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RANDOM ORDER COFFEEHOUSE AND BAKERY At NE Alberta’s favorite coffee spot, celebrated pie bakers al

RANDOM ORDER COFFEEHOUSE AND BAKERY At NE Alberta’s favorite coffee spot, celebrated pie bakers al

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RANDOM ORDER COFFEEHOUSE AND BAKERY At NE Alberta’s favorite coffee spot, celebrated pie bakers al

RANDOM ORDER COFFEEHOUSE AND BAKERY At NE Alberta’s favorite coffee spot, celebrated pie bakers al

3
TWO TARTS BAKERY For the true salt freak, this petite cookie turns the meeting of sweet and savory into a pas de deux. two tarts packs a dulci?ed punch into

TWO TARTS BAKERY For the true salt freak, this petite cookie turns the meeting of sweet and savory into a pas de deux. two tarts packs a dulci?ed punch into

4
TWO TARTS BAKERY For the true salt freak, this petite cookie turns the meeting of sweet and savory into a pas de deux. two tarts packs a dulci?ed punch into

TWO TARTS BAKERY For the true salt freak, this petite cookie turns the meeting of sweet and savory into a pas de deux. two tarts packs a dulci?ed punch into

5
ALMA CHOCOLATE This altar to cocoa, known for its dark chocolate icons painted in edible 23-karat gold and aphrodisiacal bonbons, doesn’t mess around when it comes to chocolate. And

ALMA CHOCOLATE This altar to cocoa, known for its dark chocolate icons painted in edible 23-karat gold and aphrodisiacal bonbons, doesn’t mess around when it comes to chocolate. And

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ALMA CHOCOLATE This altar to cocoa, known for its dark chocolate icons painted in edible 23-karat gold and aphrodisiacal bonbons, doesn’t mess around when it comes to chocolate. And

ALMA CHOCOLATE This altar to cocoa, known for its dark chocolate icons painted in edible 23-karat gold and aphrodisiacal bonbons, doesn’t mess around when it comes to chocolate. And

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TASTY N SONS The hottest brunch spot north of Burnside may be known for its frittatas, hashes, and french toast, but the baked-to-order chocolate chipper will change the way you thin

TASTY N SONS The hottest brunch spot north of Burnside may be known for its frittatas, hashes, and french toast, but the baked-to-order chocolate chipper will change the way you thin

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TASTY N SONS The hottest brunch spot north of Burnside may be known for its frittatas, hashes, and french toast, but the baked-to-order chocolate chipper will change the way you thin

TASTY N SONS The hottest brunch spot north of Burnside may be known for its frittatas, hashes, and french toast, but the baked-to-order chocolate chipper will change the way you thin

9
COURIER COFFEE Formerly a bicycle-only delivery service, Courier’s downtown café pedals past the rest with help from pastry whiz kid Leala Humbert. By day, she tastes and tests high-

COURIER COFFEE Formerly a bicycle-only delivery service, Courier’s downtown café pedals past the rest with help from pastry whiz kid Leala Humbert. By day, she tastes and tests high-

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COURIER COFFEE Formerly a bicycle-only delivery service, Courier’s downtown café pedals past the rest with help from pastry whiz kid Leala Humbert. By day, she tastes and tests high-

COURIER COFFEE Formerly a bicycle-only delivery service, Courier’s downtown café pedals past the rest with help from pastry whiz kid Leala Humbert. By day, she tastes and tests high-

11
KEN’S ARTISAN BAKERY Even the most ravenous cookie ?end will ?nd a challenge at Northwest Portland’s go-to spot for rustic French breads and pastries. The Valrhona Chocolate Chunk Co

KEN’S ARTISAN BAKERY Even the most ravenous cookie ?end will ?nd a challenge at Northwest Portland’s go-to spot for rustic French breads and pastries. The Valrhona Chocolate Chunk Co

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KEN’S ARTISAN BAKERY Even the most ravenous cookie ?end will ?nd a challenge at Northwest Portland’s go-to spot for rustic French breads and pastries. The Valrhona Chocolate Chunk Co

KEN’S ARTISAN BAKERY Even the most ravenous cookie ?end will ?nd a challenge at Northwest Portland’s go-to spot for rustic French breads and pastries. The Valrhona Chocolate Chunk Co

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PEARL BAKERY For guilty gluttons—those who can’t help but squeeze the last dollop of raw dough from the Pillsbury tube—this downtown ?xture has you covered. The house Chocolate Chunk

PEARL BAKERY For guilty gluttons—those who can’t help but squeeze the last dollop of raw dough from the Pillsbury tube—this downtown ?xture has you covered. The house Chocolate Chunk

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PEARL BAKERY For guilty gluttons—those who can’t help but squeeze the last dollop of raw dough from the Pillsbury tube—this downtown ?xture has you covered. The house Chocolate Chunk

PEARL BAKERY For guilty gluttons—those who can’t help but squeeze the last dollop of raw dough from the Pillsbury tube—this downtown ?xture has you covered. The house Chocolate Chunk

15
MEAT CHEESE BREAD We hoped we’d hit the jackpot when we spotted jars of fresh cookies at this killer Buckman sandwich shop, and indeed, these nut-?lled conf

MEAT CHEESE BREAD We hoped we’d hit the jackpot when we spotted jars of fresh cookies at this killer Buckman sandwich shop, and indeed, these nut-?lled conf

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MEAT CHEESE BREAD We hoped we’d hit the jackpot when we spotted jars of fresh cookies at this killer Buckman sandwich shop, and indeed, these nut-?lled conf

MEAT CHEESE BREAD We hoped we’d hit the jackpot when we spotted jars of fresh cookies at this killer Buckman sandwich shop, and indeed, these nut-?lled conf

17
OUI PRESSE No place serves the back-of-the-bag classic better than this relative newcomer on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The kitchen specializes in small, homemade batches of perfectly b

OUI PRESSE No place serves the back-of-the-bag classic better than this relative newcomer on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The kitchen specializes in small, homemade batches of perfectly b

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OUI PRESSE No place serves the back-of-the-bag classic better than this relative newcomer on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The kitchen specializes in small, homemade batches of perfectly b

OUI PRESSE No place serves the back-of-the-bag classic better than this relative newcomer on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The kitchen specializes in small, homemade batches of perfectly b

TAKING THE GOOEY DIVE into an oven-fresh chocolate chip cookie—warm, rich, buttery—is like transporting yourself in time. These morsels of comfort are the portals through which grandmothers become superhuman in children’s eyes and budding bakers first enter the messy and thrilling world of home cooking. But for all its simplicity and unadorned goodness, the chocolate chip cookie is still the greatest test of a baker’s mettle: how do you improve upon a classic, a pretty damned good recipe for which can be found on any Tollhouse bag?

Answers are as diverse as Portland’s tastes. When asked to name their favorite chocolate chipper of all time, most Portland bakers and loyal tasters responded “my own!” or cited a recipe from the family graveyard. Few agree on what defines chocolate chip perfection, but in the end depth of flavor, quality of ingredients (from the butter to the chocolate), and texture (crispy on the outside and lusciously moist at the epicenter) reign supreme. Size also counts, as do thoughtful touches like toasted ?almonds or a dash of fine sea salt.

In search of that perfect chocolate chip cookie, we took to the streets, testing single-batch bakers and heavy hitters alike. Pour yourself a glass of milk and turn the page for our favorites.

Published in the Oregon's 50 Best Wines issue of Portland Monthly.











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Benjamin Tepler
Benjamin Tepler
Benjamin is a former senior editor for Portland Monthly.