ST. GEORGE —When a doctor of audiology decided to bake up his own cookie company, something sweet happened.
Shane Walker is the owner of Doc’s Cookies, a name he came up with as a nod to his normal, everyday life as a doctor.
“I have a full-time job, then I come home and I have another full-time job,” Walker said. “I’ve always been drawn to jobs that make other people happy, so I like bringing smiles to people’s faces and it’s something personal that I can share with them.”
He’s been a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) for 15 years, and while it’s good work, he loves the creativity the cookie business provides – something that’s missing from his career and what truly drives him.
Every one of Doc’s Cookies is made from his own hand-crafted recipes and includes unique flavors like peach cobbler, banana bread and raspberry lemonade, all of which include real fruit. His cookies include high-quality ingredients and no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup.
“I mean cookies – out of all the desserts – there’s not a better dessert, in my opinion,” Walker said.
Walker’s recipes are inspired by some of his favorite things, such as the outer crispiness and flavor of homemade banana bread. He spent six months developing the banana bread cookie recipe, which he said was the hardest one yet.
“I failed and failed and failed on that one,” he said. “I was experimenting all sorts of ways. It’s probably the one I’m most proud of, actually, because I failed so much at it.”
If rich flavors are your thing, dive into decadent peanut butter chocolate chip, Mexican macaroon, ginger molasses, oatmeal raisin pecan, snickerdoodle or their best seller – oatmeal toffee chocolate chip. The hot cocoa cookie features rich Ghiradelli chocolate and is topped with a toasted marshmallow.
“It’s the kind of cookie you want it to be,” Walker said. “And you’ll be excited about eating it and want to come back and buy more.”
But what inspired a doctor to start a cookie business?
Walker road-tripped with friends from California to Utah to attend college. One girl brought chocolate chip cookies to share, and as soon as the flavor hit his tongue, it changed everything.
“I was just blown away,” Walker said about the cookies. “Like, wow. They were so buttery and the best chocolate chip cookies I could remember.”
Wanting to replicate the flavor for himself, he went on a mission to find the best chocolate chip recipe. When he felt like he found it, he spent years tweaking it until it became “the best chocolate chip cookie out there.”
While the chocolate chip cookies are the “OG” of his cookie recipes, Walker said there’s much more to it than meets the eye. He uses caramelized browned butter, which gives the cookies more depth of flavor. And with contrasting textures, the cookies are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, just the way he likes them.
“More and more cookies started happening like that,” Walker said. “I just wanted a better cookie. I’m not going to make a ginger molasses cookie unless I think it’s the best ginger molasses cookie out there.”
With a life-long dream to become an entrepreneur and half a dozen perfected cookie recipes under his belt, Walker realized he may be onto something. He began testing his cookies with friends and family, and they were a hit.
When Walker’s oldest daughter wanted to earn money, he taught her the basics of a few recipes and allowed her to make and sell cookies in their neighborhood. The opportunity gave him the ability to test out the cookies along with their production and presentation.
Once he had about 10-12 different styles of cookies, he was ready to announce the business to the world. He launched Doc’s Cookies in August of last year at the St. George Downtown Farmers Market.
“When someone buys a cookie and comes back and buys again, that’s when you know you’re doing something good,” he said about the market. “There’s not a better compliment than that.”
Doc’s Cookies quickly became a success, and to maximize time with his family, he opted to update his own kitchen instead of renting a commercial one. He purchased a commercial mixer and installed two additional ovens, allowing him to crank out his famous cookies more efficiently.
Walker said what really sets his cookies apart is the lack of “gimmicks,” such as large amounts of frosting, sprinkles or candy bars on top. Instead, he lets the cookies stand on their own with flavor baked right into the dough.
“In the end, I make a cookie how I like it,” Walker said. “For me, it’s all about the contrasting and balancing flavors and textures.”
To place an order, follow Doc’s Cookies on Instagram or email [email protected].
Find Doc’s Cookies along with his daughter’s fancy rice crispy treats with browned butter and vanilla bean at the St. George Downtown Farmers Market.
Photo Gallery
Doc's Cookies owner Shane Walker sits next to some of his favorite cookie flavors, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Doc's Cookies Owner Shane Walker presents his homemade cookies at the downtown farmers market in St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Shane Walker, St. George News
Oatmeal toffee chocolate chip cookies by Doc's Cookies are pictured in St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Peach cobbler cookies by Doc's Cookies prepare to be sold at Peach Days, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Oatmeal toffee chocolate chip cookies by Doc's Cookies cool on a baking sheet, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Shane Walker and his daughter Ivy sell Doc's Cookies at the downtown farmers market in St. George, Utah, July 28, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The raspberry lemonade cookie features real pieces of raspberry and lemon, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The hot cocoa cookie features rich Ghirardelli chocolate and is topped with a fluffy, toasted marshmallow, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Doc's Cookies owner Shane Walker arranges cookies on a platter in his home kitchen, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Shane Walker's home kitchen is where Doc's Cookies are created, St. George, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Doc's Cookies Owner Shane Walker presents his homemade cookies for the first time at the downtown farmers market in St. George, Utah, Circa Aug. 2022 | Photo courtesy of Shane Walker, St. George News
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