Types of Cookies
There are four main types of cookies: drop, rolled, pressed, and bar. Each type of cookie requires a slightly different technique, but they all share some basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter.
Drop Cookies
Drop cookies are the easiest type of cookie to make. They’re called “drop” cookies because you simply drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet. There’s no need to roll out or shape the dough, which makes them perfect for beginners.
One of our favorite drop cookie recipes is for classic chocolate chip cookies. To make these, you’ll need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tsp baking soda - 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup white sugar - 3/4 cup brown sugar - 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract - 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
To start, preheat your oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips.
Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Rolled Cookies
Rolled cookies, also known as cut-out cookies, are a bit more challenging than drop cookies. You’ll need to roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Rolled cookies are perfect for holidays and special occasions.
Our favorite rolled cookie recipe is for sugar cookies. To make these, you’ll need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg - 1 tsp vanilla extract
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a ball. Flatten each ball into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll out each disk of dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pressed Cookies
Pressed cookies are made using a cookie press. The dough is loaded into the press, which is then used to create fun shapes on a baking sheet. Pressed cookies are perfect for parties and other gatherings.
One of our favorite pressed cookie recipes is for spritz cookies. To make these, you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature - 2/3 cup white sugar - 1 large egg - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 tsp salt
Start by creaming together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually stir in the flour and salt until just combined.
Load the dough into a cookie press fitted with a star-shaped tip. Press the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Bar Cookies
Bar cookies are made by spreading the dough out into a baking dish and baking it as one large piece. Once it’s cooled, the dough is cut into bars or squares. Bar cookies are perfect for potlucks and other events where you need to feed a crowd.
Our favorite bar cookie recipe is for blondies. To make these, you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Start by whisking together the melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Spread the dough out into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Allow the blondies to cool in the baking dish for a few minutes before cutting them into bars or squares.
Last Thing
Baking cookies is a fun and easy way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Whether you prefer drop, rolled, pressed, or bar cookies, there’s a recipe out there for you. Try out some of our favorite recipes and experiment with different flavors and mix-ins to create your own unique cookies. Happy baking!