Cookies may be one of the most humble desserts, but they’re also the most variable and most simple. The upcoming holiday season is the perfect excuse to hog your dorm kitchen and make absurd amounts of goodies to spread the love. Here’s a guide to help you decide what to do first (All links for recipes will be included in order in the Sources section below.).
Variations on a Classic
The chocolate chip cookie is a childhood favorite, but even this has the possibility for (almost) endless variations. Luckily, “Handle the Heat” has got you covered. Their amazing four part guide explains how to get the consistency that’s perfect for you.
Oatmeal Cookies
The lowly oatmeal cookie gets a bad reputation, generally because oatmeal raisin is the most common version, but it doesn’t have to be this way! The hearty texture makes it the perfect base for any combination of flavors. Add nuts, dried fruit, any flavor of chips your heart desires–if it sounds good to you, it will probably be delicious. If you’re looking for ideas, my two favorites are white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and macadamia nuts, or dried cherries, dark chocolate chips, and pistachios.
Taylor Swift Approved
You can’t decide if you want to be her or her best friend. Unfortunately for you, neither are likely to happen, but you can whip up some of her recipes while you cry over what might have been if you were besties. She posts a lot of her baking creations to her Instagram and Tumblr accounts, but these chai-eggnog sugar cookies are probably the most unique, and they sound wonderful. Plus, her instructions are just as adorable as she is.
Gluten Free
It can be hard to find cookies that don’t include wheat, but these flourless peanut butter cookies are ridiculously addictive. They’re even better if you put a dollop of Nutella on top of each one after they’re baked.
A Festive Tradition
Sugar cookies are so popular because of their versatility; with some cookie cutters, they make the perfect festive treat for any holiday, Christmas included. Granted, they’re a little more work intensive – rolling out that dough over and over again takes a while, but they’re adorable and melt in your mouth delicious.
Macarons and Macaroons
Although there’s only a single letter difference, these two cookies are very different. Macarons are little soft biscuit sandwiches in any number of flavors; I prefer peppermint myself. Meanwhile, macaroons are crispy little lumps of deliciousness, usually with almonds and coconut as its main ingredients.
You Can’t Catch Me…
…I’m the gingerbread man! Gingerbread cookies are my absolute favorite, and they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. The sharp spiciness is a nice contrast to all the other sugary-sweet desserts you’ll be gorging yourself on. Plus, like sugar cookies, they’re perfect for cutting into shapes, including the traditional gingerbread man. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you could try to make an entire house, including an adorable little family.
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