Every state has a cookie that locals swear by. Some are time-honored family recipes, others are wild regional twists.
From fruit-filled bites to buttery classics, these cookies tell stories as sweet as their ingredients.
Here’s a cross-country guide to the best cookie in every U.S. state—grab a glass of milk and get ready to explore.
1. Alabama – Pecan Sandies
Rich with Southern pecans, these shortbread-style cookies have a golden, crumbly texture that melts into warm, nutty bliss. A hint of salt balances the sweetness.
They’re often served during holidays but loved year-round. Alabama’s love for pecans shines in every bite.
2. Alaska – Molasses Cookies
Deep, dark molasses gives these cookies their signature chew and spicy richness. Cloves and ginger warm them from within.
They’re a cozy treat in a cold climate. Soft, bold, and sweetly old-fashioned.
3. Arizona – Mexican Wedding Cookies
These powdery rounds are packed with finely chopped nuts and buttery dough. Their delicate crumble gives way to almond-flavored charm.
Arizona’s cultural blend brings them to many holiday tables. Simple, snowy, and unforgettable.
4. Arkansas – Chocolate Gravy Cookies
Inspired by the state’s beloved breakfast sauce, these cookies blend cocoa and butter for a fudgy finish. The soft texture feels like cake.
A nostalgic nod to Southern kitchens. Homey, rich, and unapologetically chocolatey.
5. California – Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nutty tahini adds depth to the classic chocolate chip formula. Olive oil often replaces butter for a coastal twist.
They’re trendy, earthy, and health-conscious without sacrificing flavor. California cool in cookie form.
6. Colorado – Green Chile Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mild roasted chiles surprise the palate with savory heat. Chocolate calms the fire while adding velvety sweetness.
A Rocky Mountain original that’s bold and balanced. Unusual but addictively complex.
7. Connecticut – Snickerdoodles
Tangy from cream of tartar, these cinnamon-dusted classics puff up soft and golden. Every bite brings sugar and spice.
Connecticut keeps them traditional and buttery. A childhood favorite turned forever treat.
8. Delaware – Peach Thumbprint Cookies
A buttery base holds a dollop of local peach preserves. Their petite shape makes them perfect for tea trays and festivals.
They offer a pop of sunny flavor in every center. Small, sweet, and full of state pride.
9. Florida – Key Lime Sugar Cookies
Zesty key lime zest brightens up chewy sugar cookies. A light glaze adds tang and sparkle.
They’re like sunshine in edible form. Tart, sweet, and totally Florida.
10. Georgia – Peach Cobbler Cookies
Juicy peach bits blend with brown sugar and cinnamon. The texture mimics cobbler with golden, crispy edges.
They bring a favorite dessert into bite-sized joy. Southern comfort in cookie shape.
11. Hawaii – Macadamia Nut Cookies
Chunks of creamy macadamia nuts pair with white chocolate or tropical fruits. They bake into rich, slightly chewy rounds.
They taste like island breezes and golden afternoons. Sweet, buttery, and blissfully crunchy.
12. Idaho – Potato Chip Cookies
Crushed chips add salty crunch to soft sugar dough. The result is rich, buttery, and surprisingly addictive.
They nod to the state’s spud fame in the best way. Sweet meets salty, with texture to spare.
13. Illinois – Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nutty brown butter elevates the traditional base, creating a caramelized richness. Dark chocolate brings in extra depth.
They’re gourmet without being fussy. Decadent, warm, and endlessly craveable.
14. Indiana – Amish Sugar Cookies
Pale, puffy, and soft as clouds, these cookies melt on the tongue. No frosting needed—just vanilla and butter.
They’re unfussy and full of comfort. A Midwestern hug, straight from the oven.
15. Iowa – Scotcheroos
Crispy cereal, peanut butter, and chocolate come together in no-bake bars. Butterscotch chips give them their name and charm.
Iowa makes them by the panful for potlucks. Sweet, sticky, and joyfully retro.
16. Kansas – Monster Cookies
Oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&Ms collide in a chewy, colorful heap. They’re oversized in spirit and size.
Each bite feels like a dessert jackpot. Loud, lovable, and made for sharing.
17. Kentucky – Bourbon Balls (Cookie Version)
Chopped pecans, cocoa, and real bourbon pack a grown-up punch. Rolled into truffle-like cookies with deep Kentucky roots.
