I've finally had a chance to taste the new Maurice Lenell cookies and they are different.

They are noticeably softer and contain some more distinct flavoring (in particular, the pinwheels have a note of christmas cookie spices). These changes might be appealing to some people but I find it disappointing to lose one of my favorite childhood treats. I'm adding this to my list of "dearly departed childhood tastes", just ahead of the "old formula" of Baskin-Robbin's mint chocolate chip.

Best,
Michael

That's a shame, the Pinwheels were the best ones. Sounds like the problem I had with Fannie Mae—as soon as they returned, the recipes were not quite the same.

Pie Lady wrote:That's a shame, the Pinwheels were the best ones. Sounds like the problem I had with Fannie Mae—as soon as they returned, the recipes were not quite the same.

The pinwheels are also noticeably thinner.

Thankfully, I can't tell much of a difference in the Fannie May's dark chocolate vanilla buttercreams, my all-time favorite candy.

"Maurice Lenell back online, Chicago-area outlet could be next"

Sylvia Lenell Bocskay, 1923-2010, Co-owner of Maurice Lenell family cookie business,

Sylvia Lenell Bocskay, 87, a savvy businesswoman and vibrant member of the Swedish immigrant family that founded Chicago's Maurice Lenell Cooky Co., died of natural causes Friday, Dec. 3, in her Des Plaines home, her family said.

In 1937, Swedish brothers Hans and Gunnar Lenell, along with Agaard Billing, founded a small general bakery in Chicago, naming the business after Hans Lenell's first son, Eric Maurice Lenell.
...
The family sold the business in 1987, and in December 2008, the Maurice Lenell bakery shut down operations and sold its equipment and trademarks to Ohio-based Consolidated Biscuit. This month, a new Chicago store started selling the beloved Maurice Lenell cookies once again.

According to their website, Maurice Lenell cookies may be purchased via Jewel and Dominicks. I have a call in to their consumer affairs inquiring if there is the retail outlet suggested in the obituary.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:According to their website, Maurice Lenell cookies may be purchased via Jewel and Dominicks. I have a call in to their consumer affairs inquiring if there is the retail outlet suggested in the obituary.

Regards,

The retail store is now open, located several blocks south of the original Lenell factory.
For purposes of full disclosure, I am friends with Jeff Bach ( co-owner )

The Cookie Store and More
3829 N. Harlem (adjacent to Aberdeen Flowers )
Chicago, IL 773-777-9555

Link to Pioneer Press story:
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/ne ... s1.article

cito,

Thanks for the information. Maurice Lenell's website was not helpful at all.

Regards,

Chicago cookie tradition ends as Maurice Lenell production stops

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... story.html

Dave148 wrote:

Chicago cookie tradition ends as Maurice Lenell production stops

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... story.html

There were always mixed emotions around a package of these cookies. Mostly they all tasted the same -- and not wonderfully so -- with the exceptions being the tooth-filling-removal cherry goo, the crust of sugar on the stars, and the mostly-imagined swirl of chocolate on the pinwheels.

From the sound of things, the enemy is time, and changing regulations. Getting PHO (partially hydrogenated oil) out of the recipe, and classic machinery wearing out, make it not worth continuing operations.

For me, Maurice Lenell cookies are a food memory tied to my grandparents. They always had some in the house. Haven't had them in years so they will remain locked in my memory.

We liked the almond crescent cookie (Almonettes sp?). If we got a mixed pack of the varities this would be the first to go. Then the pinwheels with the red gelatinous dot then the ying-yang styled cookie with chocolate and vanilla. Frankly, and Chicago pride aside,we thought the brand was kind of cheap. I hate to see another Chicago icon and large employer leave.