Buzz
As we grow older, the holiday season often feels overwhelming—chaos at Black Friday sales, massive feasts to prepare, gifts to wrap, and the unexpected visit from your quirky uncle. Yet, all it takes to bring back the nostalgia of those magical childhood moments is the smell of freshly baked cookies, welcoming St. Nick. But even cookies have their dark stories—full of murder, illness, monsters, and, of course, sugar.
10. The Controversial Mallomar
There's nothing quite as politically correct as a cookie, especially Nabisco's Mallomar—think of it as a s'more with a graham cracker base, topped with marshmallows covered in melted chocolate. Since these treats don't handle the heat of summer well, they are only made during the cooler months, typically from September to May.
In the United States, Mallomars don't usually attract much attention. However, the name can be somewhat controversial abroad. In several European nations, such as France and Denmark, cookies similar to Mallomars are referred to as 'negro's kisses.' In Flanders, a region in northern Belgium, these cookies are frequently called negerinnetetten, which translates to 'negress’s breasts.'
9. Oreos vs. Hydrox
Oreos hold the title of the most popular cookie globally, generating an impressive $1.5 billion in annual revenue, according to Nabisco. Such massive success inevitably draws imitators. One of the most notable of these copycats was Hydrox, produced by Sunshine, a Kellogg subsidiary. However, the truth is quite the opposite—Oreo is actually the brand that followed in Hydrox's footsteps.
Hydrox, a name derived from the combination of 'hydrogen' and 'oxygen,' made its debut in 1908, four years before Oreos. In comparison, Hydrox cookies have been described as 'tangy' and 'less sweet,' with a texture that doesn't absorb milk as readily. Oreo, however, went on to dominate the market for decades until Kellogg eventually discontinued Hydrox in 2003. The decision sparked backlash from a dedicated fanbase, and Hydrox briefly returned for its 100th anniversary before disappearing once again into obscurity.
8. Famous Amos
Unlike Betty Crocker, Famous Amos represents a real person, and one with an unexpected path to success. Wally Amos, who was taught to cook by his aunt and later attended the Food Trades Vocational High School in New York, went on a fascinating journey. After serving in the Air Force and going to college, he took on a clerical job with the William Morris Agency, becoming the agency’s first African-American talent agent. To make himself stand out, he sent prospective clients homemade chocolate chip cookies.
His cookies gained widespread popularity, and with $25,000 in loans from artists Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy, Amos launched his first Famous Amos store in Los Angeles in 1975. Though his cookies were beloved, Amos struggled with business management, ultimately selling the brand in 1988 for $3 million. His career, however, was far from over—he later introduced 'Uncle Wally’s Muffins,' became a motivational speaker, and even made a guest appearance on an episode of The Office.
7. Mrs. Fields and the $250 Cookie Myth
Much like Famous Amos, Mrs. Fields is based on a real person. Debbi Fields, who began her career as a ball girl for the Oakland Athletics in the late ’60s, used the money she earned from this job to fund her passion for baking cookies. In 1977, she and her husband opened their first store and quickly gained popularity. During this period, the business became the target of an infamous urban legend that had been previously associated with other establishments. In its simplest form, the tale involves a customer, so impressed by the cookies, that she requests the recipe. The clerk refuses to share it but offers it for sale at the price of $2.50. Delighted, the customer agrees to pay, only to later discover her credit card bill shows a shocking charge of $250.00. Furious, she spreads the story far and wide.
This story has been circulating for many years, initially linked to places like Woolworth’s and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. By 1987, it had spread so widely that Fields herself posted a notice in her stores to deny the claim. More recently, the tale has been associated with Neiman Marcus. In response, the department store, which hadn’t even sold cookies before, began offering chocolate chip cookies and made the recipe available on their website.
6. The Cookie Monster
No one on Earth could possibly love cookies more than Cookie Monster from Sesame Street—the furry, blue, googly-eyed character who devours them with abandon. A song performed by Cookie Monster in a 2004 episode of Sesame Street suggests that the character’s name came from his obsession with cookies, though his real name is supposedly "Sid."
