22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (2024)

Step one in researching cookie recipes is deciding which types of cookies you want to bake: Christmas cookies, classic cookies, small cookies, large cookies, no-bake cookies—the different kinds of cookies are nearly endless. Will they require using a stand mixer? Step one is easier said than done, right? So let's take it back a step: You know that you want delicious cookie recipes, and thanks to this collection of cookies, that's enough.

We've rounded up simple cookie recipes for almost every type of cookie, so you can find the one that speaks to you and start baking without too much time clicking around. Whether you're preparing for a cookie exchange or just itching to make some of the most popular cookies out there for yourself, consider this your starting point. With these delicious cookies as the result of your efforts, you'll be thanking yourself with every scrumptious bite. Now pull out those baking sheets!

4 Five-Ingredient Desserts Anyone Can Make

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Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (1)

Buttery puff pastry forms the base of these simple cookies, which feature a cinnamon-sugar and pecan swirl throughout each bite. And don't be intimidated by that picture-perfect spiral—all you need is a well-rolled dough and a quick trip to the freezer.

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Gingerbread Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (2)

Who says gingerbread is just for the holidays? Bake these cookies year-round and decorate with a simple icing.

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Chocolate Crinkles

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (3)

Roll the dough in a generous dose of confectioners' sugar before baking to achieve this pretty snowy effect.

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Angeletti

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (4)

Decorate these crumbly little bites with a light vanilla glaze and colorful sprinkles.

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Chocolate Chocolate-Chunk Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (5)

There's melted chocolate in the batter along with chocolate chunks in the final product—a chocoholic's delight.

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Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (6)

Chewy and crumbly, this favorite has an added bonus—the recipe is flourless, making it a great gluten-free sweet treat.

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Pecan Sandies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (7)

Chopped pecans add an irresistible nutty crunch.

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Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (8)

This timeless recipe for everyone's favorite cookie is loaded with chocolate chips; add chopped nuts for extra variety.

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19+ Baking Hacks for Better Christmas Cookies, From Professional Chefs

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Jam Sandwich Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (9)

Sandwich any store-bought or homemade jam of your choice between two sugar cookies to make these sweet treats. Dust each cookie with powdered sugar for the perfect finishing touch.

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Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (10)

Use old-fashioned rolled oats to lend robust flavor and texture to these hearty cookies.

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Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (11)

Add ground toasted almonds to the batter to give these beautiful sandwich cookies a fragrant nuttiness.

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Easy Sugar Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (12)

It doesn't get much more classic than this easy sugar cookie recipe. Use this easy-to-make dough to whip up Pecan Logs or Chocolate-Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies, or simply grab some colorful icing and decorate your own treats.

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Almond Biscotti

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (13)

Biscotti are baked twice to make them extra crisp and dry—perfect for dunking in a cup of coffee.

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Glazed Lemon Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (14)

A sweet lemon topping adorns these delightful citrus treats.

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25 Best Romantic Dessert Recipes

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Chewy Spice Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (15)

Molasses helps keep these cookies—spiced with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—moist and chewy.

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Shortbread Wedges

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (16)

Buttery, crumbly shortbread is an ideal afternoon treat with a cup of tea.

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Pine Nut Drops

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (17)

Crunchy pine nuts provide a satisfying contrast in these chewy cookies.

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Salty-Sweet Chunkers

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (18)

These chewy cookies are loaded with mix-ins such as white chocolate chips, pretzels, oats, and mini marshmallows.

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Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (19)

To make chewy macaroons even more delicious, dip them in melted chocolate and let set before serving.

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Chocolate Linzer Cookies

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (20)

This spin on a classic Linzer cookie adds cocoa powder to the dough, which chocolate fans will love. Fill each cookie with vibrantly colored jam to create an Instagram-worthy dessert platter.

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Chocolate Chip Meringue Kisses

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (21)

Light and airy meringues have a hidden nugget of chocolate in each bite.

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Macaroon Thumbprints With a Surprise Nutella Center

22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (22)

If you love Nutella, these adorable bite-sized thumbprints are the perfect dessert for you. Chocolate hazelnut spread is dolloped in the center instead of jam, and it's all topped off with a sprinkling of coconut flakes.

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22 Classic, Delicious Cookie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most successful cookie? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What is the science behind baking the most delicious cookie ever? ›

Caramelization – Just as the cookie is almost finished baking, two chemical reactions happen – caramelization & Maillard reaction. As sugars in the dough break down (especially around the edges & the hot bottom), they transform into a brown, fragrant caramel gold adding to the flavours of the cookie.

How old is the first cookie? ›

The Origin of the Cookie

The first cookies are thought to be test cakes bakers used to test the oven temperature. They date back as early as 7th Century A.D. Persia which is now Iran. They were one of the first countries to grow and harvest sugar cane.

What is the last reaction to take place inside a cookie and what is its result? ›

The final reaction to take place inside your cookie is caramelization and it occurs at 356º F. Caramelization is what happens when sugar molecules break down under high heat, forming the sweet, nutty and slightly bitter flavor compounds that define… caramel!

What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›

The chocolate chip cookie is far and away America's favorite cookie This should come as no surprise to anyone who enjoys the tasty treat. More than 53% of American adults prefer the cookies over the next most popular kind, peanut butter.

What is the #1 cookie in the world? ›

Every year, more than 40 billion Oreo cookies are produced in 18 countries around the world.

What is the most loved cookie? ›

Chocolate chip cookies

What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.

What gives cookies more flavor? ›

Add more complex proteins, like malted milk powder and brown butter. Caramelizing the sugar beforehand brings bright notes to your cookies, but you can further expand your dessert's flavor profile by playing with proteins.

What makes cookies chewy vs crunchy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

What is cookie a nickname for? ›

'Cookie' as a nickname has a long history. It's often just a name given to the cook, or whoever the duty of cooking falls on. It's also often given to folks that are fragile, 'crack up' easily, or are just sweet in nature. Perhaps it is a name referring to a particular 'cookie incident'.

What is cookie slang for? ›

The slang use of "cookie" to mean a person, "especially an attractive woman" is attested to in print since 1920. ... The word "cookies" is used to refer to the contents of the stomach, often in reference to vomiting (e.g., "pop your cookies" a 1960s expression, or "toss your cookies", a 1970s expression).

What country invented cookies? ›

Cookies appear to have their origins in 7th century AD Persia, shortly after the use of sugar became relatively common in the region. They spread to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain. By the 14th century, they were common in all levels of society throughout Europe, from royal cuisine to street vendors.

What does adding water to cookie dough do? ›

The most likely benefit of adding water to your cookie dough is to help hydrate the batter. If your dough looks dry after mixing (especially when using browned butter), adding a tablespoon or two of water could be just what your dough needs to prevent a dry, crumbly cookie.

Why do bakery cookies taste different? ›

One reason may be that bakeries use emulsions. Emulsions are flavorings designed for high heat applications. So they retain their flavoring much more than extracts do in baking. Emulsions are made without alcohol and also incorporate better with the other recipe ingredients.

What is the most popular cookie? ›

Chocolate chip cookies

What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.

What is the number 1 selling Girl Scout cookie? ›

The best-selling Girl Scout Cookies are: Thin Mints®

What cookie brand makes the most money? ›

Oreos are the best-selling cooking brand in the world, according to a study from 2014. In that year, the sandwich cookie brand generated sales of 3.28 billion U.S. dollars. Oreo is owned and operated by Nabisco, which is in turn owned by Mondelez International.

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