With cookie season just in sight, I've compiled a list of some really great cookies in this Cookie Roundup. Whether you're looking for a new cookie, cookies for a cookie swap or preparing to ship cookies as gifts, you're sure to find old favorites as well as new cookies.
American cookies and bars as well as European cookies from Germany, France, Italy, England, Croatia, Poland, Russia and Australia are perfect for the holidays or anytime and you will find them all here. Many of these can be made ahead. Any of the bars or brownies can be cut smaller to use on an assorted tray presentation.
Be sure to check out Cookie Tips for the Best Cookies and Cut Out Cookies Using the Wax Paper Technique for all manner of information to help you make any cookie come out better.
Langue de Chat
Langue de Chat is a French cookie that translates to cat's tongue because of its shape. It is a crisp, sweet, long, wafer thin cookie and a snap to make with only five ingredients. It's particularly good sandwiched with chocolate - think Milano's.
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Viennese Whirl Cookies
These are a stunningly delicious, melt in your mouth cookie with only four ingredients for the basic cookie. While the traditional English version is filled with buttercream and raspberry jam, I've upped the ante with a Strawberry Chocolate filling that will wow you.
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Cuccidati - Italy's Finest Cookie
A favorite Italian cookie, Cuccidati (coo-cha-dah-tee) is actually easy to make and can be done over a number of days. The pasta frolla, an Italian pastry, encloses a filling of black mission figs, dates and raisins highlighted with orange and lemon zest finished with rum. The cookies are glazed and sprinkled with colored nonpareils.
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Spritz Bars - Easier than The Cookies
Spritz Bars are a faster way to make the beloved Spritz cookies all dressed up with Swedish Pearl Sugar and drizzled in chocolate.
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Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
These Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are loaded with peanuts used three ways for the most peanuty cookie ever and are the perfect cookie for a peanut lover.
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Bajadera - A No Bake Cookie Bar
You will love this concept because it is a no bake cookie bar and the layering adds a sophistication not often seen in this type of cookie. But the real surprise is that it is not too sweet, but intensely flavored.
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Mocha Kahlua Brownies
The brownie itself is of the fudgy variety with a deep, intense chocolate flavor highlighted with coffee undertones. Mocha Kahlua Brownies couldn't be easier to make with a sophisticated taste.
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Zimtsterne - German Cinnamon Stars
Zimtsterne star shaped cookies are one of Germany's favorite Christmas cookies. Naturally gluten free with few ingredients, these cookies are fat free and go together in minutes.
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Tropical Shortbread Cookies
These Tropical Shortbread Cookies are the perfect way to say "I love you" to that someone special. While cut out cookies can be a challenge, my post on Cut Out Cookies Using the Wax Paper Technique makes is so much easier - just perfect cookies cut out cookies every time without the drama. The cookies don't spread and cut out cleanly with sharp edges.
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French Butter Cookies - Petit Beurre
These French Butter Cookies are barely sweet, simple little butter cookies that come from France where they are a much-loved cookie with tea, coffee or as a snack. They are particularly good in recipes calling for crushed cookies.
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Neapolitan Butter Cookies
These are a simple butter cookie that goes together without effort and is easy to shape. The dough itself is a breeze to work with right out of the mixer. You can vary the flavors by substituting other powders for the cocoa and strawberry.
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Quick Easy Versatile Rugelach Bars
These bars are an easier, faster version of the Rugelach cookie that can be filled in a variety of ways according to your taste.
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Honey Diamonds - A cookie? A small cake?
Honey Diamonds are a rare cookie with no shortening. These soft pillows of spiced chocolate are actually more like little cakes packed with flavor that only get better when they sit. Its quick preparation is a boon to busy bakers and as a bonus they make the house smell wonderful while baking.
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HASELNUSSMAKRONEN -German Hazelnut Macaroons
Haselnussmakronen! What a mouthful. This German Hazelnut Macaroon is the simplest of recipes with a really big reward that you don't want to miss. Six ingredients whipped up in a matter of minutes, baked in practically no time and filled with jam or chocolate will take a cookie tray to new heights.As an added plus, these cookies are naturally gluten free.
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Sablé Breton
You don't want to miss this easy, classic, buttery cookie from the Bretagne region (Britanny) in North-West France. Best ever butter cookie!
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Hello Dolly Cookies
Hello Dolly Cookies are quickly made and require no mixer or involved ingredients. Just stir together, scoop, bake, cool and eat. A perfect project with kids.
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Sarah Bernhardts - A Macaroon Like No Other
An almond macaroon, topped with a chocolate truffle, dipped in chocolate and decorated with gold leaf for a cookie beyond compare.
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Spice Bars
This recipe for Spice Bars is one of those fantastic treasures where you make the base, press it into a pan, add a few more ingredients to the reserved amount, pour it on top, and bake. It couldn't be easier.
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Orange Almond Madeleines - A Petit Four
These shell shaped Madeleines petit fours are a stunning and flavor packed addition to any cookie collection. They are easy to make and easier to eat.
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Oatmeal Cookies
The Oatmeal cookies are sure to please with a whole pound of add ins of your choice. If oatmeal cookies are your thing, then be sure to give these a go.
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Chocolate Spice Olive Oil Biscotti
Biscotti are twice baked cookies and come to us from Italy. They are not too sweet and are simply addictive. To make things better they are really easy to make. Make them large or make them small, this spicy version is highlighted with black pepper and cayenne for a surprising after taste.
