Umami From Scratch Debuts Quinoa CCC Cookies

Chicago micro-bakery offers globally inspired baked goods with a unique twist on classic chocolate chip cookies.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:35pm

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Divyasha Ray, the chef and founder of Chicago-based micro-bakery Umami From Scratch, has created a new recipe for Quinoa CCC Cookies that combines whole wheat flour, cooked quinoa, dark chocolate, and sea salt caramel chips for a deeply flavorful and chewy cookie with a hint of unexpected nuttiness.

Why it matters

Umami From Scratch is part of a growing trend of small, local food businesses in Chicago offering unique, globally inspired baked goods that cater to evolving consumer tastes for healthier and more adventurous treats. The Quinoa CCC Cookies showcase the bakery's commitment to using high-quality, wholesome ingredients to put a creative spin on classic desserts.

The details

The Quinoa CCC Cookies feature a base of whole wheat flour, Himalayan pink salt, baking powder, baking soda, and ground cardamom. Divyasha Ray combines this dry mixture with softened unsalted butter, coconut sugar, caster sugar, a flax egg, instant coffee powder, and vanilla. She then folds in cooked and cooled quinoa, sea salt caramel chips, and dark chocolate chips to create the final cookie dough. After chilling the dough, Ray bakes the cookies at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft.

  • Umami From Scratch was founded in Chicago in 2021.
  • The Quinoa CCC Cookies recipe was developed and debuted in April 2026.

The players

Divyasha Ray

The chef and founder of Umami From Scratch, a Chicago-based micro-bakery offering globally inspired breads, pastries, and cakes.

Umami From Scratch

A Chicago-based micro-bakery founded by Divyasha Ray, offering small-batch, made-to-order baked goods with flavors inspired by the spice routes.

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What they’re saying

“Cooked quinoa adds subtle nuttiness and moisture, creating a cookie that stays tender inside while developing crisp edges.”

— Divyasha Ray, Chef & Founder, Umami From Scratch

What’s next

Umami From Scratch plans to continue expanding its selection of globally inspired baked goods, with new seasonal and limited-edition offerings expected throughout the year.

The takeaway

Umami From Scratch's Quinoa CCC Cookies demonstrate how small, local food businesses can put a creative, health-conscious spin on classic desserts to cater to evolving consumer preferences for unique, wholesome treats.