Best Cookie Spots in Des Moines, Iowa

Craving a delicious cookie but don’t feel like baking? The Des Moines area has lots of great cookie places to choose from whether you want a large cake like a cookie, a stuffed cookie, pan dulce, or even a cup of cookie dough. My boys and I set out to find the top cookie spots in the metro and here are some of our favorite spots to grab the best cookies in greater Des Moines.

Bookmark some of these other fun foodie posts:

Cookies spots in Des Moines, Cookies, Des Moines, Iowa, bakeries, cookies

The Bake Shoppe

Address: 6611 University Avenue Suite 102, Windsor Heights, IA 50324

Phone: (515) 255-2253

The Bake Shoppe has a variety of bread, cakes, great cookies, pies, and pastries. They are famous for their Original Champagne Cake and I’ve been told their Challah Bread is a must-try. This is the best place to by all the sweet treats you are craving. They have a variety of classic cookies as well as seasonal cookies. I buy a great assortment plate of Christmas cookies from them every year and our favorite classic cookie is their Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. Do not forget about the Monster Cookie too!

We had to return for “research” purposes, but I couldn’t get my 4 and 1-year-old to try a cookie for their review. Instead, they chose a chocolate cupcake which was instantly devoured. My 4-year-old tends to pick the frosting off whenever he eats a cupcake but not this time!

ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery

Address: 3615 6th Ave, Des Moines

Phone: (515) 282-4059

Once a licensed home bakery ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery is known for its custom-designed cookies, cheesecakes, quick bread, bars, and pies. They recently took over the classic Hiland Bakery in the Highland Park Neighborhood. They now serve gluten-conscious, dairy-free, and vegan. If you tend to make “Pinterest Fail” designs like me, ChaCha’s offers cookie workshops to learn how to decorate at local businesses around the metro including Creme a dessert lounge and cake shop. Check out their website for menu and class availability. People rave about their adorable cookies and great customer service and we love to support local bakers!

Cookies & Dreams

Address: 1345 SW Park Square Drive, Suite 100, Ankeny, IA 50023

Phone: (515) 289-3851

Cookies & Dreams is a woman-owned bakery that has multiple locations in the Midwest. They also ship nationwide. They offer 10-12 varieties of cookies at a time that range from seasonal, to classic, and even stuffed cookies. They are bigger cookies at 5-7 ounces each and soft and chewy. My sons and I tried their OG Chocolate Chip, which is lightly sprinkled on top with sea salt and I loved the combination of sweet and salty. We also tried the Space Brownie which is a chocolate cookie topped with ganache and M&M’s as well as Double Trouble, which was my first stuffed cookie.  After biting into it there’s an entire Oreo and creamy peanut butter in the middle. It’s a dream cookie for someone with a sweet tooth like me!

4-year-old review: “I like the chocolate chip because it’s really chocolate chippy.”

1-year-old review: “Yep! Good!”

Address: Ankeny, IA

Phone: (515) 290-7177

The Cookie Jar is a home-based bakery specializing in custom cookies for baby showers, birthdays, weddings, and other occasions. Customers rave that they are soft, delicious sugar cookies that are works of art. They make adorable seasonal cookies as well. Follow them on Facebook to be notified about pre-sale events, discounts, and current offerings.

Crumbl Cookies

Address: Ankeny Location at 802 SE Oralabor Rd Suite 108 Ankeny, IA 50021

Phone: (515) 650-8361

Address: West Des Moines at 5585 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: (515) 585-0611

Crumbl Cookies is a franchise bakery featuring a rotating menu of cookies. They have been so popular in the Des Moines area they just recently opened a second location!

Their classic milk chocolate chip cookies are on the menu every week and their pink sugar cookie is a semi-permanent item. Each week their menu changes and features different gourmet cookies that can be purchased in a single box, 4-pack, 6-pack or 12-pack box. They can be purchased in-store, delivered, or shipped. One of my amazing neighbors first introduced them to me and now I’m hooked. They are large cookies and almost like eating a thicker cookie cake. I enjoyed most of the flavors that I tried but especially their chocolate cookies.

My review: *Hiding in my pantry eating the chocolate cookie so I can have it to myself. *

My 1 and 4-year-old reviews: “More cookie!” As they devour their piece of chocolate chip cookie with their fingers full of chocolate.

Dough Crazy

Address: 1220 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 5030

Phone: 515-661-9287

When I’m making cookies with my sons, they want to eat the cookie dough but I’m always worried about the raw eggs. Welcome Dough Crazy where you can safely eat your favorite cookie dough due to their use of heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs. They have a storefront as well as a food truck and a variety of flavors with special flavors that change each month. Dough Crazy also has a variety of dough treats like dough pops and ice cream. They are known for their friendly atmosphere and many people recommend their “sampler pack.” The only suggestion I’ve heard is that people want bigger sizes!

Echo’s Cookies

Address: 272 West Hickman, Waukee, IA

Phone: (515) 508-1273

Echo’s Cookies makes a variety of goodies including cookies, cookie cakes, and other seasonal items. They now share a space with Euphoria Cakes which offers custom cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, and other treats. Echo’s is known for its cinnamon rolls, which many have called the best in Iowa. Many people rave about their chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies and they have a vending machine outside of their business so you can get a treat anytime you have a craving.

Eileen’s Colossal Cookies

Address: 7222 University Ave., Windsor Heights, IA 50324

Phone: 515-630-0604

Eileen’s Colossal Cookies is a franchise bakery with locations throughout the Midwest. Their cookies are made daily in 13 different flavors and they have decorated cookies available in their case according to the season. They also specialize in large, decorated cookies. I love that their cookies are soft and taste fresh and the frosting is light and fluffy. They will make your taste buds happy! When we visited, we also got a tip that they have special deals on Wednesdays so this would be a great day to check them out!

4-year-old review: “It’s good! It’s so sweet!”

1-year-old review: “Um, sure! Good!”

Insomnia Cookies

Address: 405 Court Ave., Des Moines

Phone: (515) 478-3475

If you are in downtown Des Moines you do not want to miss out on Insomnia Cookies. They offer cookie delivery and deliver warm cookies straight to your doorstep and are open really late, hence the name.

Lara’s Bakery and Market

Address: 1800 NW 86th Street, Clive, IA 50325

Phone: (515) 276-5589

Lara’s Bakery and Market is a Mexican grocery store and bakery known for their pan dulce (sweet bread like conchas) and Mexican food like carnitas and birria. Grab a pair of tongs, fill up a tray, and then take your pastries to the counter where they will bag them for you. They have lots of different cookies including Marranitos (Mexican gingerbread pig-shaped cookies) which are best served with milk or coffee, sprinkle cookies, and chocolate cookies. We also tried a great Guatemalan pastry recommended to us by another customer.

4-year-old review: “It has good sugar and good stuff in it!”

1-year-old review: *Nods head” while eating a cookie topped with mini chocolate chips.

You Bake Me Happy, LLC

Address: West Des Moines, IA

Phone: (515) 710-0940

You Bake Me Happy, LLC is a home-based bakery specializing in frosted cut-out cookies. I have purchased plain Valentine’s Day cookies the last two years for my son’s class to decorate and the kids have enjoyed her soft, large cookies. She is easy to work with, responds quickly and customers say the cookies are delicious and look beautiful.

These are just some of the great local offerings in the Des Moines Metro. Let us know your favorite cookie shop!