This Chica Met Dorie Greenspan
That’s right folks, I met Dorie Greenspan today and as a result, I was in heaven for most of my lunch hour. For those of you who don’t know who she is here’s the scoop.
Dorie Greenspan is an incredible cookbook author and winner of numerous awards. She authored Baking with Julia, which won a James Beard Award and an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Award. Among others she also authored Desserts by Pierre Herme, which was named IACP Cookbook of the Year.
Because I was living under a rock for most of my life, I only learned about her right before starting this blog in relation to her popular book Baking: From My Home To Yours. The recipe for my last cupcake post came from this book and for the last two years, every Tuesday food bloggers are baking their way through the book via Tuesdays with Dorie.
Last week I learned that Dorie and her son would be setting up a pop up shop as a trial run for a possible cookie shop in NYC and I knew I had to stop by not only to meet the legend but try some of her stuff. It’s called Cookie Bar and if you are in NYC and did not stop by today please, please, please go tomorrow (or the day after). I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Because I am a true believer in trying multiple items before reviewing a food establishment I bought at least one of every cookie Dorie was selling today. (I had to buy two of the ones I knew my husband would like because when it comes to cookies, we are not too good with sharing) I don’t have photos of the actual cookies because by the time I got home my lighting was all off. But here are my thoughts on them in the order they appear above:
- Peanut Butter Crisscrosses – quite frankly this is the best peanut butter cookie I have ever had; the peanut butter flavor is prominent without being overpowering and the chopped salted peanuts gave it awesome texture
- Molasses Spice Cookies – I didn’t think I was going to like this one but the spices worked great here; thin and chewy; could definitely taste the molasses but they didn’t have that “molassesy” flavor that is often a turnoff (for me at least); very warm and inviting
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookie - the name says it all; it is the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever had, which is probably because Dorie used hand chopped premium chocolate – Valrhona; thin and chewy and definitely packs the flavor
- World Peace Cookie - these have Valrhona cocoa, Valrhona bittersweet chocolate and fleur de sel which equals AMAZING FLAVOR; salted chocolate is incredible and it is definitely the chocolate that takes this cookie over the top
- Espresso-Chocolate Shortbread – with more of a crunchy texture, this is a great cookie for coffee lovers
- Chocolate Chunkers - if you like a cookies that different flavors and textures, this one’s for you; with Valrhona bittersweet, semisweet and milk chocolates, salted cashews and dried cherries you are definitely going to want more than one
- Sable – this sugar-topped sugar cookie was my least favorite; but that’s because I’m not a sugar cookie fan; still tasty though
- Coconut Lime Cookies – but add coconut and lime zest to a sable and helllloooooo – absolutely incredible flavor combination and texture; this was my favorite of all and I will definitely be stopping by tomorrow to grab a couple of these; in the meantime, I will have sweet dreams about it
Hope those of you in NYC get a chance to stop by and try some of these for yourself. CookieBar will be open until Saturday so if you are looking for something special to get your loved one for V-Day, ditch the box of chocolates for a few of these cookies.
And Dorie (if you’re reading this) – I hope this turns into a full-time shop for you. You are incredibly talented and NYC needs a real baker to de-thrown all of these sub-par cupcakes that have taken over the city.
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dorie — February 9, 2010 @ 12:54 pm
Elaina, it was great to meet you yesterday and I hope I'll see you again at CookieBar. Thanks so much for this terrific post — Dorie
Ana — February 9, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
Hola Eliana: debes estar super contenta después de haber conocido a Julie y seguramente le pondrás más ganas.Que sigan los éxitos.
Paris Pastry — February 9, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Oh man, I wish I was in New York right now!! The Peanut Butter Crisscrosses and the Sables sound amazing!
Nancy/n.o.e — February 9, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
Thanks for the review! What a fun opportunity for you. The best I can do is bake the cookies from her baking book; I've tried most of the ones she's selling, and I have to say it's a great lineup.
Megan — February 9, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
Wow – I really wish I still lived in NYC! It would have been a dream come true to meet Dorie!
Jessica — February 9, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
How cool that you got to go to the Cookie Bar! It sounds like it's worth the train ride up to NYC — I wish the weather would've cooperated. I love looking at all of the cookies in the picture, and I love all of your reviews of each cookie. So jealous!
