It’s world chocolate day and possibly one of the tastiest chocolate treats traces its origins to Baltimore City. Berger cookies are soft, cake-like cookies covered with hand-dipped fudge icing.

German immigrant and baker Henry Berger arrived in the United States in 1835, with dreams of opening a bakery. He was successful, opening a bakery in East Baltimore which he owned and operated with his sons George, Henry, and Otto. Open air markets dominated the way people shopped at the time, and the family maintained stalls in multiple markets throughout the city.

Berger Cookies is still a family-owned and operated business today. They still hand dip their cookies and offer cakes that are also made from an original homemade recipe from the 1800s.

Do you have a fun fact to share about your county? If so, please send it to Allison Valliant to be featured in MACo’s weekly Fun Fact on Conduit Street.