Proust had his madeleines. For me, it’s Stella D’oro. When I was growing up in the far north (well, Connecticut), an afternoon snack was Stella D’oro almond toasts dipped in milk. You had to dip fast. They would crumble and sog pretty quickly. But it was worth it, even the crumbs on the bottom of the glass. (Some people drink those, but those people are just weird.)
As an adult, I spent many long years apart from my beloved cookies. Whenever I’d go back for a visit, I would try to bring back a package or two. Austin, you see, is a Stella D’oro free zone. (Or was — we just now found some at Central Market, the upscale foodie store brand of H-E-B). My sister just sent a package of several Stella D’oro varieties that Austin doesn’t carry, and until recently, I figured we were good to go.
Until Lance, the makers of such snack favorites as ToastChee and Captain’s Wafers, announced they were buying Stella D’oro from its owners Brynwood Partners. Lance will continue manufacturing Stella D’oro products at its Ohio bakery.
The sale certainly didn’t come out of the blue. After a dispute over wages, in which the company said it could not afford to pay its workers $18 to $22 per hour and nine weeks paid leave, and a 10-month long strike by its workers, Stella D’oro shut its only bakery, in Brooklyn, in July of this year. That was the beginning of the end.
I feel like I just found Stella D’oro only to lose it again. These cookies are from another time and place. They are not overly sweet, and they have an old-fashioned, Old Country flavor. Who makes cookies with anisette anymore? I have to hope that Lance will be a good steward of the brand and the products it just acquired. I also hope that by being baked in the Midwest instead of Brooklyn the cookies will find new fans in unexpected places.
But don’t take my word for it. Next time you’re in the cookie aisle, pick up a package with the distinctive Italian flag colors and get ready to dunk.
I too recently discovered my favoite Stella D’oro Swiss Fudge cookies at Central Market!!! Alas, they were stale. But I’m hoping for better luck next time.
i can tell a similar story — we moved from connecticut to oklahoma when i was 7 and every visit back, we loaded up on the stella d’oros. my aunts would send them to us every once in a while. they are the taste of childhood for me.
OMG i thought I was alone here!!! I left NY years ago, and havebeen obsessing over these cookies for years! I would have my mom bring me some when she would come visit. But we just learned they are no longer makies these wonderful swiss fudge cookies anymore… I am sooo sad! my family and I were so escited when we also found them at Central MArket (HEB) however they are no longer carrying them! Neways just wanted to share the sadnessJust a few days ago we found them at this Store called Fiesta. Its like a Mexican supermarke there in houston. We were so happy since we thought maybe they did not stop making them, but today these I discovered they expired may of last year lol… But of course we didn’t care! That’s how much we love these cookies. It is soo sad they will no longer make these cookies. I don’t think the new wner is continuing the fudge ones… I hope he reconsiders! Neways just wanted to share… ANd it feels good to know we’re not the only ones missing these awesome coookied!
take care
Stella D’oro Forever!