Cookies are one of my favorite baked goods. I love cookies so much that I have a problem when it…read morecomes to eating cookies: I cannot stop and have a serious cookie volume problem. That's why I was extremely disappointed the two times I have tried Crumbl cookie and both were from different locations. The most recent was the one closest to my home, from the spot in Broomall. My older daughter LOVES their cookies. She sucks with food and generally doesn't know what's she's talking about when it comes to deliciousness. However, she brought a box home and insisted that in try their cookies again, and after some cajoling, she was able to annoy me into giving them another shot. Once again, I was unhappy I decided to try them. I have come to only one conclusion after repeated attempts to enjoy their stuff...that Crumbl cookies simply aren't good. They're just not good.
Yes, cookies alone, even just the concept makes them good and that's why there is some inherent value to their product. But these cookies are just dismal. There is nothing unique to them at all. They do offer some differing selection, but ninety percent of their "varieties" are simply sugar cookies with different icings or toppings piled on top. That is a flat cake with no rising agent and different sugar contents. They are also never hitting the sweet spot of texture in my opinion either; too dry and crumbly, or almost like uncooked dough inside was my experience on both occasions. If that's your thing, then you will probably love this, and that's great! Go support them. However, as a cookie lover, I cannot in good conscience, justify spending the insane amount they are asking for non-cookies that are just flavored icings on top of a sweet baked puck that lacks heart and soul, an essential part of what you can taste when you have a cookie that has had real love and effort put into it.
You can tell that Crumbl at one point had a vision that was wonderful. What it seems like is that it became a trendy place that then gained popularity due to its difference and its dedication to making everything hyper-sweet instead of truly savory and delicious, very much catering to the very young. There is nothing wrong with that, but I guarantee you somewhere along the way, the true bakers behind this brand lost their way, sold out to the hype, and it is now a apple-store clone sellout slinging crappy cookies that just aren't really "cookies". Unfortunately, I cannot recommend them for the desserts they offer, although their staff is very nice and excited about their products in my experience and their stores are very clean. Almost too clean, like pharmaceutical manufacturing bright white antibacterial clean blank spaces which is very off-putting.
Instead I would say make some cookies on your own and learn the beauties of making some of the best cookies you've ever had, or checking out some of the other parties in this same space. However, if you LOVE icing and gigantic monstrosities that are priced more like a full meal for a night out at restaurant, and really want that whole experience, this may be the place for you. As always, I am open to having my mind changed, but this has violated a core value I have with my beloved cookie, and after two tries, I still don't like the cookies or their model. Convince me otherwise! I would really like to enjoy them like everyone else seems to.
