Buy a Cookie from Your Favorite Broadway Star

Disclosure: I LOVE Schmakary's. I've tried at least half of their cookie flavors and merely walking into their shop and inhaling the aromas of fresh-baked cookies makes me smile. I also love their strong ties to the local Broadway community.

So it only makes sense that if they were going to do a fundraiser, it would be for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS--a wonderful organization that practically all of the Broadway productions get behind twice a year to raise money for people afflicted with the terrible disease.

Join them for the third annual BROADWAY BAKES 2015, and come watch your favorite Broadway stars play cookie peddlers just for you! From May 25-29, 2015, from 3-7pm, over 20 of the biggest names on Broadway (Audra McDonald came last year!) will join together to work behind the counter at Schmackary’s selling delicious cookies.

Half the proceeds from cookies sales and 100-percent of the tips generated while the Broadway stars are working at Schmackary’s will go directly to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Over the last 2 years, this event has helped raise more than $25,000 for the organization.

Here are some photos from last year:

AWESOME ALERT: Macaron Day is TODAY!!!

One of my favorite days of the year is the day when the most elegant of cookies, the macaron, are given away en masse throughout the city. And guess what? (your day is about to get amazing..................)....................FREE MACARON DAY IS TODAY!

There are 15 participating locations in NYC (Gothamist has a helpful Google map if you want to try and get to all of them), and since I work in Midtown East I'll most likely hit up the Bernardaud store for MadMac macarons, FP Patisserie, and Macaron Cafe. All proceeds from further macaron sale will go to City Harvest.

Yummmmmmmmmmmmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Macaron Gratuit (AKA: Free Macarons!)

Ever since attempting to make macarons on my own have I come to appreciate the beauty of a perfectly made little sandwich cookie. These guys are HARD to make and that's why they come with the hefty price tag you've no doubt seen at dozens of macaron bakeries that have popped up around the city in the past year.

So imagine my glee when I discovered that ALL 11 Financier Patisserie locations are giving away free macarons tomorrow 3/1 at 10:30 am. To get yours, you just need to show your loyalty card, which you can get from their website for free. From the email I received, it seems that supplies are limited so make sure to get there early if you want to taste some sweet goodness. If you miss the macarons, I'd highly recommend any thing else in their pastry display. Seriously, it's all good.

AWESOME ALERT: Free Insomnia Cookies on the Upper East Side

Out to prove that cupcakes and macarons aren't the only kings of the dessert world, Insomnia Cookies is doing a mighty fine job of balancing out the top of the NYC sweets pyramid with their ooey gooey cookies. Even better, they deliver into the wee hours of the night, proving that it's never not time for a Snickerdoodle or White Chocolate Macadamia Nut (my favorite! hint hint!).

No newcomer to the sugar scene, the cookie chain launched at UPenn in 2003 is opening their 4th NYC store on the Upper East Side (1579 2nd Ave at 82nd Street) and celebrating with a Grand Opening December 14-18. The best part....they want all Awesome in New York readers to have a free cookie on the house! Just print out the coupon below, bring it into the new store and pick your favorite flavor! It's that easy! And feel free to tell all your friends and family as well -- you wouldn't want to be responsible for hoarding a secret about free sweets around the holidays would you?

Check out Insomnia Cookies on Twitter and Facebook for future cookie news.

Cocoa Loko

Let's just get to the point. The hot chocolate at City Bakery might as well be crack (or that banned drink referenced in the title of this post). It's the definition of awesome and it's addicting.

For some reason that I'm kicking myself for, I'd never been to the rather large bakery just north of Union Square. Upon entering, my nostrils were besieged by the aromas of fresh baked [insert something chocolate-y and amazing] and I surrendered to the sweet gluttony of everything on display.

I didn't just aimlessly wander into this temple of sugar, but rather I was on a mission. It's February, and that can only mean one thing - the Hot Chocolate Festival at City Bakery is in full swing. On the day I was there, Caramel Hot Chocolate was the flavor of the day, which seems pretty tame when you look at some of the other daily flavors. 

In addition to my steaming cup of thick, frothy goodness (with a signature homemade marshmallow to boot!), I indulged in a peanut butter cookie. Even though I so didn't need it, this cookie will go down in the history of peanut butter cookies I've ever eaten as the one of the best I've ever tasted. Thick and gooey with just the right amount of crisp on the outside, at only 75 cents, you've got to try one when you go for your cocoa. 

Time to be concise. You. City Bakery. Hot Chocolate. Peanut Butter Cookie. ASAP. Got it?