The crookie came to be when a baker, looking for a diversion, combined his tried-and-true croissant recipe with some cookie inspiration. However, it was TikTok that made it a viral sensation.
Stéphane Louvard invented the crookie about a year and a half ago by filling a croissant with cookie dough and baking it again. The demand for crookies skyrocketed after TikTok videos showcased his creations. In one day in February, Mr. Louvard sold 2,300 crookies at his bakery in Paris.
The crookie, named by Mr. Louvard’s son Nicolas, has not only taken social media by storm but has also spread to bakeries worldwide.
The croissant has been a beloved treat in Paris for centuries, but fusion baking has become more popular recently. Bakers in France have embraced trends like the brookie, cronut, and cruffin.
Mr. Louvard got the idea for the crookie one morning in October 2022 and started making them for fun during his early morning shifts. While initial sales were slow, the crookie craze took off after new customers flocked to Maison Louvard in Paris.
The crookie has attracted a mix of fans and critics. While some praise its decadent taste, others find it too heavy and pricey. Despite the mixed reviews, Maison Louvard continues to sell around 1,000 crookies daily.
The success of the crookie has inspired other bakers to create their own versions and has reignited interest in baking pastries from scratch.
Crookies have become a global phenomenon, with bakeries around the world offering their own versions. The craze has even caught the attention of French frozen food manufacturers and industrial bakery chains.
While some praise the crookie for its creativity, others emphasize the importance of traditional baking techniques. The debate continues over whether crookies are just a passing trend or the next big thing in pastry innovation.
