Amsterdam, Netherlands - Van Stapele Koekmakerij

Fact: I just experienced the best cookie on the planet. Thanks to Van Stapele Koekmakerij in Amsterdam, I am now having dreams about their warm Valhorna chocolate cookie filled with milk chocolate chips and a gooey white chocolate center. The owner spent countless months trying to perfect this recipe, until one day, after baking umpteen batches, she hit upon the right combination of ingredients. I'm so grateful she did. The cookies are outstanding! 

These warm parcels of sinfulness are baked continuously throughout the day so its very likely that your cookie will be served warm when you arrive to the store. You can also buy tins of cookies to take away (bonus points for their perfect shade of turquoise packaging: my favorite color).

The store itself is reminiscent of an old world European cafe, with dark wood walls and beautiful crystal chandeliers. Perhaps the thing I like the most is the fact that they sell only one item. There is something special about creating one single thing, but doing it in an extraordinary fashion. Address: Heisteeg, 4 Amsterdam 1012 WC