No one would argue the fact that cookies are a “treat,” meant to be consumed on the occasion rather than daily. While many cookies taste good, we can hardly be proud of the toll they take on our bodies and health, and during the holidays we seem to be really good at finding any reason to inhale copious amounts of sugar. Look no further folks, because we have found a cookie you can boast about eating.
The team at Golden Care met Carlsbad local Hollie Chamberlain when we had the privilege of helping her with the care and placement of her mother. We recently sat down with Hollie, founder of the Carlsbad Cookie Company®, to hear her story behind why and how she is able to make the best shortbread cookie known to man. And no, I am not exaggerating. Hollie was kind enough to gift me with a sample of her most popular shortbread flavors, and they are without a doubt the best cookies I have ever tasted. She also sold out of product at her debut this past November at the biannual Carlsbad Street Fair, the largest single day street fair in the nation. It seems as though the city of Carlsbad agrees with me on how wonderful these cookies are.
So what sets her company apart from the other dessert businesses in the world? She has a commitment to sourcing ingredients from local farmers and producers and using organic ingredients whenever possible. Her company motto is, “Carlsbad’s Own Farm-to-Bakery Cookie®,” and that commitment is evident in every bite of her shortbread creations. There are absolutely no chemicals, preservatives, or unpronounceable ingredients in these treats, so not only can you feel really good about putting them in your mouth, but you don’t have to worry about what’s going into your body.
Hollie’s inspiration for this company started when she wasn’t even old enough to operate her family’s kitchen oven. She was known as the neighborhood baker, with her Easy Bake Oven being her most cherished Christmas gift. Even into adulthood, Hollie routinely bakes and delivers goods for the holidays to those around her. Pairing her love of baking with her 18-year career in marketing and business for LVMH Möet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, a luxury goods company, she had the perfect recipe for the Carlsbad Cookie Company®. She has created all her wonderful and unique flavors in the kitchen of her very own home, and they are currently produced in an industrial kitchen in Carlsbad. Every cookie is handmade and hand packaged to ensure the highest quality of care. You can see this even in her packaging; the flower fields and windmill pictures are icons any Carlsbad native will instantly recognize.
When I asked Hollie about the future growth of her company, she said she hopes to keep it to a manageable size in order to ensure the quality of ingredients and taste that can sometimes be lost with larger companies. That’s not to say she doesn’t have big plans for the Carlsbad Cookie Company®; she has already developed a line of savory cookie flavors to pair with different wines, she has several seasonal offerings for the holidays, and in a year or so plans to release treats for pets. Perhaps her most prized accomplishment in the works is Cookie Breakthrough™, a company devoted to making delicious treats for those people with food allergies and health issues. She has developed soy and egg free choices, along with gluten free and immune health treats, which are cookies packed with no refined sugar and super-foods that actually benefit your health rather than diminish it. Want to try her cookies and can’t wait for Cookie Breakthrough to be released? There are several gluten free friendly cookies available in the Carlsbad Cookie Company®.
Hollie has overlooked no detail in making these cookies truly something wonderful to experience. In giving these treats a try, you will experience shortbread flavors like dark chocolate caramel filled (my personal favorite), peanut butter filled, lemon with lemon zest glaze, macadamia nut white chocolate, cherry chocolate with almonds, and toasted coconut with strawberry preserves, plus many more. These are perfect gifts for the holidays, birthdays, corporate events, or simply to enjoy in your own home. There’s certainly no shortage of great things with these shortbread cookies.
Support local business this holiday season and visit Hollie at www.carlsbadcookiecompany.com to place your order.
