Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home. Whether you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth or spend some quality time in the kitchen, baking cookies is always a great idea. The best part? You don’t need to be a baking expert to create delicious cookies that everyone will adore. With simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and a dash of creativity, you can whip up a batch of cookies in no time.
This article is packed with easy cookie recipes that are perfect for anyone, whether you’re a beginner or someone looking for quick afternoon fun. Each recipe uses pantry staples and doesn’t require any fancy equipment, so grab your mixing bowl, turn on some music, and get ready to create treats worth sharing.
Why Bake Cookies at Home?
1. It’s Therapeutic
There’s something incredibly satisfying about measuring, mixing, and watching your creations bake to golden perfection. Baking can be a calming escape from stress and a way to express creativity, especially when decorating your cookies!
2. Bonding Time
Whether you’re baking with kids, friends, or family, cookies bring people together. Rolling dough, shaping cookies, and sneaking tastes of batter are all part of the fun.
3. Customizable and Budget-Friendly
Store-bought cookies are great, but baking at home means you can customize flavors, adjust sweetness, and be as creative as you want without breaking the bank.
Now, onto the recipes!
Classic Chocolate Chip
You can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate chip cookie. Perfectly chewy with melty chocolate in every bite, this cookie is a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s super simple to make.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients while mixing.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough onto the baking sheet (about 1 tablespoon per cookie).
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool before serving.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut butter lovers, this recipe is a dream. These cookies are rich, soft, and crowned with a chocolate kiss in the center. They not only taste amazing but also look adorable.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- Granulated sugar for rolling
- Chocolate kisses (about 24 pieces)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Mix in egg and vanilla.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, then mix it into the wet ingredients.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and coat in sugar.
- Place on the baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie after removing them from the oven.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies often find themselves overshadowed by other flavors, but don’t underestimate their charm. They’re hearty, slightly chewy, and have a cinnamon-spiced warmth that feels like a cozy hug in cookie form.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add egg and vanilla.
- Mix oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in another bowl, then combine with the wet ingredients.
- Fold in raisins.
- Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
Snickerdoodles
Soft, buttery, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, snickerdoodles are the ultimate comfort cookie. They’re easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are sure to delight cinnamon enthusiasts.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar + 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in eggs one at a time.
- Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into balls, coat them in the cinnamon sugar mix, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Sugar Cookies (No Rolling Required!)
Sugar cookies are a timeless favorite, but rolling and cutting them out can sometimes be a hassle. These no-roll sugar cookies offer the same familiar flavor with way less effort!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix in baking powder and flour one cup at a time.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and flatten gently with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden.
