COOKIE CRAVINGS: “Everything is made from scratch, with fresh ingredients, and special recipes. We also have many gluten-free cookies, and we are nut-free.” Lauren Ariev Gellman, owner of Milk & Cookies, the popular Princeton cookie shop, center, is shown with daughters, Rose, left, and Audrey.

By Jean Stratton

The word is out. Milk & Cookies is a happy place!

Located at 14 Chambers Street, this delightful cookie shop offers an array of delicious cookies, brownies, and other treats guaranteed to tempt the taste buds.

Owner and baker Lauren Ariev Gellman is busy every day baking 200 to 300 cookies, all with fresh ingredients, and often incorporating her own special recipes.

“I’m always creating new cookies and flavors,” she reports. “Many of the cookies have crisp edges and soft middles. It’s personal taste as to the preferred texture — whether people like soft or crispy cookies. Tastes can be generational too.”

Special Treat

Baking for the family began Gellman’s journey into her own cookie shop, and she also recalls happy childhood days enjoying her grandmother’s fresh baked cookies as a special treat.

“My grandmother baked, and I liked eating her cookies. Then, when I had my own children, I started baking for them, and I found that I really enjoyed it.”

After her daughters Rose and Audrey headed to college, Gellman decided to branch out and share her baking professionally.

“I wanted to keep busy, and I decided to open a cookie delivery service in the Princeton area, especially catering for parties,” she recalls.

After a year and a half of a successful operation, the business’ growing popularity prompted her to launch her own “brick and mortar” establishment in 2018.

Opening to rave reviews, Milk & Cookies has established a singular niche on the Princeton shopping scene. Customers stop by at all hours of the day — and night (it’s open until 11 p.m.) — to satisfy their cookie cravings.

30 Different Kinds

“We are so encouraged, and I enjoy it so much,” says Gellman. “I like talking to the people who come in — we have so many regulars already. And I enjoy the baking and creating new cookies. On any given day, there are more than 30 different kinds.”

All ages are finding their way to the charming shop on Chambers Street. Kids arrive after school, and adults stop in throughout the day and evening. Everyone has a favorite, reports Gellman. “Chocolate Chip is No. 1, and London Foggies, baked with Earl Grey tea, with lemon glaze on top, are very popular too.

“Also, Coffee Toffee and Snickerdoodles have a big following. We also have an oatmeal raisin, Breakfast Oatmeal Raisin, made with applesauce and no sugar.”

Other favorites are Ginger Snaps and Ginger Chunks, and such intriguing choices as M & M, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Bark, Confetti, and Coffee Chip — among many other cookies.

And don’t forget the mouthwatering brownies! Totally irresistible to many customers, they are big sellers every day.

In addition, customers will find ice cream sandwiches, cookie shakes (milk shakes blended with cookies and ice cream), large cookie sheet cakes, and, most recently, homemade granola.

Lunch Favorites

Of course, what are cookies without milk? Whatever suits your taste — 1 percent, whole milk, skim, chocolate, almond, and soy milk are all available. Also, coffee, latte, cocoa, tea (hot or iced), lemonade, and bottled water are on the menu.

A new addition to the store is a selection of lunch favorites, such as paninis and soups. A grilled cheese sandwich paired with tomato bisque is a guaranteed “feel good” lunchtime tradition.

Catering has become an important part of the business, points out Gellman, and cookie trays are available in assorted sizes (and flavors) for a variety of events. As she says, “Our party trays make appearances at meetings and symposiums throughout town, including at Princeton University, and at parties, plays, dances, performances, recitals, etc.”

The cookies are also popular for kids to take to school, she explains, adding, “Our cookies have no nuts, so there are no worries about taking them to school or other events. Also, we have birthday parties at the shop for as many as 10 children, and we offer a personalized cookie cake, candles, even pizza, if they want it.”

Best Part

Delivery is available in the Princeton area, and, as Gellman notes, “We deliver to students studying for finals, to couples curled up in front of the TV, and to hungry families all over. The best part is that we are open late. The next time a craving strikes you, you can rest assured that we’ll be standing by with cookies and milk!”

Cookies are in two sizes: individual and mini. Individual (really a large cookie) is available at $2, and minis (a generous size) are $2 for three cookies. One dozen cookies are $20, a tray of 36 is $60, and a tray of 90 minis is $50. Sandwiches are $6.95 and up, and milk is $2.

Gift cards are available, as are special T-shirts, featuring the slogan: “Princeton’s Hometown Cookies.”

In addition to satisfying one’s own cookie craving, an offering from Milk & Cookies is a perfect hostess gift, Christmas remembrance, or thoughtful kindness for any occasion.

“Our cookies have even traveled all over the world, including to Europe, India, and China,” notes Gellman, adding “We want everyone to have a chance to sample our cookies. We are here to stay! We already have so many regular customers, and there has been great word-of-mouth in Princeton and beyond. We look forward to being here a long time and being part of the community.”

Wouldn’t a cookie taste good right now?

Hours are Monday through Friday 12 noon to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (603) 266-5437. Website: www.milkncookies.online.