree produced 24 Blood Oranges perfect for the Harvey Wallbanger Cake. I made them small so they could be socially distanced and enjoyed in one or two-bite. Like the cocktail, this cake is made with blood orange juice, vodka, and Galliano. The glaze has the zest of the blood oranges - We don't have many of them, so enjoy while they last!
72 Cookies – The Mini Bar
This may look like a regular rice crispy treat, but looks can be deceiving. Created especially to pair with “This Old House” at the acclaimed Mini Bar in Hollywood, this mouthful of peanut butter, toffee, and marshmallows creates a memorable heartfelt experience, much like every visit to our local watering hole.
72 Cookies – The Wumsey
This had to be Grandma Wumsey’s favorite cake of the holiday. My mom would make these by the dozens for the Beach Pixies Bazaars. The original recipe is still in the holiday recipe book that was designed on a typewriter and then photocopied and stapled together by volunteers. I have added my touch to the 72 Cookies Rum Cake, mostly in the sauce by adding a bit more rum, and of course a bit more butter. T’is the Season, it really is delicious.