Chocolate chipped strawberry cookies from Caked

Since the call went out for all but essential businesses to close during the coronavirus crisis, exactly what constitutes an “essential business” has been a point of public debate. “Are restaurants?” some wonder; “Are bakeries?”

Yes to both. At least that’s the government’s position, despite the fear and misgivings of some in our citizenry.

I’m not here to settle that discussion from any public policy standpoint. But I am here to say that cookies have been essential to my own well-being, while at home in isolation.

An Oreo stuffed peanut butter chocolate chip cookie as seen on the facebook page of Uncle Biff’s Killer Cookies

Okay, maybe not my physical well-being. Sugar and chocolate chunks aren’t the nutrients we need in order to survive a pandemic. But psychologically, turning off the news and eating a cookie has done wonders for my spirits.

It started with perhaps the best cookie I’ve ever tried in my life: a strawberry chocolate chip cookie from cookie and brownie specialist Caked.

Cookies topped with melted, salted caramel, as seen on the facebook page of Uncle Biff’s Killer Cookies

The small bakery graduated from cottage kitchen, farmers market business last year to its own kitchen and counter shop in Miramar. Caked technically calls it a “chocolate chipped strawberry cookie,” but the point here is that the chewy pink cookie tastes like fresh strawberry shortcake with nuggets of chocolate throughout.

It’s embarrassing to admit, but after the first couple bites, I whispered to the cookie, “Where have you been all my life?”

Caked covers a lot of ground with its daily cookie selections, ranging from $3 apiece to $30 per dozen. Along with chocolate chip and nutty cookie variants, it features gluten-free options and cookies incorporating toffee, taro, ube, and matcha green tea. It’s one of at least three cookie specialists around town that remains open and serving cookies via take-out, by post, and (if you live close enough) restaurant delivery services.

A box of cravory cookies delivered

Another is Uncle Biff’s Killer Cookies, which has been baking cookies in Hillcrest for 32 years! It happens to have opened a second location in Solana Beach, just about the same time non-essential businesses were ordered to close. This is a cookie company that does stuff like melt a piece of sea-salted caramel over the top of any cookie in a repertoire that includes things like an Oreo stuffed peanut butter chocolate chip cookie.

Biff’s isn’t signed up with any delivery services, but does offer its own localized delivery with purchase of a dozen cookies for $26.50, which includes three bonus cookies during the pandemic. It encourages pick up orders, though, because if you pre-order you may pick up your cookies hot, out of the oven. That also allows you to order a $13.50 half dozen, which includes a bonus seventh cookie.

Cookies by The Cravory, including blue cookie monster cookies and almond joyous cookies (bottom right)

The third cookie business I found is one of the county’s most popular: The Cravory Cookie Company, of Point Loma. It’s known for treats such as its almond joyous cookie (toasted coconut dough, sweetened coconut, toasted almonds, dark chocolate, and sea salt), and the cookie monster, a bright blue vanilla cookie containing crushed Oreos, marshmallow, caramel, and chips of peanut butter, chocolate, and white chocolate.

Depending how you order, a dozen cookies cost $20-28, whether you order 12 of one flavor, or put together a mix based on Cravory’s signature cookies, or it’s rotating monthly flavors. I found a $20 deal on UberEats, and before long had a nifty, and essential box of cookies at my doorstep.