By Emma Barhydt
Nestled just fifteen minutes away in Darien, Chip City’s recent opening has been a delightful addition to the local culinary scene, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Walking in for the first time, I was immediately struck by the fun and vibrant atmosphere, and the sweet aroma that promised an incredible experience ahead. This cookie haven offers an impressive range of cookies that are both familiar and innovative, inviting cookie enthusiasts to explore flavors that range from comforting to exciting.
Just to get this out of the way– The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie was definitely my favorite. All the cookies were good in their own right, but I’m a die-hard chocolate and peanut butter lover like my father before me. This cookie is a standout, striking a perfect balance between rich and slightly bitter dark chocolate and creamy, nutty, salty peanut butter chips. It’s a cookie that not only satisfies the taste buds but also evokes a sense of indulgence without being overwhelming. It’s at once nostalgic in the chocolate-chip cookie format of it all, but its flavor is so much more complex.
For fans of both brownies and cookies, the Brookie presents a delightful compromise. It cleverly combines the gooeyness of a chocolate chip cookie with the crispy edges of a brownie, creating a texture that is satisfyingly crunchy yet ooey-gooey. It’s an inventive take on two classic desserts, proving that sometimes, you really can have the best of both worlds. The cookie dough is a nice balance to the delightfully rich brownie.
The Nutella Sea Salt Cookie, a toasted hazelnut cookie filled with Nutella and sprinkled with sea salt, is another highlight. The use of roasted hazelnuts adds depth to the flavor, making it a memorable treat for anyone who loves the combination of hazelnuts and chocolate. The hazelnut part of the hazelnut cookie is possibly one of the best cookies I’ve ever had, feeling both sophisticated and decadent. Definitely have a napkin at the ready– Chip City does not skimp on the Nutella. A stuffed cookie is such a fun idea and makes for an excellent way to upgrade what some may deem a more boring cookie.
The chocolate chip cookie honestly didn’t change my life, but it was a solid chocolate chip cookie– well baked, crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. This cookie still holds its own with a comforting, familiar taste that takes you right back to your childhood.
The confetti cookie brings a dash of fun with its colorful appearance and pleasant texture, albeit with a wish for crunchier sprinkles. Of the plain confetti cookies I’ve had, this one is one of the better ones because the dough is so good and not too sweet.
The Strawberry Cheesecake cookie, though a tad on the sweet side, offers a unique flavor that’s worth trying for its novelty and the sheer fun of its theme, especially around Valentine’s Day. I, generously, had the opportunity to see up close how the cookies get made and decorate six of the Strawberry Cheesecake cookies. It was much harder than I expected. I’m typically one for creative pursuits, but decorating cookies was really hard! The girls at Chip City have serious talent.
allure of cookie time. Sorry … no cookies for you.
At Chip City, the menu, with its focused selection of cookies alongside classic pairings of milk, cold brew, and water, is a testament to the business’s philosophy of excellence through simplicity. By honing in on a concise offering, Chip City not only showcases its mastery in the art of cookie-making but also invites patrons to appreciate the beauty and flavor of each carefully crafted treat. Chip City celebrates the joy of cookies, made with passion and served with love.
The cookies themselves are indeed enormous, making them perfect for sharing and turning any occasion into a celebration. They are the absolute perfect sleepover or girl’s night cookie!
My personal favorites were, without a doubt, the peanut butter chocolate, followed by the brookie, and then the Nutella cookie. Each cookie in my taste test, however, brought something special to the table, from the adventurous and sweet to the rich and nuanced. Each cookie has its own charm, and even those lower on my list provided a pleasant taste experience, particularly for those who favor sweeter or more unique flavors.
Chip City in Darien is a place where the love for cookies is palpable, where each creation is a celebration of flavor, texture, and joy. Whether you’re a traditionalist or an adventurer in the realm of sweets, Chip City in Darien is a journey worth taking, one warm cookie at a time.
In 2017, friends Peter Phillips and Theodore Gailas challenged each other to see who could create the absolute best cookie they’d ever tasted. They resulting cookies were so good that the duo decided to open a cookie shop in Astoria, Queens. Chip City has since expanded into one of the East Coast’s fastest-growing cookie bakeries.
Chip City cookies is located at 112 Heights Road in Dairen and online at https://chipcitycookies.com/locations/darien.
