Hello Robin Cookies

Written by mojdeh on May 13, 2015 in I Eat Seattle, I Eat...Out with 0 Comments

(hellorobincookies.com) – Capitol Hill neighborhood, Seattle, Washington

How I heard of this place: It was on a foodie-friend’s list of sweet treats to try in Seattle. It made our list on this dreary Seattle day.

Type of cuisine: “Over the years, Robin had built a reputation on Capitol Hill for delicious baked goods. She won Best Classic Whoopie Pie two years running at the Oddfellows Whoopie Pie Bake-off. (The next year they gave up and made her a judge.)

She won top honors for “Overall Awesomeness” at the 2011 City Arts Pie Life competition and 1st place at the Crossroads Farmer’s Market bake off and has done baking stints at various Seattle restaurants.

Hello Robin Display Case

The demand for Robin’s cookies for school fund-raisers, bar mitzvahs and neighbors with an overly active sweet tooth had become too much for one residential kitchen. With some nudging from Molly, Robin gave in to popular demand and made the leap from home kitchen to retail storefront on the east side of Capitol Hill.

And Molly Moon’s walk-up window “scoop station” in front in now open seasonally from May to September.

And the rest of the space is devoted to Hello Robin’s delicious (and ambitious) cookies, coffee and other morning baked items (including a signature breakfast cookie that combines oatmeal, shredded carrots, mini chocolate chips, and other secret bits of deliciousness). Molly’s to-go pints are also available from the bakery year round.

About a dozen cookies flavors are featured each day. In addition to the basic staples such as classic chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and oatmeal, there’s also a selection geared toward a more mature palate, including habanero chocolate chip, curry and white chocolate, and other varieties your mother probably never ventured into. And, yes, there is always a gluten-free option.“

Ambiance: Reminiscent of other dessert staples in Seattle – including Trophy Cupcakes, Molly Moon’s, etc. –

the dreamy sky blue accents set against stark white, whimsically patterned space,

one novelty stands out: the creation of a home kitchen, where bakers are found chatting with patrons, sitting at the extensive wood-topped island.

Freshly thawed and ready for baking, tray after tray of cookie dough balls is placed in the oven to satisfy every customer walking through the doors. And there certainly was no shortage of patrons gracing the open square of a space.

What I ordered: To enjoy at the island, I selected the Molasses Cookie ($1.50), one of Robin’s personal favorites,

as well as the MackleS’more ($1.50) – fresh out of the oven and steaming with melty goodness.

My bakery cohort chose the Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cookie ($1.50) and the Lemon Poppy Seed ($1.50).

To take away, she also had the MackleS’more ($1.50), and the Bourbon Chocolate Chip ($1.50), while I chose the MackleS’more (for my husband, of course) and the Orange Habañero Chocolate Chip ($1.50).

On a return visit, Tuesday, 21 June 2016: A place like this is worth saving for a trip with my nephews. After a year, I finally had the opportunity to share the experience with them. We were delighted to see that the place was still here, first of all,

and secondly, the treats included ice cream

and cookies!

My younger nephew selected a small scoop of Melted Chocolate ice cream, while my older nephew indulged with a sammie: Classic Chocolate Chip on one side, Strawberries & Cream on the other, stuffed with Scout Mint ice cream ($5.45).

I couldn’t turn down Scout Mint ice cream, so I chose a Sammie with the Classic Chocolate Chip cookie and the Whole Wheat Fancy Chocolate Chip with Sea Salt.

What I loved: Ooey, gooey, fresh out of the oven taste, the abundant aroma of vanilla (from the waffle cones) and the spectator sport of watching tray after tray of freshly baked cookies make their way out onto the kitchen island.