As an avid baker and sweets lover, I‘ve tried my share of gourmet cookies over the years. But none compare to my all-time favorite: Cheryl‘s Cookies. With over 40 years perfecting their signature buttercream frosting and Old World baking recipes, Cheryl‘s creates cookie magic in every bite.
In this in-depth Cheryl‘s Cookies review, I‘ll share why this Ohio-based brand makes any occasion sweeter. From their origins to their must-try cookie flavors to thoughtful gift boxes, here‘s the icing-coated history behind one of America‘s most-loved cookie companies.
Keeping It Old School for 40+ Years
Before we dive into what makes Cheryl‘s Cookies so delectable, let‘s rewind to how this household name began…
Picture it – Westerville, Ohio 1981. Using her grandmother‘s time-tested baking techniques, Cheryl Krueger starts selling simple yet scrumptious buttercream-frosted sugar cookies from her home kitchen. With their tender-crisp texture and balanced sweetness, word quickly spreads across town about Cheryl‘s melt-in-your-mouth treats.
As demand booms, Cheryl moves the operation into its own bakery storefront in Westerville. Fast forward a few decades, and Cheryl‘s bricks-and-mortar cookie empire expands to five bakery and retail locations across Ohio.
In 2005, Cheryl‘s Cookies gets acquired by 1-800-FLOWERS. This gives the brand national shipping reach while keeping Cheryl‘s signature frosting and Old World recipes intact. Today they operate online direct-to-consumer and through select gifting partners, delivering their famous cookies and gift baskets nationwide.
So why does a small-town Ohio bakery still matter on the national sweets scene? Two words: buttercream perfection.
Buttercream Bliss: The Heart of Cheryl‘s Cookies
Let‘s talk about this legendary Cheryl‘s buttercream frosting for a moment. Because it‘s not just any ordinary buttercream.
Made with just a few simple wholesome ingredients – real butter, pure vanilla, evaporated milk and powdered sugar – Cheryl‘s signature icing achieves the perfect texture and sweetness. Velvety smooth, melty creamy, kissing-soft buttercream that practically evaporates on your tongue.
I‘ve become an absolute buttercream snob after years enjoying Cheryl‘s, with their trademark vanilla flavor remaining my all-time favorite. But they also offer delectable peanut butter, chocolate, strawberry and other buttercream varieties.
This vintage-style frosting balances rich depth and sweetness without becoming overly sugary or artificial-tasting. It‘s the real, old-fashioned deal. And perfectly paired with soft, chewy fresh-baked cookies for good reason.
Because why just have a cookie when you can have a Cheryl‘s cookie?
Timeless Cookie Classics, Creative New Flavors
Now that my buttercream praise is out of the way, let‘s explore why Cheryl‘s offers far more than your average cookie. They‘ve expanded from humble buttercream-frosted sugar cookies to incorporate inspired flavors, ingredients and baking techniques.
Beyond classics like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and gingerbread, here‘s a taste of what you can expect from Cheryl‘s cookies:
Old-Fashioned Favorites
Snickerdoodle – Cinnamon sugar coated dough bursting with spice flavor
Molasses Crinkle – Crackly gingerbread-esque cookie with satisfying chew
Lemon Cooler – Sweet cherry chips and tangy lemon zest in buttery cookie base
Fruit & Nuts
Orange Cranberry Oatmeal – Tart cranberries and orange zest lend brightness
Pistachio Cranberry – Toasted pistachios and tart dried cranberries play perfectly together
Decadent Chocolate
Mississippi Mud – Loaded with rich chocolate chunks and velvety chocolate frosting
Mint Chocolate – Refreshing mint chips lend cool contrast to fudgy chocolate
Chocolate Salted Caramel – Crunchy turbinado sugar atop melted caramel and chocolate
Inventive Flavors
Apple Pie – Warm notes of cinnamon and brown sugar just like mom‘s apple pie
Banana Maple Walnut – Banana bread in cookie form, studded with toasted walnuts
Honey Sriracha – Intriguing blend of subtle heat and sweetness. So addicting!
And those represent just a handful of the diverse flavors Cheryl‘s Cookies offers. From fruity cookies bursting with lemon, raspberry, key lime or orange flavor to perfectly spiced ginger molasses, Cheryl‘s range impresses. They also offer mini cookie bites and special edition seasonal flavors like pumpkin and eggnog.
