If your idea of a family heirloom includes butter and a baking sheet, you’re in the right place. These 17 cookie recipes don’t just taste good—they come with the kind of built-in nostalgia that makes people argue over who gets the last one. The instructions are simple enough for beginners and solid enough for pros who just want cookies that don’t disappoint. Warning: your relatives may start calling you “the cookie one.”
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
This is the cookie you bring when you want to sound like you have seasonal traditions. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies pull off the cool-without-trying vibe—festive enough to feel special, but not just for December. They’re crisp, rich, and just bold enough to feel like you know what you’re doing in the kitchen. People might assume these are from a bakery. You don’t have to correct them.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Peaches & Cream Cookies
There’s always one cookie that makes everyone pause mid-bite and say, “Wait, what is that?” Peaches & Cream Cookies are soft, lightly sweet, and taste like they came from a recipe someone’s aunt guarded with her life. They walk the line between summer dessert and year-round favorite without breaking a sweat. Unexpected, but weirdly nostalgic. Once these show up, they tend to become “your thing.”
Get the Recipe: Peaches & Cream Cookies
Double Chocolate Brookies
If a brownie and a cookie had a very rich, very dense child, this would be it. Double Chocolate Brookies don’t mess around—they’re full-throttle and unapologetic, but still easy enough to pass off as casual. They work for birthdays, bake sales, or the kind of Tuesday that needs help. One square somehow leads to three, and nobody ever regrets it. Just don’t expect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Brookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
A classic, yes—but still the one people secretly prefer once all the chocolate cookies are gone. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are the dependable cousin who shows up on time and remembers your birthday. They’re chewy, slightly sweet, and have been making people feel cozy for generations. No tricks, no trends—just solid cookies that always get eaten. You don’t mess with something that works this well.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate & Pecans
You’d never guess how well this combo works until you’ve tried it—and once you do, there’s no going back. Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate & Pecans hit that perfect middle ground between classic and “wait, what’s in these?” They’re chewy, slightly nutty, and sneak in just enough surprise to keep everyone guessing. Ideal for people who claim they don’t like surprises but take two anyway. Keep a batch ready—someone will ask you for the recipe every single time.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate & Pecans
Air Fryer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Most people don’t expect much from anything made in an air fryer, but these change the game. Air Fryer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are fast, reliable, and disappear before the second batch is even cool. They’ve got just enough old-school comfort to remind you of your grandma’s kitchen without the hours of prep. They’re also a great excuse to justify owning an air fryer, in case you need one. Not fancy, just ridiculously dependable.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolate Caramel Cookies
These aren’t the kind of cookies you serve without warning people first—they tend to vanish quickly. Chocolate Caramel Cookies hit that soft spot between rich and ridiculously indulgent, but without trying too hard. One bite in, and suddenly your quiet coworker is asking if you’ll bring them again next week. They’re that level of good. If there’s ever a cookie to make your reputation, this is probably it.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Cookies
Hot Chocolate Cookies
These aren’t your average chocolate cookies—they’re basically dessert pretending to be a cookie. Hot Chocolate Cookies lean into comfort without needing a mug or a cold night. They’ve got a cozy vibe that works any time of year, even if you’re not wearing fuzzy socks. They also make a pretty solid excuse to skip actual baking and just make these instead. No one’s going to argue with that.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Cookies
White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
They look fancy, but don’t let that fool you—they’re low-effort with high payoff. White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are soft, sweet, and just the right amount of chewy. They’ve got that snowy look people love around the holidays, but there’s no rule saying you can’t eat them in June. You’ll get compliments either way. Best enjoyed with zero pressure.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Somewhere between a biscuit and a soft cookie, this one earns its spot in the family recipe book. Strawberry Shortcake Cookies aren’t flashy, but they always disappear first. They’ve got that dessert-masquerading-as-a-snack thing going on that makes them weirdly versatile. Great for brunch, birthdays, or just because there were strawberries in the fridge. People will ask for the recipe—just be ready to “forget” to share it.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Ginger Spice Cookies
Not just a holiday cookie, despite what people think. Ginger Spice Cookies bring the kind of flavor that lingers just long enough to make you want another. They’re bold, warm, and oddly perfect with coffee, tea, or zero context. You could bring them to a party or just hoard them at home, both are valid choices. Either way, they’re going fast.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Spice Cookies
Chocolate Overload Cookies
These are the cookies you bake when you want to prove a point—mainly, that too much chocolate is absolutely the goal. Chocolate Overload Cookies live up to the name without apology. They’re bold, a little chaotic, and make you wonder why you ever settled for regular. One bite and your priorities shift. Best stored somewhere nobody else knows about.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Overload Cookies
Shortbread Cookies with M&Ms
Every holiday table has that one cookie that everyone grabs first. Shortbread Cookies with M&Ms hit that nostalgic spot with a texture that’s just firm enough to keep you coming back. Kids love them, adults sneak extras when no one’s watching, and no one ever remembers how many they’ve had. They’re easy to recognize and even easier to eat. You might want to double the batch just to be safe.
Get the Recipe: Shortbread Cookies with M&Ms
Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies
These aren’t trying to be cute or whimsical—they’re here to mean business. Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies are serious, intense, and the kind of cookie that people ask you to bring every time you show up anywhere. They’ve got that balance of salty and rich that works way too well. You’ll think you’re being generous by sharing, and then realize you should’ve made more. Not subtle. Just good.
Get the Recipe: Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies
Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
The name alone should warn you that these don’t play fair. Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles are the kind of cookie that makes people pause mid-chew and just nod at you like you’ve done something noble. There’s nothing complicated here, just a very strong cookie game. They’re sweet, a little salty, and totally addictive. Probably the reason people linger in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Don’t be surprised if people start calling these your “signature cookie.” Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies offer just enough brightness to stand out without being too much. They’re crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, which is all anyone really wants in a cookie. Great for spring, or really any time you want to fake being organized. You’ll end up making them more often than planned.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies
Somewhere between cookie and cake, this one leans into the best of both without the drama. Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, sweet, and disappear faster than you’d expect, considering the size. They look like you put in effort, even if you didn’t. Perfect for birthdays or the “just because” snack people didn’t know they needed. There’s a reason they never last long.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies