May 23, 2014 at 4:52 p.m.
Northwoods baker invents cookie pies
Northwoods baker invents cookie pies
By Kayla Thomason-
Haley Bambrough, owner of Mama's Cookie Pies, developed the treat by accident.
"A coworker of mine had suggested to try a pistachio cookie and I'm like 'what am I going to do with pistachio, I have no clue,'" Bambrough said. "I sat down, thought about it, and I'm like "pistachio pie, oh make a little cookie pie using the cupcake pans,' and it just blossomed from there."
Bambrough now sells the cookie pies exclusively at Stage Left Cafe but plans to branch out to flea markets after she receives her food processor license.
When she first started selling her desserts Bambrough would sell a dozen every 10 days, but now she goes through a dozen in a week.
Bambrough bakes the cookie pies in a cupcake tin. They are approximately the size of a muffin but not as tall.
Between prepping, baking and decorating, it takes Bambrough about an hour to make a dozen desserts.
She makes the crust separately like a pie, creates the filling, pours it in the crust, adds a bit of cookie dough and bakes it.
That may sound like an overdose of sweetness but the dough is actually made with whole wheat flour and flax seed to reduce the sugar content.
Cookie pies are also available for those who do not consume dairy and Bambrough is working to gluten-free cookie pies as well.
Lori Hext of Stage Left Cafe is a fan of the cookie pies.
"I know she likes to bake and she used to bring us stuff all the time and these things are delicious," she said.
Stage Left sells three flavors at a time, rotating them out each week.
The most popular flavors are the Andes Candies cookie pies and the Peanut Butter Cup. Other big sellers are the various candy-flavored ones.
If people want something that isn't based off a candy bar, Mama's Cookie Pies also has traditional pie flavors, birthday cake and cheesecake, among others.
Mocha Caramel Cappuccino is new, it has a hazelnut mocha spread in the middle with caramel poured on the top with mocha frosting.
Another new flavor is Strawberry Bon Bon which is a strawberry cookie with marshmallow in the middle, strawberry cream frosting on top drizzled with marshmallow.
Bambrough also makes a red, white and blueberry cookie pie for the Fourth of July.
"As soon as [the customers] try them they love them," Hext said. "A lot of people take one bite and they're just 'Oh my god that's the best cookie I've ever had,' so a lot of times if someone comes in here and sits down and has one for dessert they usually end up getting a couple to take home too."
Bambrough is open to flavor suggestions. If someone suggests a particular cookie pie and the flavor is a hit, she will let the creator name it.
"If someone has an idea that I haven't thought of, tell me what your suggestions are, I'll see if I can make it and then you can help me name it," she said.
Bambrough is pursuing a degree in business management so she can fulfill her dream of opening a shop in Wausau. At present, Stage Left is the only place in Rhinelander that sells the treats.
"My ultimate goal, within the next 10 years, is to have a large factory and just distribute them all over," Bambrough said.
She's expanding to online commerce as well. Mama's Cookie Pies will be sold online.
Eleven of the top flavors will be available on her website, with the 12th one rotating out each week.
Visit www.mamascookiepies.com for a sampling of flavor options.
Cookie Pies sell for $1.99 a piece.
To place an order or offer a flavor suggestion, call Bambrough at (715) 966-2212 or email [email protected].
Stage Left is located at 25 S. Brown St. in Rhinelander and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.