I remember the first time I learned that there were companies that would bring cookies right to you. It was 2011: I had just moved to New York City for school, and a friend casually mentioned Insomnia Cookies. That same night, I sat on the floor of my dorm room, staring in wonderment as my friends took bite after bite of chocolate chip cookies that had been dropped off only a few minutes before. I remember feeling like I was lucky to be alive at a time when melty, soft-in-the-center cookies could arrive at your door after a few clicks—even if they were shockingly expensive.
Now, things have changed. We’re living in the golden age of delivery cookies. From viral sensations to classic, well-loved bakeries, it seems like the business of shipping treats anywhere in the country is exploding. Crumbl, which gained a following via TikTok, has been dubbed the fastest-growing chain of dessert shops in the country, even though neither Jason McGowan nor Sawyer Hemsley had any professional baking training before starting the company. “We thought, How hard could this be?’” McGowan told The New York Times. Some pandemic-era bakers like Twins That Cook have turned longstanding hobbies into businesses, while others like Last Crumb have found success by building buzz and a feeling of exclusivity. Then there are some like Zola Bakes that have leaned into a single-cookie-choice format.
There’s one major issue, though, that’s inherent to this delivery cookie model: You can’t try before you buy, so how can you be sure you’re getting (and paying for) an actually premium gourmet cookie? A delivery cookie has some specific standards to live up to. First and foremost, it should arrive whole and unbroken, simple but not a given. It should also taste as good on the first bite as it does on the fourth—that means it shouldn’t be tooth-achingly sweet, and if possible, should have a bit of toasty nuttiness and salt to round out its flavor profile. Most likely, a cookie that’s been mailed won’t have the gooeyness of one that’s been freshly baked, but it should get at least a little softer upon reheating.
To help you find the best possible cookie delivery, I tested some popular cookie brands that offer nationwide shipping. Approximately 25 cookies later, I’ve found the ones that are worth the coin. Here are the best ways to order cookies online, ranked.
1. Last Crumb
- Cookie count options: 12 cookies per box
- Pricing: $120 ($10/cookie)
As a bit of a contrarian, I like to think I don’t generally buy into the hype. So when I read that Last Crumb called its product “an invitation into a world of luxury,” I quietly rolled my eyes. When the enormous black box landed, I felt like these cookies might be a bit much. When I saw that the chocolate chip cookie was called Better Than S*x,
