When it comes to cookies, there are two camps: crispy and chewy. For all those who love soft and chewy cookies, we've got you covered with our most indulgent recipes.
45 Recipes for Soft, Chewy Cookies You Need to Try
Updated on Sep. 12, 2024
Giant Molasses Cookies
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy cookies are also perfect for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
You’ll win hearts—and maybe a ring—with this recipe for Marry Me cookies. It’s loaded with two kinds of chocolate!
1/45
2/45
Old-Fashioned Whoopie Pies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Who can resist soft chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a layer of fluffy white frosting? Mom has made these for years. They're a treat that never lasts very long with my two brothers and me around. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
4/45
Honey-Peanut Butter Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband wants a treat, he requests these chewy peanut butter honey cookies. —Lucile Proctor, Panguitch, Utah
5/45
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don't care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho
6/45
Carrot Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies are both flavorful and colorful. The shredded carrots add nice bright flecks of orange color.
7/45
Ginger S’mores
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve spent a few years perfecting this recipe to get the cookie soft and full of flavor and to balance the marshmallow and chocolate without overpowering the cookie. I think I finally got it where I want it!
—Lynsay Benson, Minnetonka, Minnesota
8/45
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m one of the cooking project leaders for my daughter’s 4-H club, where these soft, delicious fall cookies were a great hit with the kids. —Marietta Slater, Augusta, Kansas
Also check out these different types of chocolate chip cookies you’re not baking (yet!)
9/45
Soft Honey Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York
By the way, cookies don’t need to be the final product of a recipe to stand out. Check out these creative ways to eat cookies.
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Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
12/45
Tiramisu Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These tiramisu cookies bring out the delicious flavors of tiramisu, sandwich-style. Pack these treats in a decorative container for an easy edible hostess gift. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
13/45
Snickerdoodles
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The history of these whimsically named treats has been widely disputed, but their popularity is undeniable. Help yourself
to one of our soft cinnamon-sugared cookies and see for yourself. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
14/45
Ginger Creme Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With a lemony filling, these spiced cookies go over big because they have old-fashioned, comfort-food appeal. Your party guests will snatch them up! – Carol Walston, Granbury, Texas
15/45
Coconut Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
32 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These chewy cookies are my husband's favorite, so he requests them often. I like to make the macaroons on cold winter days and keep them in an airtight bowl on the kitchen counter. They never last long! —Peggy Key, Grant, Alabama
Also, explore Ina Garten’s apple pie bar recipe for a heavenly culinary experience!
16/45
Soft Cornmeal Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
About 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Combining humble ingredients can sometimes result in a delicious treat. Use these versatile cookie as the base for ice cream sandwiches or crumble them over strawberries and ice cream. —Gina Martin, Spooner, Wisconsin
17/45
Soft Tried ‘n’ True Peanut Butter Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I want to offer friend and family soft and chewy peanut butter cookies, this is the recipe I turn to. Use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter with delicious results. These are the best, and my family can't get enough. —Emma Lee Granger, La Pine, Oregon
18/45
Rainbow Cookies
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I always bake these cookies two weeks ahead. That allows enough time for mellowing, leaving them moist and full of almond flavor. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
19/45
Carrot Spice Thumbprint Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Carrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves taste very similar. They’re even topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With each cookie it feels as if you’re eating a piece of carrot cake, but no fork is needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
20/45
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These soft banana cookies have a cakelike texture and lots of flavor that everyone seem to love. It's one of the best banana cookie recipes I've found. —Vicki Raatz, Waterloo, Wisconsin
21/45
Hazelnut Madeleine Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These soft, cakelike cookies have a delicate hazelnut flavor—perfect for making great memories! They’re baked in the distinctive shell-shaped madeleine pan, available in kitchen specialty stores. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
22/45
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These big, soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
23/45
French Toast Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created these soft, sparkly cookies because my sister loves cinnamon French toast covered in maple syrup. In the case of these cookies, bigger is definitely better! I like to use white whole wheat flour, but any whole wheat flour will work.—Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois
24/45
Blackberry Peekaboo Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother bakes this recipe every year for the holidays. She uses homemade blackberry jam that she makes fresh every summer. These cookies are so delicious! —Jacquie Franklin, Hot Springs, Montana
25/45
Cherry Snowballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
27/45
Cashew Butter Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
20 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These cashew butter cookies are on a more sophisticated level than peanut butter. They are vegan and gluten-free, so you’ll be able to share with all your friends. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
28/45
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Fudge Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a snack for serious chocolate lovers. These enticing cookies are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, somewhat bittersweet and very chocolaty. I usually make them to share at get-togethers. Otherwise, I'd eat them all myself! I'm always asked for the recipe. —Delaine Fortenberry, McComb, Mississippi
30/45
Maple Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe after tasting maple cookies with a maple glaze at a bakery in Stowe, Vermont, some years ago. I get many requests to bring them for bake sales, parties and ski trips. —Delores Day, Wolcott, Vermont
31/45
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When it’s baking time, my family lobbies for these Mexican crinkle cookies. You can replace 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate with 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder plus 1 Tbsp. shortening, butter or oil.—Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
32/45
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
14 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These wonderfully chewy cookies have a light lemon flavor from both the juice and zest. The sanding sugar on top adds sparkle and a bit of crunch. —Michael Vyskocil, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
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Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments on these crunchy cookies. They’re always part of my Christmas cookie platter. —Sarah Miller, Wauconda, Washington
34/45
Gooey Butter Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
As a native of St. Louis, I wanted to make a cookie version of the famous gooey butter cake. And although many gooey butter cake recipes use a cake mix, these cookies are made from scratch. —Julia TenHoeve, Richmond, Virginia
35/45
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I packed chocolate chips, raisins, nuts and cinnamon into my oatmeal cookie recipe. These soft cookies are easy to make. Best of all, our kids love them! —Janis Plageman, Lynden, Washington
36/45
Peppermint Meltaways
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I put these peppermint cookies in bright holiday containers to give to family and friends. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
37/45
Coconut Clouds
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Coconut lovers will have extra reason to celebrate when they taste these cakelike drop cookies. The generous frosting and coconut topping make them a hit at holiday cookie swaps. —Donna Scofield, Yakima, Washington
38/45
Brownie Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring these super fudgy cookies to a party, and you're sure to make a friend. A little espresso powder in the dough makes them over-the-top delicious. — Rebecca Cababa, Las Vegas, Nevada
39/45
Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California
40/45
Jammy Dodgers
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
On my first trip to Great Britain, I stumbled upon these cookies (or biscuits, as they’re known in the U.K.). These iconic treats, sold as Jammie Dodgers, can be found everywhere over there. Since I couldn’t find them in the States, I had to make my own version. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
41/45
Mint-Filled Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
40 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I tuck a peppermint patty inside these treats for a fun surprise. The bites will melt in your mouth. —Karen Nielson, St. George, Utah
42/45
Orange Twists
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These soft and sweet twists have a long shelf life. You can make a number of flavor variations with this recipe, including lemon, cherry and almond. I sometimes add a confectioners' sugar glaze. —Raine Gottess, Lantana, Florida
43/45
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me the recipe for these cookies many years ago, and they’re as delicious as the ones Mom used to make. The secret to the recipe is to measure exactly (no guessing on the amounts) and to not overbake. —Wendy Coalwell, Abbeville, Georgia
44/45
Amish Sugar Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I’ve passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
45/45
Monster Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world's best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
