Drop Cookies

Almond Sugar Cookies

There are three almond cookies that I make regularly.  The Chewy Almond Cookies are good.  Amaretti Cookies are my absolute  favorite.  But, these Almond Sugar Cookies are a very close second.  I love to top them with slivered almonds and sanding sugar just before baking.

Shhh, don't tell anyone, these are fabulous warm, with vanilla ice cream!

This recipe has a number of flavor variations that are worth trying.

Amaretti Cookies

The first time I had these was in a local Italian bakery that made many wonderful treats.  Every time I went into that shop I had to get at least a couple of these.  Sadly, that bakery no longer exists but I never forgot about these cookies.  I spent quite a few years just trying to figure out what these cookies even were, never mind trying to make them.  Now, whenever I bake these, I am reminded of my trips to that little Italian bakery.

Chewy Almond Cookies

In my search for, what I now know are, Amaretti Cookies, which I absolutely love, I stumbled on these little treats.

In version #1, the almond flavor is in the background as the honey flavor really stands out, making these more of a honey cookie.

 Chocolate Chip Cookies & Variations

These are one of the first things I ever made gluten free.  Since making that first batch of cookies, this recipe has gone through more changes and been made more times than any other gluten free recipe I've worked on.  I'm not done with it either, I still have other ideas for experiments and  improvements.

By the way, you'll find variations in these recipes that range from flat, Toll House style cookies, to cookies that will hold their shape.  3/4-flat is my favorite.

When I think about developing a new drop cookie recipe this is usually the recipe I start with.  It's a great base that can be modified to take on all kinds of flavors or add-ins.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

I love this cookie made as a thumbprint cookie and filled with raspberry jam, or even better, raspberry jelly.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

I really enjoy chocolate chip cookies, but, I think I enjoy double chocolate chips cookies even more.

Florentine Cookies

These cookies are a little different from standard drop cookies as there is very little flour in them.  What holds them together, and makes them crisp, is more a hard caramel candy then a cookie crust.

I suggest using a dark chocolate for the bottom of these cookies to help balance the sweetness of the rest of the cookie.

I have another recipe for Florentine Lace style cookies that are very similar to these but have a lot less texture, look more like lace then these and don't have a chocolate bottom.

Fudgy Brownie Cookies

I love to make, and eat, brownies and when I stumbled on recipes for brownie cookies I was intrigued and really wanted to give them a try.

These are very good as is but I think they can be improved which is why I don't have a final recipe here yet.

Ginger Sugar Cookies

Ginger is an amazing flavor that is used in both sweet and savory foods.  These cookies highlight the use of ginger in a sweet treat.

These soft ginger cookies remind me of fall and are really good with a glass of sweet or mulled cider or a cup of hot or cold tea.

Gingerbread Ricciarelli

Ricciarelli are similar to Amaretti cookies.  The addition of gingerbread spices gives them an amazing flavor.

Macaroons

Not to be confused with Macarons, which are made with almond flour, Macaroons are made with coconut and quite a bit easier to make.

I've liked coconut since I was a kid and these are very good as a basic coconut cookie.  They are even better when they have chocolate and almonds added, see the Joyfully Almond Coconut cookie version.

Monster Cookies

Here's my version of the Monster Cookie.  This is an excellent cookie; bit of crunch on the outside, gooey on the inside and so easy to make.

Oatmeal Cookies

Here's my version of the classic Oatmeal Cookie.  This version will expand a bit when baking but mostly hold its shape.  If you want a cookie that's flatter simply press the dough ball a bit before baking.

PB Marsh Sandwich Cookies

As a kid I loved "Fluffernutter" sandwiches.  These little delights bring that wonderful flavor combination to a cookie.  They even look a bit like a peanut.

Peanut Butter Kisses Cookies

These cookies are a classic in our family, especially around Christmas.

When I don't have chocolate kisses in the pantry, I'll mix in chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or both.

Peanut Butter Packed Cookies

These cookies are basically peanut butter and sugar, mixed and baked.  They are a bit crumbly but delicious.  If you have an excess of peanut butter you need to use up, bake these.  Better yet, bake them anyway.

Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies

These are great with added Reese's Pieces candies.

Pecan Pie Cookies

The flavors of pecan pie come from the toasted & candied pecans, brown butter and toasted & dark brown sugar.

Pistachio Paste Cookies

I developed these cookies on a whim.  I was planning to make some peanut butter cookies when I remembered I had pistachio paste in the fridge that I wanted to use up.  These cookies turned out much better than I expected.  They are thin, almost elegant, and have a wonderful pistachio flavor.

Will I be making them again?  Oh yes!

Pumpkin Cookies, Chewy

Imagine a cookie stuck somewhere between a nicely chewy chocolate chip cookie and cake like pumpkin cookie, that's what you'll have here.  Not to worry, I'm working toward a cookie that's got more chewiness than cakeiness (wait, is that even a word).

Pumpkin Cookies, Soft

These cookies are a bit different from the usual soft cookie, they are indeed soft but more tender and cake like.  They would be great for pumpkin whoopie pies.  Or just use the Pumpkin Whoopie Pies recipe.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodle is a fun name for a cinnamon cookie.  I will use either Korintje cinnamon (the common cinammon in US) or Ceylon cinnamon (otherwise known as Mexican cinnamon in the US) when I make these.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are a great base for flavorings and add-ins.  Of course, a basic sugar cookie is wonderful on its own.

Whoopie Cookies

These are a lot like Whoopie Pies, just thinner.  Fill with my suggested favorite frosting for or use your own favorite frosting.