30 Most Popular Types of Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are delightful and festive treats with distinct appearance, texture, and taste. Often used as finger food for Christmas parties, these golden-brown cookies with intricate shapes, often resembling gingerbread men, make them visually appealing.

These cookies have a firm and slightly chewy texture, offering a satisfying bite. The rich and warm flavor comes from ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses. Ingredients typically include flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and spices. It is important to chill the dough, roll it evenly, and not overbake it to maintain its softness when baking.

Chocolate chip cookies are classic baked treats with a golden brown color and a slightly crisp exterior. They have a soft and chewy texture, with gooey pockets of melted chocolate throughout. The taste is a perfect balance of sweet and slightly salty, with hints of vanilla.

The key ingredients include butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and of course, chocolate chips. To achieve the best results, refrigerate the dough before baking and use high-quality chocolate chips.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are wholesome delights with a chewy texture and comforting warmth. Speckled with plump raisins, their appearance is rustic and inviting. The combination of oats and raisins yields a chewiness that complements the softness of the cookie.

Cinnamon adds a hint of spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Ingredients include oats, raisins, flour, and a dash of cinnamon. For optimal results, refrigerate the dough before baking to intensify flavors and ensure a chewy consistency, delivering a nostalgic and satisfying treat.

Peanut Butter Cookies, golden treasures with crisscross patterns, boast a perfect blend of chewiness and crunch. Their appearance is rustic, adorned with classic fork impressions. The texture is a harmonious marriage of soft and slightly crispy.

With a nutty, sweet taste, these delights come alive with a medley of ingredients like creamy peanut butter, sugar, and eggs. Baking tip: Ensure a soft center by slightly underbaking. Indulge in the simplicity and satisfaction of homemade peanut butter cookies, a timeless treat.

Sugar cookies, sweet simplicity in a bite, boast a golden hue with a smooth surface, often adorned with festive decorations. Their texture is a delicate balance—crisp at the edges and irresistibly tender within.

The taste is a classic symphony of buttery goodness and a subtle sweetness, making them an ideal canvas for various flavors. Flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla orchestrate the magic, you can use any type of sugar but powdered sugar is preferred.

To perfect these delights, chill the dough before baking, ensuring a flawless blend of flavors and textures in every delightful sugar-kissed bite.

Snickerdoodles are classic, chewy cookies recognized by their cracked surface and cinnamon-sugar coating. The texture is soft on the inside with a slight crispiness on the edges. Key ingredients include flour, butter, sugar, and cream of tartar, which imparts a tangy flavor.

Baking tip: Chilling the dough enhances flavor and prevents excessive spreading. These delightful treats boast a perfect blend of sweetness, warmth from cinnamon, and a comforting, homemade appeal.

Macarons are delicate French confections known for their vibrant colors and sandwich-like structure. Featuring a smooth, glossy exterior and a chewy yet airy texture, they encase a flavorful filling between two almond meringue shells.

Ingredients include almond flour, egg whites, and powdered sugar, while careful folding ensures the batter's proper consistency. The result is a delightful treat with a crisp shell, tender interior, and a symphony of flavors in every bite.

Shortbread cookies are a classic treat known for their simplicity and rich flavor. With a crumbly and buttery texture, these cookies often sport a distinctive round shape and a delicate golden hue. The key ingredients include butter, sugar, and flour, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Baking tip: Handle the dough minimally to maintain the desired texture, and refrigerate before cutting for clean edges. Enjoy the subtle sweetness and irresistible richness of these timeless delights.

Fortune cookies are crisp, golden treats with a thin texture and slightly sweet taste. Made from a simple batter of sugar, flour, vanilla, and egg whites, they're molded into flat circles before baking.

Once baked, a fortune or message is placed in the center, and the cookie is folded into a distinctive crescent shape. Baking tips include precise measurements, even spreading, and swift folding while warm. These popular after-meal delights are known for their mysterious messages and delightful crunch.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are delightful treats with a cracked, crinkled appearance that resembles powdered snow. Their texture is a perfect balance of chewy inside and crispy outside. Rich cocoa powder imparts a deep chocolate flavor, while powdered sugar creates the signature crackled look.

Ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder contribute to their light and airy texture. To get the perfect crinkled effect the dough must be left to chill before rolling it into the balls. Enjoy these festive cookies with a glass of milk for a decadent treat.

