Cookies are a beloved snack for many people around the world. The smell of fresh baked cookies coming out of the oven is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. With so many brands of cookies on the market, you may be wondering who makes some of the most popular oven baked cookie brands.
A Brief History of Oven Baked Cookies
Cookies first became popular in America in the early 18th century. Back then, cookies were made by hand and baked in brick ovens or cooked over an open fire. The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch word “koekje” which means little cake. Some of the earliest American cookie recipes were for simple drops cookies made with everyday ingredients like butter, flour, and sugar.
In the late 19th century, the industrial revolution allowed for new machinery to be used for mixing and rolling cookie dough. This enabled cookies to be mass-produced for the first time. One of the first mass-produced cookie brands was the Famous Amos cookie, founded by Wally Amos in 1975. The introduction of new baking technologies like electric ovens, refrigeration, and leavening agents like baking powder also transformed cookie baking from small batches into a booming commercial industry.
Today, cookies are a multi-billion dollar market in the food industry. Many popular cookie brands are now household names that evoke feelings of nostalgia and comfort for consumers. Next, we will look at who makes some of the top oven baked cookie brands on the market today.
Nabisco
One of the most iconic cookie brands is Oreo, made by Nabisco. Oreo first hit the market in 1912, making it over 100 years old today. The cookies consist of two chocolate wafers with a sweet creme filling in between. They can be eaten whole or twisted apart to eat the two halves separately.
Nabisco owns many other popular cookie brands too. Some examples include:
- Chips Ahoy! – Chewy chocolate chip cookies
- Newton’s – Fig and fruit flavored cookies
- Nilla Wafers – Vanilla flavored cookies
- Nutter Butter – Peanut butter sandwich cookies
Nabisco is currently a subsidiary of Mondelez International, one of the largest snack food companies in the world. Nabisco continues to be a leader in the packaged cookie industry today.
Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm is another major cookie brand, known for their distinctive goldfish shaped crackers and Milanos. The company was founded Margaret Rudkin in 1937 and is based in Connecticut. Some popular Pepperidge Farm cookie varieties include:
- Milanos – Crisp butter cookies with chocolate filling
- Distinctively Thin – Crisp, delicate shortbread cookies
- Verona – European style butter cookies with almond slivers
- Geneva – Thin and crispy chocolate chip cookies
In 1961, the company was acquired by Campbell Soup Company. Pepperidge Farm is still a subsidiary of Campbell’s today and continues to make high quality, quintessential American cookies.
Keebler
The Keebler Company is another big name in oven baked cookies. Founded in 1853, Keebler is known for cookies like:
- E.L. Fudge – sandwich cookies with fudge filling
- Fudge Stripes – rectangular shortbread cookies dipped in fudge
- S’mores Grahams – graham crackers layered with chocolate and marshmallow bits
- Pecan Sandies – pecan shortbread cookies
Keebler was an independent company for over a century before being acquired by Kellogg’s in 2001. Keebler still operates as a subsidiary of the Kellogg Company today.
Archway
Archway is a family owned cookie company that has been baking soft oatmeal cookies since 1936. Their original Archway homestyle cookies feature a chewy oatmeal cookie topped with raisins. Some other Archway varieties include:
- Dutch Cocoa cookies – Oatmeal cookies dipped in cocoa
- Iced Lemon cookies – Shortbread cookies with lemon icing
- Gingersnaps – Chewy molasses and ginger cookies
Archway was acquired by snack food company Lance, Inc in 2014 but the cookies are still made following the original Archway recipes and traditions.
Little Debbie
Little Debbie is known for making affordable snack cakes, but they also produce popular oven baked cookies like:
- Oatmeal Creme Pies – Soft oatmeal cookies sandwiched around creme filling
- Zebra Cakes – White cakes wrapped around chocolate filling
- Nutty Bars – Peanut butter cookies dipped in chocolate and peanuts
- Honey Buns – Sweet buns with honey and cinnamon
The company was founded in 1960 by O.D. McKee and named after his granddaughter, Debbie. Little Debbie is now owned by McKee Foods and continues to produce baked goods sold at a value price point.
Other Notable Oven Baked Cookie Brands
There are so many great cookie brands on shelves today! Here are some other noteworthy ones:
- Famous Amos – Chewy chocolate chip cookies started by Wally Amos
- Biscoff – Caramelized biscuit cookies, often served with coffee
- Pillsbury – Refrigerated cookie dough ready for home baking
- Anna’s – Swedish style butter cookies in tins
- Mary’s Gone Crackers – Gluten free cookies
- Newman’s Own – Company founded by Paul Newman that gives away profits
Grocery Store Cookie Brands
Almost every major grocery store chain also has their own brand of cookies. Store brands allow consumers to purchase affordable baked goods under generic labels like:
- Great Value (Walmart)
- Market Pantry (Target)
- Signature Select (Albertson’s)
- Kroger (Kroger brand)
- Safeway (Safeway brand)
- Essentials Everyday (Superstore/Loblaws)
Grocery store branded cookies can offer shoppers savings of 20-50% over national brands. Despite the lower prices, many store brand cookies are still oven-baked and use quality ingredients.
Gluten-Free Cookies
In recent years, gluten-free cookies have exploded in popularity to accommodate consumers with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Some brands making gluten-free cookies include:
- Kinnikinnick
- Enjoy Life
- Angelic Bakehouse
- Tate’s Bake Shop
- PAN’S
Gluten-free cookies are typically made with alternate flours like rice flour, almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour. Other allergy-friendly options include vegan cookies, nut-free cookies, and dairy-free cookies.
| Brand | Popular Varieties | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|
| Nabisco | Chips Ahoy!, Oreo | 1898 |
| Pepperidge Farm | Milano, Distinctively Thin | 1937 |
| Keebler | E.L. Fudge, Fudge Stripes | 1853 |
| Archway | Homestyle Oatmeal | 1936 |
| Little Debbie | Oatmeal Creme Pie, Nutty Bar | 1960 |
Conclusion
Oven baked cookies have come a long way from their simple, homemade origins, but remain a beloved snack today. Major cookie brands like Oreo, Keebler, Archway, Pepperidge Farm, and Little Debbie have become staples in household pantries. Nabisco and its famous Oreo is arguably the brand that comes to mind first for many cookie lovers.
However, there are still lots of smaller independent bakeries producing fresh, artisanal cookies across the country. Plus, the rise of gluten-free and specialty diet baking has introduced many new cookie options. So while the classic brands remain popular, consumers today have more variety than ever when satisfying a cookie craving.
