Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (2024)

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posted by TidyMomon September 7, 2014 (updated Nov 9, 2022) 28 comments »

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With this copycat recipe, you can now have Berger Cookies from your own kitchen in any city.A soft vanilla cookie, topped with a thick fudge-like frosting has long been a cultural icon of Baltimore.

Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (1)
Unless you have some kind of super-human willpower, you’re going to find these cake-likecookies hard to resist. Not only is the soft shortbread cookie melt in your mouth tender but then you have the fudge-like frosting……….and yes, the frosting is supposed to be as thick as the cookie. The cookie and frosting share the spotlight in Baltimore’s famous cookies!

Now, I’ve never been to Baltimore, but I recently found out they have beenhiding an oh-so-decadent little secret there for generations; Berger Cookies. Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

What Are Berger Cookies?

The Berger cookie’s claim to fame is a thick little soft cookie topped with agenerous helping of super sweet chocolate fudge. If you are a cookie lover who also adores fudge you are going to fall in love with the sheer girth of this fudge like frosting that commands attention!

Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (3)

Don’t live in or near Baltimore? No worry, thanks to the team at King Arthur Flouryou can find them in your own kitchen! They say they have come up with a Copycat Berger Cookie Recipethat is VERY close to the original.

“While the fudge icing for these cookies is missing the original Berger cookies’ signature taste (think Hostess cupcake icing), we feel its consistency is identical, and its deep chocolate flavor perfect with its vanilla cookie base.” ~King Arthur Flour

The Best Way To Frost Berger Cookies

We took some video with my phone while we were frosting these Berger cookies, so Imade a little video to show you how we did it.

Grab An Apron…..we’re going to make Berger Cookies

Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (4)

Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe

Yield: 28-30 2.5-inch cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

A soft vanilla cookie, topped with a thick fudge-like frosting has long been a cultural icon of Baltimore.

Ingredients

For Cookies

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup milk

For Frosting

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

To Make Cookies

  1. Heat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
  2. In a large bowl, beat butter, salt, vanilla, and baking powder until well combined. Add sugar then egg and continue beating.
  3. Slowly add 1/3 of the flour then 1/2 the milk. Gently beating continue adding remaining flour, and milk alternating just until combined. Do not over beat.
  4. Drop tablespoon size dollops of cookie dough on prepared pan, leaving about 3 inches between each cookie. Flatten each cookie with a greased or wet bottom of a glass, yielding a circle about 1-1/2 inches across.
  5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly brown on bottom (no color change on top of cookie). Do not over bake, these are soft cookies. Remove from oven, cool for 5 minutes on pan, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

To make frostingPlace chocolate chips, corn syrup, vanilla and cream in large microwave-safe bowl. Heat mixture on high for 1 minute, stir and cook on high for another 30 seconds. Stir until well combined. This may take a bit, but as you continue to stir it will eventually all come together into a creamy chocolate ganache mixture. Add powdered sugar and beat with electric mixer on high until thick frosting consistency. Set aside to cool to warm room temperature.To assemble

  1. Working quickly dip the flat bottom of cooled cookies into frosting (your hands are going to get messy here). Make sure to give the cookie a good coating of frosting and set on parchment paper, frosting side up. After all cookies have been dipped, spread remaining frosting evenly atop the cookies. The frosting should be as thick as the cookie. Allow to set (we thought they were best after setting several hours)
  2. Store in a single layer in an airtight container.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (5)

Have you ever had an original Berger Cookie?

Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (6)

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Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (11)

Hi there, I'm Cheryl!

As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...

Tidymom is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Please respect my work, recipes and photographs. If you do use a recipe in your own writing, please give proper credit and link back to the original post.

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originally published on September 7, 2014 (last updated Nov 9, 2022)

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28 comments on “Baltimore’s Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe”

  1. Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. Reply

    love these! pinned!!

  2. Cindy Eikenberg Reply

    Hi Cheryl! I was born and raised in Baltimore and still live in Maryland – my husband LOVES Berger cookies! So excited to try these! Thanks for sharing the recipe (they look absolutely awesome, by the way) and pinning! Have a happy Monday!

  3. Kate @ Diethood Reply

    I’ve heard about these, but have never had them. I can definitely see why everyone loves them!! That frosting, though… I’d eat it by the spoonfuls!!

  4. Gina Reply

    I have never had one before – but they look fabulous. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try Cheryl.

  5. Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction Reply

    Love that thick layer of fudge frosting!

  6. Marly Reply

    These cookies looks delicious…and love that video too!

  7. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen Reply

    These cookies look totally irresistible! I want to stop everything and bake them now!

  8. Lori @ RecipeGirl Reply

    My family would love these cookies! So awesome!

  9. Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch Reply

    Oh my goodness these look AMAZING! I want one now!

  10. Angie | Big Bear's Wife Reply

    You have no idea as to how much I want one of these!!

  11. Patty Reply

    My husband is from Baltimore but never heard of these cookies. He now lives in Connecticut and I promised to make them for him. Thank you for sharing.

  12. Debrah Reply

    Oh my, they look delicious!

  13. Shaina Reply

    I blame you for all my cookie cravings.

  14. Kim Layton Reply

    This got my attention! Yum…I’m saving this one! Oh, and your photos look like something in a food magazine. Great job!

    ~Kim

  15. Kat@Home. Made. Interest. Reply

    yum! I love Berger cookies!! Definitely trying this recipe. Pinned!

  16. Sue {munchkin munchies} Reply

    Guess what?!? I am going to Baltimore in October, to help with a new grandchild, and I am going to hunt these down…when I’m not changing diapers, haha! Great timing…and then with your recipe I can make my own. 🙂

    • TidyMom Reply

      first of all CONGRATS on the new baby!! let me know how the originals compare if you make them too 😉

  17. Holly (2 Kids and Tired) Reply

    I’ve never heard of a Berger cookie, but these look absolutely delicious. Pinning to try!

  18. Cheri Reply

    OMG. I haven’t seen these cookies in years. As a little girl we had a german neighbor who used to always make these for us but would never give us the recipe. I cannot believe I found this recipe. You have a NEW follower for life!!! :):)

  19. Ann Reply

    We are from the Baltimore area but no longer live there. I can’t wait to try this recipe to see if it comes close. We miss Berger’s.

  20. Aly Reply

    Baltimore girl born and raised. I’ve made this recipe before,they are tasty

  21. mad sad Reply

    yummy that cookies

  22. Aly Reply

    Oh, I just saw my comment never submitted properly last time. I meant to say that the cookies, while tasty, are not at all close to the originals. I am still looking for that perfect match. 😀

  23. Victoria Reply

    Born and was raised in maryland. I made these tonight and I hate to say it they tastep nothing like berger cookies. I was sadly dissapointed 🙁 even the frosting was way off

    • TidyMom Reply

      I’ve never had the original, but we loved this cookie

  24. Jessica Reply

    This cookie is not close to the original, it’s the frosting that is really off. I think maybe milk chocolate might have been better. My husband is from Baltimore and I had some originals here so was sad that it was not like the original but I appreciate sharing a recipe, just wouldn’t call these copycats.

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Baltimore's Famous Berger Cookies Copycat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the official cookie of Maryland? ›

Berger cookies are a symbol of Maryland, and if you haven't had one you need to try them! Check out all our United States of Cookies recipes here. Recipe and photo courtesy of Kat & Melinda from Homemade Interest.

What are Berger cookies made of? ›

To make the cookies: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, salt, vanilla, and baking powder. Beat in the sugar, then the egg. Add the flour to the wet ingredients alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Do this gently; there's no need to beat the batter.

Who invented Berger cookies? ›

The history of Bergers Cookies began in 1835, when German immigrant Henry Berger arrived in the United States. A baker by trade, Henry came to The Land of Opportunity to follow his dreams, and soon opened a bakery in East Baltimore.

What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›

Nearly 93% of all American households serve and enjoy cookies as treats or after meals. However, it's the chocolate chip cookie that's the most popular in the U.S. and around the world. How much do youknow about chocolate chip cookies?

Why are Maryland cookies so good? ›

Maryland Cookies were launched in the UK, believe it or not, in 1956. It appears that the new baking technology allowing chocolate to be 'built into' the biscuit caused a great deal of excitement – this really was a whole new taste and mouth – feel experience.

What is the history of Maryland cookies? ›

Background information. Maryland cookies were first produced by Lyons in 1956 through its Blackpool subsidiary Symbol Biscuits. At the end of 1994, Lyons Biscuits was sold to Hillsdown Holdings, which in turn was acquired in 1999 by Hicks Muse Tate & Furst.

What are 7 layer cookies made of? ›

They are called Seven-Layer Cookies because there are seven basic ingredients that are layered one by one in the order in which they appear in the recipe below: butter, graham cracker crumbs, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, sweetened condensed milk, and chopped pecans.

What is Baltimore State dessert? ›

Smith Island Cake, Maryland State Dessert.

Are Berger cookies only in Maryland? ›

The cookies have remained popular for over 180 years, and they're still made in Baltimore. Despite their popularity in their hometown, though, Berger cookies never spread far. To this day, they're only sold in Baltimore and the Washington D.C. area.

What's the most eaten cookie? ›

What is America's favorite cookie flavor? While Americans enjoy an incredible variety of cookies, chocolate chip is the most popular.

What is Baltimore City known for? ›

There are plenty of things to do in Baltimore, thanks to its thriving arts culture, world-class sports teams, and unmatched museums. Most Americans wouldn't consider Charm City (a common nickname) a major place to visit, but its spectacular waterfront views and rich history make this city a must to explore.

Can you freeze burger cookies? ›

Yes, you can freeze berger cookies so you always have a stash on hand! Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet for 2-3 hours first, then transfer them to an airtight container or ziploc bag for longer term storage. They will be good for 2-3 months if kept in the freezer.

What is the official Maryland dessert? ›

Effective October 1, 2008, the Smith Island Cake became the State Dessert of Maryland (Chapters 164 & 165, Acts of 2008; Code General Provisions Article, sec. 7-313). Traditionally, the cake consists of eight to ten layers of yellow cake with chocolate frosting between each layer and slathered over the whole.

What are Maryland cookies called? ›

Maryland Cookies, named for the US state, are a brand name of cookie produced by Burton's Biscuit Company in the United Kingdom.

Are chips Ahoy and Maryland cookies the same? ›

Chips Ahoy! mini chocolate chip cookies are made with real milk chocolate. America's answer to Maryland cookies, these are 'to-die-for'! Also available in a chewy version, perfect for adding to desserts!

Do they sell Maryland cookies in America? ›

Amazon.com: Maryland Double Chocolate Cookies - 145g - Pack of 4 (145g x 4) : Grocery & Gourmet Food.

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