Cookies make everything better! From classic chocolate chip to fancy macarons, there’s a cookie for every mood and occasion. I’ve tested hundreds of recipes over the years and narrowed down the absolute best ones.
These 18 cookie recipes are the only ones you’ll ever need in your baking arsenal.
1. Perfectly Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brown butter is the secret weapon here. Just melt it until golden and nutty-smelling before mixing with sugars.
The overnight dough rest develops deeper flavors. Worth the wait!
These cookies have crispy edges and gooey centers that stay soft for days—if they last that long!
2. Grandma’s Soft Sugar Cookies
Sour cream in the dough creates an incredibly tender texture. No crunchy sugar cookies here!
The simple vanilla frosting gets a flavor boost from real vanilla bean seeds. Kids love decorating these with colorful sprinkles.
3. Salted Caramel Thumbprints
Buttery shortbread cradles pools of homemade salted caramel. The salt cuts through sweetness perfectly.
Make the caramel ahead and reheat when ready to fill. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt finishes them off.
4. Fudgy Brownie Crinkles
Half brownie, half cookie—these treats give you the best of both worlds! Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar creates that classic crackled top.
The centers stay gooey like brownies. Use high-quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor. They freeze beautifully!
5. Oatmeal Scotchies
Toasting the oats before mixing adds nutty depth. Butterscotch chips melt into little pockets of caramel-like goodness.
A hint of cinnamon warms up the flavor profile. The cookies spread just enough while baking. Impossible to resist!
6. Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Ricotta cheese creates an incredibly soft, cake-like texture. Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten every bite.
The simple glaze soaks partially into the cookies. These taste like sunshine! Great with afternoon tea or as a light dessert.
7. Triple Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Coffee amplifies chocolate’s flavor without tasting like coffee. Three forms of chocolate—cocoa, chips, and chunks—create texture contrast.
The dough benefits from chilling. This prevents over-spreading. Espresso powder is worth buying just for these cookies—they’ll satisfy serious chocolate cravings!
8. Maple Pecan Shortbread
Real maple syrup (not pancake syrup) makes these cookies special. Toasted pecans add crunch and nutty flavor.
The dough is slice-and-bake style for convenience. Keep a log in the freezer for fresh cookies anytime.
9. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Rolling the dough in sugar creates a sweet, crackly exterior. The chocolate kiss on top melts slightly into the warm cookie.
Natural peanut butter works but regular gives better texture. These nostalgic cookies please crowds of all ages!
10. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Fresh ginger gives more zing than powdered alone. Blackstrap molasses creates deep, complex flavor.
Rolling in coarse sugar adds sparkle and crunch. The cookies crackle beautifully as they bake.
11. Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies
Ground almonds in the dough create tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The raspberry jam filling peeks through pretty cutout windows.
Chill the dough thoroughly for clean cuts. A dusting of powdered sugar makes them look like little snowflakes. They are worth the extra effort!
12. Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Brown butter transforms the humble snickerdoodle into something extraordinary. The cinnamon-sugar coating caramelizes slightly during baking.
Cream of tartar gives these cookies their distinctive tangy flavor. They’re puffy in the center with wrinkly tops. These aren’t your average snickerdoodles!
13. Coconut Lime Shortbread
Lime zest cuts through the richness of butter and coconut. Toasted coconut adds tropical flavor and chewy texture.
The dough can be rolled and cut into shapes. A simple lime glaze adds bright flavor and pretty shine. These unexpected cookies are perfect for spring and summer gatherings!
14. Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
Freezing dollops of Nutella makes stuffing these cookies easier. The chocolate cookie dough completely surrounds the hazelnut center.
When baked, the outside is slightly crisp while the center stays gooey. The surprise inside delights everyone!
15. Crispy Butter Pecan Cookies
Browned butter and toasted pecans create incredible nutty flavor. These thin cookies snap satisfyingly when broken.
A sprinkle of flaky salt balances the sweetness. The edges caramelize beautifully during baking. Ideal for dunking in coffee or giving as gifts—they ship well without breaking!
16. Pistachio White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Chopped pistachios add gorgeous green color and crunch. Dried cherries provide chewy tartness that balances the sweet white chocolate.
Almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor. These colorful cookies look festive on holiday platters.
The unique flavor combination makes these stand out from ordinary cookies!
17. Earl Grey Shortbread With Lemon Glaze
Ground tea leaves infuse these buttery cookies with bergamot flavor. The subtle floral notes shine against the simple shortbread base.
The bright lemon glaze complements the tea perfectly. These sophisticated cookies pair wonderfully with afternoon tea. Use loose leaf tea for the best flavor.
18. S’mores Stuffed Cookies
Graham cracker crumbs in the dough create authentic s’mores flavor. Each cookie contains a piece of chocolate and mini marshmallow inside.
The marshmallows puff then melt, creating gooey pockets. No campfire needed for these treats!