Our 25 Favorite Cookie Recipes

The handheld, sweet confection known as a cookie once referred to test cakes. Small amounts of cake batter were baked to test a new recipe, and from there the cookie (which means "little cake" in Dutch) was born. Thin and crisp, thick and chewy cookies come in many forms, but none more popular than the chocolate chip cookie.

According to Otis Spunkmeyer, a cookie dough company that popularly markets its dough for use in school fundraisers, chocolate chip cookies make up half the cookies baked at home. An obvious favorite, we had to include many iterations of the chocolate chip cookie on our list, like our Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Cookies and our Truffle-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Beyond chocolate chip, there are so many great flavors to explore from simple Sugar Cookies (our recipe for a gluten-free, vegan sugar cookie won't disappoint) to the lace design of our Swedish Coconut Cookie. 

Check out some of our favorite cookie baking tips from why you should always chill the dough to the best way to cool your cookies after baking.

For more delicious cookie options to try, check out our list of 25 favorites that will have your kitchen smelling of fresh baked goods in no time.

Ambrosia — food of the gods, and food of the Southern United States. My grandmother used to serve it at every meal except breakfast. Typically, it consists of coconut, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, pineapple, nuts, and whipping cream, but she made it with whipped topping, fruit cocktail, coconut, and pineapple. She never used oranges and only added nuts during pecan season. In honor of Ambrosia Day and my grandma, here's a cookie modeled after her famous salad. — The Daily Cookie Cookbook

For the Ambrosia Cookies recipe, click here.

These pie cookies have a cut lattice crust and a sweet cinnamon, apple, and caramel filling. Sprinkle with fleur de sel before baking for a sweet and salty touch.

For the Caramel-Apple Pie Cookies recipe, click here.

Toss these soft and delicious chocolate crinkle cookies in powdered sugar to finish their dramatic look. You will love the subtle hint of cardamom adds just the right amount of spice to these chocolate cookies. — Chef Robert Gonzalez

For the Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe, click here.

The dark chocolate chip cookies get a boost of flavor and texture from the sweet-tasting, crunchy pistachios.

For the Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, click here.

This simple ginger cookie gets its perfect chewy texture from the molasses. Toss the cookies in cinnamon sugar before baking for a sweet, spiced delicious cookie.

For the Ginger Chew Cookie recipe, click here.

The inspiration for these luscious cookies happened one day when the roommate of our former daytime pastry chef, Molly, brought home a cookie for her to taste: a crisp little cornmeal wafer that had a light coating of lime-flavored glaze on the top. Molly loved how the combination of buttery sweet corn and zesty lime tickled her taste buds. When she worked on the idea in the bakery pastry kitchen, this recipe was the result. Instead of a small crisp wafer, she made a big, soft, voluptuous cookie with crunchy bits of coarse cornmeal and flecks of lime zest scattered throughout. Topping it off is a light glaze made with confectioners sugar and freshly squeezed lime juice. The whole combination is irresistible. — Amy Scherber

For the Lime Cornmeal Cookies recipe, click here.

This Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a twist on an old classic. The hint of orange extract perfectly complements the dried cherries and dark chocolate chips, giving the cookies a surprisingly bright flavor. These cookies go fast, so consider doubling your batch! — Butter & Type

For the Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, click here.

I got this cookie recipe with the wacky name from my Aunt Laura, who can't remember who gave it to her. So these cookies have no home and no mama. They're chewy, crisp, sandy, rich, buttery, and light, all at the same time. It's hard to stop eating them, so it's a good thing the recipe really does make a hundred cookies. They have a secret ingredient: crunchy Rice Krispies. — Dora Charles

For the Orphan One Hundred Cookies recipe, click here.

These pecan cookies are made with a topping that is rich, decadent, and chock-full of pecans. They are always well-received! — Kerry Dunnington

For the Pecan-Crusted Cookies recipe, click here.

You can't beat this classic shortbread recipe that produces a tender, crumbly product. Add nuts, raisins, or spices to make it your own.

For the Shortbread Cookie recipe, click here.

Whether you are vegan or not, you won't be able to get enough of these soft, chewy, sweet sugar cookies that swaps regular butter for a vegan alternative.

For the Sugar Cookie recipe, click here.

Break open these chocolate chip cookies to see the secret to this cookies decadence — a gooey truffle center that melts in the oven.

For the Truffle-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, click here.