How Sweet They Are
In a world full of #fancyfood, how refreshing it is to tune in to the #authentic aroma and taste of freshly baked traditional cookies.
“It doesn’t always have to be glamourous,” says Clare Jerome, namesake and co-owner of Clarabell Cookies, whose flagship store opened in Gulf Gate last August. “Something is charming about a cookie that just looks and tastes homemade.”
Clarabell cookies are beautiful, BTW, just not in an In-sta-obsessed way. These cookies transcend any pleasure one might feel from “looking” at a decorated cookie, offering a feeling of comfort one could easily recall from baking with family or at least enjoying their baked goods.
“When I smell and see these, I remember Grammy baking for me,” says Jerome. “It’s really what I wanted to convey.”
The Clarabell intention shines through: the perfect combo of taste and texture. The cookies portray just the right amount of sweetness and don’t leave you sugared out. It took Jerome and her business partner and brother, Gates Jerome, seven and a half months of intense initial recipe development and intentional ingredient sourcing to create the perfect premium cookie. Clare says they take pride in every ingredient sourced in America and plan to remain patriotic in all ways possible.
“Our chocolate chips come from an old family business in California; our eggs and butter are spectacular. Our vanilla extract—the highest quality; we use pink sea salt,” says Clare Jerome. “Every ingredient is the best quality we can find.”
The Jerome duo’s foray into the cookie biz started when the two decided to leave gloomy New England and New York City in pursuit of sunshine and happiness. The siblings were looking for a way to start a family business that could offer a fulfilling lifestyle in a location they could lay roots. After a two-day drive around Florida, a visit to Siesta Key Beach secured their decision to settle in Sarasota. Once they decided on a home, they secured their sweet business idea.
“Everybody’s happy here, and I thought ‘What we can add to this gorgeous state? Premium cookies,’” says Clare.
The Clarabell Cookie lineup includes a host of traditional cookie flavors, including Double Dark, Oatmeal, Walnut, Peanut Butter, and Snickerdoodle. In addition, the Jeromes have perfected a gluten- free walnut cookie that is celiac friendly and—ahem—tastes good! The cookie to highlight, however, is the Caliente, inspired by a beloved taco joint around the corner. It’s the Jeromes’ take on a Mexican hot chocolate and is sweet and spiced with the slightest bit of heat (trust me, it’s not too spicy).
Although the Mall Drive location is currently the only Clarabell Cookie storefront, that is bound to change quickly as the Jeromes plan to add more locations within the year. You can also find them at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Wednesdays), and they are open to partnerships and collaborations.
Whether you had a childhood filled with freshly baked cookies or not, it’s worth visiting the Clarabell shop. The décor, the cookies, and the convo are bound to make your day. As is the warm and welcoming Clare behind the counter.
“Because every day is a gift, and here’s something to enjoy.”
>Clarabell Cookies: 2661 Mall Drive, Sarasota. clarabellcookies.com
