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Silly Goose has quickly become one of Dubai’s top cookie makers. We sat down with Sid Jayakrishnan, an architect-turned-cookie-maker and the brand’s founder, to find out more about the growing fanbase that’s hooked on his delicious creations.
What influences your taste choices when you read?
Each Silly Goose Cookie tells its own story. This emotional connection has always been our favorite. Every flavor was inspired by an individual close to us, whether it be a friend, family member or customer. It is based on the memories and feelings they hold dear. It can be a childhood snack or a classic from the school canteen. Sometimes, the flavor is inspired by something surprising, such as a favorite movie, an artist or a travel destination. Each flavor is deeply personal, as a result. The quirky, thoughtful names also reflect this.
When creating cookies, do you consider regional flavors or UAE-specific flavours?
No, not in the conventional sense. Our inspiration comes from real people’s favorite tastes and stories. We create cookies based on memories, stories, and specific tastes shared over the years. NoNo Darling, for example, is named in honor of my wife Noemie. NoNo is Noemie’s playful and affectionate nickname. To this day, she is still our taster and determines the perfect balance of each cookie. We don’t design cookies with UAE themes, but the local influences we encounter every day naturally influence our designs. Our ideas are shaped by their stories. Our cookies Butter Me Up, and Bonne Bouche are named after an Emirati.
What is the single ingredient that you think makes the most difference to a cookie.
The real difference is in how it’s used and not the ingredients. Every detail, from browning butter properly to checking the temperature of sugar before mixing it with butter makes a difference. Next, the eggs must be added at the right time and the dough should not be over-mixed to maintain the texture. Resting the dough for the correct amount of time is crucial to achieving a rich flavor and the perfect consistency. Each step has an impact on the final product, which is why it took us months to adjust ratios and baking times. Ingredients are important, but so is the process. The real magic is in the execution and the way it’s done. This is where flavor and texture come to life in each cookie.
French butter is a popular ingredient. Why did you select it?
French butter is richer and more creamy because it contains less water. The milk solids caramelize when it is browned, giving the cookies a nutty and toasty taste. We spent days tasting raw butters and only spoonfuls to determine the best one.
Do you still have a favorite cookie?
Our next cookie is a dark chocolate and walnut bourbon-banana. Silly Goose doesn’t think “impossible” cookies are possible, even though it is still in the works. We focus instead on cookies that require a bit more time and effort to refine. We’re thrilled to introduce our new flavor of the Month in June as part of our continuous experimentation with flavors and concepts. We’ll be introducing a new limited edition cookie every month for cookie lovers. Here’s an idea: black-and-white nostalgia!
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