When we dug into the data behind which Christmas cookies were the most popular overall, then drilled down to the state level, most of it made sense, some of it surprised us, and a few tidbits still have us scratching our heads.
What was obvious? Peanut Butter Blossoms are America’s favorite Christmas cookie, based both on total number of pageviews from the U.S. population as a whole, and number of states that ranked it as their top cookie (which is six, by the way). That’s not an unexpected result; you’d be hard-pressed to find a cookie tray in December that doesn’t have at least a dozen of them on it. But what might surprise to you is that the recipe was created as an entry for the ninth Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1957—and it didn’t win. So, if you were tempted to make the joke that even though Peanut Butter Blossoms didn’t win the Bake-Off battle, they won the aWARd for most beloved Christmas cookie, you’d be correct.
One particular nugget of data that surprised us is how much America loves fudge. In fact, 3-Ingredient Christmas Swirl Fudge is the second most-visited Christmas recipe (right after those Peanut Butter Blossoms). We knew it was a popular recipe, but we didn’t know it beat out Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts. These colorful classics rank somewhere in the top five for every single state except Mississippi; they have it as their eighth most loved Christmas cookie. Sugar-cookie-loving-Mississippians, you’re a special group and we’re here for you. Please enjoy this collection filled with every sugar cookie recipe you could ever want.
Our favorite discoveries are ones that we can’t explain. If you have theories, we want to hear them! In no particular order, here they are:
Nebraska is the only state that ranks Peanut Butter-Chocolate Cookies as their number one, which is really a recipe for Peanut Butter Blossoms that uses a chocolate star instead of the far more popular choice, Hershey's® Kisses® Brand milk chocolates. And though it’s not their top cookie, Iowa also prefers stars to Kisses®.
Nearly every state ranks Cake Mix Fudge Crinkle Cookies somewhere in their top ten. As the recipe title points out, it’s made using Betty Crocker cake mix (hello, quick and easy!). However there are four states that prefer to make it from scratch using this classic Chocolate Crinkles recipe: Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Based on total time for each recipe, you have to wait an extra two hours for your crinkles in those states.
Alabama is the most cookie-bar obsessed state in the union. Two of their three top Christmas cookies aren’t event cookies, they are bars. 1. Sugar Cookie M&M’s™ Bars 2. Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Christmas Bars 3. Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts
West Virginia is even more obsessed with cookie cups than Alabama is with cookie bars. And in fact, only one of their top five Christmas cookies is an actual cookie! 1. Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Cups 2. Sugar Cookie M&M’s™ Bars 3. Holiday Sugar Cookie Cups 4. Peanut Butter Blossoms 5. Twix™ Sugar Cookie Cups
And without further ado, here’s a look at the top cookie in every state using data from Crocker and our sister sites Pillsbury and Tablespoon. Does your state’s top pick surprise you?
We’ve been making these Russian tea cakes since we first published the recipe in 1950, and we love them just as much today as we did back then. Simple and so delicious, these buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies have only a handful of ingredients, but don’t let that fool you. They are packed with flavor.
This Russian tea cakes recipe is essentially a shortbread cookie, studded with chopped nuts. It’s wonderfully tender, without being dry or dusty. The dough is formed into balls and baked before being rolled into powdered sugar to create the classic snowball finish.
While these sweets are an iconic holiday cookie, they would be welcome any time of year. So, put on a pot of tea and settle in for a delightful treat.
The beloved Peanut Blossoms began their journey in 1957 as an entry in the Pillsbury Bake-Off™ contest. Betty's original creation, "Chocolate Candy-Topped Peanut Butter Cookies," refined the classic peanut butter cookie recipe by reducing salt and using all butter for a richer flavor. Featured in Betty Crocker’s 2006 Christmas cookbook, the recipe initially showcased chocolate stars as its signature topping.
The widespread availability and popularity of HERSHEY'S KISSES led to a recipe update, using these iconic candies instead. Over the past two decades, peanut butter blossom cookies have become a top-rated and most popular holiday favorite and a year-round treat, gracing cookie trays, lunchboxes, and cookie jars alike.
Our recipe distinguishes itself by adding the HERSHEY'S KISSES after baking. This ensures perfectly baked cookies and allows the chocolates to adhere to the warm cookies without melting excessively, maintaining their shape and signature look.
When the standard sugar cookie just won’t do, these Italian Christmas Cookies are sure to surprise everyone with their smooth texture and bright — just a little tart, not-too-sweet — flavor. Made with zesty lemon and creamy ricotta, these cookies are ones you won’t want to skip. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these easy Italian Christmas Cookies that are sure to become a new holiday favorite.
A gooey pecan pie brimming with buttery pecans is always a hit, but it’s also quite a labor-intensive dessert—what with the blending, rolling, and making a pretty edge required to make pie crust. That’s why Pecan Pie Cookies are such a delicious alternative. You get all the reward, with no hassle! Want to see how they're made? Watch this quick video to make the perfect pecan pie sugar cookie cups.
Crinkle cookies are so named for their characteristic cracks that form during baking. The dough is rolled into balls and then rolled into a variety of sugar types. When baked, the cookies crack, revealing the fudgy centers. These cookies are visually attractive with their dusted powdered sugar tops and decadent to sink your teeth into with their moist, rich centers!
By starting with Super Moist™ devil’s food cake mix, you cut down on the number of ingredients you need to make these cookies as well as the time it takes to measure ingredients out. This means, you can get to the best part of cookie baking faster—the eating part! Loaded with chocolatey, fudgy flavor, these sweet treats are equally delicious as their scratch counterparts—but you spend less time making them and cleaning up.
Cake mix chocolate crinkle cookies are perfect to enjoy all year long. Whether you tuck them into a lunch box, bring them to a PTO meeting or add them to your holiday cookie platter, they are always a welcomed sweet treat no one can resist.
Our homemade sugar cookies have been a Betty Crocker favorite for decades. First appearing in the 1950 Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book made with granulated sugar, the recipe was later perfected with powdered sugar and became Mary’s Sugar Cookies in the 1961 Betty Crocker Cookbook. Since then, this much-loved, highly reviewed easy sugar cookie recipe has been a constant in every Big Red edition and in many other cookbooks, including the beloved 1963 Betty Crocker Cooky Book—a favorite many of us grew up baking from.
Over the years, little has changed—because some things are just right as they are. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good, easy to make, and perfect for decorating. Whether you're baking festive cutouts or everyday treats, this classic sugar cookie recipe is sure to impress family and friends.
