Article by freelancer Lauren Haffner
De-stress and desserts are two words spelled with the same letters that have very different definitions. One is full of tension and worry; the other is full of flavor and satisfaction.
Some choose to deal with their stress through exercise, while others listen to music. For sophomore undecided major, Drew Haas, baking is an escape from any negative energy and frustration.
Growing up, the white, small cozy kitchen of Haas’ grandma’s house welcomed her like a warm fuzzy hug. Any time Haas was upset or stressed, her grandma would invite her over to bake. The two would squeeze together into the corner of the kitchen where they worked like a well-oiled machine: She would mix the ingredients while her grandma cracked the eggs into the bowl.
Each baking session resulted in a fresh batch of her grandma’s famous “ooey-gooey yummy chocolatey cookies.” Haas never once imagined that a calm day in the kitchen at her grandma’s house in 2019 would become a baking business.
Haas said that her business started out of sheer boredom. In 2019, she was faced with a summer that lacked an itinerary. An unplanned conversation with her cousin, Anna Goldstein, changed everything. Goldstein, a life coach, suggested Haas roll up her sleeves and sell cookies to pass the time.
“I think, you know, she was having a hard time and I always think a hard time is an opportunity,” Goldstein said.
Although family support held strong, Haas said her friends told her the idea was “so middle school.” Instead of listening to them, Haas’ actions became very impulsive. She went home, unlocked her phone, retrieved a picture from the cookies she made with her grandma, and created an Instagram account: Cookies By Drew.
A single photo of the golden-brown cookies with dark chocolate chips started it all on June 25, 2019. A video of Haas pulling apart the cookie followed the image and began to catch the eye of other users.
With the help of her mother and brothers, the creativity among the cookies took off. Haas said that her mom, Kari Haas, was the reason the recipe took a unique change. After suggesting the addition of an Oreo into the middle of the cookies, Haas said the wheels began to turn.
Kari Haas said her daughter grew up a foodie who was always chasing after cool desserts. This search soon transferred over to how she created her cookies.
Haas’ grandma, Wendee Reznick, said her granddaughter has added creative fillings to the original dough recipe from that day in the kitchen in 2019.
The simple cookies have transformed into aesthetically pleasing desserts due to the changes made to the recipes over time. Chunky oozing chocolate cookies, fluffy frosting, colorful assortments of sprinkles, and a wide variety of other cookie types make up the Cookies By Drew Instagram account.
“She just brings energy to cookies. And just whether she’s cooking and baking at three o’clock in the afternoon, or one o’clock in the morning, she has the same energy,” said Reznick.
The 19-year-old hosted her first Cookies By Drew philanthropy event on Nov. 19. Haas worked with her Tri Delta sorority sisters at the University of Maryland to raise money for St. Jude. 50% of the proceeds were donated to cancer research. The event, which took place outside of Landmark Apartments, lasted from 3 to 5 p.m. and raised over $500.
People passed by as Haas and her sorority big sister, junior communications major Maddi Schloss, stood behind their pink table with a row of cookies perfectly lined up on top. Monster, M&M Nutella, circus, cookies & cream extreme, Oreo, double chocolate chip, and funfetti were the seven flavors that Haas displayed.
Haas’ dad, Gary Haas, said that he could not be more proud of his daughter. Her fundraising for St. Jude did not come as a surprise to him as she has donated to organizations in the past. Gary Haas said feedback has become the most rewarding experience as his daughter loves to make people happy.
“It’s not just about the money with Drew, and I mean that sincerely. It’s more about the passion and the drive and I think ultimately that’s the best thing for her,” he said.
For sophomore communications major Sami Collins, Cookies By Drew has become a family function. Collins and Haas were friends before college, and Collins supported Haas at her philanthropy event. Collins stopped by to make her purchases and say hi to Haas. She said she and her sisters are obsessed with the cookies.
“We sent her fan letters. My sisters would stalk her cookies [on Instagram] and they had the notifications on to see when the next cookie drop was or what the new flavor was. They were freaking out about it,” Collins said.
Social media also played a large role in the success of the business. Haas said she was able to connect with other small businesses and grow her following during the pandemic. Through the help of Facebook groups and giveaways, the account now has over 14,000 followers.
The baking scene has transitioned from her grandma’s kitchen to much larger spaces. Haas said that commercial kitchens have volunteered their facilities for Cookies By Drew to bake in.
Her baking and selling process has shifted from a small list of notes on a phone to a Google Sheet calendar. Haas works alongside her mom and grandma, who she said are the reason the business still thrives during her time in college.
Cookies By Drew takes local and nationwide orders. Though based in Bethesda, the business ships to all 50 states and also caters events.
“I think my younger self would freak out because this is what I idolized when I was little,” Haas said. “I loved the fun, cool, colorful desserts.”