There’s a trend of late in Paris to highlight American baked goods – a trend I contend with nearly every day, as on my food tour route, between the charcuterie and the fromagerie, is a shop peddling American cookies. Usually, I turn away from such spots, with the exception of Boneshaker, my favorite doughnut shop. I can make cookies, right? I don’t need to buy them.
But everything changes when Cookie Love enters the equation.
Cookie Love (conveniently located right across the way from Boneshaker) is the brainchild of Jean Hwang Carrant, an American baker (and self-proclaimed perfectionist) who has truly mastered the art of the cookie. With flavors ranging from tried and true classics like snickerdoodles and peanut butter to more out-there offerings featuring everything from mochi to chile to rosemary, her shop has quickly become one of my favorites.
This black sesame cookie is one of her best-sellers, and, like the matcha cookie, boasts a mochi heart. I felt the chew of the mochi more on the matcha cookie, though this one, with its sesame crust, boasts just the right balance of earthy flavor that makes me such a fan of sesame sweets.
This rosemary, date, and walnut cookie is a relatively recent addition to her menu, with the ideal tender texture and a truly pronounced kick of rosemary that is especially present at the end. It’s teetering right on the edge of balance, but Carrant masters it perfectly.
No one was more surprised than I was to learn that the chocolate cookie was my favorite of the day, with a chocolate center and a sprinkle of chile. This is just slightly too spicy for most French palates… aka positively perfect for me.
Pay Jean’s shop a visit the next time you’re in the Montorgueil area. I promise that no matter which cookie you select, you won’t be disappointed – either by the smiling service or by the sweets.
Cookie Love – 84, rue d’Aboukir 75002