Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar

Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar: A Minnesota Tradition Served Hot and Fresh

For nearly every resident of the Twin Cities and beyond, the name Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar is synonymous with a singular, perfect, and legendary Minnesota experience. This isn't just a cookie shop; it's a deep-rooted cultural icon, a staple that defines the annual transition into late summer. The simple promise of oven-hot, baked-on-the-spot chocolate chip cookies has cemented its place as the largest and most beloved vendor at the Minnesota State Fair, selling millions of cookies over the 12-day run. The core product is a soft, warm chocolate chip cookie, served in quantities so generous they are famous across the state.

The experience is designed to be shared and to be memorable. Customers consistently remark on the incredible scale of the operation—watching the cookies "literally flying around" as the busy staff works to keep up with the overwhelming demand. Whether you choose the generous cup or commit to the famous souvenir bucket, you are signing up for an abundance of rich, warm, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The focus is purely on the joy of a perfect Dessert, served with enthusiasm.

While the business has grown significantly from its humble beginnings in 1979, expanding to multiple large, permanent booths across the fairgrounds, the dedication to that original, simple chocolate chip recipe remains unchanged. Sweet Martha’s embodies a Minnesota success story, built on quality, consistency, and an understanding that sometimes, all you need is a perfectly executed, classic treat to make your day. Even outside of the fair, local residents can enjoy the famous taste thanks to their popular frozen cookie dough, but nothing quite compares to the magic of getting them fresh at the Carnes Ave location.

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Location and Accessibility at the Heart of the Fairgrounds

The iconic location of Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar provided in the data is 1710 Carnes Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108, USA. For any Minnesota local, this address immediately places the shop on the historic grounds of the Minnesota State Fair, often dubbed the "Great Minnesota Get-Together." This location is one of three permanent, high-volume booths the vendor operates during the annual fair. The Carnes Avenue location holds a special place, often cited as a favorite by long-time fairgoers.

Carnes Avenue runs centrally through the Fairgrounds, making this booth a highly accessible landmark once you are inside the gates. Being located near major fair attractions, such as the Pet Pavillion, ensures high visibility and ease of finding, though customers should be prepared for the famous lines that form—a testament to the cookies' popularity. The vendor has two main locations mentioned in reviews—Carnes Avenue and a location next to the Grandstand—both serving the exact same beloved product.

Accessibility during the fair is excellent, as the State Fairgrounds are meticulously planned for pedestrian traffic, and the sheer scale of Sweet Martha’s operation is designed for rapid service, despite the crowds. The Falcon Heights location, being situated just off Highway 280 and close to major transit hubs, is highly convenient for Twin Cities residents traveling to the fair. While the shop operates primarily during the fair’s 12-day run, its physical presence on Carnes Ave solidifies it as a beloved, highly-known fixture in the Falcon Heights community, a place where a sweet tradition is born anew each year.

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Services Offered at the Busiest Cookie Shop in Minnesota

The service model at Sweet Martha’s is highly specialized and focuses on mass-producing and serving one perfect product with incredible speed and efficiency.

• Hot Cookie Sales: The primary service is selling oven-hot, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, served almost immediately after coming out of the massive ovens.
• Volume Options: Customers are offered a choice between a generous cup for a quick treat (around $9 per review) or the signature, take-home bucket/jar (around $20 per review) that offers an enormous quantity to share.
• Beverage Pairing: The shop serves milk, a classic pairing for the cookies, often available at a dedicated milk bar at one of their larger locations, perfect for dipping the warm treats.
• Souvenir Purchase: The bucket/jar option acts as a functional souvenir, providing a lasting keepsake from the State Fair experience.
• Dessert Specialization: The sole focus on a cookie as a Dessert item ensures that every resource is dedicated to maximizing the quality and freshness of their signature chocolate chip recipe.

Features and Highlights That Create the Legend

Sweet Martha’s popularity is driven by a unique combination of scale, quality, and nostalgia that few other businesses can match:

• Unmatched Volume and Freshness: The ability to bake millions of cookies throughout the fair—up to 44,000 every 12 minutes—ensures that every single cookie served is literally hot and fresh out of the oven, guaranteeing the soft, melted-chocolate quality customers rave about.
• Signature Product Quality: The cookies are consistently described as soft, easy to bite into, with the chocolate melted "in the best way." The core is a simple, high-quality chocolate chip cookie perfected through decades of experience.
• The 'Bucket' Experience: The sheer quantity in the bucket makes it an immediate highlight, facilitating sharing with "friends/family/loved ones" and fostering a sense of community around the purchase.
• Behind-the-Scenes Spectacle: The business’s immense scale means customers often get to see a slice of the operation, with cookies "literally flying around," turning the transaction into part of the entertainment.
• Friendly Staff: Customer reviews highlight that the staff are "super friendly and made small talk," which adds a personal, welcoming touch despite the intense pace of the operation.
• State Fair Staple: The shop is cemented as a "state fair staple," making a visit less of a choice and more of an annual tradition—a highlight Minnesotans "look forward to enjoying these every year."

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Contact Information

To experience this Minnesota favorite, the location of the popular Carnes Avenue booth is:

Address: 1710 Carnes Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108, USA (Inside the Minnesota State Fairgrounds)

For general business and wholesale inquiries related to the Sweet Martha's operation, the corporate office can be reached at (651) 643-6001, though this is not the direct number for the Fair booth itself. Local users should note that the physical cookie stand is only open during the annual Minnesota State Fair (typically late August to Labor Day).

What is Worth Choosing at Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar

Choosing Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar is not just about buying a cookie; it is about participating in a core Minnesota tradition. It is worth choosing because no other local bakery experience offers the unique combination of sheer scale, guaranteed freshness, and beloved nostalgia. The enormous quantities, whether in a cup or the souvenir bucket, mean it is the perfect shared dessert that facilitates family moments and friendly connections. The fact that the cookies are always served warm ensures the chocolate is perfectly melted and the texture is soft and irresistible. For a price point like $20 for a jar, the value is in the quantity and the unforgettable experience, which Minnesotans know is a worthwhile indulgence. If you are a resident, or simply passing through during the State Fair, Sweet Martha’s is an absolute, non-negotiable must-visit—it's the essence of the "Great Minnesota Get-Together," wrapped up in a bucket of perfect chocolate chip cookies.

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Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar

1710 Carnes Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108, USA