Some cookie recipes are good once, while others become regulars you bake again and again. This list of 23 easy cookie recipes focuses on simple steps, basic ingredients, and results that turn out right every time. These are the kind of cookies that fit into busy weeks, last through many cravings, and earn a permanent spot in your baking rotation.

Chewy Molasses Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

Chocolate cookies with melty marshmallow centers bring a rich and playful treat to the table. The fudgy dough pairs with a gooey center that adds contrast and keeps each bite interesting. These cookies are easy to bake, look inviting, and feel special enough to share with family or friends.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Classic Thumbprint Cookies

Soft cookies with a gooey jam center add color and sweetness to any dessert spread. The tender dough holds its shape around the bright jam, giving each cookie a neat look and steady flavor. They’re easy to bake, travel well, and often end up being the first cookies picked from the tray.
Get the Recipe: Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Mint adds a refreshing note to soft chocolate cookies, making them stand out in a tray of treats. Crinkled tops give them a fun, homemade appearance while the chewy centers stay rich and satisfying. These cookies are simple to bake and bring a recognizable flavor combination that appeals to chocolate lovers.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chewy Molasses Cookies

Soft molasses cookies filled with warm cinnamon and spice bring a cozy flavor that feels familiar and satisfying. The mild molasses blends smoothly with the spices, keeping the cookies tender and easy to work with. They hold their soft texture well after baking, making them a reliable treat to make ahead and enjoy later.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies
Cherry Pie Cookies

Sweet cherry filling adds color and flavor to small pinwheel cookies, giving them the feel of mini pies in cookie form. The swirled shape holds the filling in place and creates a look that draws attention right away. These cookies bake evenly, stay soft, and deliver a familiar fruit flavor that makes them easy to make, easy to share, and a reliable choice for any tray.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Pie Cookies
Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie

A single mug can produce a warm, soft chocolate chip cookie in just a few minutes using this microwave recipe. The edges turn golden while the center stays soft and melty, giving the feeling of a freshly baked cookie without waiting. With only a few pantry ingredients, this recipe makes dessert fast and satisfying. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a quick treat without committing to a full batch.
Get the Recipe: Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies made with sourdough starter offer a familiar taste with a slight tang that enhances the sweetness. The texture remains soft in the center and crisp at the edges, creating a balanced bite every time. This recipe brings a small twist to a classic favorite while still feeling approachable and easy to share.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Chocolate melts into the center of a large skillet cookie, creating a soft, gooey middle surrounded by crisp edges. Every slice delivers a rich balance of chewiness and chocolate flavor that feels indulgent without being complicated. The cookie can be shared straight from the pan, making it a practical and satisfying treat for gatherings. This recipe is perfect for moments when a regular cookie does not feel like enough, giving everyone a chance to enjoy a warm, chocolatey bite.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Palmier Cookies

Thin layers of sugar caramelize in these cookies, giving every bite a crisp sweetness that does not need extra steps. Their light, elegant appearance makes them look impressive on a tray, even though they are simple to bake. Each cookie has a crunch that contrasts nicely with the smooth sweetness, offering a satisfying texture.
Get the Recipe: Palmier Cookies
Cherry Surprise Cookies

A bright cherry center adds color and sweet flavor to soft, buttery cookies that are easy to enjoy. The dough stays tender and simple to work with, letting the fruity filling shine in every bite. These cookies bake evenly, travel well, and look appealing without extra effort, making them a smart choice when sharing treats with friends or coworkers.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Surprise Cookies
Double Chocolate Chunk Cherry Cookies

Juicy cherries pair with rich chocolate chunks to create cookies that feel different from the usual chocolate chip choice. The mix of fruit and chocolate gives each cookie a soft texture and steady flavor in every bite. The recipe is simple to follow, and the cookies look great when set out on a tray.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Chunk Cherry Cookies
Hot Chocolate Cookies

