Berger Cookies facts for kids
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| Type | Cookie |
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| Created by | DeBaufre Bakeries |
Berger Cookies are a special kind of cookie made by a company called DeBaufre Bakeries. These cookies are famous for their super thick layer of chocolate fudge on top. This chocolate topping comes from an old German recipe. Berger Cookies are a well-loved treat and a cultural symbol in Baltimore, Maryland.
Contents
The Sweet Story of Berger Cookies
How Berger Cookies Began
The idea for Berger Cookies came from Germany. Two brothers, George and Henry Berger, brought their cookie recipe to America in 1835. Henry Berger opened a bakery in East Baltimore. Later, his son, also named Henry, took over the family business.
Henry's two brothers, George and Otto, also started their own bakeries. Around 1900, Otto passed away. Then, George and Henry decided to combine their bakeries. They called their new joint business 'Bergers'. As new baking technology came out, their bakery grew bigger and better. Eventually, Henry died, and George became the only owner of the bakery.
New Owners Take Over
When George Berger decided to retire, he sold his bakery and the secret cookie recipe. The new owner was Charles E. Russell. Later, Charles's son, Charles Jr., took charge when his father retired. Charles Jr. and his sons, Charles III and Dennis, kept the business going even during tough times like the Great Depression.
During this time, two brothers, Charles and Benjamin DeBaufre, worked at the bakery. In 1967, Charles Jr. retired, leaving the bakery to Charles III and Dennis. Meanwhile, the DeBaufre brothers left to start their own company, DeBaufre Bakeries Inc. Their new bakery had a difficult start, but they worked hard to make it successful.
DeBaufre Bakeries and Berger Cookies
DeBaufre Bakeries eventually earned enough money to buy Berger's from the Russell family in 1969. This meant the DeBaufre family now owned the famous Berger Cookie recipe. In 1978, Charles DeBaufre Jr., Charles Sr.'s son, bought a part of the business.
Charles Sr. passed away in 1988. Ownership then went to Benjamin, Charles Jr., and John Koehler. In 1994, Benjamin retired, and Charles Jr. became the sole owner of Berger Cookies. He was still running the successful business in 2019, keeping the delicious tradition alive.
Making and Selling Berger Cookies
What Makes Them Special
Berger Cookies are famous for their thick chocolate frosting. This rich fudge is layered on top of a soft, cake-like shortbread cookie. The unique recipe has won many awards in the Baltimore area. For example, it won the "Best of Baltimore Award" and the "Best Cookie" award in 2011.
These cookies have also been featured on popular TV shows. You might have seen them on The Baltimore Sun, The View, Rachael Ray, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate on the Food Network.
How They Are Made
Berger Cookies are made by hand in a small factory. This factory is located in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore. In 2013, about four employees dipped around 36,000 cookies every single day! The original recipe, created by Henry Berger way back in 1835, is still used today.
In early 2012, DeBaufre Bakeries had annual sales of about $2.5 million. A huge 98% of those sales came from Berger Cookies!
Special Flavors and Changes
In February 2012, the company tried something new. They made a limited number of cookies in three special flavors: strawberry, lemon, and rum. They hadn't made these flavors since 1972! This was a special edition to boost sales during a slower month. It was only for one week and not meant to be a permanent change.
In January 2013, the bakery had a temporary closure. This was because they needed to update their operating license. The bakery quickly got the correct licenses. Production of the cookies started again on March 5, 2013.
In November 2013, Charles DeBaufre, Jr., the owner, talked about a possible change. The FDA was thinking about banning certain fats. This could have affected the taste of Berger Cookies. The main ingredients, margarine and fudge, contained these fats. Making the cookies without them was difficult. However, by November 2017, the fudge supplier had already changed their recipe. They removed the fats, and the cookies still tasted the same!