Trust me, once you start sampling Cheryl‘s inventive flavors, it‘s hard to pick a favorite. Luckily their gift boxes let you try a delicious variety in each order.
Gift Boxes Galore for Any Occasion
Beyond incredible cookies, Cheryl‘s makes gift-giving easy with their signature gift boxes and assortments. No matter the occasion – birthday, holiday, graduation, baby shower, sympathy or just because – they offer specially curated cookie collections guaranteed to delight.
Here‘s a peek at some of my personal favorite Cheryl‘s Cookies gift offerings:
Birthday Party in a Box
This fun, festive assortment transforms any birthday into a cookie celebration. Along with buttercream-frosted sugar cookies in colors and sprinkles, you get rainbow sour gummy stars, chocolate pretzel crisps, blondie bites and an iced animal cracker "cake". Kids and adults alike will adore this surprise party in a box!
My take: An over-the-top hit for birthdays and the ultimate cookie sampling! My kids request this one every year.
Get Well Soon Box
Help cheer up a sick friend with this thoughtful cookie and treat combo. Includes buttercream sugar cookies plus Nutri-Grain bars, jelly beans, pretzel crisps and eye masks for the perfect "feel better" surprise.
My take: I sent this to family recovering from surgery recently and it earned rave reviews. Such a lovely, personalized gift._
12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar
Filled with 12 days of fresh-from-the oven holiday cookies, this special calendar makes December extra sweet. Festive sugar cookies take center stage alongside chocolate crinkle, gingersnaps and more.
My take: My family adores this artistic, indulgent advent calendar. The old-fashioned holiday motifs on each cookie feel so nostalgic._
And those only scratch the surface of Cheryl‘s gifting brilliance. From classic holiday cookie assortments to chocolate lovers bundles, thank you towers and sympathy support, they have a custom box for everyone.
Standout Aspects of Cheryl‘s Cookies
Before I get to my personal Cheryl‘s Cookies experience and reviews, let‘s recap what makes them such a standout:
1. Time-Honored Baking Techniques – Using original recipes perfected in her family‘s kitchen, Cheryl Krueger‘s old-school methods yield superior flavor and textures. These aren‘t your average store-bought cookies!
2. Small-Batch Quality – Although the brand now ships nationwide, all Cheryl‘s Cookies get baked in small batches across five Ohio bakery locations. This artisan approach ensures consistency and care.
3. Signature Buttercream Perfection – From texture to flavor to sweetness balance, no one achieves velvety buttercream frosting like Cheryl‘s. Once you try it, you‘re hooked for life!
4. Matchless Versatility – With hundreds of curated cookie flavors, shapes and accents, Cheryl‘s appeals to every preference. Plus their expansive gift box options work for literally any occasion.
5. Convenience – Now offering nationwide shipping from their online bakery, indulging in Cheryl‘s Cookies happens in just a few clicks. No Ohio trip required to enjoy these legends!
Sold on why Cheryl‘s CookiesTowers above grocery store sweets yet? Next I‘ll share my personal thoughts on becoming a super fan over 20+ years and 5000+ cookies.
My History of Cheryl‘s Cookie Obsession
As a self-declared cookie monster now nearing 40, I consider myself an authority on all things cookie-related. And throughout my many years indulging in sweets, no other cookie compares to the magic of Cheryl‘s.
See, I grew up in Columbus, just a short drive from Cheryl‘s original Westerville bakery location. field trips to their cozy shop felt like stepping into a real-life Candy Land. Rows of frosty glass cases displayed every sugar-dusted dream for my 10-year-old self.
I still have vivid memories of my very first bite – a pink and white swirled sugar cookie capped with plenty of fluffy vanilla buttercream. The harmony of crisp cookie edges giving way to a chewy center. Tongue-coating sweetness cut by creamy, melty frosting.
Pure bliss – and total addiction at first taste. Begging my parents to swing by Cheryl‘s became a weekly ritual.
Through high school and college, Cheryl‘s Cookies remained my celebratory treat of choice. Their birthday cake cookies graced my own parties, while sending their finals care packages was an Ohio State tradition.
When I moved across the country after graduation, having ready access to Cheryl‘s exceptional baked goods was one of few things I missed about leaving home.
