Urban Cookies: Unforgettable gourmet cookies and cupcakes

With a name like Urban Cookies, I couldn’t resist checking this place out.    Being a city girl, having lived in Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and now Phoenix I was compelled to see if their sweet offerings stood up to such a stylish name. 

As I drove to the Central Phoenix location on 7^th Street and Highland, not knowing what to expect, I couldn’t help but wonder was it merely the location that brought about the name or were these cookies really something special.

The Urban Cookies bakery offers gourmet cookies, cupcakes and single layer 8x8 sheet cakes in the same flavors as the cupcakes.  Fascinated by their name, it was only fitting that I focus my taste buds on their cookies first.   As I gazed thru the baked goods display case, I liked the variety they offered:

• Simple –milk chocolate chip 
• Trail – almonds, sunflower seeds, raisins and oats
• Tropic – pineapple and coconut
• Featured Cookie - Double Chocolate with Sea Salt.   

Then there is the “The Urban”. The Urban is the flagship cookie that got the ball rolling for husband and wife team, Brady and Shaun Breese back in 2005. 

At first site, the Urban set itself apart from any other cookie presented.  With ingredients like dark chocolate (imported from Belgium), walnuts, coconuts and oats this chunky “non-perfect shaped” cookie had a lot of character and bearing the name of the bakery, I knew it had something to prove.   And with the first bite, it proved it.  This cookie is simply and generously delicious.  With such bold elements like coconut and oats, I was surprised that it didn’t turn into a glorified oatmeal cookie with a clever name.  But no one ingredient overpowered the other.  The ingredients all mingled together to create a deliciously unique taste and texture that makes you say “now that's what I'm talking about!”

The folks over at Urban Cookies are meticulous about creating their yummy treats with the freshest and highest quality ingredients.  They are committed to organic (whenever possible) and obtaining ingredients from specific purveyors, both local and international, that uphold high quality standards like their own.  Urban like, “The Urban” cookie is dense and eccentric. It is both chewy and crispy and heavily populates your palate with a flavor combination that leaves a lasting impression. 

Urban Cookies also have a variety of decadent cupcakes which include: brown velvet (their version of red velvet), black and white, carrot cake, chocolate chocolate, vanilla, and a seasonal specialty cupcake.

The Brown Velvet cupcake came about because Urban Cookies bakery does not use any food dyes, etc.  Besides the color difference from the traditional Red Velvet, it did not disappoint in the least on presentation and taste.  The cake is a luscious chocolate flavor with a moist pillow like texture.  That combined with their wonderful cream cheese frosting and topped off with chocolate sprinkles makes me call this one “brown heaven”. 

So in response to my concern of whether the name Urban Cookies was based purely on the location, or even the swanky store front digs, the answer is “neither”. The cookies and cupcakes are definitely what they are all cracked up to be.  One bite and they’ll have you rethinking your strategy for cheat days. 

The next time you’re thinking about picking up some indulgent treats to share over coffee with coworkers or an after dinner delight with family and/or friends, don’t forget about Urban Cookies.  You can stop by the store front at 4711 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or order online at http://www.urbancookies.com/ .

The Cool Factor: Urban Cookies offers their customers a custom gift option that lets you to design your gift box packaging based on the event.

5 Star Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is by far one of my favorite desserts.   The warm and sweet characteristics of it, makes it easily qualify as a comfort food.  We all have our own personal list of “comfort foods” along with those special places we go to get them to satisfy that craving when it kicks in.   When I get a hankering for peach cobbler, the family owned and operated Karim’s Cobbler Shop & Deli (in downtown Phoenix) is “The Spot” because they take comfort food to another level.

There are several factors that come into play with comfort food.  The first is the“Nostalgia” factor.  Every time I visit Karim’s Cobbler Shop, I get this sense of humble familiarity that makes me feel as though I have returned to a happy place and time. Maybe it’s the savory and sweet smell of down home cooking like that of a family reunion picnic.  Or perhaps it’s the warm smile of founder Wazir Karim along with the ever present friendly service from everyone there that says “come on in…make yourself at home…we have something special to share with you."

Secondly, there is the real motive, the “Indulgence” factor.  Peach cobbler is very basic in nature: Peaches, juice and crust.  But what makes it a truly fulfilling delight is the love that is put into it, especially when it comes to the crust.  You ask any cobbler connoisseur and they will tell you it’s the crust that makes the cobbler.  At Karim’s they have the most delicious biscuit crust I have ever tasted.  It’s flaky and creamy with hints of butter and cinnamon that will have your taste buds jumping for joy.   Once you have Karim’s peach cobbler it will not only make you want to “slap your mama” but it will also make you want to go back and slap anyone else who has ever served you mediocre fare.

Third is the “convenience” factor.  Karim’s Cobbler Shop & Deli is centrally located in downtown Phoenix on the corner of 3^rd Street and Jefferson right in front of the light rail station across the street from the Phoenix Convention Center.  For sports fans it is suitably positioned east of the US Airway Center and west of the Diamond Back stadium.  What’s also very helpful and customer focused is that they extend their regular hours of operations to fit what is going on at the different event venues.  So if the Diamond Backs have a game you will find Karim’s open and available for the fans offering their normal menu which includes their yummy cobbler (peach, apple, cherry and blueberry) in addition to baseball game snacks like peanuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, ice cold water, etc.

And last but certainly not least is the “physical” factor.  What is this you ask?  It is the way you feel when you finally bite into a spoonful of that glorious peach cobbler with the perfect amount of peaches, flaky crust and scrumptious juice.  It’s like you just received a great big warm hug.

Karim’s Cobbler Shop & Deli is located at 333 E. Jefferson St. Ste #102 Phoenix, AZ 85004.  (602) 857-1801. www.karimscobblershopanddeli.com

Please note:  Peach and Apple cobbler made daily.  Cherry and Blueberry cobbler made on upon request.

Hours of Operation:Tuesday-Friday                11:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Saturday-Monday            11:00a.m.- 2:00pmHours may be extended. Open every game day or special event including Sundays. 

Comfort Food has an unexpected new home: True Foods Kitchen

We all have those comfort foods that we go to when life gets stressful.  I have to admit my comfort food choices are not alway ones that I am proud of.  Let's talk about comfort food for a minute. Whether it be a warm, soft and gooey like with macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings or peach cobbler or a salty sweet snack food like cheese and carmel popcorn from Garrett's - it's must do two things comfort or soothe us and it must be down right delicious.  But what happens when your stress doesn't let up?  You feel guilty after eating your normal comfort foods...but today is a new day....True Foods to the rescue!

If you are not familiar with it,  True Foods Kitchen is a restaurant who's menu is packed full with healthy and nutrious food selections.  I know what you're thinking....how could anything on a healthy restaurant's menu possible qualify to be called comfort food?  I know...I'm surprised too....pleasantly surprised and excited to share. 

Meet my latest "go to - no guilt" comfort food : 

Herb Hummus

This is not your "run of the mill" hummus.  This hummus is entertwined with simple, fresh ingredients: feta cheese, cucumbers, red onions, kalamata olives, tomatoes, cilantro, parsley, topped off with a lemon yogurt dressing and served with toasted pita bread.  It is listed as an appetizer on the menu but, it is so so satisfying that it could easily serve as your main meal, which is the way I like it.

My comfort food list has just been upgraded thanks to the folks over at TFK.  I now have a healthy alternative option that I can go to when life gets crazy that sacrifices only the guilt and none of the flavor.

True Food Kitchen has 2 locations in Arizona (Biltmore Fashion Park and Scottsdale Quarter) and 2 locations in California (Fashion Island and Santa Monica Place).

http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/