Take the Cake

OFF THE SHELF

When cookies come a-callin'

By Renee Enna
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 30, 2005

A sudden, desperate need for cookies, coupled with lack of time and energy, can constitute a holiday crisis. There is no shortage of bakeries, specialty shops and supermarkets with ready-to-buy offerings. But when you want the cookies to come to you, several to-your-door options exist. Those listed here are beautiful as well as good-tasting. In most cases, cookies are baked to order; advance notice may be required. Visit the respective Web sites for the full range of flavors and prices.

- Blue Plate, a Chicago catering company, sells six kinds of cookies in its Holiday Cookie Exchange, but custom orders of any cookie you desire are available too. The Exchange collection includes buttery-soft shortbread, delightfully decorated in shapes such as snowmen and snowflakes; rich chocolate fudge cookies; and charming gingerbread men with spicy sweetness. The cookies arrive in an attractive tin that can be personalized. $13 per dozen. To order, call 312-377-0927; blueplatedirect.com for information only.

- Dancing Deer Baking Co., a Massachusetts-based firm, sells some of its goods in area Whole Foods Markets and Wild Oats. Their baked-to-order mail-order cookies are wonderful too. New for the holiday: lightly flavored peppermint snowflakes with pink and green icing (32 for $24.95 in a keepsake wooden box); less festive but thoroughly addictive are its chewy, cinnamon-spiked snickerdoodles ($14.50 for 18). 888-699-3337 or dancingdeer.com.

- Catering by Michael's, a Morton Grove-based company, sells two incredibly festive holiday cookie baskets filled with 102 expertly decorated treats. Cookies include Mexican tea cakes, white chocolate-dipped biscotti, lemon knots and petite gingerbread men. $70 per basket; 72 hours advance notice required. 847-966-6555 or cateringbymichaels.com.

- Chicagoan Mary Winslow and her Take the Cake firm has till now specialized in wedding cakes. She has branched out into cookies and truffles; we are glad. Top-notch ingredients, generously used, are paired with Winslow's craftsmanship to produce marvelous confections. Favorites (do we have to choose?) include Chubby Wubby Chocolate sandwich cookies, Overprotective Pecan cookies and hazelnut rugelach. Starting at $15 for 20 cookies. 312-850-4530 or http://takethecakeetc.com/.

- Solomon's Gourmet Cookies, inspired by Chicagoan Frieda Middel Solomon's family recipes, offers wonderfully crafted cookies, many with creative flavor combinations. Options include chocolate-chip brownies, mandel bread and carmelita (chocolate, oatmeal and caramel) bars. They are certified kosher dairy in accordance with the supervision of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Starting at $7 per half-dozen. Chicago-area customers can also get custom orders. Five days advance notice required. 773-384-8575 or solomonscookies.com.