David's Cookies vs Harry & David

Continued from above...

Perfect for a sweet snack or an elaborate dessert, cookies can be simple or elaborate to meet your desired taste, texture, and even purpose. Cookies can even be made into cakes for celebrations, combined with ice cream for a creative dessert sandwich, and even become a vessel for a drink (think cookie shots). These sweet treats typically can reside in a jar on your kitchen counter, ready for you to indulge as the fancy strikes.

Cookies can trace their origin back to 7th Century AD Persia. Now modern-day Iran, this area was the one of the first known to cultivate sugar, thus providing an essential part of the sweet treat. Evolving over the centuries from something simple made from grains, water, and dates for the Egyptians to sustain their journey in the afterlife, to the gourmet goods now sold in the fancy bakeries of big cities, everyone loves cookies.

When looking for a gift or party treat, look no further than the cookie. It does not require serving utensils and is enjoyed by people of all ages. There are countless types of cookie combinations and traditions throughout all cultures. Each country has its favored variations of these baked goods, and then other bakers take those and make their own versions. There is literally a cookie to satisfy everyone's taste buds.

While dietary restrictions can keep some people from readily indulging, advances in baking techniques have allowed those with allergies to enjoy these hand-held desserts in more ways than ever. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, nut-free, sugar-free--the accommodations are in place to make cookies available to anyone with a sweet tooth if you know where to look.

So where can you get the best cookies online? There are several factors to consider to ensure you get the best cookies for your money with the smoothest shopping experience possible:

• Overall selection. There are countless cookie varieties which can be baked, so it's important to look for the flavor combination to suit your mood.
• Taste and quality. You want to get the best cookie, whether it's the humble chocolate chip or a more creative combination of unique ingredients to tantalize your taste buds. It's also imperative that the cookies be soft when you expect soft, or crispy when that's the texture you're expecting.
• Gift-giving options. Since you know your recipient loves cookies, it's important to find the perfect package to convey your heartfelt message. Look for the best presentation or decoration which meets your standards.
• Customization options. While you can't necessarily tell the bakers what to put in the cookies, you might want to be able to have them decorated a particular way or combine varieties to make a perfect assortment for your intended recipient.
• Name recognition and reputation. Some names immediately jump to mind when you think of cookies, while others are new on the scene. Consider reviews and reputation when weighing your options.
• Dietary concerns. While the options are expanding for those who have allergies, not all bakeries are equipped to safely produce cookies to meet those needs. Read the information to make sure your cookies not only taste good and arrive on time but also keep your belly happy.

There are dozens of great options available for ordering cookies online, so the dessert-loving experts at Top Consumer Reviews have narrowed down, reviewed, and ranked some of today's most popular cookie bakeries. Make the decision easier by using our helpful reviews to make the right choice to satisfy your sweet tooth or fulfill your cookie-gifting occasion.