Caramel Crush, Naughty Nutella, Luscious Lemon, Peanut Butter and Jelly. Mouth watering yet? These are all flavours from the Funky Monkey Cookie range, a delicious undertaking from Hunter Valley-based siblings Renae Campbell and Mitch Beattie.
Starting as a side hustle just before this year's lockdown, Campbell initially came up with the idea based on her love of baking and sharing food with family and friends. They approached some local stockists and supplied them with samples, winning them over. A website was then launched and Funky Monkey Cookies took off.
"In June we came up with the idea," Beattie says. "Renae wanted to do it and I said 'sure, let's do it. I'm happy to help,' thinking it would just be a side thing. We set some business goals for July next year, but then lockdown hit and Funky Monkey just exploded. We've eclipsed that goal and it has become a full-time job."
"[Over lockdown] our cookies were sent as birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, I miss you gifts, and just because gifts. They've been sent to console couples who have had to postpone their weddings, to friends who miss each other and also to bring peace between arguing couples."
"We even had a couple who live in Japan sending some to their friends in Sydney."
You can pick up fresh batches at eateries such as The Barn in Adamstown, Perry The Feeder at The Station in Newcastle, PK's Olde General Store in Cessnock and The Little Nel in Nelson Bay; as well as buy from their online store which ships nationwide.
Cooking and baking has always been an integral part of family life for the duo, so it's no surprise they turned their attention to making sweet creations for everyone to savour.
"Our mum involved us in the kitchen from a young age, helping to crack an egg here and pour in some sugar there," Beattie says. "Since then, Renae has always held the mantle for being an amazing baker. She has a passion for baking all things sweet and freshly baked scones, slices, muffins, cakes and of course cookies, have always frequented our household."
Operating out of a kitchen near Branxton, Campbell is the sole baker and comes up with the loaded flavour combinations, pushing a few boundaries of what can go inside a biscuit.
"Caramel Crush was our first creation," Beattie says. "Renae loves caramel and wanted to create something that is different and unique. It is the true caramel lover's dream as it is infused with caramel in three separate ways [caramilk chips, a gooey caramel filling and drizzled caramel icing].".
Funky Monkey cookies are truly decadent; they are large enough to share (if you must) and their secret super-power is a flavour-filled centre that offers bursts of luscious ingredients with each bite. To enhance the eating experience, it's recommended that the cookies are slightly heated beforehand, to replicate that fresh-out-of-the-oven moment.
"The most incredible experience is breaking open one of our cookies straight out of the oven," Beattie says. "We ship or deliver our cookies within 24 hours of baking so that our amazing customers can experience this joy as close as possible. Of course, by then the cookies are not as hot as from the oven so heating them in the microwave completely alters your experience. They become deliciously soft, gooey and extra indulgent."
When you've got flavours like Sensational Snickers, Malt Madness, Triple Chocolate and Rebellious Red Velvet, you can see the appeal of a slightly oozier approach to devouring them.
In between all the regular flavours, plus a range of gluten-free cookies, Funky Monkey also sneak in seasonal and fund-raising varieties, such as the Sassy Strawberries and Cream for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a spring collection centred around citrus fruits. With Christmas fast approaching, Campbell is busy in the kitchen developing limited edition flavours for a 12 Days of Christmas collection, including favourites such as Christmas Pudding, Coconut Ice, Pavlova and Trifle. Gender reveal cookies (in pink or blue), corporate treats and wedding cookies are also proving popular. Cookies can be purchased individually or as part of a gift box and sent off as delectable gifts.
"We are also launching our Funky Cookie Fundraisers for schools, clubs, sporting groups and other community groups," Beattie says. And for the truly devoted, keep an eye out for the upcoming Cookie Club to receive pre-launch flavour sneak-peeks, discounts and birthday gifts.
