This week we'll headed on a short trip, up over the border to Canada, the U.S.'s friendly neighbor to the north. Which I believe is the first Canadian-themed post I've done, which is kind of weird now that I think about it. Anyway, these cookies are from the Dare company, and I picked them up at my local Shop-Rite grocery.
Dare is a moderately old company. They've been making cookies and candies since 1892, based out of the family grocery in Ontario. This company was incorporated in 1919, meaning that their official centennial is right around the corner. Dare was started by Charles H. Doerr, and as such, the company was named the C.H. Doerr Company up until 1945. At this point, Doerr changed the title to Dare, thinking that this close approximation of his surname was much easier to pronounce, and remember. By 1954 Dare was sold all over the country of Canada, aided by the technological improvement of an effective resealable container for cookies. By 1956 Dare products were exported to the U.S. Dare continued to expand, and by 1983 their foods were available in all of the lower 48 U.S. states. Eleven years later, in 1994, Dare opened its first bakery in the U.S., in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This manufacturer has been near the forefront of addressing specialized dietary concerns, too. They eliminated all peanuts at their plants in 2003 due to allergy issues, and in 2013 they marketed Canada's first gluten-free cracker. In a similar vein, Dare has announced that they'll switch to using only cage-free eggs by 2025, and some of their products are kosher. Finally, in addition to cookies, this firm still makes candies, crackers, and various kinds of crisps (or "chips" to American customers). Currently Dare employs over 1300 people, and is exported to over 50 countries around the world.
1) Dare Breaktime oatmeal cookies: These were round, and about 4.5 cm (about 1.75 inches) in diameter, with a light brown color. Slightly disappointing, as they were not as good as some other oatmeal cookies I've had. Okay, but nothing more. They were better after being dipped in milk.
2) Dare fudge chocolate creme filled cookies: Circular shape, with a spiral pattern etched on them. These were like an Oreo cookie in that they were two outer pieces sandwiching a cream (or creme) filling. Diameter was about the same as the oatmeal. All of these components were dark brown. These were solid, but not great. Definite fudge-like flavor.
3) Dare coconut creme filled cookies: Yellow hue, with elaborate inner circular pattern and scallop-type edges. Like the fudge kind, they were sandwich style, encasing a white filling. Same size as the first two varieties. These were better than the first two kinds. Although the coconut flavor was strong--if you like coconut, you'll probably enjoy these, but if you don't you probably will hate them.
4) Dare maple creme cookies: Not surprisingly, these cookies were shaped like a maple leaf, about 5 cm. by 5 cm. (about 2 inches by 2 inches), with yellow outside cookies enclosing a light yellowish-brown filling. "DARE" was embossed on them, too. These had an intense maple flavor. Since I enjoy maple, I really liked these. Very sweet and tasty. Easily the best of the bunch.
Overall, these Dare cookies/biscuits ranged from alright to very good. My family liked these too--they especially enjoyed the coconut ones. I definitely plan on buying the maple creme variety again. I should also mention that the price was very reasonable for these. The box sizes ranged from 8.8 ounces (250 gram) to 10.6 ounces (300 grams), and cost less than $3.00 per box. I think one was even less than $2.00.
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