I Was Obsessed With Insomnia Cookies, But These 8 US Cookie Brands Are Even Better
Insomnia Cookies was my late-night go-to, but I’ve since found some US cookie brands that blow it out of the oven. These companies aren’t just cranking out sugar bombs—they’re baking with real ingredients, creative flavors, and serious skill. Some ship nationwide, some are local gems, but all are worth tracking down. You’ll get the big cookie energy without the 2 a.m. sugar regret. Once you try these, Insomnia might start collecting dust on your delivery apps.
Taylor Chip
Taylor Chip started with love, a cookie craving, and a firm “no” to Crisco. When Sara and Doug Taylor couldn’t find a chocolate chip cookie made with real butter, they rolled up their sleeves and baked their own dense, rich, and full of flavor. What began as a sweet side project became official at their wedding in 2016, and by 2018, they opened their first stand in Pennsylvania. Now best known for their thick, bakery-style cookies made with non-GMO, real ingredients, Taylor Chip’s top seller is still their classic chocolate chip and yes, it’s all butter, baby.
Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery started slinging sweets from a cozy West Village corner in 1996, and let’s just say it didn’t stay a local secret for long. Founded in New York City, this charming shop built a global following with its creamy Banana Pudding and Red Velvet Cupcakes that practically caused sidewalk traffic jams. Now with locations far beyond Manhattan, Magnolia still runs on buttercream and nostalgia with every bite aiming to make your day just a little bit sweeter.
Levain Bakery
Born out of a bread shop on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in 1995, Levain Bakery started with two friends, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, and a serious cookie craving after triathlon training. What began as a post-workout snack, a hefty 6-ounce chocolate chip walnut cookie, quickly became the bakery’s star. Known for their crunchy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside cookies, Levain is now a cookie legend, with fans coast to coast chasing that warm, melty center.
Milk Bar
Milk Bar isn’t your average cookie shop, it’s the rule-breaker of the dessert world. Founded in 2008 by pastry powerhouse Christina Tosi in NYC’s East Village, Milk Bar quickly made waves with its playful, no-rules approach to sweets. Tosi’s most iconic creation? The Compost Cookie®, a chewy, salty-sweet mashup of pretzels, potato chips, chocolate, and butterscotch that pretty much broke the mold. Add in a Netflix feature and a cult following, and you’ve got a bakery that’s as bold as it is delicious.
Chip City Cookies
What started as a friendly bake-off between Peter Phillips and Theodore Gailas in 2017 turned into NYC’s ooey-gooey cookie sensation. From their first shop in Astoria, Queens, Chip City has exploded across the East Coast with giant, nearly six-ounce cookies that are buttery, gooey, and absolutely unapologetic. Their best seller? The classic Chocolate Chip though with flavors like Oatmeal Apple Pie and Cookies N’ Cream in the rotation, choosing just one is its own challenge.
Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm began in a Connecticut farmhouse kitchen in 1937, where Margaret Rudkin baked whole wheat bread to help her son with asthma—and accidentally kicked off a baked-goods empire. Named after the ancient tree on her property, this brand became a pantry staple thanks to her no-nonsense approach to quality. Today, Pepperidge Farm is best known for its hearty breads and iconic cookies, but it’s the buttery Milano that still steals the spotlight.
Bell’s Cookies
Born out of a love story that started in Bogotá and baked to perfection in Seattle, Bell’s Cookies is the brainchild of Brooke and Tomás Perez, two culinary creatives who turned a pandemic pivot into a cookie empire. Named after their daughter Isabella (aka Bell), this family-run bakery is known for inventive spins on classic cookies made with top-notch ingredients. Their best seller? The OG Chocolate Chip, of course soft, chewy, and exactly the kind of comfort you didn’t know you needed.
Entenmann’s
Entenmann’s has been sweetening life since 1898, when William Entenmann opened his first bakery in Brooklyn, New York. Over 125 years later, this iconic brand is still a staple in American kitchens, known for bringing donuts, crumb cakes, and those beloved Little Bites® to generations of snackers. Their classic Crumb Cake remains the fan favorite perfect for breakfast, dessert, or straight out of the box at midnight.
