There are times that I drive by places over and over. I add them to a list which keeps growing and growing. I stepped out to go see a movie (the Avengers, of course) and I wanted something other than the treats at the movie theatre.
In American Fork next to the Cinemark theatre is a small shop called Smart Cookie. I had heard of them on the radio, and only driven by hundreds of times. It was time to make a visit and do some research.
The shop was simple and the girl at the counter was really sweet and very helpful. The story goes: Christian McDaniel created, tested, and perfected a
handful of cookie recipes, that when combined with premium ice creams would
surpass his childhood’s ideal dessert (vanilla ice cream with oatmeal cookie in a sandwich). With 25 perfect cookie recipes in hand,
Christian traded in his financial calculator for a commercial-grade mixer, and
Smart Cookie Company was born.
I have been use to super fancy flavors and spoiled by (RubySnap) gourmet cookies. The cookies are as simple as the shop is. I liked that they incorporated an ice cream counter next to the cookie choices to create the perfect ice cream sandwich, although the ice cream sandwich would've melted in my pocket on the way to the movie. The choices are basic and you would think that would make your decision easy. Oh contraire!
I went with the sugar cookie with a lemon frosting, and an always personal favorite: the chocolate chip walnut cookie. I had to eat the lemon one first because I didn't want the frosting to squish in my pocket. My only wish for this cookie, because it was soft just like I love, was that the lemon frosting didn't taste so much like confectioner's sugar. I would've loved more tang! Second was the chocolate chip walnut. Nice and chewy as well. I am not a fan of crunchy cookies unless it's those delish Biscoff cookies that are served on Delta flights.
I didn't notice walnuts at all, it was good, but I will have to try it again. I like a lot of chunk in my cookie if there are flavors in it, but perhaps I was too into the movie to have noticed? I can't wait to go back and try one as an ice cream sandwich.
If you are in the American Fork or the Fort Union area stop in and try a cookie, the prices are SO awesome and the flavors will remind you of the cookies your mom makes at home.
Walking inside all I could think was "oh this is so cute!" There is a lovely little awning that covers the kitchen door behind the display case. Then your eyes are completely overwhelmed with the beautiful doughnuts and pastries. I really wanted to buy one of each just to have a taste. At 1.85$ a piece I decided it was best if I just picked the ones I really wanted to try first, then I could come back another craving. How does a food writer even begin to explain the vibrant frosting colors used to design the tops of these doughnuts? Or the delicate touches used to create the flavors that are listed on the name tags? These are not your mothers doughnuts!! 
No surprise I had to try a s'mores! These are all basic glazed doughnuts by the way. This one was topped with chocolate drizzles, carefully placed graham crackers, and of course marshmallow fluff! This tasted more simple than it looked, which was perfect because my teeth should have already been hurting just looking at them right? Then I gravitated towards the red velvet. Honestly, I was a little underwhelmed by this one, it really just tasted like a basic cake doughnut. However, the frosting on top was very cute. And for the grand doughnut of all grand doughnuts... wait for it... topped with chocolate drizzle and sugared bacon!!! Yes folks, I said it, bacon. I could definitely eat another one of these. Maybe even two. I have no idea how they made the bacon the way they did, but it was cooked perfect and the sweet with the salty is one of my all time favorites. There was at best 20 flavors to chose from. From savory to fruity. 
