In our humble, unbiased opinion, cookies are hands-down the best dessert or snack choice out there. Ok, ok, so maybe as cookie connoisseurs, we may be a little biased, but there is no denying that cookies are delicious.
One of the many reasons we think cookies are the best dessert is the endless options. There are thousands and thousands of different cookie recipes and variations worldwide. With so many possibilities, there’s a cookie to please pretty much everyone.
(Fabianponcegarcia / pixabay)
While there are endless recipes and variations for cookies, there are only a handful of basic cookie types. Cookies are grouped into categories depending on how they are formed or baked. Here are the seven basic cookie categories, plus a bonus just for fun.
1. Drop
Drop cookies are the most popular cookie type. They are often one of the easiest types of cookies to make. Drop cookies are created by dropping a spoonful of soft dough onto a baking sheet. Most drop cookies will flatten and spread during the baking process.
A few simple steps are all it takes to make drop cookies. After gathering and measuring ingredients, all you need to do is mix, scoop, drop, and then bake. They’re pretty forgiving. Of course, the final step is to enjoy your drop cookies.
One of the most popular types of drop cookies is the all-time classic chocolate chip cookie. Other yummy examples of drop cookies include oatmeal raisin, coconut macaroons, and old-fashioned sugar cookies.
Maybe you should “drop” what you’re doing right now and go whip up some of these delicious cookies.
2. Bar
The easiest type of cookie to make is quite possibly one that doesn’t even look like your typical cookie. This type of cookie is a bar cookie. Bar cookies are a yummy balance between a cake and a cookie.
What makes bar cookies so easy to make is the fact that you simply mix up your ingredients. Then, pour or press that mixture into a baking pan with sides. Once baked, you will cut your treats into individual bars.
Some favorite bar cookies include lemon bars, sugar cookie bars, peanut butter bars, and brownies. Yep, brownies. Who knew that brownies were actually classified as a cookie? This is just one more reason to back up our claim that cookies are the best desserts.
3. Rolled
Rolled cookies are made from dough that is chilled in the refrigerator, making it reasonably stiff. The stiffened dough is then rolled out with a rolling pin. Once the dough is uniform in thickness, it is cut into shapes using cookie cutters, a knife, or a pastry wheel.
After being baked and cooled, rolled cookies are often decorated. This type of cookie often reminds people of the holidays. This is because some of the most common types of rolled cookies are gingerbread men and frosted sugar cookies.
Although rolled cookies take more time and preparation than the previous two types, they are worth it. Can you imagine Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine’s Day without frosted, shaped sugar cookies? Neither can we!
4. Molded
Somewhat similar to rolled cookies are molded cookies. Molded cookies are made from an even stiffer dough that is treated much like modeling clay. This type of cookie dough is shaped by hand or in a mold.
Molded cookie dough is often rolled by hand into balls, wreaths, crescents, and other shapes. Peanut butter cookies are one of the most well-known examples of molded cookies. Peanut butter cookies are commonly rolled by hand into balls and then pressed slightly with a fork to make a crisscross design.
If you’re feeling a bit hungry and a little artistic at the same time, why not try your hand at a molded cookie. You don’t have to be a famous sculptor to create a delicious masterpiece.
5. Filled
Filled cookies, or stuffed cookies, are essentially two treats in one. A cookie outside, combined with a special filling inside, makes up this type of cookie. Filling options include jams, nuts, chocolate, or various other things.
Filled cookies come in a couple of different forms.
One form is created similarly to dumplings. In this form, the dough is used kind of like a pocket. The filling is stuffed into the dough pocket and sealed before baking. A well-known variation of this type of filled cookie is a Fig Newton.
Another form of filled cookies is created by baking the dough in a miniature muffin tin. The filling can be added before or after baking. You can make a thumbprint cookie this way, filling it with chocolate, Nutella, or jam afterward. Or, you can roll your cookie dough into a ball, press your thumb (or a measuring spoon) into it, bake, and fill.
Sandwich cookies, such as the Oreo, are sometimes considered a form of filled cookies. A sandwich cookie is two individual cookies put together with a sweet filling between them.
6. Icebox
More modernly known as refrigerator cookies or sliced cookies, icebox cookies are made from dough that is kept refrigerated. Icebox cookies are made by rolling the dough into a thick log. The dough log is then refrigerated or frozen until it becomes stiff.
Once the dough is stiff, it is sliced into round cookies and baked. Classic shortbread cookies are the most common icebox cookies. But, there are many different variations that include adding nuts, chocolate, or sprinkles.
Icebox cookies are very convenient for when you only want a few cookies. You can easily slice and bake your desired amount of cookies whenever you feel the need for a sweet treat.
7. Pressed
Pressed cookies are made by pushing a soft dough through a special kitchen tool called a cookie press. At the end of the cookie press, the dough passes through a decorative disc to make a beautiful design.
A cookie press is not an everyday kitchen tool, but you can order one online. Some bakeries carry them, too.
Bonus: No-Bakes
Our bonus cookie type is technically not a cookie at all. No-bake cookies are more of a candy-cookie hybrid. This type of cookie does not require the use of an oven, hence its name.
To make no-bake cookies, simply mix a filler, such as crispy rice cereal, with a sticky binder, such as marshmallow. The sticky “dough” can then be pressed into a pan or molded into individual shapes.
Even though these aren’t a bona fide cookie, they still get a participation trophy because they are easy and delicious.
Now that you know the basic cookie types, we think you should try some from each category. Consider it research to find out which cookie type is your favorite. Do it in the name of science! Maybe you’ll find you have quite a few favorites. There’s no shame in that.
There’s also no shame in leaving the cookie baking to the experts. If you’re dying for some cookie goodness from these different categories and don’t have the time, patience, or tools to bake your own, technology is here for you. Order gourmet cookies online and they’ll magically show up on your doorstep. We’ll be glad to help you with your “research.”
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