:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/040-f4d990d7189340f0aba846a98b36f114.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2623901_south0001_0-2000-52e08c424a2949419dc3baa82776ea25.jpg)
There are lots of fan-favorite cookie recipes out there—some are chocolaty; others are nutty. Although everyone might have a different opinion on what makes a truly decadent cookie, it often includes rich nodes, unique textures, and unexpected flavor combinations. We gathered our highly-prized cookie recipes that will fit any and every occasion. Holiday cookie swap? Bring Cheesecake Cookies. School bake sale? Whip up a batch of Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies. Trying to impress your in-laws? Bake some Homemade Pralines (and maybe serve a bottle of their favorite wine). With this paramount list of our best party cookies, there's a recipe for everyone to love.
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fudgy_flourless_chocolate-pecan_cookies_2513302_scher_1443_0_0_0_1_0_0_0_0_1-8794d091a8c345d7853aff79df2d257d.jpg)
Short on flour and short on time? These decadent chocolate flourless cookies will be your next dessert fix.
Classic Snickerdoodles
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/snickerdoodles_batch57_beauty3x2-20-d803c3f267b94439ab5a54123b64209c.jpg)
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These will be the first sweet gone at any party. The warm flavors of cinnamon and sugar are like a hug.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Peanutbuttter_Oatmeal_Cookies_017-fa886a7df41641db8ff0916d74cf53ce.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These tender cookies double down on nutty flavors, and of course includes plenty of creamy peanut butter, for a classic flavor everyone will crave.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/brown-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies-molly-bolton-hero-ac4eb2b284a244a28e81934c105bdbf7.jpg)
Molly Bolton
Crushed pecans add a crunchy texture to these extra rich chocolate chip cookies.
Homemade Pralines
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2623901_south0001_0-2000-52e08c424a2949419dc3baa82776ea25.jpg)
Every Southerner needs a trusty praline recipe and ours is simply award worthy.
Monster Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Monster_Cookies_010-2996b6446e834ad1b093ef08b6828160.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These candy-studded cookies are over-the-top fun and colorful. You can use candies to match your party's colors, and use the entire rainbow for a perfectly festive treat.
Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cream-Cheese-Christmas-Cookies-10-2000-40cfbe8b63d54aa29223bb9369307f6c.jpg)
Outlined in red and green sprinkles and filled with crushed pecans, these Southern cookies are as festive as they come.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Easy-Peanut-Butter-Cookies-01-d9b9126b9d754b40b8f6263c46f50e0e.jpg)
Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living
If you're in a time crunch, this 4-ingredient cookie recipe is here to save the day.
Cheesecake Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/seo_holiday_recipes_006_0_1-5c852e25336248508fcab28ca9d834ac.jpg)
Heavenly cheesecake was our inspiration for these buttery and creamy bite-sized treats.
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/peanut_butter_kiss_cookies_holiday_recipes_010-2_0_0_0_0_1_0_1_0_0_0_0_0_0_0-a21c638fac544492a5cc03c524f7913d.jpg)
A staple in Granny's kitchen, these Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies belong on your cookie short list.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/red_velvet_cake_mix_cookies_0_0_0_1-5c8af22742f248ffb34084df73dfcd6b.jpg)
No one will ever know that these delicious cookies start with cake mix, and you'll be able to whip them up in no time.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chocolate_crinkle_cookies_0_0-23d03757a62f441c982a00c636c3bd6f.jpg)
Cookie-crazed or brownie-lover? Why not get the best of both worlds with these hybrid crinkle cookies.
Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lemon-thumbprint-cookies-st_0_1-872c0e0ae7bd41e0954dec012bfd1c00.jpg)
Filled with raspberry jam, these cookies are a light and refreshing treat against the crowded dessert spread.
Brown Sugar Cookie Stars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2615601_thegi_stars_183_0-b6838b4b0d064759bbae873c5c5811e6.jpg)
We're not saying we reinvented the sugar cookie, but we did make it richer with the addition of brown sugar and a glossy frosting.
Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Chocolate_Peppermint_Sandwich_Cookies_002-edced3ef036a48f0beabea33833ab32c.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Going to a cookie swap this holiday season? Bake these festive and cheerful Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies.
Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2615601_thegi_biscotti_cranorange_butter_cookies_437_0_0-14a8ad3eb46c4c298f203e25be5531a4.jpg)
We elevated the traditional butter cookie by adding in bits of dried cranberries and orange zest.
Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2615601_thegi_rugelach_dark_choc_ginger_molasses_cookies_524_0_0_1-2000-63a96c50e8f2469587581b467396beb9.jpg)
This recipe calls for double the chocolate in the batter, making it our most indulgent cookie yet.
No-Bake Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DSC_0224_1-2000-c5256ad5e6f34ec4aa35d59c3b0af0e6.jpg)
One bite of these crumbly, chocolate cookies and you'll be hooked. We'd even go as far as to say that the old-fashioned oats make them verifiably healthy.
Grandma's Chocolate Drop Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/img_4034_0-9a79e236de2647c4a8cd015602de1dd2.jpg)
No baking expertise necessary to whip up these cake-like chocolate cookies.
Pecan Tassies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pecan_Tassies_010-14a574569b09401982b636c622c15db4.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Savory to the last bite. These pecan tassies are filled with buttery, nutty, and tangy flavors.
Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2576901_bakes_12_2_0_0_0-f83b7fe25b5e4b21beb3efe16f61fcf2.jpg)
The simple act of toasting the pecans and oats before adding them to the batter, transforms this cookie into an all-star treat.
Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2610001_saver_salted_butter_pecan_shortbread_c_0-895806ef03ab4604807f6b41d5027a22.jpg)
No one can resist the buttery flavor that shortbread cookies provide and to top it off, these treats are packed with delicious toasted pecans.
Apple Pie Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Apple20Pie20Cookies_0_0_0_0_0-2000-cad044ccd6a6414eab0ff297c786f620.jpg)
With a sweet cinnamon sugar icing these apple pie cookies have shed new light on the classic apple pie.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screen-Shot-2022-10-06-at-9.06.43-PM-7fcbadec55cf4a799a03ecb21764f8c0.png)
Made with two types of chocolate, these chocolate chip cookies are anything but ordinary.
Cranberry-Almond Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/almond-cookies-sl-257660-x_1_0-c158f5b9f9aa403187c9a2e33e76017f.jpg)
Cranberry-adorned, these sensational cookies make a vibrant splash on the dessert table.
Pecan Snowball Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pecan_Snowball_Cookies_012-d44935ebd37043e6b18751b6d68a48b0.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Create a batch of these pecan-studded cookies for your next winter gathering.
Kitchen Sink Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl-digi-kitchen-sink-cookies169_0_0_0_0_0_0_1-331267fe8b694b9e918a051292c3f864.jpg)
Everything we love from chocolate chips to potato chips piled into one jam-packed treat.
Spritz Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Spritz20Cookies_0_1_0_0_0-2000-69fadecbca6f418ca5c220075715e780.jpg)
In order to bake these festive holiday treats, you must be a rule-breaker baker. Ditch the parchment paper and place dough on an ungreased baking pan (an important note for the Spritz Cookies to take their shape).
Cathedral Window Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dsc_0273_1-2000-6759e9adaecc479e9e31464149e7e86f.jpg)
These bright, no-bake cookies are adored by all and famously make their appearance at church potlucks.
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How_To_Freeze_Cookies_004-2000-f6ed548461014f5ab4e809b2ecb351bd.jpg)
An irresistible mixture of peanut butter and chocolate makes for an extra indulgent treat.
Pecan Sandies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pecan20Sandies_0_0_0-2000-4c6644f700b54584874eab454c59c50f.jpg)
Not your average shortbread cookie, these firm yet crumbly Pecan Sandies are loaded with pecans.
Peppermint Divinity
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2583201_chris_007_0_0-819beb60e25942b3961135b97350859d.jpg)
I'm dreaming of a Peppermint Divinity Christmas. Make these peppermint-adorned snowball look-alikes this holiday season.
