Berger Cookies
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Berger Cookies
Berger Cookies are a kind of cookie made and distributed by DeBaufre Bakeries. They are vanilla wafers topped with a thick layer of chocolate fudge that derives from a German recipe, and are a cultural icon of Baltimore.[1]
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Contents
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History
The Berger Cookie recipe was brought to America from Germany by George and Henry Berger in 1835. Henry owned a bakery in East Baltimore which was later run by his son Henry. While the younger Henry took over his father's bakery, his two brothers, George and Otto, opened their own bakeries. Around 1900 Otto died, then George and Henry combined the bakeries to create 'Bergers'. As technology grew so did the bakery. Eventually Henry died, leaving George as the sole proprietor of the bakery.
When George retired he sold the bakery and the recipe to Charles E. Russell. Charles' son, Charles Jr., took control upon his father's retirement. Charles Jr. and his sons, Charles III and Dennis, ran the business through the Depression. They employed two brothers, Charles and Benjamin DeBaufre. When Charles Jr. retired, he left the bakery to Charles III and Dennis. Meanwhile the DeBaufre brothers left the business to start DeBaufre Bakeries Inc.
DeBaufre Bakeries was able to earn enough of a profit to purchase Berger's from the Russell family in 1969.[2] Charles' son, Charles DeBaufre Jr., purchased part of the business in 1978. Charles Sr. died in 1988 leaving ownership to Benjamin, Charles Jr., and John Koehler. Charles Jr. became the sole proprietor of Berger Cookies in 1994 when Benjamin retired.[1]
Production and sales
Berger Cookies are hand-made in a small factory in the Cherry Point neighborhood of Baltimore. As of early 2012, the annual sales of DeBaufre Bakeries were about $2.5 million, with Berger Cookies making up 98% of that. Other than sales on its website, the company sells Berger Cookies only in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas.[3]
In February 2012, the company began a limited run of three flavors, strawberry, lemon and rum, that it had last made in 1972, in response to slower sales in January.[4]
References
- ^ Frederick N. Rasmussen (June 2, 1999). "Benjamin F. DeBaufre, 68, supervised production of famed Berger's cookies". Baltimore Sun. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/42077163.html?dids=42077163:42077163&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT.
- ^ Andrew Reiner (April 19, 2012). "Baltimore’s storied Berger cookies have come to Washington". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/baltimore-storied-berger-cookies-come-to-washington/2012/04/17/gIQAVMpbTT_print.html.
- ^ Jack Lambert (February 3, 2012). "Berger Cookies to roll out limited edition flavors". Baltimore Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2012/02/03/bergers-cookies-to-roll-out-limited.html.
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