Ben’s Cookies

... he’s going to want another cookie to go with it. If you’re at Ben’s Cookies, you’re in luck. Founded about 30 years ago by an Englishman in Oxfordshire (say that 10 times fast), Ben’s Cookies has a handful of locations around the United Kingdom. The first was opened in Oxford’s Covered Market, and my favorite is tucked into a tiny corner shop of London‘s Covent Garden. The cookies are perfectly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and not so big that you’ll feel too full exploring the rest of the market. Flavors range from classics like Double Chocolate Chunk and Oatmeal Raisin to more adventurous Cranberry & White Chocolate and Ginger Dark Chocolate Chunk. Go crazy and try two. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday and bank holidays. If you can’t make it to the store and you live in the UK, never fear — you can order online and have cookies delivered to you! And yes, you do recognize the logo — the drawing was done by Quentin Blake, the well-known artist who illustrated the Roald Dahl books. I’ll raise a cookie to that.

There’s something funny about Ben’s Cookies. A craving for one of these sweets will come on fast, almost as quickly as a rush-hour train in the Tube. When it comes, you’ll initially brush it off: you’ve already had too much sugar today, spent too many pounds, and had too many meals out. But, then, almost as quickly, come the justifications – suffice it to say, all of these thoughts agree that one cookie here is better than any cookie you’ve had in recent memory. What is it about these cookies? Are they delicious because they’re the size of small pancakes, and rise almost to the width of a scone? Is it because you can find one to suit any taste, from chocolate chip to peanut butter to oatmeal raisin? Whatever the reasons may be, all thoughts disappear when one of these cookies is in hand. Except, of course, that you’re glad you got one.