Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

The Strange History Of Carvel's Cookie Puss


By

Jen Carlson

Published Jun 25, 2014

Modified Jun 25, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Jun 25, 2014

Modified Jun 25, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Cookie Puss is undoubtedly the most famous ice cream cake character out there. The odd looking fellow with the cone nose and cookie eyes has been around for over four decades now, but what do we really know about him?

According to legend, Cookie Puss is actually a space alien, and was originally named "Celestial Person," or "C.P.," only later adopting his current moniker. We wanted to know the truth though—is Cookie Puss really from outer space? What's he like? For that, we turned to Carvel.

Can you tell us a little bit about Cookie Puss's origin? Cookie Puss was created at the request of Tom Carvel to offer guests a new character cake to enjoy. However, Tom didn’t ask for it to resemble him. Folklore has it that Cookie Puss was created by some franchisees to resemble Tom’s likeness, and was created using product items already in shop.

But I've heard Cookie Puss is really a space alien, is this correct? We can’t confirm nor deny.

CPCAKE14.jpeg
Photographic evidence that Cookie Puss is a space alien.

Before he was a cake, what did Cookie Puss do?

Previously, Mr. Puss worked as a test pilot for NASA, but quickly realized his tendency to melt under extreme pressure.

Is the Cookie Puss we see now the same as version 1.0, or has he changed over the years? Cookie Puss hasn’t changed over the years. He definitely defies the odds. Maybe it’s that galaxy air. [ed. note: some say Cookie Puss has changed plenty in appearance!]

Interesting! So, is he the most popular ice cream cake for Carvel? Actually, no. Fudgie the Whale is the most popular. But there isn’t much rivalry there, just friendly competition at times.

Finally, the world wants to know, what's next for Cookie Puss? He is always making appearances at birthdays and celebrations. He'll also be visiting with his cousin Cookie O’Puss when he comes to town in March.

Later, Carvel finally admitted that Cookie Puss was a space alien, telling us that he resides on Planet Birthday, and is "known throughout the galaxy for his fun and quirky personality. Mr. Puss never sours and always brings a smile to the boys and girls of Planet Earth."

How does he travel from planet to planet? Cookie needs Flying Saucers to help him move about the galaxy.

What does Cookie Puss do for fun? A very friendly fellow, he enjoys visiting his buddies the Jetsons, watching his favorite movie Star Wars, and singing along to Elton John’s "Rocket Man."

At press time, Cookie Puss was not available to comment on his feelings about the Beastie Boys and their harassing prank calls of the early 1980s.

Hot tip: If you order a Cookie Puss (he costs around $30 these days), you can ask for extra crunchies!

Tagged

cake

carvel

cookie puss

interview

original


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema

Published Sep 12, 2026


Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.

By

Sonia Rao

Food

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.

By

Sonia Rao


5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg

Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian

By

Robert Sietsema

Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?

By

Caroline Shin


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .