Well-known as the go-to sweet treat in Kauai since 1982, Popo’s Cookies offer the perfect combination of sweetness and crunch plus a truly delightful buttery kick. In order to get a taste of their 14 distinct flavors, you’ve either got to track them down at one of ten stores across the island or go straight to the source.
Although their little cookie shop once stood proud in Kapaa, they’re now part of the Hanapepe community in South Shore Kauai. As of 2013, the shop has new owners, too, although they’ve kept the recipes and baking techniques the same as always.
In order to keep up with demand, they keep baking a continual rotation of cookie flavors, ranging from Butter Dreams to Chocolate Krispie. They often roll out new creations, too, so keep your eye out for new flavors and delights! Ready for a holiday-inspired treat instead? Go with the White Chocolate Cranberry whenever it’s available.
Every batch starts with the creation of their flavorful dough using fresh, quality ingredients, including nuts, chocolate, and other goods right from the island. Then, they precisely measure out each ball of dough using an ice cream scoop. Once the cookies land on the baking sheets, they bake in the oven until perfectly golden and then pop into their five-ounce bags.
Their modestly-sized bags allow you to grab multiple flavors at every visit without overdoing it, although you might still want to go wild. With so many flavors to consider, it’s often difficult to just choose a couple, after all. Plus, it’s far too easy to get through a single bag while walking back to your car. So, do what you must to satisfy your cravings for cookies galore – and never apologize for going big on your order.
Definitely try their:
Butter Dreams
When you just want to focus on the buttery, sugary flavors within, treat yourself to a package of Butter Dreams cookies. The crisp crunch is perfectly offset by the rich butter flavors while the sugar offers the sweet kick you’re after. A light hint of vanilla comes through right at the end, too, leaving you wanting to take bite after bite until the whole bag disappears.
Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut
A true local favorite, the Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut cookies bring two iconic island flavors together in a big way. They make these cookies using their vanilla dough, and then infuse it with chocolate chips and chopped macadamia nuts. The result is a symphony of flavors that’ll undoubtedly leave you wholly impressed from the first bite to the very last.
Keola Deelites
People come from far and wide for a taste of the super-popular Keola Deelites, and for good reason. After filling the light dough with macadamia nuts, they bake up this cookie soft and fluffy. Then, right when each batch comes out of the oven, they roll them in powdered sugar to kick it up a notch.
If you’re craving Popo’s Cookies upon returning home, just hop on their website to order your favorites. When shipping to the mainland, just be prepared to wait three to five days for your sweet treats to arrive at your doorstep. Island orders usually arrive much faster, although it’s possible to experience delays, especially during the holidays.
Insider Tips:
-If you have your heart set on a visit on a particular day or are after a specific menu item, check their Instagram and FB pages for updates. When they have to close early or items sell out, that’s where they make their announcements.
-Check in with them during the holidays for limited edition tins full of cookies, special deals, and so much more.
-Although most people grab their cookies and head back to the car, you can sit back and relax on the patio while crunching away if you wish.