Sweet, boozy, and unapologetically bold. A cookie with a little swagger.
18. Louisiana – Praline Cookies
Caramelized brown sugar and pecans create a crisp, candy-like edge. Butter and vanilla soften the center.
They carry Creole sweetness in every bite. Rich, golden, and steeped in tradition.
19. Maine – Wild Blueberry Cookies
Bursting with tart wild blueberries, these cookies are soft, tangy, and slightly cakey. Lemon zest often brightens the mix.
They’re like a summer field in edible form. Juicy, vibrant, and unmistakably Maine.
20. Maryland – Berger Cookies
Thick vanilla cookies smothered in a slab of glossy chocolate fudge. The topping is taller than the cookie itself.
They’re messy, rich, and unlike anything else. Baltimore-born and bakery-beloved.
21. Massachusetts – Boston Cream Pie Cookies
Miniature cakes filled with vanilla custard and topped with chocolate glaze. Soft, rich, and completely indulgent.
They turn the classic dessert into portable fun. Fancy enough for guests, friendly enough for snacking.
22. Michigan – Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tart dried cherries mix with semi-sweet chocolate for a vibrant, chewy cookie. The dough often includes almond extract.
It’s Michigan’s fruit pride in every bite. Sweet, tart, and totally balanced.
23. Minnesota – Hotdish Cookie Bars
These bars blend sweet cereals, chocolate, and marshmallow into one gooey treat. Layers echo the state’s love for hotdish.
Part cookie, part bar, all heart. Playful, sticky, and big on nostalgia.
24. Mississippi – Tea Cakes
Pale and tender with the faintest hint of nutmeg or lemon. These cookies are soft, buttery, and steeped in family tradition.
Often dusted with sugar or served plain. Humble, charming, and perfectly Southern.
25. Missouri – Gooey Butter Cookies
Dense and sweet with a cream cheese base, these cookies melt into soft, buttery bliss. Powdered sugar tops them off.
A St. Louis favorite gone statewide. Sticky, sweet, and impossible to stop at one.
26. Montana – Cowboy Cookies
Oats, coconut, nuts, and chocolate create a hearty, trail-ready snack. These are rustic, chewy, and packed with texture.
Perfect for road trips and big appetites. Rugged but sweet—just like Montana.
27. Nebraska – Cornmeal Cookies
Cornmeal adds a gentle crunch and subtle nuttiness. The dough is light, lemony, and not too sweet.
They honor the state’s farming roots with grace. Earthy, golden, and quietly delicious.
28. Nevada – Basque Almond Cookies
Inspired by Basque traditions, these cookies are chewy, nutty, and often spiced with cinnamon or anise. Almond flour keeps them tender.
They reflect Nevada’s immigrant heritage beautifully. Rustic, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.
29. New Hampshire – Maple Shortbread
Pure maple syrup infuses buttery shortbread with rich, golden flavor. Each bite brings warmth and crispness.
They’re good with tea and autumn leaves. Simple, elegant, and unmistakably New England.
30. New Jersey – Italian Rainbow Cookies
Layers of almond sponge in pink, yellow, and green, sandwiched with jam and dipped in chocolate. Technically cake—but cookie by name.
Bakeries across the state perfect them. Festive, colorful, and always in demand.
31. New Mexico – Biscochitos
Anise-flavored with cinnamon-sugar tops and a touch of lard for richness. These cookies are crumbly, aromatic, and deeply traditional.
They’re the official state cookie for a reason. Spiced and storied, with roots in centuries-old kitchens.
32. New York – Black And White Cookies
Soft and cakey with half-vanilla, half-chocolate glaze. Iconic, oversized, and best eaten with both flavors in one bite.
They’re a deli counter legend. Elegant, classic, and instantly recognizable.
33. North Carolina – Sweet Potato Cookies
Sweet potato purée lends moisture and earthiness to these autumn-hued cookies. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring cozy warmth.
Soft and soulful, they celebrate the Southern harvest. Comforting from first bite to last.
34. North Dakota – Krumkake
These delicate Scandinavian cookies are rolled into cones and dusted with sugar. Vanilla and cardamom make them smell like Christmas.
Crispy, light, and utterly charming. They whisper of heritage and hearth.
35. Ohio – Buckeye Cookies
Chocolate and peanut butter meet in rich, fudgy form. Inspired by the famous candy, but now baked into soft cookie perfection.