In 2005, in response to the growing childhood obesity crisis, Cookie Monster released his song “A Cookie is a Sometimes Food,” which promotes the importance of moderation when it comes to eating habits. Interestingly, the iconic blue character rarely eats real cookies, as the oil and chocolate would stain his Muppet costume. Instead, he munches on rice crackers painted to look like cookies.
5. The Fortune Cookie Lottery Miracle
The March 30, 2005 Powerball drawing in the United States left everyone in disbelief. A single ticket took home the $13.8 million jackpot, a typical occurrence. However, what was far from ordinary was the fact that 110 tickets claimed the $100,000 second prize, a number far higher than the usual four or five. Initially, fraud was suspected, but an investigation revealed a truly strange turn of events: the winners had based their number choices on the ‘lucky numbers’ they received from fortune cookies made by Wonton Food Inc., based in Long Island City, New York.
None of Wonton’s employees had winning tickets—the connection was simply coincidental. The numbers chosen were 22, 28, 32, 33, 39, and 40. The lottery commission ended up distributing $19.4 million to the fortunate winners. Adding an eerie twist, the fortune that accompanied the lucky numbers read, “All the preparation you’ve done will finally be paying off.”
4. Animal Crackers
Nabisco’s ‘Barnum’s Animal Crackers’ are a staple of childhood nostalgia, famous for the circus-themed box with a string handle—originally intended to hang it on the Christmas tree as an ornament—and the fun of biting off a lion’s head. Over the brand’s 100-year history, 53 different animals have been featured. Today, the assortment includes bears, camels, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, horses, lions, seals, tigers, and zebras. In 2001, Nabisco gave the public a chance to vote on a new animal to join the collection, offering options like penguin, walrus, koala, and even a cobra. The koala received the most votes and briefly joined the lineup. Ironically, Barnum’s Animal Crackers are actually vegan.
3. Girl Scout Cookies
It’s been a while since you’ve had a Girl Scout come knocking at your door with a box of Thin Mints. In recent years, the trend has shifted to public sales outside supermarkets and similar locations. Unfortunately, this shift has led to some dangerous situations, as these young girls, often carrying large amounts of cash, have been victims of theft or fraudulent orders.
One of the most heartbreaking incidents occurred in February 1975, when 9-year-old Marcia Trinble disappeared while delivering cookies in her neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee. Her body was discovered more than a month later on Easter Sunday, and the autopsy revealed signs of sexual assault. A 15-year-old boy, Jeffrey Womack, was initially arrested but later released. Many considered him a suspect until 2007, when an inmate from Davidson County, Tennessee confessed to the crime. Jerome Barrett’s DNA was a match with evidence from the crime scene, and in 2009, the 62-year-old was sentenced to 44 years in prison.
2. Unagi Pie
Japanese snacks consistently manage to surprise and intrigue Western tastes with their unusual flavors. Supermarket shelves are filled with items like soy sauce-flavored Kit Kat bars and horse meat ice cream. Naturally, they’ve also expanded into the cookie market. One particularly unique treat from Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture is the 'Unagi Pie,' a cookie made with butter, garlic, and crushed eel. These cookies are sold throughout Japan and make popular souvenirs for tourists. Visitors can even take a tour of the Shunkado factory where the pies are made. The tour includes a glimpse into the bakery, a theater, a café offering various unagi-themed dishes, and a gift shop. Some people even believe that unagi has aphrodisiac properties, and the cookie packaging cheekily markets it as 'a snack for nights.'
1. Toll House E. Coli Outbreak
Few experiences are as delightful as savoring the last bit of brownie batter from the spoon or sneaking a taste of cookie dough when your mom isn’t looking. The warnings about raw eggs and the potential for illness were often dismissed. Unfortunately, dough can indeed pose a risk, and in certain situations, it can even be fatal.
In 2009, Nestle's prepackaged Toll House cookie dough was found to be contaminated with the dangerous bacterium E. coli 0157:H7, leading to the sickness of 66 individuals across 28 states. The Centers for Disease Control reported that 25 of these people required hospitalization, and seven suffered kidney failure. Fortunately, no one died. The following year, Nestle discovered salmonella in their chocolate chips, but this was caught before reaching consumers. Sometimes, Mom’s caution proves to be well-founded.
