Dad’s Cookie Factory
Do I smell cookies?
For a time, White City was home to its very own cookie factory. Some residents fondly remember being able to get free left-over cookies – what a treat!
But how did a cookie factory get here?
1938. The Dad’s Cookies franchise was originally acquired locally in Regina in the 1930s and began production in 1938, with its first location on Dewdney avenue, before moving to 1242 Albert Street in Regina.
1964. Wanting to expand, the franchise moved to a larger plant in White City in 1964.
The move from the Regina plant to the much larger White City location meant production went from 23,000 cookies per hour to 100,000 cookies per hour. That is a lot of cookies!
1981. By 1981, the plant was producing 1.69 million cookies per day.
The factory closed its doors December 31, 1984 due to declining sales and a company (Associated Biscuits of Canada Ltd.) reorganization that led to production being moved to Toronto.
Today. Dumur Industries are the current occupants of the building.
For historical photos of both the Regina and White City locations, and a how-to Dad’s Cookie recipe, watch the video from the Western Development Museum below.
WDM Explores Recipes – Dad’s Cookies
1938 Dad’s Cookie Recipe
This recipe makes about 55 cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup butter
- 1¼ cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups fine oatmeal
- 2 cups coconut
- 6 Tbsp corn syrup
- 2 tsp ginger
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp baking soda
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Cream butter and add sugar slowly.
- Cream in eggs, then syrup, then coconut.
- Mix spices and soda into flour.
- Add flour and oatmeal alternately into butter mixture.
- Portion and roll into small balls.
- Place on a baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes.