Berger's Cakes & Cookies

The state of Maryland is home to many iconic and delicious local specialties, but perhaps none is more beloved, or instantly recognizable, than the legendary Berger Cookie. A true Baltimore classic, the Berger Cookie has been a staple in Maryland households for generations, instantly conjuring up memories of childhood, local markets, and a distinctive, rich chocolate flavor that simply cannot be replicated. This isn't just a snack; it's a piece of local culinary history, and the subject of endless loyalty among Marylanders. Berger's Cakes & Cookies—known today through the enduring legacy of the famous Berger Cookie—represents a deep-seated tradition in our local bakery scene, dating all the way back to the 1830s.

This article serves as your guide to this Baltimore institution, offering a professional yet engaging overview of its history, unique product offerings, and how this Maryland favorite continues to operate and serve its dedicated local customer base. From the soft, cake-like cookie base to the famously thick, hand-dipped fudge icing, the Berger Cookie is a confectionary icon that we proudly claim as our own. While the corporate name is tied to its primary production facility, the real magic is in the product distribution—ensuring that a taste of local heritage is never far from reach, whether you're in Baltimore City or across the region.

The story of the Berger Cookie begins in 1835 with German immigrant Henry Berger, who opened a bakery in East Baltimore. The original recipe, a soft cookie base topped with a luscious fudge icing, was an instant hit. The business evolved, passing through various family and ownership changes, eventually becoming what is known today as DeBaufre Bakeries, Inc., which exclusively manufactures and markets Berger Cookies. Despite the changes in ownership, a constant has remained: the commitment to the original, nearly 200-year-old recipe and the traditional hand-dipping method for applying the cookies' signature topping. This adherence to tradition is what sets Berger Cookies apart and why they hold such a special place in the hearts of Marylanders.

For local users, Berger Cookies are often synonymous with the city's vibrant markets, having been sold from stalls in places like Lexington Market for many years. Today, while the manufacturing facility is where the cookies are born, the distribution network ensures their presence in grocery stores and convenience shops across Maryland, making them accessible to virtually every local resident.

Location and Accessibility

While many beloved bakeries welcome patrons directly through retail storefronts, Berger's Cakes & Cookies operates primarily as a manufacturing and distribution center under the name DeBaufre Bakeries, Inc., rather than a direct-to-consumer shop at its main address. This model is crucial for understanding how the company manages to keep its famous cookies stocked in stores throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region.

The physical address for the main production facility is:

2900 Waterview Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA

It is important for local users to note that direct visits to this Cherry Hill location for purchases may not be an option, as the facility is focused on high-volume production and distribution. Customers who want to purchase Berger Cookies should look to their local Maryland grocery stores, supermarkets (such as Giant, where one customer reported finding them), or convenience stores like Royal Farms, which are known to stock the product regularly. This widespread local distribution is a key element of the company's accessibility and its status as a common household item across our state.

For those looking for personalized service or to resolve an issue with a product purchased through a retailer, direct communication via phone is the recommended method. The company is known for its responsive customer service, as evidenced by a customer review that praised the owner's willingness to personally resolve an issue with a replacement package, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to customer satisfaction even for cookies purchased through a third-party vendor.

Services Offered

Berger's Cakes & Cookies, through its manufacturing arm, DeBaufre Bakeries, provides a variety of products and services, focused heavily on their core specialty product. The primary function is to produce and distribute this iconic Maryland treat to a wide audience. Key services and product types include:

• The production and distribution of Berger Cookies, the flagship product featuring the cake-like shortbread cookie base and thick, hand-dipped fudge icing.
• Manufacturing other bakery products, which have historically included various cakes such as carrot cake, strawberry shortcake, and coconut and red velvet cakes, as well as chocolate top cookies and pound cake, often available at their market stalls or specialty retailers.
• Packaging Berger Cookies in various formats, including snack packs (ideal for a two-cookie nibble), the standard 15 oz original pack, and decorative tin cans perfect for holiday gifting or sending a taste of Baltimore to those out of state.
• Wholesale supply of packaged cookies to grocery stores, convenience stores, and other retail vendors throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic.
• Customer Service appointments (by phone) for inquiries regarding products, distribution, and resolving issues with purchased goods (Appointment required for certain planning/service requests).
• Acceptance of various payment methods for wholesale and online transactions, including Credit Cards and Debit Cards.
• Takeout options, often fulfilled through retail partners or specific market stalls, for immediate enjoyment of their baked goods.

