Just a few years later, a batch of cookies whipped up for a baby shower has given way to a bustling business and national recognition.
Mother-daughter team Gina and Ashley Crabtree operates 2 Chicks and a Cookie, which made its debut in Uptown Westerville in spring 2014, almost a year after Gina began making custom cookie orders out of her home.
The roots of the small bakery lie with a baby shower for Ashley’s dance instructor. The intricate frosting designs on the cookies the duo made drew so much attention that other attendees suggested they sell them commercially.
That initial batch was inspired by a Pinterest page Ashley found, but she quickly began developing ideas all her own, and the two garner more interest by posting their custom designs on the bakery Facebook page.
“She’s very artistic,” says Gina.
Custom orders make up most of 2 Chicks and a Cookie’s business, though there are always pre-made cookies available for drop-in customers. Designs have ranged from company logos and beer labels to the Incredible Hulk and Sonic the Hedgehog.
“On the rare occasions that I have single decorated cookies, they go pretty quickly,” Gina says.
The transition from making cookies in their kitchen to having a small storefront came almost as rapidly. The spot at 20H S. State St., down a pedestrian alley just south of East College Avenue, opened up right as the Crabtrees were looking for the right location.
“It all kind of happened in a couple days,” says Gina.
The next big opportunity came to Gina and Ashley when 2 Chicks and a Cookie was chosen to contribute to the swag bags for the 2014 News and Documentary Emmy Awards. When Gina first heard from the organizers, she thought it was a hoax and looked up the company that contacted her.
“I didn’t know exactly what to think,” Gina says.
The 800-cookie order for the Emmy Awards was the company’s largest-ever order.
“The fact that we were chosen has helped validate the quality of the product for everyone else,” says Gina’s husband, Adrian.
2 Chicks and a Cookie was later invited to be part of the celebrity gifting suite at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Gina uses specialized tools to create the designs on some of the cookies, including an image projector for tracing and stencils made for airbrushing food coloring onto cookies. The decorated cookies are sugar cookies with vanilla frosting.
Francis Pellicciaro is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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2 Chicks and a Cookie’s Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
¾ cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ cup and 2 tsp. cocoa powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
1 cup chocolate ships
Powdered sugar (as desired)
Instructions
Cream the butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla.
Combine dry ingredients, then gradually add the creamed eggs, butter and sugar. Mix in the chocolate chips.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Scoop out large tablespoon-sized balls on a cookie sheet and bake 10-14 minutes or until baked completely.
When cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.
