Viral "crookie" dessert hits Philadelphia
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That's the way the crookie crumbles. Photo: Isaac Avilucea/Axios
There's a new viral dessert in town: the croissant-cookie mash-up better known as a "crookie."
Why it matters: After the fused Frankenstein of "food porn" blew up on TikTok, several Philadelphia bakeries came up with their own concoctions to feed all you crookie monsters.
Catch up quick: Parisian pastry chef Stéphane Louvard created the crookie more than a year ago in the quiet comforts of his bakery.
- He sold a dozen or so a day, but after a food guide featured them on TikTok, the influencers took notice.
- Soon Louvard couldn't make enough of his signature dessert to satisfy demand, per the New York Times.
Zoom in: Back in Philly, I found several local bakeries jumping in on the crookie phenomenon, including Sofi Corner Cafe in Washington Square West.
- So I had to figure out if this was all just hybrid hype.
Reality check: I'm a born contrarian. Anytime tons of people exclaim "delicious," I get a little bit suspicious.
The verdict: Excuse my French, but the crookie ($16 with an iced coffee) was an effing ballet on my palette.
- Flaky and fluffy, the dough of the croissant absorbed the overpowering sweetness of the chocolate chips.
- Then the chewy layer of the cookie was a perfect partner in this delectable dance.
The bottom line: Consider this contrarian a crookie convert.
Where else to find them: Sam Shaw's Treatery and Elegance Cafe in Wayne.