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Murbteig Pastry
This basic pastry is German or Viennese depending upon what book you are reading. It is extremely easy to put together and just as versatile. These cookies literally melt in your mouth.
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Holiday Cookies
This post of Holiday Cookies includes Sienna Lace, Chocolate Dipped Cappuccino Rounds, and Anise Swirls.
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Pfeffernusse Cookies
These traditional cookies come from the German repertoire. The word pfeffernusse translates to “pepper nut”. While everyone seems to agree they have molasses, pepper and spices, just which spices seem to vary. These cookies are like fine wine - they need to develop their flavor so they are a great make ahead cookie.
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No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
These No Bake Peanut Butter Bars fall into the ridiculously easy category and are great for something to do with the kids. A chocolatey crust, insanely delicious, smooth, and creamy filling and a just right chocolate top, make these one of the best bars around.
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Easy Decorated Shortbread Cookies
I used two techniques - the first is painted cookies, either solid colors or the very simple swirly, marbelized ones. The second is even easier since you simply cover the unbaked cookie with colored sugar and bake. That's it.
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Pryaniki - Russian Honey Spice Cookies
Pryaniki (pre-ah-nee-kee) are honey and spice Russian cookies traditionally served at teas and holidays. These cookies are more cake-like than their German cousins, Pfeffernusse and are finished with a white or chocolate glaze.
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French Macarons with Chocolate Raspberry Filling
These special French Macarons are filled with the same chocolate raspberry truffle filling we sold at the bakery. This deeply chocolate, deeply raspberry filling is sandwiched between two pink macaroons.
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Hermit Bars with Lemon Glaze
Spice filled Hermit Bars are really easy to make, packed with flavor and finished with a lemon glaze.
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Traditional Springerle Cookies
With no shortening in Springerle Cookies, it is a combination of a cookie and a cake. The drying time before baking is to dry the top of the cookie so the design becomes prominent. This anise flavored German cookie is great to eat as well as to use for tree ornaments.
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Dulce de Leche Cookies - Your Way
The dulce de leche filling is as easy as pouring a can of condensed milk in a bowl and baking it for a couple of hours. I've provided several ways to finish the cookies, from simple to extravagant - all elegant and looking like they came from a bakery. While this recipe looks like it might be a challenge, it is really quite easy and very much worthwhile.
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Almond Macaroons
Almond Macaroons are simplicity itself and one of the easiest, fastest, most delicious cookies you can make. They are naturally gluten free.
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The Importance of a Base Recipe in Baking
This is a perfect base recipe for cookies as it can be adapted endlessly and can be put together in a matter of minutes. This post lists 8 variations to get you started.
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Pecan Bars
These Pecan Bars are one of the most used recipes from the Culinary Institute of America. I have seen various versions of these Pecan Bars but this one is the one we used in the bakery. Cut them in half for the perfect bar on a cookie tray
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Versatile Breakfast Cookies
Everything you need for breakfast. Oats, Wheaties or Total, fruits and nuts, spices, and applesauce all come together for a great breakfast treat.
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Fudgey Chocolate Cookies with Variations
Soft chewy cookies such as this Fudgey Chocolate Cookie are not synonymous with under-baked cookies. Altering the way the cookie is normally put together and changing one ingredient makes the difference.
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Amaretti Cookies
These Amaretti cookies which are Italy's version of a macaroon are a perfect example. Crunchy, gluten free and low in fat, these are the perfect accompaniment to lightly sweetened or macerated fresh fruit or ice cream or just eat them by themselves.
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Painted Cookies
Years ago when I owned my bakery glazed cookies started showing up everywhere. Fancy and fanciful, I was not skilled at that time with a pastry bag so I came up with this marbelized version that is so, so easy anyone can do it. It is used commonly now by many - even those that can pipe.
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Hazelnut Crunch Bars
Hazelnut Crunch Bars are a fantasy dessert. Milk chocolate, rice krispies and toasted hazelnuts form the crunch base for these bars which are topped with a layer of caramel. A light as air marshmallow tops the caramel and the dark satin ganache finishes the Hazelnut Crunch Bars elegantly.
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Cheddar Pecan Shortbreads
While shortbreads are usually thought of as sweet, these Cheddar Pecan Shortbreads are definitely on the savory, snacky side. When I had my take out shop, we sold these Cheddar Pecan Shortbreads and they were always a winner with wine, beer, lemonade or nothing at all. Warning: these are really addictive.
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Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
While it is good by itself, it is better if you sandwich them together with raspberry jam and sprinkle them with powdered sugar. These Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cookies are amazingly fudgy and moist and have quickly become a favorite.
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Chocolate Dipped Sweet and Salty Butter Cookies
These Chocolate Dipped Sweet and Salty Butter Cookies are one of the simplest cookies to be found. Salt and sanding sugar are mixed to top the chocolate covered cookie. To speed up the process, logs of dough are rolled and sliced so there is no rolling and cutting out the cookies.
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Peanut Butter Cookie Pops
What could me more fun than a cookie pop - a peanut butter cookie on a stick? How about a peanut butter cookie with a snicker’s bar inside on a stick?
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A. Dahl says
Thank you, once again, for a fabulous post, Helen! What a wonderful assortment of both traditional and innovative holiday treats. This page will be bookmarked. I hope you have a healthy, happy festive season.
Helen S Fletcher says
Hello Arlene - Thank you for taking the time to send this. I tried to put in something for everyone. I wish the same for you this season.