Yaokin Cabbage Taro Baked Cookies: This bag of puffed corn snacks was purchased solely based on packaging, with its friendly green police frog and lack of English labeling. They are more airy than your typical cheese ball, with a flavor that is almost like a junk food mirepoix, with tomato, onion, and carrots. It's unmistakably Japanese, with added sprinklings of nori and MSG. And, like many Asian snacks, they come in small packages, with only 3 servings in a bag. Brought out during a party, these were quickly devoured an... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended japanese vegetables yaokin cabbage taro baked cookies 4.0
Trader Joe's Pfeffernüsse: German cookies with a hard coating dusted in powdered sugar. The white exterior is strongly spiced, reminiscent of wintermint, which I find to be overly strong for the more neutral gingerbread-flavored cookie. They are a mess to eat and require a plate to avoid crumbs and dust ending up all over yourself. The packaging suggests pairing with a hot beverage, which I believe would help, but on their own, these snacks are a pass. 2.0/5.0
cookies german spiced traderjoes pfeffernisse 2.0
Hidden Garden Ginger Snap Cookies with Butternut Squash: One of the major downsides of trying so many types of snacks is that when you hit a dud, you're stuck with an entire bag, which also stands in your way of trying new snacks until you finish it. These gluten-free cookies are quite frankly one of the worst snacks I've had all year. When you open the bag, you're hit with a strong scent of butter, which also dominates the taste. There's also a prominent sweet molasses flavor but very little ginger or butternut squash. I love the mellow sweet... (read more) 1.5/5.0
avoid hiddengarden ginger snap cookies butternut squash 1.5 berkeleybowl
Bitsy's Brainfood Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot Smart Cookies: This brand of snacks was started by two moms looking for healthier options for their growing kids. I purchased the bag from Berkeley Bowl not knowing what to expect – I really like gingerbread, but I absolutely hate zucchini. Luckily, the crunchy alphabet-shaped cookies ended up being delicious and taste much more like baked goods like carrot cake or zucchini bread than they do of any pure vegetable. Sweetness from the carrots is definitely distinguishable from the molasses, cinnamon, and ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
organic berkeleybowl 4.0 gingerbread recommended bitsysbrainfood zucchini carrot smart cookies
Cream Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich with Chocolate Chip Cookies: For the past few weeks, I've passed this popular Ice Cream shop on my way back from Amoeba in Berkeley and always noted the long lines. At around 10pm last Friday night, it took me 8 minutes in line to get to the counter, where I was greeted with an overwhelming scent of butter and baked goods. While the menu lists over 20 flavors, only about 10 are actually available at any given time. I ordered their mint chocolate chip ice cream with two chocolate chip cookies for a surprisingly low pri... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended berkeley icecream icecreamsandwich cream mint chocolate chip ice sandwich cookies 4.0
Newman's Own Ginger Hermits: These soft cookies are remarkably like Fig Newtons, with the same rectangular shape and dried fruit (raisins) throughout. While spiced like a holiday cookie, there is little ginger flavoring I could discern. Decently filling and moist, with a chewy texture. 3.0/5.0
cookies spiced newmansown ginger hermits 3.0