Cookies might be the most flexible dessert around, easy to bake, easy to share, and open to all kinds of flavors, mix-ins, and textures. Whether you’re into soft and chewy, crisp and buttery, or rich and fudgy, there’s a cookie for that. This list mixes classic flavors like chocolate chip, peanut butter, and ginger with more creative takes like strawberry shortcake, lemon blueberry, and brownie crinkle cookies. Some use cake mix shortcuts, others lean on butter and sugar, all of them are here to make your baking lineup a little more fun.

Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate

Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies have a buttery base with a soft center filled with melty chocolate. The edges bake up lightly golden while the middle stays soft and rich. Each bite is simple, sweet, and just the right amount of chocolatey.
Get the Recipe: Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate

How to Make Soft Funfetti Sugar Cookies

How to Make Soft Funfetti Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Loaded with colorful sprinkles, these soft sugar cookies are chewy in the middle and just crisp on the edges. The dough bakes up pale and tender, making the colors pop. Perfect for birthdays or anytime you want something cheerful.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Soft Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Frosted Pumpkin Cookies

Frosted Pumpkin Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies are soft, cakey, and full of pumpkin spice flavor. A layer of sweet frosting adds just enough richness to balance the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg. They’re light, fluffy, and always a fall favorite.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Pumpkin Cookies

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These soft cookies are filled with a strawberry and cream cheese center for a sweet surprise in every bite. The outside bakes golden, while the inside stays creamy. It’s a mash-up of cookie and dessert bar in one.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Crisp, buttery, and deeply chocolatey, these shortbread cookies melt in your mouth with every bite. They’re not overly sweet, making them perfect for pairing with coffee or tea. The texture is sandy and rich, a true classic.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Easy Shortbread Cookies

Easy Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Simple ingredients and a crumbly texture make these cookies a go-to for any season. They’re buttery, lightly sweet, and easy to shape or cut. Serve them plain or dip in chocolate for a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shortbread Cookies

Award-Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies

Award-Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These bake up with crisp edges, soft centers, and plenty of chocolate in every bite. A little extra brown sugar adds chewiness and rich flavor. They’re crowd-pleasers for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Award-Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Rich chocolate dough packed with peanut butter chips gives these cookies the ultimate sweet-salty combo. They’re soft in the middle with just enough chew. A great twist on two classic flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, that’s it. These cookies are soft, chewy, and rich in flavor without the extra fuss. Ideal for quick baking or gluten-free needs.
Get the Recipe: Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Soft and sweet with a little tartness from dried cranberries, these cookies are buttery and balanced. The white chocolate melts slightly into the dough for smooth, creamy bits throughout. Great for holidays or anytime you want a little something different.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Old-fashioned Ginger Cookies

Old-fashioned Ginger Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies are soft and chewy with a strong hit of ginger, molasses, and warm spices. The edges crackle as they bake, giving them a classic look. Each bite tastes like something from a family recipe box.
Get the Recipe: Old-fashioned Ginger Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies combine soft dough with bits of fresh strawberries and a light sweetness. The texture is tender, almost biscuit-like. A dollop of cream or glaze on top turns them into dessert all on their own.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Also known as Mexican wedding cookies, these melt-in-your-mouth bites are packed with chopped pecans and rolled in powdered sugar. They’re crumbly, soft, and just a little nutty. Great for gifting or cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Strawberry Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Bright pink and flavored with real strawberries or jam, these cookies are soft and slightly chewy. They’re sweet and colorful with a touch of berry tartness. Add frosting or a drizzle if you want them even bolder.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Red Crinkle Cookies

Red Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These deep red cookies are soft inside with a powdered sugar coating that crackles in the oven. They’re festive, chewy, and easy to mix up. A subtle cocoa note makes them feel rich without being too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Red Crinkle Cookies

Lemon Blueberry Cookies

Lemon Blueberry Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Lemon zest and blueberries make these cookies light, fruity, and slightly tart. The dough stays soft, almost cake-like. They’re refreshing and just sweet enough.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cookies

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Cake mix keeps things simple in these rich, soft chocolate cookies. They’re chewy with a dense, brownie-like texture. Add chocolate chips or sprinkles for a quick upgrade.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Brown Sugar

Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Brown Sugar. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies bring together tart lemon and the warm sweetness of brown sugar. The crackled tops add texture and a pretty finish. Soft, chewy, and bright in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Brown Sugar

Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Fudgy like a brownie but with a crisp, crackled top, these cookies are rich and intense. They stay soft inside and look impressive on any cookie platter. Best served with milk.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Butter Cake Cookies

A red and green sprinkled cookie.
Butter Cake Cookies. Photo credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

These soft, rich cookies start with cake mix and bake up pillowy with a slight crisp at the edge. They’re buttery, sweet, and feel almost like a soft bar in cookie form. A little powdered sugar on top finishes them perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Butter Cake Cookies

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About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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