Eat around the World: Cookies!

Every year in November and December, I like to occupy the oven to bake cookies all season long. Up until a few days ago, rather than placing the focus on experimenting with different types of cookie recipes, I would try cookies from different bakeries around Los Angeles.

Why? Lately, I feel like I’ve been in a funk. Maybe it’s because we have not traveled anywhere in a while. Maybe it’s because our house is even fuller, I feel like I’m left cleaning all the time. I joke with my husband that we should sell our house for a small townhouse so I don’t have to care for it as much. My in-laws shudder at the thought of a smaller space — how dare I want a smaller space? I should not just get out of the house to just go to work, grocery shop, and go to the gym. I should also explore some bakeries during my weekend errands — I think it would be a lot of fun!

To kick off this cookie post, I decided to get some cookies from Porto’s Bakery — one of my favorite bakeries in Los Angeles. It’s practically an institution here. My last job was located near a Porto’s and we always bought a cake there for someone’s birthday at the office. Though they’re mostly known for cheese rolls, potato balls, and cakes, I love getting their cookies too. In Porto’s they have these cookies call Besitos and they come in dulce de leche filling or hazelnut filling. The outer cookie is shortbread. I could eat multiples in one sitting with some milk.

From the top, left to right: chocolate chip cookie, hazelnut besito. Bottom left to right: Oatmeal raisin, dulce de leche besito. The white spot on the chocolate chip is powdered sugar from the besito.

I normally don’t buy chocolate chip cookies from Porto’s, but because it’s my favorite classic cookie, I thought it’s worth a try. Plus they’re less than $1! To me, it’s a standard chocolate chip cookie, not overbaked and they used dark chocolate chips. I prefer my chocolate chip cookies a little on the thicker side and with walnuts. I think it would be a fun idea to try and compare different chocolate chip cookies.

I picked up an oatmeal raisin for my husband since it’s his favorite kind of cookie. I don’t really go out of my way for oatmeal raisin cookies like my husband does. If I want oatmeal raisin something, it would have to be warm oatmeal porridge with raisins and walnuts for breakfast.

What’s your favorite cookie? Maybe I’ll try out a recipe. Comment below!

“Eat around the World“ is a monthly writing/photography challenge where I invite people to share a dish around a theme, ingredient, or technique. December’s theme is Cookies! To participate you could either share your post in the comment box, pingback to this post, or tag “Eat Around the World.” Deadline is December 31st.