Features / Highlights

What makes Berger's Cakes & Cookies, and specifically the Berger Cookie, a Maryland landmark? It's a combination of history, tradition, and a unique taste profile that has garnered significant local and national attention. Here are the core features and highlights:

• Iconic Hand-Dipped Fudge Icing: The defining feature is the immensely thick, dark, and rich chocolate fudge icing that is meticulously hand-dipped onto each cookie, creating a distinctively rustic and indulgent appearance. The fudge is often said to be the star, outweighing the cookie base itself by volume and weight.
• Historic Recipe: The cookies are made using a recipe that dates back to the company's founding in 1835 by German immigrant Henry Berger, connecting every bite to nearly two centuries of Baltimore baking tradition.
• Unique Cookie Base: Unlike standard shortbread or sugar cookies, the Berger Cookie base is soft, with a distinctively light and cake-like texture that provides the perfect contrast to the dense, crystalline fudge topping.
• Baltimore Institution: Berger Cookies are a staple of Baltimore culture and are frequently cited in local and national media as the city's signature dessert. They have been featured on popular food programs and won the "Best of Baltimore" award in 2011.
• Versatile Product Line: Beyond the cookies themselves, the bakery is noted for other classic items like its cakes (coconut and red velvet being customer favorites) and pound cake, which often feature a version of the famous fudge icing.
• Exceptional Customer Commitment: Despite operating primarily as a large-scale manufacturing facility, the company maintains a personal commitment to customer service, as highlighted by stories of the owners ensuring product quality and satisfaction for individual customers.
• Widespread Local Availability: The distribution system ensures that these cookies are easily purchased at local Maryland grocery and convenience stores, solidifying their status as an everyday local favorite rather than a rare delicacy.

Contact Information

For Maryland residents with questions about distribution, products, or customer service, here is the relevant contact information:

Address (Main Production Facility):

2900 Waterview Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA

Phone:

(800) 398-2236

What is Worth Choosing

For anyone in Maryland, choosing Berger's Cakes & Cookies means choosing a piece of Baltimore history wrapped in a delightful fudge shell. What truly makes this local bakery a worthwhile choice is the iconic Berger Cookie itself. It is a confectionary marvel that expertly balances textures and flavors.

The rich, thick chocolate fudge icing is the main attraction—a dense, dark, and profoundly sweet experience that is more akin to a soft fudge candy than a traditional cookie frosting. This is paired with a surprisingly delicate, light, and almost vanilla cake-like cookie base. The combination is unmatched, a perfect pairing that one reviewer described as a "sugar cookie x brownie hybrid." This unique composition has made it a favorite for decades, inspiring local creations like Berger Cookies & Cream ice cream and the Baltimore Bomb pie.

Beyond the flagship cookie, choosing Berger's is supporting a local institution committed to traditional, hand-crafted methods. Even with modern high-volume production, the crucial step of hand-dipping the fudge remains, preserving the integrity and the slightly imperfect, charming quality of the final product. For an authentic taste of Baltimore, whether as a mid-afternoon treat with coffee, a dessert after a local crab feast, or a gift for an out-of-state friend, there is simply no substitute for the original Berger Cookie. Their strong focus on customer satisfaction, even when a product is purchased through a third-party retailer, further reinforces the value of supporting this Maryland-proud business. When you pick up a package of Berger Cookies, you're not just buying a dessert; you're indulging in a beloved, enduring slice of local Maryland heritage.

Whether you are a lifelong resident who has enjoyed them since childhood or a newcomer looking to experience a true local delicacy, seek out those distinctive packages in your local grocery aisle—Berger's Cookies are an essential part of the Maryland culinary landscape.

Berger's Cakes & Cookies

2900 Waterview Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA