Along with the classic sugar cookies and gingerbread men this time of year, it can be fun to add some unexpected, savory twists to your holiday baking. Herbs and spices like pepper and rosemary can add heat and dimension to biscotti and shortbread. Cookies made with parmesan or blue cheese may be enjoyed as appetizers or just a little respite from all the other sugary treats in our cookie tins. From cumin to seaweed(!), here are some savory cookie recipes we're eager to try.
Recipe Roundup: Savory Cookies
Black Pepper
• Black Pepper Biscotti, from Bon Appétit
• Olive Oil Cookies with black pepper and rosemary, from Mark Bittman
• Pepper-Cumin Cookies, from New York Times
Cheese
• Italian Cheese Cookies with rosemary and sun-dried tomatoes, from Dutch Girl Cooking
• Rosemary Blue Cheese Ice Box Cookies, from Allrecipes
• Savory Cheese Cookies from Passionate About Baking
Lemongrass
• Lemongrass, Ginger and Sesame Biscuits, from Milk and Cookies
• Lemongrass Snowballs, from Allrecipes
Rosemary
• Pine Nut Rosemary Shortbread, from 101 Cookbooks
• Rosemary-Cheese Spritz Cookies, from Food Network
• Rosemary Shortbread, from Gourmet
Sage
• Apricot, Cornmeal, and Sage Cookies, from Gourmet
• Sage-Scented Shortbread, from Bon Appétit
• Savory Madeleines with sage, olives, and cheese, from Yum Sugar
Seaweed
• Seaweed Cookie, from David Lebovitz
Thyme
• Cornmeal-Thyme Cookies, from Martha Stewart
• Lemon Thyme Wafers, from Martha Stewart
Have you ever made savory cookies or added unexpected ingredients to classic cookies? Please share your recipes and suggestions in the comments!
(Images: Food Network, Yum Sugar, Passionate About Baking)
Comments (5)
Weekly Email
Top Posts
Top Recipes
- Recipe: Ginger Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
- Appetizer Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites with Spicy Sour Cream Dipping Sauce
- Recipe: Potato Dough Rolls
- No-Knead Bread in a Hurry
- Recipe: Fresh Cranberry Scones
Top Tours
- Alvar Aalto's Spare and Simple Studio Kitchen
- Before & After: Kelly Moseley's Calming Austin Kitchen
- Joe and Kristin's Warm and Cozy Craftsman Kitchen
- Rachel's Busy Single Girl's Kitchen
- Kitchen Gallery: White, Bright, and Clean
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
i've always loved savoury cookies/biscuits to go with cheese. Thanks for the great round up of recipes. This is very useful!
view Dana McCauley's profile
I usually make my grandmother's recipe for taralli--an olive-oil, fennel and black pepper cookie, shaped into rings. They're a Christmas staple in our family...
view jooleeyet's profile
This is awesome - I just volunteered to make a savory baked good for my office Christmas party and now I have so many recipes to choose from.
I actually made up a batch of Ina Garten's Parmesan Black Pepper Crackers, which were almost like a savory cookie, and which I highly recommend. They had the texture of a buttery cookie, but were flavored with Parmesan, pepper, salt, and thyme. They were such a hit that I kind of want to make them for Christmas. I wrote it up on my blog here (and have pics): http://moderndomestic.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/holiday-appetizers-savory-parmesean-black-pepper-crackers/
view moderndomestic's profile
My favorite thing to make during the holidays is a savory cracker!
Cheese Crackers
(Serves 25 to 30)
1/2 pound butter, softened
1 pound extra sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups Rice Krispies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together butter and cheese, add salt and pepper. Blend in flour and Rice Krispies. Form into balls the size of walnuts and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Dip a fork in water and flatten each ball. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not brown. Serve warm or store in a tightly covered tin.
I think I will make some tonight!
view Kimberlina's profile
Kimberlina: I make some very similar cheesies.
Cheesies
(makes 3 large bakings sheets worth of cookies)
1/2 lb butter (softened)
1/2 container imperial sharp cheddar cheese (softened)
1/2 tsp tabasco sauce
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1.5 c flour
4.5 c rice crispies
Preheat oven to 350. Mix butter and cheese until fluffy, then mix in seasoning and flour. Stir in rice crispies. Cook immediately so cereal stays crisp. Make tablespoon sized blobs and flatten. Cook 12-15 minutes.
view angorian's profile