Cookies are some of the most delicious desserts out there. Whether they’re crunchy or chewy, cookies are always just the right amount of sweet and delicious. The aroma they make in your kitchen while baking is just an added benefit. Cookies come in a wide range of flavors, shapes, and textures and the world is only made better by them. Here’s more info on different types of cookies, how to classify them, and ten types of cookies you’ve definitely got to try.
Different Types of Cookies: How They’re Made
One main difference between cookies is the way they’re baked. There are quite a few baking methods that can vastly change the taste and texture between cookies. For instance, drop cookies are baked by dropping spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the baking sheet. During baking, the dough flattens and spreads. Most of your favorite cookies are made in this way, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and so much more.
Another type of cookies are rolled cookies. These cookies are made with refrigerated dough that’s rolled out with a rolling pin and cut with a knife, cookie cutter, or pastry wheel. Often, these cookies are baked and then frosted or decorated with sprinkles, sugar, or other treats.
Pressed cookies are made by made by placing soft dough into a cookie press or pastry bag and pushing the dough through through decorative disks to create different shapes before baking. This is the method used to make French macrons and meringue cookies. Another baking method actually requires no time in the oven at all. No bake cookies are made by mixing oats, nuts, or another type of filler with a sticky batter. The cookies are rolled into balls or pressed into a pan and cut into bars, and then cooled to harden.
If you’re looking to try a variety of cookies you won’t be able to find elsewhere, try our box of Fresh Baked Cookies. This one-of-a-kind set includes chocolate chip, pineapple chocolate chip, sugar, white chocolate strawberry, and snickerdoodle. You couldn’t ask for a more delicious mix.
Top 10 Different Types of Cookies
There are hundreds of different types of cookies out there, ranging in size, texture, and flavors. Here are ten of the very best cookies you can find:
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are the perennial classic and longtime fan favorite. They can be soft and chewy or crispy and crunchy depending on how you make them and the ingredients you use. Either way, they’re completely delicious.
2. Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are made with a large amount of butter or shortening, which lends them the name “short.” Due to their low amount of flour and sugar, they have a classic crumbly and tender texture.
3. Macaron Cookies
Macarons are meringue-based cookies made with almond meal, egg whites, and powdered sugar with a creme ganache in the middle. The cookie shell features a delicate outer crust that houses a chewy meringue texture inside.
4. Macaroon Cookies
Quite different from macarons, macaroons are coconut based with a dense, lumpy texture that’s sweet and chewy. Some macaroons are even dipped in chocolate for extra indulgence.
5. Biscotti Cookies
Biscotti actually means “twice baked” and the cookie is indeed baked twice, resulting in its hard and crunchy texture. Biscotti come in a wide array of flavors and toppings, from plain almond to double chocolate and so much more.
6. Sugar Cookies
Made with basic ingredients, such as sugar, flour, butter, and vanilla, sugar cookies are easy to make and insanely popular. They’re typically made by rolling out the dough and cutting into shapes before decorating with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar.
7. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal raisin is a type of drop cookie. as its name suggests, it’s made with oats, and contains raisins and brown sugar. They can be crispy and crunchy or chewy, depending on the ingredients you use and how long you bake them.
8. Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are the ultimate holiday cookie. They’re made with spices galore, including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and molasses, and are made by rolling out the dough and cutting into shapes.
9. Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles are made with butter, sugar, and flour with cream of tartar and baking soda added into the dough to make it rise slightly. They’re known by their cracked surface that’s coated in cinnamon and sugar.
10. Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are mostly known as the type of cookie that comes with Chinese takeout. They’re made with flour, sugar, vanilla, and just a hint of sesame oil and are shaped into their classic crescent shape while the dough is still hot from the oven.
More Answers to Your Questions About Types of Cookies
What are the different types of cookies?
Cookies come in an endless variety of options, but they generally fall under one of several types of cookies. There are 10 basic types of cookies, including:
- Drop cookies
- Rolled or cutout cookies
- Sandwich cookies
- Filled cookies
- Cookie bars
- Molded cookies
- No bake cookies
- Pressed cookies
- Fried cookies
- Refrigerator or ice box cookies
How many types of cookies are there?
There are 10 basic types of cookies, although for each type, there are a variety of ways to prepare and customize them. The 10 basic cookie types include:
- Drop cookies
- Rolled or cutout cookies
- Sandwich cookies
- Filled cookies
- Cookie bars
- Molded cookies
- No bake cookies
- Pressed cookies
- Fried cookies
- Refrigerator or ice box cookies
What are the healthiest types of cookies?
Many cookies can be made in a healthier way by adjusting some of the ingredients, and there are some types of cookies that are generally healthier. The healthiest types of cookies include:
- Oatmeal cookies with raisins, nuts, and other healthy additions
- Pumpkin oatmeal cookies
- Peanut butter cookies
- Gluten-free cookies
- Vegan cookies
- Paleo cookies
- Fruitcake cookies
- Breakfast cookies
- Flourless cookies
- Almond cookies
- No-bake cookies made with oats, flaxseed, and peanut butter or nut butter
There are also a few ways you can make any cookie recipe healthier, such as:
- Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour
- Use applesauce in place of oil
- Use mashed bananas instead of eggs
- Use Greek yogurt, pureed pumpkin, or pureed avocado instead of butter
- Add flaxseed, chia seeds, or hemp seeds
- Add nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pecans
What are types of Christmas cookies?
Cookies are a Christmas staple, and there are a variety of types of cookies commonly enjoyed during the holiday season, such as:
- Rolled sugar cookies with or without icing
- Shortbread cookies with or without icing
- Gingerbread cookies
- Ginger snaps
- Peanut butter blossoms
- Snowball cookies
- Snickerdoodle cookies
- Thumbprint cookies
- Crinkle cookies
- Cookies with M&M’s candies
- Peppermint cookies
What are the most popular types of cookies?
The most popular types of cookies are:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Peanut butter cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Snickerdoodle cookies
- Oatmeal raisin cookies
- Shortbread cookies
- Peanut butter blossoms
- No bake cookies
- Macarons
What are America’s favorite cookies?
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that the classic chocolate chip cookie is America’s most favorite cookie. However, there are many different types of cookies that are popular in the U.S. and around the world, such as:
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Shortbread Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Sugar Cookies
- No-Bake Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Gingersnaps
- Macarons
Is a macaron a cookie?
Yes, a macaron is considered a type of sandwich cookie. The shells are meringue-based, and these cookies come in a variety of flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, peppermint, lime, raspberry, mocha, and many others.
Now that you know more about the different types of cookies, we’d like to know — what’s your very favorite?
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