Baking cookies should be simple, and these 17 cookie recipes make sure of it—assuming the dough ever makes it onto the tray. There’s something for every kind of craving, from melt-in-your-mouth soft to crispy and golden, with plenty of reasons to grab an extra scoop straight from the bowl. These recipes don’t require special skills, just a willingness to see if the final product is worth the wait. Spoiler: it is, but that won’t stop the pre-baking taste tests.
Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies
As if a chocolate chip cookie wasn’t enough, this one comes with a layer of frosting that makes it even harder to resist. Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies bring soft, chewy goodness with just the right amount of extra on top. The frosting adds a creamy texture that makes each bite feel like a full-on dessert moment. They might seem over the top, but somehow, they’re exactly what they should be. Waiting for them to cool before frosting is the hardest part—assuming there’s any left to frost.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies
Air Fryer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Everything great about the classic, but done faster. Air Fryer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies keep the familiar chewy texture while adding a slight crisp on the outside. The air fryer gives them just the right finish without waiting forever for a full batch to bake. They’re perfect for when patience is low but the craving is high. If they make it to a plate before getting eaten, that’s just a bonus.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These cookies may look simple, but they bring a lot of texture and flavor to the table. White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies have a soft inside with a slight crunch on the outside, making each bite interesting. The balance of sweetness and texture keeps them from being too much, which just means more excuses to eat another. They’re the kind of cookie that looks impressive without being complicated. If they don’t last long, at least the dough was just as good.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate & Pecans
A little unexpected but completely worth it. Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate & Pecans bring a mix of textures and flavors that make each bite interesting. They have a soft, slightly dense texture that holds up well to the mix-ins, giving them just enough variety to keep things fun. The balance of flavors makes them feel like a treat, but not in an overwhelming way. If the idea of zucchini in a cookie sounds weird, just try one—it won’t be the last.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate & Pecans
Shortbread Cookies with M&Ms
These cookies keep things simple with a buttery base and just the right amount of crunch. Shortbread Cookies with M&Ms bring a mix of classic flavors with a little extra color and texture in every bite. They have a firm yet crumbly texture that makes them perfect for munching, dunking, or just eating straight from the cooling rack. The balance of richness and crunch makes it hard to stop at one. If the dough disappears faster than the baked cookies, it’s just part of the experience.
Get the Recipe: Shortbread Cookies with M&Ms
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
There’s a reason this classic never goes out of style. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies bring chewy, slightly crisp edges with just enough sweetness to make them feel like a treat. The texture keeps them interesting, with a combination of soft and slightly firm bites that make them perfect for anytime snacking. They hold up well, but the real question is whether they’ll last long enough to find out. If they do, it’s only because someone exercised more self-control than necessary.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
These cookies take everything good about a classic shortcake and turn it into a handheld snack that’s impossible to ignore. Strawberry Shortcake Cookies bring a balance of rich and light flavors, making them the kind you keep reaching for without realizing. They have just enough sweetness to feel like a treat but not enough to make you regret a second (or third). The texture is soft yet structured, making them perfect for snacking straight from the tray. If they disappear too fast, at least the dough is just as tempting.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Double Chocolate Brookies
Half brownie, half cookie, all kinds of good. Double Chocolate Brookies take the best parts of both desserts and mash them into something that’s chewy, rich, and hard to stop eating. The combination of textures gives just enough crunch on the edges while staying soft in the middle. Every bite delivers extra chocolate without overdoing it, but resisting the dough is its own challenge. If baking them feels optional, it’s probably because they taste just as good before the oven even preheats.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Brookies
Chocolate Caramel Cookies
These cookies are all about contrast, from rich flavors to the balance of soft and chewy textures. Chocolate Caramel Cookies deliver a mix of deep, bold flavors with just enough sweetness to make every bite interesting. The combination of textures makes them feel like a fancy dessert, but without the effort. Whether eaten warm or straight from the container, they don’t last long. If the dough happens to disappear before they hit the oven, no one’s blaming you.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Cookies
Chocolate Overload Cookies
If one kind of chocolate isn’t enough, this cookie makes sure there’s plenty to go around. Chocolate Overload Cookies pack every bite with layers of deep, rich flavor that keep things interesting. The texture stays soft while still holding up to all the extra chocolate packed inside. They’re the kind of cookies that don’t require an excuse—just a reason to grab another. Whether baked or straight from the bowl, stopping at one isn’t happening.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Overload Cookies
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Everything good about a warm cup of cocoa, but in cookie form. Hot Chocolate Cookies bring a mix of deep, rich flavors with a soft, slightly gooey texture. Each bite feels comforting, like the kind of cookie that should come with a blanket and a good movie. They’re just as good on their own as they are alongside an actual cup of hot chocolate. If they don’t last long, at least the dough was worth it.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Cookies
Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
A little tangy, a little sweet, and just the right amount of crunch. Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies bring a fresh, bright flavor with a texture that keeps them interesting. They’re light enough to feel like a snack but flavorful enough to stand out from the usual batch. The poppy seeds add just the right bite without getting in the way. If they disappear quickly, no one’s questioning why.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies
Deep, bold flavors with just the right amount of contrast. Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies balance rich intensity with a slight kick of salt, making every bite more interesting. The texture stays soft but firm enough to hold up to the flavor-packed bite. They’re the kind of cookie that feels indulgent without being too much. If they vanish fast, it’s because they should.
Get the Recipe: Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies
Peaches & Cream Cookies
These cookies bring a little something extra to the table without being too sweet. Peaches & Cream Cookies have a soft, almost cake-like texture that makes them feel different from the usual batch. The combination of flavors gives them a fresh, creamy bite that works surprisingly well. They hold up well for sharing, but chances are they won’t make it that far. If they disappear too quickly, at least there’s always the dough.
Get the Recipe: Peaches & Cream Cookies
Ginger Spice Cookies
Bold, warm flavors meet a soft, chewy texture in these cookies. Ginger Spice Cookies have just enough spice to make them stand out while keeping things balanced. The chewy inside pairs perfectly with the slightly crisp edges, making them impossible to eat just one. They’re a solid choice for anyone who likes a little kick with their cookies. If they last longer than a day, it’s because someone showed serious restraint.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Spice Cookies
Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Everything good about a classic snickerdoodle, but with a little extra. Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles bring a mix of deep, rich flavors with a hint of something unexpected. The balance of sweet and salty makes them the kind of cookie that keeps you coming back. The texture stays soft with just enough chew to make them perfect for snacking. If they don’t last long, no one’s surprised.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
A bold mix of rich and refreshing flavors packed into every bite. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies bring the deep, intense flavor of dark chocolate with just enough cool contrast. The chewy texture holds up well, making them just as good straight from the tray as they are the next day. They work for the holidays but don’t need an excuse to be made year-round. If they disappear fast, it’s because they should.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies