The Cookie Conundrum

It’s that Marmite phenomenon all over again. Love them or hate them, cookies are here to stay. 

And at EDAA, they’re a part of our everyday lives. 

In fact, we’ve spent many years searching the European policy making hub of Brussels, Belgium, not for its already famed chocolate, but for the perfect COOKIE. We sampled all sorts along the way, and ultimately, took it to a vote. 

As ever, we’re transparent about our choices.

1. La Fourmilière (https://lafourmilieredotbe.wordpress.com/)
“Take your pleasure seriously”. They certainly take their cookies seriously! 

2. Holy Bagels (https://holy-bagels.com/)
I’ve never tried the bagels, but the cookies are something else!

3. Therese et Dominique (https://theresedominique.be/)
Probably the third best cookies in the world. 

1. Laura Todd’s Fine Cookies (https://lauratodd.com/)
The team got them for my birthday. They were amazing. Felt very guilty. Had another two the next day. Even guiltier.

2. That’s it. Actually… Does pie count as cookies? I’d add apple pie (there are some awesome apple pie recipes in Romania)…

1. The Classic Peanut Butter Cookies (https://www.cookingclassy.com/classic-peanut-butter-cookies/)

2. Les sablés fondants au citron vert de Martha Stewart (https://www.cestmafournee.com/2018/12/les-sables-fondants-au-citron-vert-de.html)

3. Claire Saffitz’s Pistachio Pinwheel Cookies (https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021709-pistachio-pinwheels) 

1. The Cannoli Clause. Let’s start with a technicality. A Cannoli is not a cookie. However, the shell is baked, crisp, and dangerously addictive. So I argue it qualifies under a broad interpretation of “cookie-like structures.” Filled with ricotta, it’s essentially a cookie that went to Italy, found itself, and came back more interesting.

2. The Pizza Connection. Then there’s the Brussels-meets-Napoli compromise: pizza with Nutella and crushed hazelnuts. Is it a cookie? No. Is it a giant, socially acceptable, circular cookie? Absolutely. If you slice it small enough, it even becomes shareable cookies, which feels very on-brand for EU harmonisation.

1. Any free cookie that comes with my coffee

2. Antwerp’s Handje Cookie (https://www.antwerpse-handjes.be/)
Just like the AdChoices Icon, Antwerp’s Handje cookie makers are those who were certified and followed rigorous industry standards.

After all the tasting and occasionally some cookie crumbs, we’ve reached a verdict:

And the winner goes to (with drum roll)… 🥁

Choice is the real winner.

There’s no single “best cookie,” because every preference matters.

So here’s to choices, to picking, to disagreeing without drama, and to never, ever settling 🍪