Lemon Cookies are delightful treats with a golden hue, adorned with a zesty aroma. Their texture strikes a perfect balance between soft and chewy, while the taste bursts with citrusy goodness.

The main ingredients include flour, butter, sugar, and fresh lemon zest, these cookies are a symphony of sweet and tangy flavors. For optimal results, ensure precise measurements, incorporate the lemon zest evenly, and bake until the edges turn golden. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cookies' tender texture.

Thumbprint cookies are charming treats with a crumbly texture and a delightful burst of flavor. These classic cookies feature a buttery base, often enriched with nuts, and filled with sweet jam or chocolate.

Their appearance showcases a distinctive indentation made with a thumb, giving them a unique charm. Baking tip: Ensure well-defined thumbprints by gently reshaping if needed before baking. Experiment with various fillings to personalize the taste, creating a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite.

Coconut macaroons are golden delights with a crisp exterior and chewy interior. Their appearance showcases a toasty, coconut-covered surface. The texture is a delightful blend of crunch and chewiness, while the taste boasts a sweet coconut flavor with hints of caramelization.

Ingredients include shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. A baking tip is to ensure gentle mixing to maintain the airy texture. Also, watch closely to achieve the perfect balance of golden brown without over-baking.

Biscotti are Italian twice-baked cookies known for their crisp texture and elongated shape. Typically, they boast a golden-brown hue, studded with almonds or other additions. The texture is dry and crunchy, perfect for dipping into coffee or dessert wine.

The flavor is rich with a subtle sweetness, often enhanced by vanilla or anise. Key ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, and almonds. To ensure a proper crunch, precise baking time and allowing them to cool completely after the first bake are crucial tips.

Linzer cookies are visually enticing, featuring a sandwich design with a peek-through center revealing vibrant jam. Their texture is delicately crumbly, while the taste balances sweet and nutty notes from almond flour.

The key ingredients include butter, powdered sugar, almond flour, and a dollop of fruity jam. For optimal results, finely grind the almonds, maintain uniform dough thickness, and use high-quality jam. Additionally, dusting with powdered sugar post-baking enhances their elegant presentation.

Oreo Cookies are two cookies in one, quite literally. These crispy and sweet cookies are perfect for any gathering, children and adults love them alike making them the perfect snack or treat.

Oreos are crushed and integrated into the cookie dough before baking, enhancing the flavor and appearance of the final bake. The secret behind preparing the best Oreo cookies lies in the dough and the balance between the Oreo chips and the actual batter.

Icebox cookies are a delightful treat with a classic appearance, showcasing uniform slices of dough. Their texture is a perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness, delivering a rich, buttery taste with a hint of vanilla. Don't get fooled by the name as it is not a type of ice cream.

Ingredients typically include butter, sugar, flour, and flavorings. For best results, ensure accurate measuring, and try experimenting with different extracts for a unique twist. Additionally, shaping the dough into a smooth log before chilling enhances the cookies' presentation and slicing ease.

Molasses cookies are rich, chewy delights with a distinctive deep flavor. Their appearance is rustic, often boasting a crackled surface. The texture is soft and chewy inside, with a slightly crisp edge. Molasses imparts a robust, sweet taste, complemented by spices like ginger and cinnamon.

Key ingredients include molasses, flour, sugar, and spices. To enhance flavor, consider adding a touch of orange zest. To achieve the perfect chewiness, avoid overmixing the dough and bake until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.

Kiss Cookies are delightful treats featuring a sweet and crumbly texture. These cookies boast a rich taste, blending the sweetness of chocolate with the nuttiness of the added kiss-shaped chocolate candies on top. Common ingredients include flour, sugar, butter, and chocolate candies.

For optimal results, ensure proper measuring of ingredients, use room temperature butter, and avoid overmixing the dough. Baking tip: lightly press the chocolate candies into the dough before baking for a perfect finish.

Spritz cookies are classic buttery treats pressed through a cookie press for intricate shapes. Their texture is delicate, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth. The taste is rich and buttery, with a hint of sweetness. Ingredients typically include butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla extract.

For perfect spritz cookies, ensure the dough is at room temperature, and experiment with different press shapes. Precision is key in pressing to maintain their charming design without overworking the dough.

