If one good thing has come out of the past year of lockdowns, it's that Toronto bakers have had more time to perfect their recipes.
Morgan Ross, founder of Bug Bites Cookie Co., has been whipping up cookies for her family for as long as she can remember, and is now selling them through Instagram.
As a result of losing her job––like countless others during the pandemic––Ross turned to baking, one of her favourite hobbies, to pass the time during quarantine. With a passion for social media marketing and a killer cookie recipe, Ross wanted to experience what it would be like to start her own business.
"My family loved eating my cookies and so I thought I might as well make something of this and sell them," she said.
The inspiration for the company's name came from Ross's mother's nickname for her brother: love-bug. Seeing as he was (and still is) one of her biggest cookie consumers, she thought she'd name the Bug Bites Cookie Co., after him.
Ross opened her online store last Fall in Montreal, where she started selling her cookies to the students on campus. She has since returned to Toronto and though she is now fully employed, she continues to expand her cookie empire on the side.
"Bug Bites is more about the experience," she said. "It's not just about the cookies, it's the presentation, the boxing and the attention to detail that makes it all so special."
Fan favourites include the Sweet and Salty, made with pretzels, pecans and dark chocolate, along with the Cookies & Cream, made with crushed Oreos and white chocolate. You really can't go wrong with your selection, but on your first order, Ross highly recommends you try the Funfetti, which consists of mini eggs and white chocolate chunks.
To place your order, simply send a direct message to Ross on the Bug Bites Instagram account where she will let you know the pick-up address––in the Yonge and Eglinton area––along with the available dates and times.
