The "Rocky Road" cookies at Milk Jar Cookies are soft, chewy and decadent (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Cookies are one of America’s guilty pleasures when it comes to sweets. With so many different types and varieties, who can really resist cookies? There are not only restaurants and bakeries with the word “cookie” in their names; now, there’s even music videos about cookies. So it’s fitting that there should be a food holiday in America—which has many unofficial food holidays—to honor the cookie.

The English word “cookie” actually comes from the Dutch word “koekje,” which means “little cake." According to Punchbowl.com, Dutch bakers would often test oven temperatures on small amounts of cake batter (so the entire cake mix didn’t go to waste if the temperatures were not right). That’s how the modern-day cookies evolved!

Cookies often come in a variety of flavors, sizes, textures and shapes. To celebrate “National Cookie Day,” check out some of these L.A.-based bakeries that are known for their treats.

MILK JAR COOKIES

Milk Jar Cookies provides homemade cookies in a comforting environment for its customers. The cozy bakery, which includes ample tables and chairs in a nook-like ambiance, was intentionally designed that way, according to owner Courtney Cowan.

“There’s tons of bakeries that you just get in and get out, and it was very important to me to create an environment where people could come and feel comfortable,” she says. “We want them to spend their time here and hang out so we could get to know them. We wanted it to be an experience so people would be encouraged to enjoy the treats, as opposed to just scarfing them down. In such a busy age and city, you don’t do that very much.”

The menu sports a variety of cookies, including “Chocolate Pecan Caramel,” “White Chocolate Macadamia” and “Mint Chocolate.” Of all these flavors, however, Cowan says the traditional “Chocolate Chip” is the most popular among customers. 

“‘Chocolate Chip’ is probably by far our biggest seller because people like the classics,” she says. “Our ‘Banana Split’ and ‘Chocolate Peanut Butter’ are probably second and third behind that.”

Cookies are also available in the form of ice cream sandwiches, as the bakery features a rotation of four ice cream flavors. Customers can even opt for just one cookie served with their ice cream. 

DIDDY RIESE COOKIES

Frequented by many UCLA college students, Diddy Riese often has long lines running out of its downs and down the street … and hey, for cookies that cost 35 cents each—three for $1—it’s no wonder. The small cookie and ice cream shop has a variety of cookie flavors from which customers can choose, including “Sugar Cinnamon,” “Candy,” “White Chocolate Chip,” “White Chocolate Macadamia Nut” and “Chocolate with White Chocolate,” to name just a few. 

BOUCHON BAKERY

Bouchon Bakery doesn’t have a huge cookie selection, but its few flavors are powerful and beloved by customers. While childhood favorites like “Chocolate Chip” and “Oatmeal Raisin” are popular, the “Nutter Butter” cookie is a peanut butter lover’s dream.

THE SYCAMORE KITCHEN

The Sycamore Kitchen is known for their delicious breakfast fare—the lunch menu is good, too—and the pastries and sweets offered at this eatery are superb. The Sycamore Kitchen includes tarts, crostatas, galettes, bars and cookies on its sweets menu. Cookie flavors include “Berries & Cream Cookie,” “Toasted Pecan Sandie,” “Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Cookie,” “Fennel Butter Cookie” and “Chocolate Chip Rye Cookie.” The latter is one of the eatery’s most popular.  

CLEMENTINE

All the pastries at Clementine are baked fresh daily … so when the eatery is sold out, they are truly sold out. Cookies available at Clementine include customer favorites like “Chocolate Chip” and “Chocolaty Chocolate” to more unique ensembles like “Thumbprint with Orange Marmalade,” “Rugelach with Apricots, Dates and Walnuts” and “Cranberry-Walnut with Brown Butter Icing.”

These "Chocolate Chip Walnut" cookies at Cookie Casa Bakery came straight out of the oven (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Cookie Casa Bakery, which launched its first storefront in February, includes a variety of cookies—as well as cupcakes, bars, cakes and pies—on its menu. While many of the bakery’s cookies are delicious, according to owner Erin Zabel, the reigning best seller is the “Molasses Ginger” cookie, which is made with Zabel’s grandmother’s recipe.

“The ‘Molasses Ginger Sandwich’ cookie is a best seller,” Zabel says. “The Spanish ‘Rosco’ cookie—which is a family cookie that we make every holiday—is only available during the holidays. It’s a European-style cookie and that’s really popular when it’s in season.”

Other delicious cookie flavors available at Cookie Casa include “Mexican Hot Chocolate,” “Oatmeal Butterscotch,” “Oatmeal Peanut Butter,” “Black & White Chocolate Chunk” and many more. 

BABYCAKES NYC

BabyCakes NYC is known for its organic, all-natural dessert alternatives. Famous for its vegan and gluten-free sweets, healthy cookies are a part of the BabyCakes menu. Available flavors include “Chocolate Chip,” “Oatmeal Raisin,” “Double Chocolate Chip” and “Ginger Snap.” Cookies are also available via the bakery’s cookie sandwiches — “Chocolate Chip” and “Double Chocolate Chip” cookies with a mint filling, or “Oatmeal Raisin” and “Ginger Snap” cookies with a vanilla filling. 

