Many students enjoy a sweet treat after a long week of classes or a meal on campus. One treat that’s always available is the cookie. I went to various dining halls to assess their cookies, ranging from vegan and seasonal varieties to classic chocolate chip.
8) Chocolate chip at EBI Dining Hall
I usually love a good chocolate chip cookie, but EBI’s was a letdown. It had a chalky texture and tasted quite bitter. It was packed with chocolate chips, but that wasn’t enough to change my opinion.
Rating: 4/10
7) Chocolate chip at Suzie’s Café at MRB III
Suzie’s is a campus hotspot with a history of its own. Along with a variety of beverages and snacks, they offer cookies that pair well with coffee or tea. I tried their chocolate chip cookie, which was soft but lacked flavor. While the balance of chocolate chips was good, the overall taste was just okay.
Rating: 5/10
6) Pumpkin chocolate chip at Café Carmichael
I was lucky enough to try Carmichael’s seasonal pumpkin chocolate chip cookie, which promised a comforting mix of fall flavors. The cookie had a pleasant pumpkin aroma, but the taste was disappointing. It mostly tasted like chocolate chips with, oddly enough, a subtle hint of mint. While I wanted to like it, I wasn’t much of a fan.
Rating: 6/10
5) Oatmeal cranberry at EBI Dining Hall
EBI offers an assortment of cookies, and I tried the oatmeal cranberry, double chocolate and chocolate chip varieties. The oatmeal cranberry cookie was crunchy and chewy, with a subtle cinnamon undertone that gave it a nice fall vibe. While it lacked cranberries, I didn’t mind it.
Rating: 6.5/10
4) Double chocolate chip at EBI Dining Hall
The double chocolate chip cookie was incredibly soft, which I loved. It was rich and packed with chocolate chunks — a dream for anyone with a sweet tooth. While I don’t have much of a sweet tooth myself, I still found it to be a good cookie.
Rating: 7/10
3) Vegan chocolate chip at Commons Dining Hall
Commons offers a variety of cookies, from vegan chocolate chip to classic sugar cookies — there’s something for everyone. I tried the vegan chocolate chip and was impressed. If the sign hadn’t said “vegan,” I never would’ve known. It was soft, though a bit dry, and there weren’t a lot of chocolate chips. Still, it was a decent cookie, especially for those seeking a vegan option.
Rating: 7.5/10
2) Sugar cookie at Commons Dining Hall
The sugar cookie had a shiny, glimmering surface and a classic, enjoyable taste. The perfect combination of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside made it stand out.
Rating: 9/10
1) The “Rand cookie”
The Rand cookie is a campus favorite for a reason. It’s a generously-sized chocolate chip cookie that compliments any meal from Rand. The outside is crunchy while the center is soft. It has a good cookie-to-chocolate chip ratio, which I appreciate. All of these qualities make the Rand cookie an ideal sweet treat before, between or after classes.
Rating: 10/10
Just remember: it’s important to treat yourself throughout the school year — whether it’s with a cookie or cupcake.