Drop Cookies: Recipe, Types, and Baking Tips

“Drop cookie” is a term applied to cookie recipes where bakers “drop” cookie dough from a spoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheet, rather than roll it out or cut it into specific shapes. Conversely, most Christmas cookies and shortbread-style cookies are “cut” cookies.

A basic drop cookie recipe contains butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, flour, salt, and a leavening agent, like baking soda or baking powder. From there, cookies may contain various mix-ins, like rolled oats, cocoa powder, dried fruit, nuts, or chocolate candies.

Drop cookie recipes span the breadth of the cookie universe, containing familiar favorites. Here are some of the most popular:

1. 1. Chocolate chip cookies: Make chocolate chip cookies with semisweet chips, chocolate chunks, or white chocolate chips (combined with chopped macadamia nuts). This chocolate chunk cookie recipe by Joanne Chang is a must-try.
2. 2. Coconut cookies: These drop cookies get a boost of chewy texture and soft sweetness from shredded coconut. Learn how to make coconut cookies at home.
3. 3. Monster cookies: These iconic cookies are all about crunchy, colorful textures. Monster cookie recipes feature candy-coated chocolates, chopped pretzels, oats, and more.
4. 4. Oatmeal cookies: Rolled oats (or quick oats) lend a nutty flavor and distinctive, craggy look and feel to the standard cookie. Try oatmeal-raisin cookies or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for a spin on the original.
5. 5. Peanut butter cookies: Add a swirl of peanut butter (or the nut butter of your choice) to the butter and sugar for a soft, extra-moist cookie. It doesn’t get easier than three-ingredient cookies.
6. 6. Red velvet crinkle cookies: These vibrant red velvet cookies taste like a brownie, with an extra festive look from red food coloring and a coat of powdered sugar. Learn how to make red velvet crinkle cookies.
   
7. 7. Sugar cookies: Basic sugar cookies may just be the essential drop cookie. Tweak the ingredients slightly for snickerdoodles, pumpkin spice cookies, or sugar sprinkle cookies.

Drop cookies are low-maintenance and versatile. Here’s what to know about finding your perfect cookie:

1. 1. Use brown sugar for cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers. Brown sugar, made with molasses, brings extra moisture to the cookie dough. To guarantee a soft center, take the cookies out of the oven just as they turn dry and golden brown around the edges, usually around the ten-minute mark. For crispier cookies, use lower-moisture white sugar, and bake them a few minutes longer.
2. 2. Chill the dough to prevent spreading. Chill the dough for an hour before portioning it onto prepared cookie sheets for thick, chewy cookies.
3. 3. Use the cookies to make ice cream sandwiches. Unlike cut cookies, drop cookies are thick enough to accommodate a scoop of ice cream filling. Make the summery dessert at home with a simple ice cream sandwich recipe.