That is, until Cheryl‘s began expanding their online shipping footprint in the early 2010‘s. No matter where my career has taken me since, I‘ve never been more than a few clicks away from my beloved Cheryl‘s care packages.
Over 20+ years as a diehard fan, I‘ve indulged in thousands of Cheryl‘s cookies. My current favorites include Salted Caramel Chocolate, Orange Dreamsicle and seasonal Pumpkin Spice…but their classic buttercream-frosted will forever hold the top spot in my heart.
Beyond standout sweets, Cheryl‘s provides comfort and connection to my Midwestern roots now that I live far from home. With distinctive flavors like Buckeye (a chocolate-peanut butter Ohio classic), each bite feels nostalgic.
So whether you crave a decadent dessert, want to send happiness in a box, or need a taste of home, Cheryl‘s Cookies delivers on all fronts. No brand comes close to their quality, innovation and emotional resonance.
Now that you‘ve heard my in-depth Cheryl‘s story, let‘s explore some frequently asked questions about this beloved brand.
Cheryl‘s Cookies FAQs: Your Top Questions, Answered
Throughout my many years as a Cheryl‘s Cookies superfan, I‘ve become quite the expert on all things related to their products, policies and more. Here I‘ll tackle some of the most common questions about this incredible brand:
How long do Cheryl‘s Cookies stay fresh after delivery?
- Properly stored at room temperature in an airtight container, Cheryl‘s Cookies retain optimum texture and flavor for 5-7 days. For extra longevity, store cookie boxes in the fridge for 7-10 days. You can even freeze cookies up to a year while maintaining nearly fresh-baked quality.
What is Cheryl‘s shipping and delivery policy?
- Cheryl‘s offers standard shipping taking 1-3 business days for most U.S. addresses, with UPS Next Day Rush options for quicker delivery. Cold packs get added when weather dictates to prevent heat damage. Around holidays, shipping times extend to 5-7 days due to demand.
Can I customize or personalize my Cheryl’s Cookies order?
- Yes! Many Cheryl’s gift boxes allow you to include custom text or photo messaging on enclosed cards. You can also choose standard signature box notes like “Happy Birthday” and mix & match cookie flavors upon request via Customer Service.
Are Cheryl‘s Cookies nut-free or gluten-free?
- Cheryl‘s does offer some dedicated nut-free and gluten-free items. However most products get produced in shared facilities with potential allergen cross-contamination. Customers managing sensitivities should take proper precautions.
Does Cheryl‘s run sales, offer discounts or have a rewards program?
- The Cheryl‘s website features an ongoing Sales section with rotating discounted items up to 25% off. Special holiday sales also run periodically. No coupon code or loyalty program exists currently, but check retail partners like Groupon for occasional deals.
Can I return or exchange Cheryl’s cookies if unsatisfied?
- Due to the perishable nature of their products, Cheryl’s does not allow returns or exchanges. However their excellent Customer Service team proactively resolves any order or delivery issues. Damaged shipments get promptly replaced at no charge.
I hope these answers help you make the most of ordering your own Cheryl‘s goodies soon. Let‘s wrap up with my final verdict on why I recommend them wholeheartedly.
In Conclusion: Why Cheryl‘s Deserves Cookie Crown
In case I haven’t hammered home my Cheryl’s allegiance enough by now, let me leave no doubt: This brand bakes the world’s most outstanding cookies. Full stop.
For over 40 years and across five family-run Ohio bakeries, Cheryl’s perfects classic recipes with an incredible blend of quality, uniqueness and consistency. Even as demand grows nationally, they refuse to cut corners or compromise.
At the foundation lies their legendary melty, decadent buttercream frosting – a nostalgic flavor made impossibly better with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Every custom cookie design and gift box overflows with artistry and personality.
Meanwhile Cheryl’s keeps innovating outside the chocolate chip paradigm with intriguing yet balanced flavors. Experiencing a “just baked” box from Cheryl’s proves an unmatched multi-sensory joy.
Beyond superior taste and variety, Cheryl’s delivers convenience and emotional impact. They understand the potent happiness gifted cookies provide. Each beautifully packaged box feels personal, thoughtful and overflowing with palpable heart.
So for the ultimate cookie lover’s gift or guilt-free treat for yourself: Look no further than Cheryl’s Cookies. One bite and you’ll soundly agree that no one does it better.
Now who’s ready to order cookies with me?!