Cookies that taste like hot chocolate with melty marshmallow centers feel warm and familiar from the first bite. Soft chocolate dough pairs with gooey marshmallow to create an easy dessert that delivers rich flavor without extra work. The cookies hold their shape as they bake and keep a classic chocolate taste that works any time of year. Both kids and adults enjoy this familiar treat, making it one people come back to again and again.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Cookies
Chewy Lemon Cookies

Bright lemon flavor gives these soft, chewy cookies a fresh and lively taste that works any time of year. The mix of tart and sweet keeps each bite balanced, while the dough stays tender and easy to work with. These cookies bake evenly and offer a simple citrus twist that adds variety to any cookie spread.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Cookies
Easy Sugar Cherry Cookies

These cookies are soft roll cookies with a bright pop of Maraschino cherry in every bite. The sweet cherry adds a fun twist to the tender dough, making each cookie flavorful and eye-catching. They are an easy dessert to enjoy any time you want something a little different and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sugar Cherry Cookies
Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Classic oats and raisins create a chewy, comforting cookie that always delivers consistent results. Warm spices balance the sweetness and keep the flavor steady from bite to bite. The dough is simple to make, and the cookies hold together well on a tray, making them easy to share. This reliable recipe is perfect for those times when only a traditional cookie will satisfy the group.
Get the Recipe: Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolatey Raisin Cookies

Soft oatmeal cookies with chocolate and raisins offer a familiar flavor that works any time of year. Sweet raisins and rich chocolate mix into a chewy dough that stays soft while holding its shape. These cookies are easy to bake and enjoy, giving a comforting, sweet treat that appeals to both kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Chocolatey Raisin Cookies
Apricot Crescent Cookies

Sweet apricot filling gives these crescent-shaped cookies a bright, fruity flavor while keeping the dough simple to work with. Each bite combines soft, tender dough with the gentle sweetness of the apricot, making the flavor consistent from start to finish. They bake quickly and hold their delicate shape, creating an easy dessert that looks as good as it tastes. This recipe adds a fresh, appealing option to any cookie rotation without extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Crescent Cookies
Espresso Brownie Skillet Cookie

Brownie-style cookies come together with a soft center and edges that turn golden and crisp in the oven. A small amount of espresso brings out the chocolate without making it bitter, adding depth to each bite. These cookies are rich but easy to serve, holding their shape while still offering a tender texture. They are a rewarding choice for anyone looking to bring a slightly different cookie that is still familiar and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Brownie Skillet Cookie
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

Small skillet cookies bake quickly and offer a soft, rich center with golden, crisp edges that hold melted chocolate chips. Every bite is gooey and satisfying, giving the sense of a homemade treat straight from the pan. They’re a convenient choice when a dessert is needed without making a large batch.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Copycat Mrs. Field’s Chocolate Dipped Cookies

Thick cookies are coated in smooth white chocolate to recreate that mall-style flavor at home. The base cookie holds up under the coating while remaining soft and chewy, giving a satisfying contrast. Every bite recalls the nostalgic sweetness of a familiar treat. This recipe is easy to make and guarantees a dessert that people will enjoy repeatedly on a cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Mrs. Field’s Chocolate Dipped Cookies
Chewy S’mores Cookies

Familiar flavors come together in soft cookies filled with graham cracker pieces, melted chocolate, and fluffy marshmallows. The combination creates a satisfying treat that feels comforting without being complicated. The cookies hold their shape well while baking evenly, making them easy to pack or display on a cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’mores Cookies
Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Sweet caramel with a hint of gentle spice turns these chewy cookies into a bold and memorable treat. The dough stays soft, and the caramel and spice blend creates a balanced flavor that is never too strong. These cookies bake evenly, keep their shape, and offer a simple dessert people can enjoy any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies

Layered cookies combine graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallow into a soft, stacked treat that brings back familiar flavors. The layers stay in place while baking, keeping each cookie neat and full of taste. They’re easy to make and give a classic dessert option that works any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies