Eight Cookies is a Toronto bakery that wants to satisfy sweet-toothed locals with a menu of treats big on butter, add-ins, and handcrafted charm.  

For owners Zeyneb and Kaan Unver, Eight Cookies is a natural next step in Zeyneb's baking career.

"I always liked baking. I always bake cookies, no matter what," she says. "I started experimenting with more flavours at home. When I saw people's reaction, I was like, okay, maybe I can turn this into a business."

First, she tested out the concept with an online shop. It was a move, she says, that helped her flesh out her flavour collection while giving her confidence to go further. 

Inspired by Zeyneb's lucky number, Eight Cookies is an immaculate space offering a predictable eight monthly flavours.

"I wanted to keep the shop very minimal," she explains. "I wanted it to be a happy place. That's why I used very vibrant colours in our boxes. When people walk by, I want them to see that it's a happy place."

Beyond the boxes, they're likely to notice the seductive scent inside, the warm welcome and a cookie display that's equal parts tantalizing and tidy.

Inspired by classic desserts and popular confections, the menu is a familiar read. 

Though the spice-riddled Biscoff and Milk Chocolate & Sea Salt are signatures and will always be available, other cookie flavours will change monthly ($5 for one, $57 per dozen). 

PB & Jam and Toasted Almond & Coconut lured September's first customers, with Ferrero, Pecan Cheesecake, Apple Pie and others taking the helm for October. Future sweets will boast flavours inspired by Zeyneb's Turkish roots. 

From caramels and frostings to jams and fillings, "everything is made in house," she assures. Butter anchors each recipe, with mix-ins, like Oreo cookies or Kinder Bueno, adding extra pops of sugar.

Though they're undeniably sweet, her cookies, says Zeyneb, are "very balanced between the sugar, salt and butter. Everything comes together and it's just so nice in your mouth." Her goal with each recipe is to steer clear of  cloying, landing instead on balanced recipes for cookies that people can actually finish. 

And judging by the steady stream of customers dropping in, people are not only finishing the cookies—they want more.

"I'm so happy that in a month, I already build a community. I get so happy when I see return customers," says Zeyneb. "It's a lovely neighbourhood," echoes Kaan. "There's a lot of support, so we're so happy to be here."

Eight Cookies is located at 983 Dovercourt Road.