Best gourmet cookies to buy online

Top pick: Levain Bakery's Signature Cookie Assortment — the thick, gooey bakery-style cookie that made Levain famous, shipped in a ribbon-tied gift pack with a choice of 4, 8 or 12 cookies. Best all-rounder for a gift or a treat-yourself order.

Who the others suit:

• Star Cookies' #1 NY Cookie — the crowd favorite: thousands of ratings, sold in big boxes, ideal for sharing or feeding a crowd.
• Heathcote Bakery's three-pack — soft-baked miniatures in a tidy trio, good for a sampler or a small thank-you.
• Erin Baker's Lemon Berry — bright, fruity and individually portioned; the pick if you want something lighter than chocolate.
• Monica's Gourmet Mix — an assorted box when you'd rather have variety than one flavor.
• Incredible Cookies' variety pack — small, individually wrapped cookies with a personalized sticker; the one for party favors or corporate gifting, and it has gluten-free and vegan options in the small size.

Order early in the week if you need them by a weekend — most of these ship from small bakeries.