Beaches, mountains, coffee, hula…. and chocolate chip cookies! Yes, folks, the Big Island is home to a lot of wonderful things, including a huge assortment of interesting chocolate chip cookies.
I started picking them up for taste-testing wherever I was and added them to this list.
But the madness had to stop when I was recently weighed at my doctor’s office.
I hope I didn’t miss any of your favorites, but if I did, it is my hope that you’ll comment and add them to the list.
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Here is a partial list, which is not ranked, because in the end, I liked them all!
Donna’s Cookies If I had any poetic abilities, I’d write an ode about the crispiness of these cookies. I have a co-worker who buys these babies by the tub. They come in nifty plastic tubs that keep the cookies super-crispy and she leaves them on the counter—which is just plain mean. I cannot walk by without grabbing one. Their texture is almost sandy and cookie aficionados know that’s a good thing. And they don’t skimp on the chocolate chips. Donna’s is located at 42-1019 Hawai‘i Belt Road in Pa‘auilo.
Papa a Palaoa Bakery is hard for me to pronounce, but I can type it. Do not—I repeat—not miss their Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookies. I got mine warm from the oven because I obnoxiously asked when I could get them in that state. They humored me. Have milk ready. The bakery is located at 187 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo.
Harrie’s Cookies makes a super-crisp cookie that shatters when you bite into it. They’re sweet, but not too sweet. I went looking for the ingredients after devouring a package of them. A-ha! They also contain macadamia nuts and corn cereal, which is where that nice crunch came from. I found mine at KTA Puainako.
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Big Island Candies cannot be left off of this list—and I wouldn’t dream of it. Check out the company’s “Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie,” which contains chocolate, dark chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. You can order online, or brave the busloads of tourists. Don’t we all love being greeted at the door with a little cup of goodies and some coffee? Where did I put my punch card? The Big Island Candies Flagship Factory Gift Shop is located at585 Hinano St. in Hilo.
Stone Cookies I hadn’t tried a Stone Cookie until last year, and then I was mad at myself for not buying them in the years I’ve lived here. Now, people laugh a little about Stone Cookies, but it’s in good fun, because they are a beloved product. There are even “copycat” versions online. Why all the kidding about this product? Well, Stone Cookies are very, very hard. They remind me a lot of biscotti (and indeed, they are great for dunking). Yes, they qualify for this post: The bakery makes a chocolate chip Stone Cookie. Check them out at grocery stores or at the Mountain View Bakery.
Big Rob’s Rob is a big, affable guy who makes some of the prettiest cookies around. I can never get my home-baked stuff to come out in nice circles like he does. His cookies are soft and chewy, and he’s generous with the chips. You can also pick up some terrific bread while you’re at his bakery at 82-6127 Māmalahoa Highway in Captain Cook.
Matsuyama’s Market has remodeled its kitchen. I was sampling some butter mochi with Aunty Joanie when I discovered the market also does chocolate chip cookies. Here’s where you find some delicious chewy cookies in convenient grab-and-go bags. The market is located at 73-4040 Hulikoa Drive in Kalaoa.
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Big Island Delights makes a little bite-sized, crunchy, chocolate chip cookie that I love. They also make a nice gift. They contain macadamia nuts, which add extra buttery interest. I loved how they did their Christmas gift packages in red with gold ribbon last year. Get your delights at 762 Kanoelehua Ave. in Hilo.
Short N’Sweet Bakery makes a cookie like my mom made (and maybe yours?). They’re a soft cookie with chunks rather than chips of chocolate. They’re also big. I felt virtuous saying, “Oh, I just ate one.” The bakery is located just off Highway 11 in Mountain View.
Ohana Cookies You may remember Ohana Cookies from one of my previous posts. The Hilo bakery’s hook? Cookies are vegan—no milk or butter. You won’t suffer a bit, though, so bite in. Esket’s chocolate chip bites have a hint of coconut, which gives them a terrific islandy touch. Both dark chocolate and semisweet chocolate are found in the cookies.
Mrs. Barry’s Kona Cookies is another island institution. The bakery is conveniently located by Costco in Kona. Check out their gorgeous cookies, studded with chocolate chips, raisins, oatmeal and macadamia nuts. Mrs. Barry is located a t73-5563 Maiau St. in Kailua-Kona.
Feel inspired? Pick up some of these or, if you’re handy in the kitchen, here is Hawaiian Electric’s recipe from 2007. It’s a real winner, complete with chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, oats and coconut.
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