They’re sweet, satisfying, and pure Midwest magic. Ohio wouldn’t be the same without them.
36. Oklahoma – Buttermilk Cookies
Soft and tender with a hint of tang. These cookies feel halfway between cake and biscuit.
They’re unfussy and full of charm. Buttermilk gives them heart.
37. Oregon – Marionberry Oat Cookies
Jammy marionberries swirl through hearty oat cookies. Sweet-tart fruit meets a nutty, chewy base.
They’re rugged, juicy, and delightfully Pacific Northwest. A hike-ready treat with hometown flavor.
38. Pennsylvania – Whoopie Pies
Chocolate cake cookies sandwich a marshmallow cream filling. Fluffy, rich, and completely over-the-top.
Amish country perfected these decades ago. Every bite is nostalgia and joy.
39. Rhode Island – Coffee Milk Cookies
Inspired by the state drink, these cookies buzz with sweet coffee flavor. The glaze adds a creamy finish.
They’re tiny tributes to Rhode Island pride. Unique, sweet, and full of caffeine charm.
40. South Carolina – Benne Wafers
Crisp, paper-thin sesame cookies with nutty, toasty flavor. The seeds crackle between the teeth.
These historic treats date back centuries. Light, fragrant, and deeply Southern.
41. South Dakota – Kuchen Cookies
All the flavors of the state dessert—custard, fruit, and spice—baked into soft sugar cookies. They’re sweet with a hint of cream.
Each bite nods to German heritage. Homestyle, hearty, and quietly special.
42. Tennessee – MoonPie-Inspired Cookies
Graham cookie sandwiches filled with marshmallow and dipped in chocolate. Like a tiny, chewy version of the classic snack.
Playful and nostalgic, they’re music festival favorites. Southern charm wrapped in chocolate.
43. Texas – Texas Sheet Cake Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies with a glossy fudge icing. Pecans add crunch and depth.
They turn the state’s beloved cake into handheld joy. Bold, sweet, and larger than life.
44. Utah – Jell-O Sugar Cookies
Bright colors and fruity flavors from Jell-O powder swirl through these soft cookies. They’re chewy, fun, and endlessly customizable.
Utah’s love of Jell-O finds a playful new form. Whimsical and delightfully retro.
45. Vermont – Maple Walnut Cookies
Toasted walnuts and pure maple syrup create rich, buttery rounds. They smell like sugar shacks in spring.
The balance of crunch and melt is just right. Nutty, sweet, and unmistakably Vermont.
46. Virginia – Peanut Butter Blossoms
Virginia’s Peanut Butter Blossoms are a classic treat that combines the rich flavor of peanut butter with a sweet chocolate kiss. These cookies are a favorite at family gatherings and holiday celebrations across the state.
Their simple yet delightful taste captures the essence of Virginia’s hospitable and warm-hearted spirit. They’re a beloved treat among Virginians who appreciate the state’s love for homemade goodness and comforting flavors.
47. Washington – Rainier Cherry Cookies
Washington’s Rainier Cherry Cookies are a delightful celebration of the state’s famous cherry orchards. These cookies feature sweet Rainier cherries, offering a burst of flavor in every bite.
Perfect for enjoying during the cherry harvest season, these cookies capture the essence of Washington’s bountiful landscapes and love for local ingredients. They’re a favorite among Washingtonians who cherish their state’s fruitful harvests and delicious treats.
48. West Virginia – Appalachian Molasses Cookies
West Virginia’s Appalachian Molasses Cookies are a taste of the state’s rich heritage and love for traditional baking. These cookies feature the deep, rich flavor of molasses, offering a sweet and chewy treat.
Often enjoyed during the cooler months, these cookies capture the essence of West Virginia’s cozy, mountain charm. They’re a favorite among locals who appreciate the state’s love for homemade goodness and comforting flavors.
49. Wisconsin – Kringle Cookies
Buttery layers, almond filling, and sugar glaze compress into cookie-sized riffs on the state’s favorite pastry.
They taste like holiday mornings and bakery windows. Flaky, fragrant, and deliciously Danish.
50. Wyoming – Cowboy Coffee Cookies
Ground coffee and chocolate come together in a bold, chewy cookie. The caffeine kick is strong, the flavor even stronger.
Made for open skies and early mornings. Rugged, rich, and ready for the trail.