Q: My husband and I frequently have weekend lunch at The Daily Bread in Des Peres and usually share the double chocolate-mocha cookie. We wondered how they make the cookies. The flavor and consistency are amazing.

— Shelia Feldman, Ladue

A: The Daily Bread is a friendly neighborhood gathering place tucked within a gourmet cafe nestled inside an artisan bakery.

"We let the food speak for itself," says owner Patrick Judd. He employs eight full- and part-time bakers. During the holidays, they keep three ovens busy turning out breads, cookies, pies, muffins, quick breads and scones and even pizza with homemade dough.

Chocolate fiends will love the Double Chocolate-Mocha Cookies, which are moist in the center with a crisp outer shell and are studded with bites of white and semi-sweet chocolate.

Special Request is written by Kirkwood resident Alanna Kellogg, author of the online recipe column KitchenParade.com and "veggie evangelist" at the food blog about vegetables, A Veggie Venture.