A Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookie in Paradise
Paradise Bakery in Aspen, Colorado
A Day in Paradise at Paradise Bakery
Bakeries are the heartbeats of their communities, and here at RGC, we pride ourselves on our in-house baking delights. Yet, we also believe in celebrating other bakeries that bring joy, nostalgia, and a sense of community to their locales and beyond. Thus, we're launching our #cookiecommunity series, and it's only fitting that our first feature is a bakery close to my heart - Paradise Bakery Aspen in Aspen, Colorado.
Growing up, my family and I would brave the cold, standing in long lines outside Paradise Bakery during our annual ski trips. We'd shiver, but the anticipation of their Chocolate Chip Cookie made it all worth it. Over three decades of these trips, one thing has remained a constant - the warm, gooey, crunchy, and indulgent Chocolate Chip Cookie from Paradise Bakery.
A Little About Paradise Bakery
Nestled in the charming alpine town of Aspen, Colorado, Paradise Bakery has been a beacon of freshly baked delights since its inception in 1981. Today, it stands as a beloved local institution, still locally owned and operated, offering an array of mouthwatering treats. Among its varied offerings, from scrumptious cookies and pastries to hearty breakfast sandwiches, freshly brewed coffee, and a selection of ice cream flavors, it's their Chocolate Chip Cookie that has earned the title of the best Chocolate Chip Cookies according to RGC besides ours of course. 😉
The magic of Paradise Bakery's Chocolate Chip Cookie lies in its irresistible freshness. Imagine a cookie so perfectly warm and gooey, straight from the oven, that it challenges your dexterity to keep it intact as you eagerly unwrap it. The experience—messy, chocolatey hands included—is utterly delightful and worth every bit of the stickiness it may leave after.
What sets Paradise Bakery apart from others?
- First, the unparalleled freshness of their cookies, so warm they barely hold together, promises an unmatched sensory delight.
- Second, the consistency in quality across their entire menu is impressive; every item, from their diverse cookie flavors and pastries to their ice creams and beverages, is worth exploring. However, it's worth noting that their Chocolate Chip Cookie is an absolute must-try.
- Third, the remarkable consistency of their Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe over more than three decades is nothing short of extraordinary. Having indulged in this chocolate chip marvel for over 28 years myself, I can attest to its unwavering quality and taste—it's as if time itself has paused to savor this cookie.
- In an era where many businesses face the temptation to cut corners due to rising food costs and stiff competition, often resorting to cheaper ingredients to stay afloat, Paradise Bakery's steadfast commitment to quality is both admirable and rare.
This summer, when my sister and I embarked on a hiking adventure in the Rockies, making a stop at Paradise Bakery was non-negotiable. And true to its reputation, it did not disappoint. For anyone seeking the best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Paradise Bakery in Aspen is a destination that promises not just a treat but an experience—a delicious homage to quality, tradition, and the simple joy of a well-baked cookie.Imagine pulling a freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookie straight from an oven rack, placing it in a bag or box, and savoring that homemade taste. It's so warm and gooey that it might fall apart as you take it out, leaving melted chocolate bits on your hands. But trust me, this messy delight is worth every crumb. So here's to Paradise Bakery Aspen, a beloved part of our #cookiecommunity, reminding us that sometimes, the sweetest memories come dusted in flour and dipped in chocolate.
During our July 2023 visit to Paradise Bakery, the Chocolate Chip Cookie emerged as the ultimate snack to refuel after an exhilarating hike. Our day kicked off with a venture into Aspen, starting with a delightful light lunch at Clark’s Oyster Bar — a must-visit spot for anyone in Aspen, whether for lunch or dinner. After enjoying what Clark’s had to offer, we meandered through the town, eventually making our way to Paradise Bakery to pick up some treats.
The bakery was bustling, with a line extending out the door, a mix of eager children waiting for ice cream scoops and adults in line for their coffee and cookie fix. Despite the crowd, the experienced staff at Paradise Bakery efficiently managed the queue, allowing us to reach the front in about 10 minutes. Stepping inside, we were greeted by the intoxicating aromas of fresh cookies, cinnamon, chocolate, and coffee. The sight of a gleaming glass case, overflowing with an assortment of muffins, pastries, and cookies—both large and small, artfully arranged on cake stands and baking blocks—was truly a feast for the eyes. We ordered two of the best Chocolate Chip Cookies to go, ready to indulge in the bakery's famed treat.
Pro-ordering tip:
When you're getting several varieties of cookies, insist on separate packaging for each flavor. Many bakeries, in their routine, might combine different cookie types in one package, but from what I've learned, this can detract from their distinct tastes. Mixing various cookie flavors together in the same container leads to a mingling of flavors, causing them to lose their unique profiles entirely. It's an odd occurrence, but take my word for it and avoid this at all costs!
We opted to save our cookies for a post-hike treat after exploring Snowmass, a nearby mountain just a 20-minute drive from Aspen. Following a challenging hike that also saw us caught in unexpected rain, we eagerly retrieved our cookies in the car, savoring them on our journey back. They served as the ultimate indulgence to cap off our day in nature. If you ever find yourself in the western part of the country, do yourself a favor and visit Paradise Bakery in Aspen to experience the best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the Rockies.