Dani — February 9, 2010 @ 6:38 pm
soooooooooooo jealous chica!!!!
Jeannette — February 9, 2010 @ 8:48 pm
holy crap! those cookies are HUGE, much bigger than the ones I make at home!! maybe that's where i'm going wrong
awesome that you got to meet her and that she commented 
Tracey — February 9, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
Oh wow how amazing that you got to meet Dorie and try her cookies!! Thanks for sharing with those of us not in NYC
5 Star Foodie — February 10, 2010 @ 12:45 am
Wish I was in NY so I could stop by there, very cool that you got to meet Dorie!
Megan — February 10, 2010 @ 2:22 am
Sounds fabulous! I wish I lived closer so I could check it out. That's so awesome that you got to meet her! And all of those cookies sound amazing.
Bunny — February 10, 2010 @ 3:07 am
OH my gosh girl that's one terrific review of Dories cookies. Iam soooo jealous you got to meet her!
steph- whisk/spoon — February 10, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
i'm hoping to make it up there tomorrow….would shot for today, but yikes–the snow! uhhh…and can i just say that her son looks so cute!!
Kim — February 10, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
Lucky you. So jealous of you getting to meet her and have her cookies.
Tracy @ Sugarcrafter — February 10, 2010 @ 6:07 pm
Sounds like so much fun; I love her!! I'm so jealous, haha.
spike. — February 11, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
so jealous!
cookies and cups — February 12, 2010 @ 12:37 pm
Oh I am so jealous! The cookies look and sound amazing ~ really love your blog!
Jordan — February 12, 2010 @ 1:27 pm
That's so awesome that you met her and those cookies so amazing! I wish I was in NYC right now… I'd probably camp out in front of the store!
Paris Pastry — February 12, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Hi, I have an award for you at my blog French Mademoiselle. If your blog is award-free, no worries! Just to let you know I enjoy your blog!Have a great weekend!
Tia — February 13, 2010 @ 5:21 am
i'm so jealous!!! you lucky ducky!
The Food Librarian — February 13, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
I'm so jealous you got to meet The Dorie! And those yummy cookies sound soooo good. Thank you for doing all that tough taste testing for us!
– mary
Flourchild — February 14, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Wow! How cool is that! Im so excited you got to meet the one and only Dorie! How nice you got all those cookies too. I have made everyone of them and yes they are all winners! I won't be around NYC for another year, but when I get back there, Im going to the cookie joint if it's still around!!
Shandy — February 14, 2010 @ 6:34 pm
OMG! You met Dorie and she opened a cookie bar? Brilliant! I would be floating on a cloud too – how wonderful!
Ingrid — February 14, 2010 @ 10:29 pm
How lucky were you! You got to meet her and eat cookies baked by her? Yup, lucky indeed!Btw, I don't share well with others either when it comes to dessert. My children know they need to get their own. I make plenty!
Happy Valentine's Day! First one as an ol' married lady! Ha-ha!~ingrid
Velva — February 15, 2010 @ 12:09 am
What an awesome opportunity!!!! I am so envious. No doubt those cookies were to die for-
Pamela — February 16, 2010 @ 2:02 am
I'm so JEALOUS!!! So cool, lucky you! Terrific post, too.
How To Eat A Cupcake — February 16, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Holy crap! I'd love to tell you how jealous I am of you, but I just don't have the time or energy to type for hours! Simply put… JEALOUS!!!!
Jaime — February 17, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
WOW i am so jealous!!!! but i'm also happy to say that i have tried most of those cookies, as we've made them for TWD
of course i haven't had them made by dorie though 
Kaitlin — February 17, 2010 @ 10:13 pm
Eliana, how exciting (and delicious) for you! After all of your TWD posts, I bet it was so rewarding to meet the woman behind the cookbook. Woohoo!
hannah — February 25, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
man! i was in NYC last yr! guess i'd have to go back if that shop works out, which im quite sure it will! love your blog, by the way!
Kathy Diaz (foundbaking) — May 12, 2010 @ 6:13 am
You are so lucky to have met Dorie!! I am so jealous!