Our cross-county mission led to these scrumptious revelations.
1Lemonade
Fully baked, chewy, buttery, salty, and stuffed full of Guittard chocolate wafers—this cookie is nearly five inches across and weighs a quarter pound. (We loved it so much, we even developed our own recipe inspired by the original.) 2967 Michelson Drive, Irvine, 949-396-1560; Fashion Island, Newport Beach, 949-717-7525; Pacific City, Huntington Beach, 714-604-1072; lemonadela.com
2Specialty’s
This entry is underbaked in the best possible way, and if not fresh from the oven, they’ll warm your purchase on demand. The crispy outer layer gives way to a gooey center with good butter and salt flavor. This shop is also popular with the office park crowd for sandwiches and salads. 3210 Park Center Drive, Costa Mesa; 100 Innovation Drive, Irvine; 2010 Main St, Irvine, 20 Pacifica, Irvine; 18400 Von Karman Ave, Irvine; 4695 MacArthur Court, Newport Beach; 877-502-2837, specialtys.com
3 Mr. Holmes Bakehouse at Portola Coffee
We mourned the loss of the short-lived Mr. Holmes location in Tustin, but soon rejoiced when Portola partnered with the esteemed San Francisco-founded brand to stock their baked goods case. The sizable cookie has a generous layer of chocolate throughout, a satisfying chew, and a sprinkle of sea salt that pairs perfectly with a pour-over. Available at all Portola locations in Orange County except Orange, portolacoffeelab.com and mrholmesbakehouse.com
4 Campitelli Cookies
Classic as can be, semi-sweet chocolate chip is just one of the many varieties offered at this shop, which recently expanded to Placentia after more than 30 years in Anaheim Hills. Made-to-order deli sandwiches are also popular. 1029 E. Imperial Highway, Placentia, 714-983-7463, campitellicookiesplacentia.com ; 5557 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills, 714-974-2884, campitellicookiesanaheim.com
5 Blackmarket Bakery
Crispy golden edges yield to a wholesome chew that’s not overly sweet. 2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714-662-3095; 211 N. Broadway, 714-571-0801; blackmarketbakery.com
6 Bristol Farms
Our mission was to find the best no-nut chocolate chip cookie in the county, but we broke our own rule for these 5.5-ounce behemoths with big walnut pieces. Baked throughout the day, they’re served warm and with so much chocolate that the center has no choice but to be gooey. 810 Avocado Ave, Newport Beach, 949-760-6514, bristolfarms.com
7 Cookie Element
This bakery founded in 2016 near the Nixon Library offers a cookie with crispy edges and a tender middle that fans of cookie dough will appreciate. 18166 Imperial Highway, Yorba Linda, 714-983-7083, thecookieelement.com
8 Pacific Whey Café
These cookies are large and flat with crispy edges and a chewy middle. Even better: after 6 p.m. on weekdays and 4:30 p.m. on Sundays, you can get your fix for half the price. 2622 San Miguel Drive, Newport Beach, 949-644-0303; South Coast Plaza, 714-641-9911; pacificwhey.com
9 Pain du Monde
Here’s the winner for fans of cakier cookies—it’s huge and flat with crispy edges and a soft middle. Fashion Island, 949-644-4835; 1000 SE Bristol St., Newport Beach, 949-553-1206; 3636 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, 949-732-1126; 2 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949-488-2330; pdmcafe.com
10 A Market
Our sample was fresh from the oven, pulled off the tall stack behind the glass of this picturesque bakery case stocked with countless other goodies. More cakey than chewy, and so large that we’re almost willing to share. 3400 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, 949-50-6515, amarketnb.com
11 B Candy
Both the output and creativity of baked goods here are staggering. The chocolate chip cookies alone are solid, but most impressive is that they bake extras of these babies to crumble into their Cookie Monster ice cream, along with house-made chunks of cookie dough and Oreos. 3100 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, 949-675-3910; Pacific City, Huntington Beach, 714-374-0866; bcandy.com
12 City Perk
Tucked away in a quiet live/work development with easy parking, this shop’s cookies are classic—good size, a little chew, and a bit of crispy crunch. 21 Vantis Drive, Aliso Viejo, 949-600-5169, cityperk.net
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