6 Amazing Non-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie Cookies
I know cookie lists usually come out at holiday time, but I happen to enjoy a good cookie any time of year, don’t you? And while I love a chocolate chip cookie as much as the next gal, the internet is bursting with mouth-watering ideas for cookies of all kinds, so I’m here with some non-chocolate-chip-cookie cookie inspiration for your weekend baking. Maybe call it Christmas in July: Cookie Edition. Here are some of the best ones that I made over the last year:
1. Homemade Oreo Cookies
These seriously brilliant copycat cookies are featured in Stella Tart’s cookbook Bravetart, but you can find the recipe for her Homemade Oreo Cookies online on Serious Eats. They really do taste like their namesake. I amped up the chocolatyness by adding 1/2 teaspoon of espresso powder when I added the cocoa.
Tip: I used my linzer cookie cutter for the shape and it helped give them sort of an authentic look.
2. Citrus Curd Linzer Cookies
Speaking of Linzer cookies, these Citrus Curd Linzer Cookies are a decadent twist on the classic. The crisp cookies are made with browned butter, adding a nuttiness and balance to the gorgeous, creamy citrus curd that will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
Tip: Be sure to keep the dough chilled as you’re rolling out the thin cookies. Chilled dough is a lot easier to cut out and transfer to baking sheets. If your dough starts to get soft, put it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm back up.
3. Marbled Tahini Cookies
Tahini adds a nutty flavor and texture that may remind you of halva, though these cookies are significantly less sweet than the candy. When I first tasted them, I thought of them as more of grown-up cookie, but then I watched my friend's two year old son gobble them up over lunch one day, so I guess they’re more of a crowd pleaser than I thought. They have show-stopping looks, and are far easier to make than it may seem.
Tip: Pay attention to the instructions that say to gently and briefly knead the two doughs briefly together. A few turns is all it took for me to achieve the marbling effect.
PS. I’m saving my leftover black sanding sugar to make something fun this Halloween :)
Marbled Tahini Cookies Recipe »
(You may need a subscription to NYT Cooking to view the recipe, but for the decades of content you’ll gain access to, I think it’s well worth the cost if you like to cook or bake.)
4. Salted Dark Chocolate Rugelach
No need to wait until holiday time to try these Salted Dark Chocolate Rugelach. An enriched dough made with cream cheese surrounds a rich, dark chocolate filling in this non-traditional version of the Jewish recipe. They’re magical any time of year. I added some chopped, toasted pecans to mine.
Tip: For a successful dough, be sure to use bricks of cream cheese, not the spreadable kind that comes in a tub.
5. Smoked Almond S’mores with Whiskey Marshmallows
OK. These are a cookie project with a capital P. But Mandy Segal’s take on smores is seriously next level. If nothing else, make the smoked almond chocolate bark that replaces the typical Hershey’s squares. It’s dark chocolate, smoked almonds and homemade toffee all melted together. Like I said. Next level.
Tip: If you’re a Cooks Illustrated subscriber, they have a great step-by-step homemade marshmallow recipe that doesn’t include Whiskey.
6. Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with White and Dark Chocolate Chunks
And finally, if you MUST have a chocolate chip cookie, why not try my ultra-chocolatey Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with White and Dark Chocolate Chunks for something a little different. They’re slice and bake, so you can have them ready to go whenever the craving strikes.
Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with White and Dark Chocolate Chunks Recipe »
There are so many more cookie recipes out there, but we’ll leave it here for now. I have a feeling we’ll be exploring more cookies together soon. Do you have favorite non-chocolate-chip-cookie cookies? Leave some ideas in the comments.