Snowball cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, are small, round cookies that resemble snowballs. They have a crumbly and tender texture, which melts in your mouth. These cookies are typically made with ground nuts (usually pecans or walnuts), powdered sugar, butter, flour, and vanilla extract.

The dough is rolled into balls and baked until they turn slightly golden. Once cooled, they are rolled in powdered sugar again, giving them a snowy appearance. For best results, avoid overmixing the dough, and be sure to use finely ground nuts.

Drop cookies are effortlessly delicious treats with a rustic charm. Their appearance is casual, formed by spoonfuls of dough dropped onto a baking sheet. The texture is a perfect balance of chewy and crumbly, while the taste bursts with sweetness and flavor.

Ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla create a classic base, and additions like chocolate chips or nuts enhance the experience. For optimal results, ensure accurate measurements, use room temperature ingredients, and maintain consistent cookie sizes for even baking.

Pinwheel cookies are visually striking treats consisting of two different colored doughs rolled together to create a swirl pattern. The texture of these cookies is typically soft and slightly crumbly. They offer a delightful balance of flavors, often combining chocolate and vanilla.

Common ingredients include butter, sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. To ensure the best results, it is recommended to use high-quality ingredients and maintain a consistent thickness while rolling the dough.

Tassies are a delightful type of cookie that originated in the southern United States. These bite-sized treats are characterized by their rich and buttery taste, which often includes a hint of vanilla or almond flavor. Tassies have a delicate, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.

They are typically formed into small tart-like shapes with a sweet and flaky pastry crust. The filling can vary but is often made with ingredients such as pecans, coconut, or chocolate. When baking Tassies, ensure that the pastry dough is chilled to maintain its shape and prevent shrinking during baking.

Lebkuchen cookies are a traditional German treat that is often enjoyed during the holiday season. These cookies have a distinct taste that is sweet, spicy, and slightly nutty. The texture is soft and chewy, with a delicate crunch from the icing on top.

Lebkuchen cookies are typically round and have a dark brown color. The key ingredients include honey, spices such as cinnamon and cloves, nuts, and candied fruit. To enhance the flavor, it is recommended to let the dough rest overnight before baking and to brush the cookies with a sugar glaze while they are still warm.

Madeleines are delicate French cookies known for their distinctive shell-like shape. They have a light, spongy texture with a slightly crisp edge, and their taste is buttery and subtly sweet, often flavored with vanilla or lemon zest.

Madeleines are made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, which contribute to their rich flavor. To achieve the perfect texture, it is crucial not to overmix the batter and ensure proper greasing and flouring of the madeleine molds for easy release.

Alfajores are delicate South American cookies known for their irresistible charm. These sandwich cookies feature two crumbly, buttery rounds embracing a dulce de leche filling, often coated in powdered sugar or shredded coconut.

The texture is melt-in-your-mouth soft, while the taste is a harmonious blend of sweet and caramel notes. Key ingredients include flour, butter, and dulce de leche. For optimal results, maintain a gentle touch when handling the dough, and ensure even baking for the perfect, indulgent treat.

Meringue cookies are delicate confections with a crisp exterior and a chewy, airy interior. Made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and vanilla, they boast a sweet and light taste reminiscent of marshmallows. Piped into charming shapes and baked until golden, these treats are visually appealing.

Ensure success by using room-temperature egg whites, gradually adding sugar during whipping, and baking in a low oven. Avoid making them on humid days to maintain their delightful texture.

Pecan Sandies, delicate golden-brown cookies, boast a crumbly texture and rich, nutty taste. Comprising butter, flour, sugar, and pecans, these treats are simple yet divine. The pecans contribute a delightful crunch, enhancing the overall sandy texture.

Bake them at a slightly lower temperature for a tender result, and watch closely to prevent over-browning. Adding a touch of vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile. Enjoy these timeless classics with a cup of coffee for a delightful treat.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are a delectable treat with a golden-brown exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Loaded with creamy white chocolate chunks and crunchy macadamia nuts, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness.

The dough, comprising butter, sugar, and vanilla, is mixed to perfection for a rich flavor. For optimal results, ensure precise measurements, use high-quality ingredients, and avoid overmixing. Preheat the oven accurately and bake until the edges turn golden, ensuring a delightful taste and texture.