11 of your ‘Local Gurus’ Favorite Cookie Spots in the Twin Cities

Today’s Wednesday, December 4th and it’s National Cookie Day!  While there are plenty of silly made-up “holidays” like “Lumpy Rug Day” and “National Lost Penny Day”…we can get behind a day that celebrates the almighty cookie!  In celebration of this day your Local Gurus put together a list of some of our favorite cookies, cookie shops, and bakeries around the Twin Cities!  In no particular order – let’s dive right in…

Located in Eagan, MN this cookie shop goes BIG and creates giant (both in size and flavor) cookie creations.  And while they do the classics like chocolate chip, monster, and oatmeal raison proud…they are known for their kooky cookie creations such as their Maple Bacon, Flaming Hot Cheeto, and beyond!  In case you’re not near Eagan…you can also find them at some local farmers markets wielding their delicious cookies (check their website for up-to-date farmers market locations).

Cookie Cart

This bakery pulls at not only your taste buds but also your heart strings!  This mission focused bakery “provide(s) teens with lasting and meaningful work, life and leadership skills through experience and training in urban nonprofit bakeries.”  Founded in 1988 this amazing company has helped countless teens and helped fill the cravings of sweet tooth’s all around the Metro.  They now have two storefronts in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Wait now…you said it was “National Cookie Day” not “Bagel Day”…what’s up?  While Rise Bagel Co. is known for their amazing, organic bagels (which alone are worth a visit to their North Loop shop) they also serve up one of the best chocolate chip cookies in all the land!  Get.  It.  Now!

The Bakerz Dozen is a Veteran owned, home based bakery in the Southwest Metro.  They specialize in a variety of shortbread cookies that are truly amazing!  In addition to their variety of shortbread cookies, they also create delicious homemade granola bars and are always exploring new, fun recipes.  While they don’t have a shop you can find them at local area farmers markets (check their site or Facebook page for specific locations).  If their flavorful sweets weren’t enough, they are also a wildly generous, philanthropic minded business and donate 10% of all sales to charity.

This wonderful bakery was started by “two fun loving mamas” who knew each other from a young age. Their cookie creations are as beautiful as they are delicious.  Their made-to-order cookies are the perfect pairing for any occasion from weddings to tailgates, holiday parties to birthday parties, and anywhere in-between.

If you’re hanging out in the west suburbs making a stop at Ruby’s is a must!  This organic bakery and coffee shop serves up an amazing spread of cookies alongside of other scrumptious baked goods.   This shop started their journey years ago, serving up their delicious baked goods at the Waconia Farmers Market and after the great response of their offerings opened a shop right off of the Dakota Rail Regional Bike trail to give bicyclists  a place to stop and relax.  Soon they outgrew that space and have since opened their current location in Victoria, MN.

Gluten free folks rejoice!  This 100% gluten free bakery serves up an amazing array of not only cookies, but donuts, cakes, muffins, breads, and beyond!  While we are all gluten lovers at GetKnit, these pastries can go head to head with any other bakery around town…gluten or not! 

Groundswell Cafe in St. Paul, MN is so much more than a neighborhood hotspot.  This cafe is home to one of our favorite cookies in all of Minnesota – “the Minnesota Cookie” – fitting right?!  This cookie is a unique marriage of  oats, MN honey, dried cranberries, wild rice, and almond-orange icing topped with a chocolate Minnesota.  Aside from this mouth watering creation, this cafe serves up an amazing menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

This family-owned bakery has a storefront in both downtown Chaska and Excelsior.  Both locations serve up a smattering of delicious cookies, breads, and other amazing pastries.  Our personal favorite is their peanut butter cookie.  Baked just past cookie dough to create a soft and scrumptious cookie that melts in your mouth!

Amazing cupcakes?  100%!  But Amy and her crew serve up some of the best macaroons this side of the pond!  They are light, they are sweet, they are crunchy, they are amazing! These meringue-based confections are perfection.

Located in downtown St. Paul this stylish cafe serves up an amazing spread of baked goods, breakfast, and lunch.  While it’s hard to pick out just one cookie or sweet in their line-up of baked goods they have curated a collection of whoopie cookies.  Inspired by the “whoopie pie” their collection of whoopie cookies pair together two of their house-made cookies to create a cookie sandwich filled with their delicious butter cream filling.