Chubby’s Cookies + Interview

I had the absolute pleasure of sampling some of the new flavours from Chubby’s Cookies and chatting with the remarkable Aran, owner, operator, and all-around badass woman behind the brand!

When Aran reached out to me to try her delectable treats, my response was an enthusiastic “HECK YES!”

Chubby’s Cookies is a delightful home-based cookie company offering a delectable array of cookies. They specialize in both classic flavours like chocolate chip and nostalgic delights such as S’mores and Lucky Charms. I had the privilege of trying some of their Spring ’24 flavours, including Carrot Cake, S’mores, Key Lime Pie, Mini Egg, Lucky Charms, and Reese’s Peanut Butter.

The presentation and delivery of these cookies were impeccable. Each cookie was individually wrapped, and the themed packaging with pink crinkles and chocolate eggs was a delightful surprise.

Now, let me tell you, these cookies were absolutely scrumptious!

Here’s a breakdown of the cookies I had the pleasure of tasting:

Chocolate Mini Egg: Not overly sweet, with a perfect mix of whole and crushed mini eggs.
S’mores: One of my favorites! Perfect ratio of cookies to chocolate and graham crackers, with a tasty marshmallow and a lovely touch of Hershey’s on top.
Carrot Cake: Thick, flavorful cookie with just the right amount of carrots and a drool-worthy cream cheese filling.
Key Lime Pie: Absolutely delicious! The filling had the perfect balance of sweet and sour, complementing the cookie and icing beautifully.
Lucky Charms: A fun and visually appealing cookie, though I wished it were a bit thicker because the cookie base was SO good.
Chocolate Chip: Generous chunks of chocolate, though I’d prefer a bit more cookie part. Nevertheless, the salt on top provided a delightful balance to the sweetness.
Reese’s Peanut Butter: Delicious cookie with ample chunks of peanut butter and chocolate, boasting a perfect cookie-to-flavor ratio.

These cookies were so mouthwatering that I knew they wouldn’t last long in my household. So, I decided to spread the joy and share them with some friends at Driftwood Brewery, where we paired them with some beers—for research purposes, of course!

Here are the cookie pairings we did:
Lucky Charms with Irish Red Ale
S’mores with Blackstone Porter
Carrot Cake with Arcus Pilsner
Chocolate Mini Egg with Viewfield Saison
Key Lime Pie with De Auras Wheat Sour
Reese’s Pieces with Blackstone Porter

All in the name of science, naturally!

My interview with Aran

Can you tell me about the background of Chubbys?
I used to watch my mom do all of the cooking and baking in our household and took an interest. Baking has/ continues to be a stress reliever. I love creating new recipes and sharing them with my friends and family. Seeing the satisfaction on their faces when they indulge in cookies, cakes, or whatever I am creating at the time.

What inspired you to start your company?
My parents have inspired me so much. They immigrated to Canada in 1981 from India. They put their roots down here in Victoria. They worked hard and never once showed my sisters and me their struggles. From my dad working on the farm to my mom running the convenience store they owned and the other jobs, they had to support my siblings, grandparents and anyone who needed their help. I was reluctant to take the plunge and start my own business. Like many others, I got back into baking during the pandemic. I got the chance to focus on it when I got laid off from my job. and it has pushed me to plan, create and focus on something that made me happy during a tough time.

If Chubbys had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I love this question! I would say Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani or Sugar, Sugar by the Archies. Just some fun and catch tunes.

What are your sourcing practices for ingredients, and do you prioritize any specific types (e.g., organic, local)?
I try to include local and organic ingredients throughout my baking, including Vancouver Island sea salt, Rock Coast and Island farms. I am working on incorporating more local businesses.

What’s the craziest flavour combination you’ve ever experimented with?
I haven’t tried anything too crazy yet. I am hoping my followers could come up with something I should try and create. Maybe a savoury aspect to a cookie? TBD

If you were to create a dessert inspired by your favourite childhood memory, what would it be and why?
My mom used to make this one “dessert” essentially a grilled cheese but, instead of cheese, it was jam in the middle. I would love to try and make that into a cookie. Maybe even a gulab jamun cookie, mixing in my Punjabi culture.

What companies inspire you?
I lived on the mainland for most of my 20s and moved back last April. In a sense, I feel like I am rediscovering Victoria all over again. I love trying local coffee shops
and restaurants. I love all the women-owned businesses like Bin 4 Burger and Iluka Espresso. My most recent visits include Tombo, Flourish BeauTea, and Parachute Ice Cream. I have collaborated with Big Wheel Burger, Kith + Kin Charcuterie and Youfloral for giveaways in the past, which have become some of my favourites. I am inspired by all the small businesses I have interacted with online through Instagram or even visiting these establishments in person. After living on the mainland, I love Victoria and the sense of community.

How do you engage with the local community, and do you participate in any events or initiatives?
I use Instagram to engage with the community and collaborate with other small businesses. I have done giveaways through Instagram, one way to give back to the community. Hopefully, I am going to be active in the markets in the coming months.

Check out Chubby’s on Instagram!!