Snowflake Sugar Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DSC_0194_0_0-0b9f60f6ad8a4383982d79d83ec25af6.jpg)
These classic sugar cookies are intricate by design, but easy enough to make for first-time cookie decorators.
Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/buttermilk-pecan-pralines-10_4x3-275eaf09776e4c7b8df526ab7f1373b5.jpg)
Buttermilk is the secret ingredient that makes these pralines ultra-rich.
Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cowboy-cookies-recipe-3x4-76-664c543ca6764ddbaa6233446bcbe5b5.jpg)
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These one-of-a-kind loaded cookies are First Lady approved.
Ambrosia Macaroons
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2615601_thegi_ambrosia_macaroons_dippe_pistachio_shortbread_114_1_0-2000-e0b26092e9444c788804ddebc0f5d021.jpg)
We transformed Grandma's famous ambrosia into bite-sized treats.
Molasses Crinkles
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2547201_south17282_0_2_0_0-039c1296af564d1b88c2f30251f54912.jpg)
Loaded with a medley of heavenly spices, these cookies deserve an appearance at the holiday cookie swap.
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pumpkin20Spice20Cookies_0_1_0_0_0_0-2000-c9e3c5838f57471dbe7da4680aca2f79.jpg)
Fall is calling and these delicious Pumpkin Spice Cookies are on the menu.
Belgian Spice Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2423001_hassl34570_0_0_0_0-1-df52724d5ba14706a91b91bb098b75ea.jpg)
Bite into these spice-filled and sugary cookies. Decorate these treats for the holidays with a snowflake stencil and powdered sugar.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_SEO_Batch_33_BrownButterSnickerdoodles112-b2a45f4b6b2e4cfb935410c57853b8b7-d30f2ddc589f4b68990ccb16b0846098.jpeg)
Snickerdoodles are delicious as is, but the addition of brown butter makes these cookies extraordinary.
Pecan Cranberry Shortbread
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pecan-cranberry-shortbread-sl-717d8843d1ad41a982073e5d7da11864.jpg)
Dried cranberries add a complementary fruity taste to these treasured cookies.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_SEO_Batch_33_BrownButterSnickerdoodles112-b2a45f4b6b2e4cfb935410c57853b8b7-d30f2ddc589f4b68990ccb16b0846098.jpeg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27087_TURTLE-COOKIES_521_preview-55f2df1b1a3c4570b45d5a056d9488d3.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_SEOBatch46_Chocolate-mint-cookies_beauty_4151-26822caf9b5649cd8b353def87c98adf.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cowboy-cookies-recipe-3x4-76-664c543ca6764ddbaa6233446bcbe5b5.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ChocolateWafers_Beauty_5_SEO53_72-b667bf6d6fae4bf4a8273c209669d5b0.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/december_recipes_cookies_2490301_chris_1073_0-2000-00d70b9ce58c47638e5aa357d9562061-3a432476b93f45d49b0f425ab3ac72e3.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ChipsAhoyFamilyPackandCookies-f6aeb1233ebc4978b7c3e314146e918a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Cranberry_Noel_Cookies_074-70fb27ea553242acbd9d8a651428f143.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_SEOBatch46_Gingerbread-Cookies_beauty_4142-33fe523f8ed84e26a37394e0067174e2.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Molasses_Cookies_001-f02e3b94c3ed411990157839e7e685a2.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl_seo_magiccookiebars145-2000-0d387a8d6e82489ca38e495ac84c6b65.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dollyholiday-7df5454ba3a04955851bc4e3020f14c3.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-27087_MELTAWAY_PEPPERMINT_WREATHS_008_preview-4bfeaebea6394e30acbe166126035d3a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-SUGAR_COOKIES_060_preview-257e193c3f7649e4b3161266b0eacc1a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-27087_BUTTERFINGERS_002_preview-2ff6c82f75704efa8969e3aafdc53d75.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Chocolate_Cool_Whip_Cookies_009-4323aef2ba2e47afbbe0f9e3f2002ee8.jpg)