Cindy Lou's Cookies is the delicious creation of Chef Cindy Kruse, a pastry chef with more than 20…read moreyears of experience creating exceptional desserts. After earning a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Boston University and studying at The Culinary Institute of America, Cindy joined the opening team at Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Las Vegas in 1992. Throughout her impressive career, she has worked alongside renowned chefs including Emeril Lagasse, Charlie Trotter, Charlie Palmer, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
In 2003, she co-created desserts for the Emmy Awards and later served as Executive Pastry Chef at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach before leading dessert production at Barton G. She has been recognized in publications such as Wine Spectator, Gourmet, People, and Pastry Arts Magazine.
Chef Kruse began baking her iconic oversized cookies full-time out of a garage in Coconut Grove in 2012. Five years later, she opened the first Cindy Lou's Cookies bakery in Miami's Little River neighborhood, where she continues to bake treats while also supplying local businesses and restaurants.
Parking is available in the lot just south of the building, next door to Vegan Cuban Cuisine. The moment you walk through the door, you're greeted by the most incredible aroma of freshly baked cookies and desserts. I received a warm welcome from the staff and was well taken care of throughout my visit with samples and suggestions.
Choosing what to order is no easy task. The display is filled with tempting cookies, bread pudding, cake slices, sweet breads, Rice Krispie treats, mini pies, and other irresistible desserts. I thought I had already made up my mind, but then they started offering samples, which completely changed my decision. In addition to their regular menu, they feature rotating seasonal and limited-time specials. They also serve coffee which is the perfect partner to their rich desserts.
I ended up with the Coconut Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie, the White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie, and the Toffee Bread Pudding. Before visiting Cindy Lou's, bread pudding wouldn't have even made my list of top ten desserts. After just one bite, I had to order it. It was rich, buttery, moist, and unforgettable. The cookies were equally impressive, thick, soft, loaded with flavor, and easily among the best I've ever had. They are on an entirely different level from the typical commercial cookie chains.
Thank goodness Cindy Lou's Cookies isn't closer to where I live, or I'd probably be diabetic. However I'll definitely be stopping back the next time I'm in the area. After all, a balanced diet is one cookie in each hand!