SWEET!

It took six years
of wholesaling her cookies before Dawn Casale founded a retail
outlet. She opened her Cobble Hill shop, One Girl Cookie, in
November 2005. You’ll smell the aroma of her husband David Crofton’s
baking goodies wafting down Dean Street several minutes before
you spot the store’s pale blue exterior. Inside, the walls bear
a mural of chocolate and cream portraits of her relatives, the
original inspiration for the company.



"They’re the people who taught me to appreciate food prepared
with love and care," Casale says.



Her kin would approve of the deeply flavored treats that emerge
from Crofton’s oven each day. There’s the Lucia (shortbread,
caramel and chocolate), the Lana (raspberry jam sandwiched between
two chocolate cookies) and the Susanna (spicy oat and crystallized
ginger) among the 12 delectable varieties.



Casale’s creations are just two-bites of goodness.



"That way you can try several different flavors without
feeling stuffed," she explained. "It’s tapas-style
cookies." Sample a few, with a cup of coffee or tea, or
nibble on a brownie, lemon bar or cupcake in the bakery’s eight-seat
espresso bar. Beautifully wrapped, baked party favors and gift
boxes filled with her sweet treats can be shipped anywhere in
the United States.



One Girl Cookies (68 Dean St. between Smith and Court streets
in Cobble Hill) accepts American Express, MasterCard and Visa.
The bakery is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 am to 7 pm;
Friday and Saturday, from 11 am to 9 pm; and from noon until
6 pm on Sundays. Cookies start at $2 for four, and go up to $24
for a gift box. Beverages are $1.50-$2.75. For more information,
call (212) 675-4996 or visit the Web site, www.onegirlcookies.com.