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35 Easy Cookie Recipes You Can't Mess Up (We Promise!)

No tough cookies here.

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chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky sea salt
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

While I love dessert, I admit that baking can be intimidating. Reading through recipes calling for the use of precise kitchen scales, layers upon layers of ganaches and frostings and fondants, and a greater-than-high-school-science familiarity of chemical reactions can be enough to turn anyone away, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Cookies are, at their heart, simple and delicious—two things I love to celebrate. While some cookie recipes pack on the extra steps and complex techniques, these 35 easy cookie recipes are simple enough for any home baker to tackle.

You know what they say: the classics are the classics for a reason. Many classic cookie recipes have found their place in history in large part due to their simplicity, and of course their flavor. Favorites like our best chocolate chip cookies, gingersnap cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, sugar cookies, and more prove that simplicity is often the best way to highlight flavor.

There are a few things that really help simplify dessert. No-bake recipes, box mixes, and, surprisingly, Cool Whip are chief among them. Check out our no-bake oatmeal cookies, peanut butter no-bake cookies, brownie cookies, cake mix cookies, cake mix peppermint bark cookies, or Cool Whip cookies to save on effort and pile on decadence.

Whether you’re team oatmeal, team chocolate chip, or just prefer anything with chocolate, we’ve got plenty of easy cookie recipes to help you build your baking confidence and enjoy sweet treats along the way. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that you’re stealing from the cookie jar.

1

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

chocolate chip cookies
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We’ve made many variations on the chocolate chip cookie over the years, from chewy to brown butter, but this recipe takes the cake: It's the most classic, least-fussy version—exactly what you want when you’re looking for a no-frills, soft and fudgy chocolate chip cookie.

Get the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

2

Brownie Cookies

brownie cookies
LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you're a chocolate dessert fanatic—this is the cookie for you. We combined two of our favorite classic desserts—cookies and brownies—to create this easy dessert dream.

Get the Brownie Cookies recipe.

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3

S’mores-Stuffed Cookies

chocolate chunk cookies stuffed with marshmallows
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We love chocolate chip cookies, and we’re pretty smitten with s’mores too. This begs the question: Are two great things even better when they are together? The answer, we are delighted to report, is a very enthusiastic yes!

Get the S’mores-Stuffed Cookies recipe.

4

Gingersnap Cookies

gingersnap cookies
LUCY SCHAEFFER

These gingersnaps are big, gingery, and extra extra chewy. The warmth of the molasses, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and bite of the ginger make for a perfect cookie.

Get the Gingersnap Cookies recipe.

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5

Espresso Cookies

espresso cookies
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

These espresso kind of like a mocha, in cookie form—what could be better than that for an afternoon or after dinner pick-me-up? They’re soft and fudgy, and might even be better the day after they’re baked

Get the Espresso Cookies recipe.

6

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Reese's fans, we're about to introduce you to your new favorite cookie: The soft texture of a peanut butter cookie meets the rich bite of a chocolate chip here, making it the perfect balanced cookie to enjoy the classic combo.

Get the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

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7

Monster Cookies

monster cookies with oatmeal and mm's candy
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Packed with oats, M&M's, peanuts, and pretzels these monster cookies are the perfect cookie for the occasion. These cookies are all about adaptability, so throw in whatever goodies you prefer.

Get the Monster Cookies recipe.

8

Flourless Fudge Cookies

flourless fudge cookies
Parker feierbach

We skipped the flour and butter but still created the fudgiest cookie with the crispiest edges. These are beyond delicious, so it's a really good thing they come with less guilt than a regular cookie.

Get the Flourless Fudge Cookies recipe.

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9

Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky sea salt
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Those who say that butter makes everything better are, well, not wrong, but we’re willing to bet they haven’t been brave enough to sub in olive oil instead. Enter: these secretly healthy, but no less delicious olive oil chocolate chip cookies.

Get the Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

10

Cool Whip Cookies

cool whip chocolate crinkle cookies
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER

Looking for the easiest-ever cookie? Enter: Cool whip cookies. This genius boxed-cake-mix hack makes super-fudgy crinkle cookies—with a third of the typical ingredients.

Get the Cool Whip Cookies recipe.

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11

Snickerdoodle Cookies

snickerdoodles
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Soft, chewy, and somehow impossibly light, snickerdoodles are born from a sugar cookie coated in cinnamon sugar and baked into a puffy, crackly cookie with a signature tang that just can’t be replicated.

Get the Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe.

12

Copycat Crumbl Sugar Cookie

copycat crumbl sugar cookie frosted pink
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Crumbl’s famous sugar cookie may no longer be on their permanent menu, but now you can make it at home to have any time you want. Unlike a classic sugar cookie you can decorate, these are soft and chewy in the center.

Get the Copycat Crumbl Sugar Cookie recipe.

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13

Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies

pistachio chocolate chip cookies
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

Pistachios add a slightly sweet, almost buttery nutty flavor that will make your cookies feel a little bit elevated, but still just as classic and comforting. These cookies are chewy in the center with just crisp enough edges and get a beautiful crinkled top.

Get the Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

14

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

oatmeal raisin cookies
PARKER FEIERBACH

Chocolate chip cookies get all the hype, but when I’m looking for comfort, nothing beats out oatmeal. These oatmeal raisin cookies are soft and chewy, full of tart fruit, and have just a touch of spice that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Get the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe.

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15

Cake Mix Cookies

cake mix cookies topped with colored sprinkles
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

This recipe will give you delicious cookies with just a few ingredients. All you need is a box of cake mix and sprinkles. We’re using classic yellow cake mix for this cookie recipe for a lightly flavored vanilla cookie.

Get the Cake Mix Cookies recipe.

16

Cookie Brittle

cookie brittle
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Cookie brittle is a particularly great hack for the holidays or any time you’re entertaining when you don’t have time or the oven space to bake multiple trays of cookies. Think of it like a faster, easier way to make a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. 😍

Get the Cookie Brittle recipe.

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17

Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

thin and crispy oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips, raisins, and white chocolate chips
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Cookie lovers usually fall into one of two camps: soft and chewy, or thin and crispy. If you're a thin and crispy fan, then these oatmeal cookies will be your new go-to recipe.

Get the Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies recipe.

18

Cherry Bakewell Cookies

cherry bakewell cookies
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: DREW AICHELE

These cookies have a light yet chewy almond-flavored base and are stuffed with tart cherry jam to mimic the flavor combination in a Bakewell tart. Decorated with sliced almonds and icing, these are the epitome of style AND substance.

Get the Cherry Bakewell Cookies recipe.

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19

PB&J Cookies

peanut butter and jelly cookies
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you ever miss the nostalgia of a classic PB&J, try making one in cookie form. A simple peanut butter cookie filled with jam creates a chewy, sweet cookie that will take you back to your playground days.

Get the PB&J Cookies recipe.

20

Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies

chewy lemon sugar cookies
Joel Goldberg

Lemon sugar cookies are our favorite summer treat. The taste of lemon is so bright and refreshing that it makes us forget all about those chocolate chip cookies. Plus, we love a cookie rolled in sugar for that sparkly crust it gives.

Get the Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies recipe.

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