BREAKAWAY BAKERY

The cookie options are seemingly endless at Breakaway Bakery. Not only does this bakery feature a great assortment of vegan cookies, but it boasts an eclectic repertoire of classic cookies. Some of these flavors include “Lil’ Mint Scoutie,” “Picasso,” “Double Trouble Chocolate” and “Molasses."

MILK

Sweets of all types abound at MILK, which includes an ice cream parlour and a bakeshop. The bakeshop includes a variety of cookies, ranging from the more traditional “Chocolate Chip” and “Snickerdoodle” to the more unique “Snowcap,” “Super Chunk Peanut Butter” and “Iced Spiced Molasses” cookies. Cookies at MILK can also be ordered in gift baskets, where customers can choose from varieties like “Ooey Gooey Chocolate Chip,” “Chocolate Chip with Walnuts” and “Oatmeal with Dried Fruit.”

JOAN’S ON THIRD

Joan’s on Third is an iconic L.A. eatery known for serving comfort food in a sophisticated setting. However, the restaurant also features sweets on its menu, including an assortment of bars, cupcakes and pies. Cookie varieties include “Oatmeal Raisin,” “Chocolate Chip,” “Sugared Molasses” and “Harvest.” The “Harvest” cookie is a unique treat, as it features a blend of chocolate chips, pecans, dried cranberries and apples. 

HUCKLEBERRY BAKERY AND CAFÉ 

The items on Huckleberry Bakery and Café’s menu change with the seasons, but no matter what time of the year it may be, the eatery’s cookies remain delightful. These treats are great at any time of the day — as a post-dinner dessert or mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Cookie flavors include “Gingerbread,” “Chocolate Chip,” “Peanut Butter” and “Oatmeal Raisin.”

DELUSCIOUS COOKIES + MILK

DeLuscious Cookies + Milk certainly features a decadent array of delicious goodies. Available in couture and vegan options, cookie flavors include “Cinnamon Brulee,” “Chocolate Decadence,” “Chocolate White Chocolate Toffee,” “Chocolate Candied Pecan,” “Chocolate Mint” and many others. 

CAKE MONKEY BAKERY

While cakes like “Vanilla Gorilla” and “Raspberry Red Velvet” are all the rage at Cake Monkey Bakery, the bakery’s cookies are equally notable. With creative names like “The Big O,” “‘Nuff Said” and “Chocolate Locket,” these creations are definitely unique. The “‘Nuff Said” cookie features a chocolate crumble cookie with dark chocolate, pecans, cocoa krispies, fleur de sel and marshmallow, while “Chocolate Locket” cookies are chocolate sable cookies filled with homemade caramel and sprinkled with fleur de sel. Cookies are also available at this bakery in sandwich form, as treats like “Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies” and “Lil Merri’s”—oatmeal cream pie sandwich cookies filled with maple vanilla buttercream—are also available. 

PLATINE SWEETS & SAVORIES

Platine features a vast variety of cookies — artisan cookies, fancy cookies and couture cookies. Among the company’s artisan cookies—baked in small batches and handmade using high quality ingredients—are flavors like “Brown Butter/Dark Chocolate/Sea Salt,” “Snacky Cookie,” “Chocolate Galore,” “Chocolate Gingersnap” and “Cranberry Chocolate Chip.” The “Snacky” cookie is one of the most unique flavors — this creation has a vanilla bean cookie dough base and is infused with potato chips, dark chocolate, pretzels and butterscotch chips. It’s the perfect salty-sweet combo. 

CHUNK-N-CHIP COOKIES

Chunk-N-Chip Cookies is known for their “BOO-Yahs”—the company’s unique name for its artisanal ice cream sandwiches—but a variety of cookies are featured on the Chunk-N-Chip menu. These cookies flavors include “Chocolate Brownie,” “Lemon Zest,” “Red Velvet,” “White Chocolate, Walnut & Coconut,” and more.

The "Chocolate Chip" cookie at Sprinkles Ice Cream features a chewy center and crispy edges (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

SPRINKLES ICE CREAM

Although ice cream is the highlight at Sprinkles Ice Cream, cookies are great for taking home in case you get the munchies later. There are five cookie varieties at Sprinkles Ice Cream—“Chocolate Chip,” “Double Chocolate,” “Peanut Butter Pretzel Chip,” “Salted Oatmeal Cornflake” and “Snickerdoodle.” While each cookie is soft and chewy in the center and features slightly crispy outer edges, most notable are the “Peanut Butter Pretzel Chip” and “Salted Oatmeal Cornflake” cookies. The former features a creamy, all-natural peanut butter cookie studded with crushed pretzel twists and semisweet Callebaut chocolate chips, creating the perfect salty-sweet combo with the right amount of crunch; the “Salted Oatmeal Cornflake” features a cookie made with toasted rolled oats and cornflakes adorned with imported fleur de sel (salt) crystals. The oatmeal texture is chewy while the cornflake adds crunchiness to the mix, and the sprinkled salt adds just the right amount of flavor and edge. Sprinkles also now ships their cookie dough, so you can bake these chocolate chip wonders in the comfort of your own home. 

Find some more examples of delicious cookies you can find in L.A. here. 

Want to create your own batch of killer cookies? Check out some of these recipes and some of these as well. 

Reach Kelli Shiroma here or follow her on Twitter.