Problem baker

Problem Baker has quickly established itself as a must-visit dessert destination in Staten Island, New York. More than just a simple cookie shop, this local spot offers a genuinely gourmet experience, specializing in large, handcrafted cookies that boast both classic and uniquely innovative flavors. It’s a place where quality ingredients meet creative baking, resulting in a product that customers describe as moist, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. For New Yorkers searching for that perfect, indulgent sweet treat, Problem Baker on Castleton Avenue presents a compelling, high-quality alternative to national chains. The establishment focuses on elevating the simple cookie to a decadent dessert, pairing its famous baked goods with a selection of specialty coffee drinks and refreshing beverages.

The name itself is a nod to the irresistible nature of their offerings—a "problem" only for those trying to stick to a strict diet, as one loyal customer noted. The emphasis is on using premium, real butter and the highest quality ingredients to ensure that every large cookie is baked to perfection. This dedication to quality is what sets them apart in the competitive New York dessert scene. Whether you're in the neighborhood, or ordering for delivery, Problem Baker promises a memorable, melt-in-your-mouth experience that is earning it a loyal following across the region and beyond, thanks to its nationwide shipping.

Location and Accessibility

Problem Baker is conveniently located right in the heart of Staten Island, making it an accessible spot for local residents and visitors alike. The physical address is 870 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA. This placement on Castleton Avenue means it is part of a vibrant local business corridor.

For patrons traveling by car, the location offers multiple parking options, which is a significant convenience in the New York area. Customers can look for free street parking nearby, utilize paid street parking, or take advantage of on-site parking options if available. The accessibility of the shop makes it an easy stop for a quick cookie pick-up or a relaxing break with a coffee and dessert. As a local cookie shop, its presence adds to the unique flavor of the Staten Island community.

Services Offered

Problem Baker, while focused on their signature cookies, provides a range of products and services to ensure a complete and enjoyable dessert and refreshment experience.

• Handcrafted Gourmet Cookies: The core offering consists of large, premium cookies (often noted to be 4.25+ oz) in an extensive variety of flavors, allowing customers to mix and match custom boxes. The menu is consistently expanding and innovating.
• Specialty Coffee and Beverages: To complement the cookies, the shop offers a selection of coffee and other drinks, including Iced Shaken Espresso with various flavor options (mocha, pistachio, date, vanilla), Matcha Lattes, Date Cinnamon Lattes, and Chai Lattes.
• Milk Bar: A family-friendly option featuring house-made flavored milks, such as chocolate, strawberry, banana, blueberry, regular, and pistachio, which is particularly popular with children, as noted by customers.
• Refreshers: Handcrafted fruit refreshers, made with real fruit for a bubbly, light, and crisp finish, are a recommended highlight by patrons.
• Take-Out and Delivery Options: The bakery caters to both walk-in customers and those who prefer to order their treats from the comfort of their home or office via various online ordering and delivery platforms.
• In-Store Dessert Dining: The location is categorized as a dessert shop, inviting customers to enjoy their treats on-site.
• Payments: For customer convenience, the establishment accepts major credit cards and debit cards.

Features and Highlights

The elements that make Problem Baker a standout business in the New York bakery landscape center on quality, variety, and the unique customer experience.

• Extensive and Innovative Flavor Menu: The shop maintains a list of over 25 unique cookie flavors, moving far beyond typical bakery fare. Specialty flavors include Date Walnut, Pistachio Knafa, Ube (Purple Yam), Lemon (Jam Filled), Lotus Biscoff, and Reeses Peanut Butter and Jelly (Jam Filled), alongside elevated classics like Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip and Red Velvet Oreo.
• High-Quality and Premium Ingredients: A major focus of the bakery is on using the finest components, including premium real butter, which is explicitly mentioned as helping to lock in moisture and ensure a superior texture and longer shelf life for the cookies.
• Large Cookie Size: The cookies are notably large, often advertised as 4.25+ oz, ensuring customers receive a substantial and decadent dessert with every purchase.
• Positive Customer Experience: Reviewers frequently praise the deliciousness of the cookies and the great service. The cookies are often described as “outstanding, moist, flavorful and most importantly soft.”
• Family and Kid-Friendly Options: The inclusion of the "Milk Bar" with its variety of flavored milks, along with classic cookie choices like M&M and Birthday Cake, makes it a welcoming spot for families.
• Nationwide Shipping: While an excellent local spot, Problem Baker extends its reach well beyond Staten Island, offering shipping across the country, which attests to the confidence in their product quality and freshness.

Contact Information

Whether you plan to visit in person or want to inquire about a custom order, here is the essential contact information for Problem Baker:

Address: 870 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA

Phone: (929) 909-3779

What is Worth Choosing

For a new customer stepping into Problem Baker, the sheer variety of the cookie menu is the biggest draw and where you should focus your first visit. Unlike standard bakeries that might stick to a few tried-and-true recipes, this shop is constantly innovating. It's highly recommended to start with one of their unique, globally-inspired options to truly appreciate their creative baking approach. Consider a cookie like the Pistachio Knafa, which blends traditional Middle Eastern pastry flavors with the comfort of a gourmet cookie, or the visually stunning and delicious Ube cookie. For those who prefer a decadent twist on a classic, the Red Velvet Oreo or the Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip are exceptional choices.

Based on customer feedback, the cookies stand on their own as a premier dessert experience, described as better than other popular cookie franchises. The commitment to using premium, real butter is noticeable in the moist texture and rich flavor. Beyond the cookies, the specialty beverage menu is growing to become a perfect pairing. Be sure to try a Refresher, which customers highly recommend for its light, fruity, and bubbly nature, especially during warmer months. Alternatively, for a creamy, rich drink, a customer-favorite Iced Shaken Espresso with your choice of unique flavors like pistachio or date offers a great accompaniment. Problem Baker is a great choice for New Yorkers looking to support a local business that doesn't compromise on quality, size, or flavor innovation.

Problem baker

870 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA