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Chocolate chip cookies have been a staple in American culture since their creation nearly a century ago. While there is still much debate over who makes the best version of this classic sweet treat, many today say the owner of that title is Crumbl Cookies. As the sole menu item at the first Crumbl Cookies bakery, chocolate chip cookies might just be the heart of the company. However, this once-small bakery from Logan, Utah has quickly become an internet sensation and a nationwide franchise.

Since its opening in 2017, Crumbl Cookies has rapidly grown to have 367 bakeries across the United States. Crumbl is now bringing their sweet treats to the Des Moines Metro, with their newest franchise location in Ankeny, Iowa, whose residents appear to be welcoming it with open arms. The business has been booming at the Ankeny location since its opening in mid-January, with lines outside the door and customers waiting up to two hours for a cookie.

“It has been absolutely humbling the amount of business that’s coming through the door,” Ty Andersen, the son of the franchise co-owner Rhett Andersen, said.

Working over 50 hours a week, Andersen has invested sweat and tears into the operation of highly successful franchise.

“We’ve had to hire almost two to three times the employees that we originally anticipated and we’re still going,” Andersen said.

Perhaps it’s the rotating weekly cookie menu that has caught the public’s eye. The Milk Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Sugar cookies are the two cookie options that are available week to week. The others are chosen from a selection of over 170 cookie recipes in rotation. Therefore, each week there are new flavors to fall in love with. For those who prefer a cold treat, Crumbl Cookies also serves a variety of Crumbl Cream. This ice cream has flavors including brownie fudge, cookie dough crunch, peanut butter brittle, raspberry cheesecake, snickerdoodle and vanilla bean which makes Crumbl Cookies a destination where there is something for everyone.

Grand View University freshman, Jersey Bender, first learned about Crumbl Cookies years ago when one of their videos appeared on her TikTok. However, it was not until she tried one of their cookies this fall in Vermillion, South Dakota, that she became a true fan. After hearing Crumbl Cookies was opening in Ankeny, Bender was thrilled.

“I was so excited. I knew I was going to go every week and I do. There hasn’t been a week that I haven’t gone,” Bender said.

Her favorite cookie flavor was the cinnamon roll cookie with a cream cheese frosting on top. However, the classic sugar cookie and milk chocolate chip are always a great choice on the weeks with less appealing options.

So, with her recommendations in mind, I decided to try the cookies for myself. As I walked in, I was greeted by a group of cheerful employees saying, “Welcome to Crumbl!” The bakery had three tablets available for customers to order their baked goods. After placing my order, I was able to stand back and watch the cookies being made right in front of my eyes. The location’s open floor plan allows customers to watch the entire baking process from mixing, to the time in the oven, to decorating and being placed in the iconic pale pink box.

“The fact that we make everything fresh, that we serve everything fresh, we use real ingredients and of course the Crumbl secret ingredient. It all adds up,” Andersen said.

During the week of February 21st, the rotating flavors included Cornbread, Blue Monster ft. Chips Ahoy, Peanut Butter ft. Reece’s Pieces and German Chocolate Cake. I was especially interested in the Cornbread cookie. This 480-calorie cookie had a cornmeal texture, honey butter glaze, honey buttercream frosting, honey drizzle and was absolutely delicious. The cookie that  surprised me the most was the German Chocolate Cake. As someone who does not like rich chocolate flavors, I was very hesitant to try it. However, the 600-calorie chocolate cookie with a layer of melted chocolate and topped with coconut pecan was a perfect balance of rich chocolate and light coconut. My personal favorite is the classic Milk Chocolate Chip cookie. This 550-calorie cookie baked with semi-sweet chocolate chips might just be the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever had. However, at $4 a cookie, it will have to stay a sweet treat. Nonetheless, Crumbl Cookies is definitely deserving of all of the attention its receiving and I am excited to see what new flavors the coming weeks will bring.