Join us on a delicious journey as we explore the top 10 most popular types of cookies and learn how to bake them. Get ready to tantalise your taste buds and impress your friends and family with your baking skills.
Shortbread is a rich, buttery, crumbly biscuit enjoyed in Scotland for centuries. The name 'shortbread' comes from the old meaning of 'short', referring to the crumbly texture of the biscuit. Its high-fat content, from the traditional one-part sugar to two-part butter ratio, results in a soft crumb. Shortbread is unique because it doesn't contain leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda.
Today, shortbread is often given as a gift on special occasions like Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year's celebration. With just four basic ingredients, this easy shortbread biscuit recipe is perfect for creating your own buttery delights at home that can last for weeks in an airtight container.
Chocolate chip cookies
The perfect chocolate chip cookie isn't one-size-fits-all. Preferences range from crisp to chewy, thin to fluffy, and even gluten-free. Personal taste ultimately determines the best chocolate chip cookie. The good news is that everyone can find their own perfect cookie recipe. If you're looking for inspiration, we've rounded up some of our favourite recipes that yield delicious chocolate chip cookies in a variety of styles, from soft and chewy to crispy and thin and even grain- and dairy-free.
Sugar cookies
Get ready for a flavour explosion with these irresistible buttermilk sugar cookies. With a soft pillowy texture and moist crumb, these cookies perfectly combine sweet and tart. Made with just a few staple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, they are quick and easy to prepare. Buttermilk is the secret ingredient that gives these sugar cookies unique and delicious flavour. Whether you're a die-hard sugar cookie fan or just looking to try something new, you won't be disappointed with this recipe. Learn how to make these tasty cookies at home and be prepared to fall in love with their fluffy, moist goodness.
Gingerbread cookies
In the world of holiday cookies, few are more popular than the beloved gingerbread. Whether you're making gingerbread men or gingerbread houses, these spiced treats are a must-have for any festive occasion. With just the right amount of sweetness and a warm blend of spices, gingerbread men are the cutest and most colourful Christmas treats around. This gingerbread men cookies recipe uses classic ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to create a flavour and aroma perfect for the holidays. The addition of molasses gives the cookies a brownish hue and aids in caramelisation. So grab your cookie cutters, and let's get baking.
Gingersnaps
There's something special about the spicy and comforting flavour of gingersnaps that makes them a year-round favourite. Fresh and powdered ginger creates a depth of flavour with a pleasant, aromatic heat, while the whole wheat flour adds a delightful graham cracker-like crunch. The natural sweetness of molasses provides all the seasoning these cookies need without any added salt required. Whip up a batch of gingerbread cookies with this recipe from Serious Eats and enjoy them as a holiday treat or with your morning coffee for a delicious start to your day.
Oatmeal raisin cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies are one of the most beloved classic American cookies. This type of drop cookie is made with an oatmeal-based dough that's loaded with raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and other spices. Soft, chewy, and warm, these cookies evoke memories of childhood visits to grandma's house and happy times. This easy recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction will surely please the whole family with its perfect balance of flavour and texture. From the chewy oats to the sweet raisins, every bite of these oatmeal raisin cookies is packed with deliciousness. Bake up a batch today and savour the cosy comfort of this timeless cookie.
Butter cookies
These crunchy, delicious butter cookies have lots of fantastic butter flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth consistency that will have you coming back for more – good old-fashioned butter cookies are hard to beat. They are delicious any time of the year, not just during the holidays. This simple recipe includes flour, sugar, eggs, and, of course, lots of butter. These cookies are crisp, rich, and utterly delicious. Their texture and delicate flavour make them a favourite among young and old alike.
Peanut butter cookies
These homemade peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with peanut butter flavour. These cookies are perfect for dunking in a glass of cold milk. The recipe is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients, making it a great go-to snack. These cookies are a must-try if you're a fan of peanut butter's nutty and sweet taste.
Biscotti
Biscotti – also known as cantucci – are classic Italian cookies that have become a beloved treat worldwide. Originating from the Tuscan city of Prato, biscotti have been enjoyed for centuries. These twice-baked cookies have a satisfying crunch and are perfect for dipping in coffee or tea.
They can be customised with a variety of add-ins, such as almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, chocolate chips, or dried cranberries. With this easy recipe from Sugar Spun Run, you can make delicious homemade biscotti in no time and impress your friends and family with a traditional Italian treat.
Snickerdoodle
Snickerdoodles are a holiday classic that can be enjoyed all year round. These drop cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar and have a slightly crunchy exterior with a soft, chewy interior. While they may be considered a type of sugar cookie, they are not prepared in the same way. A proper snickerdoodle cookie recipe calls for cream of tartar. Cream of tartar gives Snickerdoodle cookies a lighter, fluffier texture than regular sugar cookies. This ingredient also gives the cookies a slightly tangy flavour, making them stand out from other sugar cookies.
