The Cookie Jar

I’ve tried their baked goods several times during various parts of the year and never have been pleased.

I just love this place. Their donuts are awesome. My favorites are the Boston crème and chocolate frosted raised glazed. They also have yummy chocolate chip cookies, and their cinnamon rolls with white icing (not talking about the clear glaze, which I’m sure are delicious) are the best! The bakery is somewhat of an icon and is owned by a great couple. Can’t wait for my next visit!

The Cooke Jar is one of out favorite stops when we are in the Portland Area. Located very close to the Portland Headlight, this is a great location to grab some phenomenal donuts and great coffee and go sit by the lighthouse to enjoy.
The donuts are fresh baked and super tasty. They always have a wide variety offal its of both cake and raised donuts. Their pastry selection always looks phenomenal as well, although I’ve never sampled it (the donuts are just too good to pass up).
This is an absolute must if you are in the Portland area!

This place was mobbed. Seemed like a place for locals and tourists alike. Fresh baked goodies, with a couple gluten free and vegan options. I believe there was also warm cider as well. It seems like the gathering hole in this small town. Just adorable.

Great stop for a quick bite. Nice bakery. Couple of tables to eat in. Best cinnamon bun I ever had. Soft. Chewy. Tasty. Delicious !!! Chocolate glazed cruller was very good too. Can’t go wrong here.

Keep a fork handy because you’re going to want to stab whoever’s hand tries to steal your raspberry Bismarck. A Bismarck, by the way, is essentially a cream-​filled donut without a hole in the middle.
We saw TCJ as we were driving down to Portland Head Lights lighthouse, and made a pit stop on the way back. Although I don’t have a major sweet tooth, the bf does and was in sugar heaven. They have so much variety that you’re bound to find something for everyone. The raspberry Bismarck and molasses donuts were perfect as everybody else said, and I would highly recommend!
We love these small town shops, and only wish there were one closer!

I’m going to expose my bias: I came here on a specific mission today and this was not my first choice, but will be next time.
Today is the one year anniversary of my father’s passing and his favorite thing to do with me was go get lemon Bismarck’s and listen to Metallica and go for weekend drives. Raddest dad around, right? Well, since moving to Gorham in January I have not for the life of me been able to find a bakery that makes lemon bismarcks and is open with regular hours.
I’m going to be honest here, TCJ doesn’t have lemon bismarcks on their menu, but I called ahead to see if there was any chance in hell this could happen for me, not disclosing the very sentimental reason. Not only did they say they would make them special for me, they did it right that second. HOLY SERVICE, BATMAN!
When we walked in the door the place was packed, with a line curving around the bakery counter and three very busy but pleasant employees. When one said hi to me I told her I had called earlier. She smiled and said «we already made them!» and the bismarcks in question were waiting for me neatly packed at a register. This tiny little act of good service probably meant nothing to these people by it meant everything to me today — everything – as I got to have that little piece of home and my dad.
Stop crying. It gets better. Let’s talk about a real review, here:
Product: A+! The thing was HUGE and delicious. Two was too much food, haha. Lumberjack dad would have loved it. Homemade, flaky, rustic, amazing.
Price: I paid five bucks for the experience. Win. Win. Win.
Convenience: not too far out of the way and with decent parking. And it’s in the cape so drives afterward are stunning. Can’t complain there.
Overall: I’m going back a thousand more times. The feel is very retro. Like when my nana used to force me to church under the premise that donuts were happening after, and that makes me really happy. Between the product and the service and the feels I can’t say enough good things about this place.
In comparison I have to note: Westbrook and Gorham were both let downs all around. One bakery wasn’t even open today. It’s Sunday people. Have some respect for confections.

I have lived in Portland for 15 years, and just had my first molasses donut from here. I’m pretty sad that I’m just finding out about this:) I’m very impressed by the creativity and quality of the products here.

I will dream of donuts for the rest of my days. The maple glazed stick holy mother of god it is the best thing to ever happen to me. I don’t even like donuts that much but I love yours!!!

Chef Donna and her team at Cookie Jar are fantastic. We love dessert and could not choose one wedding cake flavor so we opted for a two-​tier cake (only 30 guests) with one tier carrot cake, one tier white cake with fresh raspberry jam. We also ordered mini cupcakes in three flavors — carrot cake, white cake with fresh raspberry jam, red velvet. Finally, the first time we stumbled upon Cookie Jar, we asked for a suggestion of their most popular item; we were pointed to the oversized sugar cookies with fresh raspberry jam, so we added another 30 small cookies to our order. Our guests raved and our wallets were appreciative. We return every time we are in Maine, even if just to get a single pumpkin munchkin. And to top it all off, Chef Donna is a warm, welcoming individual.

All you need is the raspberry Bismarck. Done and done.
This goes on the top donuts list of all time. Perfect cream to raspberry to donut ratio. It’s sweet, but the right sweetness. Hubby and I split and that was perfect. You could share with more people, but you might end up sad. Get a knife and fork, pack it up and take it to Fort Williams Park and enjoy on the water. For less than $ 3, you can enjoy the goodness.
Major points for making us one fresh late in the evening. Employees were really nice and helpful, offering suggestions.

The Bismarck… Nothing else matters. (But actually, everything is delicious and you won’t be disappointed!)

The BEST donuts I’ve ever had! So delicious with crusty sugar coating and party in your mouth freshness!!!

Amazing Donuts! Was staying in Old Orchard Beach and wanted a morning treat. Didn’t want something from a chain place (DD) so ended up at The Cookie Jar. It did not disappoint! Donuts were delicious and their coffee was good and strong! The staff was very courteous and helpful, listing off all the types of donuts and suggesting favorites! Left very happy and with a box full of donuts! The prices were VERY fair and the donuts are HUGE! Had the molasses, Boston cream, red velvet and raspberry Bismarck! Was like a birdie trying bites of each but couldn’t even finish 1 whole donut! A must try if your staying in the Portland area!!!

Absolutely the best donuts in the Portland area. The best donuts that I’ve had in years. Forget those trendy fancy expensive donut places (you know who they are) with the itty bitty donuts. A Cookie Jar donut is big, huge, enormous. And good!!!
If you’re on a budget, check out the rack loaded with bags of day-​olds. A day-​old Cookie Jar donut is fresher than some of the fresh donuts that I’ve gotten from those other places.
Grab a cookie and some bread, those are great too.
Bonus — you only have to be 55 to get the senior discount on Tuesdays.
Cookie Jar is up the street from Willard Beach and you pass it on the drive to the lighthouse, so there’s no excuse for not going.

The Raspberry Cream Bismarcks will change your life! Seriously. They are THAT good.
I grew up in South Portland but had never been to TCJ until last month, which definitely benefited my waistline but my taste buds have seriously missed out!
I’ve had to restrain myself from making weekly trips, and let me tell you, it’s difficult! There are times when all I can think about is the Raspberry Cream Bismarck. Get one tomorrow!

My cupcake was gross. Cake was stale, frosting was flaky and gritty.
We called to see if they had whole Boston Crème pies, and a woman said they had 2 left. We come to the shop, they had 2 Boston Crème DOUGHNUTS left.
Disappointment all around.

Honestly, what’s not to like at the Cookie Jar? Local business, fresh ingredients, friendly staff, great prices, and a huge selection of delicious baked goods. It’s Mecca!
I finally made it to The Cookie Jar after a day at Willard Beach. It was later in the afternoon and there were no lines and no waiting. It took me forever to order because everything looked delicious. In the end, I got a box of delicious cookies (molasses, snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin etc.) that included two adorable decorated lobster shortbreads for my friends’ kids. The bill was $ .79 — okay, not that cheap, but compared to other area bakeries, The Cookie Jar is a true value. Next up: donuts and pie!

Easily the best donuts we had in The Portland area. I enjoyed these more than Bigs or Holy Donut. This place does the donuts right and for the right price. We ordered a Boston Cream and a chocolate glazed. I was happy on both accounts. The Boston Cream was one of the best I have ever had and it was gigantic. Their donuts are fluffy, large, and tasty. The inside is pretty cool and could be a relaxing place to sit.
The only negatives I can see are trying to back out onto the street and the bathroom seems to be behind the counter and wear they store cartons, supplies, and aprons. I felt a little weird using it.

Not sure why I haven’t reviewed The Cookie Jar already, but suffice to say, even if you aren’t a huge fan of baked goods, you’ll find something deliciously tantalizing here! My personal favorite is the chocolate donut covered in coconut flakes.
The best part is the PRICE… this shop is my «go to» for bringing treats to the office as they run cheaper than your local quick service chain and taste heavenly. We stopped in to grab breakfast and a snack for our trip to Fort Williams: 2 donuts, 2 cookies, a coffee and a tea set us back a whole $ 6.
You will likely encounter a line, and backing out of the parking spots can be downright dangerous, but it is so worth a stop, whether you’re a local or a visitor!
It doesn’t get better than this, folks!