10 Classic Cookie Recipes
Every holiday season comes with a new cookie recipe to try. But beyond the fanfare and novelty of these new kids on the block, there are the timeless treats we turn to again and again, year after year. Every holiday needs a little tradition — so this year, as you start your cookie baking, consider the classics. From chewy chocolate chip cookies to nutty Mexican wedding cookies, these are the 10 classic cookie recipes that deserve a spot on your cookie plate.
Chocolate chip is the MVP of classic cookies. This version bakes up into thick rounds with dense, chewy texture, deep caramel flavor, and plenty of chips in every bite.
There is no better time of year to get out your cookie cutters and whip up a batch of sugar cookies. This recipe makes a firm dough that rolls out like a dream, and bakes into crisp, buttery cookies.
Linzer cookies are more than just another pretty sandwich cookie. These classics also have a knack for freezing remarkably well. They rely on toasted almonds, which are ground into almond flour, to form a cookie with a tender crumb.
Oatmeal cookies are warm and familiar — like a hug from an old friend. The warm spices and brown sugar, plus the duo of rolled oats and plump raisins, make this version the one we always return to.
If cinnamon-sugar speaks to your soul, these soft and tender snickerdoodles are the cookie you need on permanent standby. This version bakes up slightly chewy, with an almost cake-like quality that will make your house smell like a holiday dream.
Gingerbread cut-outs have a special way of making the holiday season feel even sweeter. This recipe uses just enough spice to make the cookies stand out, without becoming overwhelming. They are crisp enough to snap in half, but tender and ever-so-slightly chewy when you take a bite. Get that icing ready!
These buttery and nutty one-bite cookies are known by more than a few names, including Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, and Snowball Cookies. No matter what you call them, these sugar-coated, nut-filled, melt-in-your-mouth cookies have a well-deserved place on the cookie plate.
Crisp and buttery classic shortbread just might be the most understated cookie on the plate, but that’s exactly what makes it so wonderful. Use the best butter you can get your hands on since that flavor shines through strongest. Consider this cookie a blank slate, too — one of our favorite twists is this earthy rosemary rendition.
What would the holiday cookie plate be without buttery spritz cookies? These puffy cookies rely on a cookie press, and are just as fun to make as they are to eat.