It’s been a long road to realizing her dream for Jillian Branyan, owner of The Cookie Basket in Haddonfield. But now, she and her mother proudly serve their community a mix of smoothies, lunch bites, and homemade desserts. The Cookie Basket offers a mix of small bites, lunch items (sandwiches, salads, and whipped cheese spreads), and specialty desserts.
The Cookie Basket first opened as a small shop in Westville in February 2020. But as COVID drove more patrons to order online, they closed the store and pivoted to at-home baking. As people began venturing back out, Jillian and her mother Denise Anthony tried to reopen the business a few times. One day, “We were walking in downtown Haddonfield and saw this adorable empty space,” Denise recalls. “And everything fell into place.”
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A Cozy Community Spot
Now in their new location, The Cookie Basket offers smoothies and drinks, light lunch items, and specialty desserts. The dining area seats 14, with their featured table beside a large front picture window that overlooks historic Borough Hall. Jillian takes on the role of baker, head chef, and artistic designer/decorator, Meanwhile, her mother Denise is the business manager. Jillian first began baking specialty cookies and treats for families and friends in 2009. “Having her own shop has been her dream,” Denise says.
Stepping into The Cookie Basket is like visiting an English garden. The shop is meant to be a place where “families and friends could gather to relax and reminisce, laugh, and share memories,” Denise says. In terms of decor, Jillian hand-painted the flower designs on the interior door. She also designed the interior flower décor, and painted their “garden house” (checkout/coffee station areas). Photos of the shop’s various desserts hang on the wall.
Delicious Goodies on the Menu
The Cookie Basket bakery case displays cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and crumb bars. Drink options include fruit smoothies, fruited lemonades, hot and iced tea and coffee, and ice cream floats. In particular, they partner with Given’s Coffee so that every coffee purchase directly benefits kids of the Children’s Miracle Network.
They also offer unique flights, such as the Mocktail Flight, Coffee Flight, Lemonade Flight, Cheese Flight, and Dessert Flight. Their popular Flight Trio combines a Cheese Flight, Drink Flight, and Dessert Flight.
Anyone looking for sugar free, gluten free, or vegan treats can call ahead and preorder these items. The Cookie Basket doesn’t yet offer general delivery, but does deliver custom orders for party trays, decorated cookies, gift baskets, and cookie bouquets.
Future plans include hosting themed events. Examples include Tea by the Sea, Victorian Christmas Tea, and decorate-your-own cookie parties. Previous events include Christmas in July – Decorate Cookies with Mrs. Claus and a Tea by the Sea & Bracelet Making Workshop. They currently host High Tea at Noon on Fridays by reservation only.
Visit The Cookie Basket at 223 Kings Highway East in Haddonfield. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © The Cookie Basket
