Now read this, Cookie Monster

My daughter likes to bake at home, so when her birthday comes along, she likes to make it special by bringing in professional confections. But this year, she has begged off cake — including cake pops and cupcakes. So I’m looking into cookies, preferably ones I can have delivered. Busy, busy, busy.

Cookies Tonight (619-630-0374) is “a small, family-owned, delivery-only bakery that was created out of my love for baking,” says owner Agnieszka Lewis. “I was always baking things for my family: fresh bread, cakes, pies. Making cookies came naturally. Most of my recipes have been handed down for generations and come from Europe. But others I have created myself by testing, adjusting, and testing again. Taste-testing new recipes is one of my favorite things to do, but nothing makes me happier than delivering cookies.”

Growing up on a farm inclined Lewis toward local ingredients. “I use real peanut butter. My mocha cookies include real coffee. My chocolate chips are made from cocoa butter, not artificially flavored. I buy from local vendors, and I’m in discussions with a few local farmers so I can expand my buying options. We never add preservatives or chemicals, and all our cookies are handmade, backed from scratch, and delivered the same day they’re made.”

One of her top sellers is the Cookie Sampler. “Customers get to try a number of different cookies.” Besides the aforementioned mocha, chocolate chip, and peanut butter, “people love the snickerdoodle, the cookies and cream, and the oatmeal raisin.” Orders can be placed online; cost is $17 per dozen with a two-dozen minimum, plus a $7–$15 delivery fee, depending on location. (Cookies can also be shipped nationwide for a $15 flat rate). Lewis says that regular orders require a one-day notice, “though I will try to work with a customer’s time frame if my delivery schedule allows it.” Larger orders require a few days’ notice. Milk is also available: $5 per half gallon.

Collin Smith, sales director for the Cravory in Point Loma (619-795-9077), also touts cookies “baked fresh daily: at least 18 flavors to choose from, as well as a few new cookies of the day. Signature flavors include classics like ultimate chocolate chip, red velvet, and the Cravory lemon bar. Cookie lovers will also swoon over the peanut butter overload salted caramel cream. We also offer savory flavors like rosemary balsamic, and the pancake-and-bacon have garnered a cult following.” Smith says that chefs Eddie and Ta “are always trying something new, pushing the limits of what a cookie can be. We have quarterly taste-testing; at each one, they’ll bring 40 flavors for us to try.” Texture-wise, the Cravory boasts “a soft, gooey cookie center and a perfectly baked crisp exterior.”

The bakery uses locally sourced ingredients, “organic where possible. Doughs are made from scratch. One of our newest additions is from Jackie’s Jams, a local favorite that we use for our citrus shortbread. Right now, we have a gluten-free ultimate chocolate chip cookie, and we’re working on gluten-free lemon bars and birthday cake cookies.”

Cookies can be picked up in-store ($2 for a single, $11 for six, $20 for a dozen), and local delivery is available through Postmates, GrubHub, and DoorDash (fee varies by location) or standard shipping. Lead time in most cases is one business day. The Cravory also offers cookie subscriptions. “People can order monthly prepaid subscriptions delivered right to their home or office. Rates run from $11.95 for a half dozen all the way up to $99 for the ultimate box of 50.” (Shipping requires an additional charge, which varies by location.)

Finally, sales guru Elliot described the cookie concept behind the Good Stuff Cookie Co. in East Village (619-289-9123). “Our cookies are filled. Different cookies have different fillings. Our original was a graham cracker crust cookie exterior with a cheesecake filling. Our chocolate and snickerdoodle cookies also have a cheesecake filling. But our chocolate cookie is stuffed with peanut butter, our oatmeal is filled with chocolate ganache, and our German chocolate cookie has chocolate cheesecake in the middle.” Cookies are $2 each or $12 for a half-dozen. “If you buy six, they come in a Mason jar. We have a promotion: if you bring the empty jar back, your next half-dozen cookie purchase is only $10.”