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

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 secret to a perfect cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

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

The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars, so along with the caramelizing sugar, proteins in the cookie begin to brown, producing a rich, nutty, toasted flavour. This is the same reaction that occurs in bread and seared steak.

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 cookie did Oreo copy? ›

Hydrox cookies have a sweet filling and a crunchy cookie shell. The Oreo cookie, introduced in 1912, was inspired by the Hydrox. The Oreo eventually became more popular than Hydrox which resulted in Hydrox being thought of as a copy of Oreo.

What is the best tasting cookie? ›

Top 10 Cookie Flavors
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are the quintessential cookie. ...
  • Snickerdoodle. ...
  • Sugar Cookies. ...
  • Peanut Butter Cookies. ...
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies. ...
  • Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. ...
  • Gingerbread Cookies. ...
  • Black & White Cookies.

What makes cookies chewy and not hard? ›

Different types of sugars affect the texture because they absorb different amounts of water. Remember moisture is the key! White sugar creates crispier cookies and brown sugar creates chewier cookies.

How to bake cookies like a pro? ›

After you cut out shapes, allow the dough chill on the pan in the refrigerator to prevent over spreading as they bake. For drop cookies, use a scoop to ensure even amount of dough for each cookie—uniform sized cookies bake more evenly. Give about 2 inches of space between cookies on the pan for spreading while baking.

Do you flatten cookie dough before baking? ›

If the dough is chilled before baking then the cookies will be slightly more rounded, so if you want slightly flatter cookies then bake them as soon as you have mixed up the dough. But we would not recommend flattening the cookies completely as this will affect the texture.

What makes a cookie the best? ›

The best cookies have layers of texture. A slightly crisp outer shell that holds up to some heat with an inner core that's soft and chewy. Premium cookies taste great at room temperature, straight out of the fridge or slightly heated. Creating cookies in small batches is key.

What ingredient contributes most to a crisp cookie? ›

Fat is a very important ingredient in cookies – it tenderizes, crisps and browns, adds color and a wonderful flavor that is impossible to duplicate. Butter, our fat of choice, ensures good baking results and adds the most desirable taste, texture and appearance.

What gives cookies more flavor? ›

Topping each cookie dough ball with more chips, nuts, cinnamon, or whatever your heart desires, will help make them picture perfect and give them extra flavor and texture. When doing this with chips or nuts, press them into the top of the ball of dough close together, and they'll spread apart as the cookie bakes.

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).

Which 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.

What is the number 1 selling Girl Scout cookie? ›

The best-selling Girl Scout Cookies are: Thin Mints® Caramel deLites®/Samoas®

Was Oreo or Hydrox first? ›

Hydrox aren't a knockoff — they're the original sandwich cookie. Hydrox debuted in 1908, a full four years before Oreo came out, and they were revolutionary at the time.

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