Good Housekeeping the Best-Ever Cookie Book

Starred review from September 20, 2021
The Good Housekeeping kitchen team offers up their aptly named collection of sublime cookie recipes, featuring “fresh-from-the-oven” favorites oozing with ingenuity and flavor. Organized by method—from drop and “slice and bake” to bars and brownies and beyond—there are treats for every occasion and palate, explained in thorough but not overwhelming detail. Test kitchen tips focus on the little things that make a difference (“never place cookie dough on a hot baking sheet”), and a handy equipment list offers readers a simple guide to the essentials, such as reusable silicon baking mats and tweezers (which are to be designated only for use in the kitchen). A no-fuss guide to measuring and conversion will be key to quality baking results (hot tip: “Don’t try to gauge from above”). Basic but delicious recipes are on offer for everything from cookie dough to royal icing to vanilla buttercream, along with “Switch It Up” footnotes—such as swapping in melted dark chocolate for confectioners’ sugar in ricotta cookies. Drool-worthy standouts include caramel, chocolate, and walnut thumbprints and potato chip and pecan sandies, while an assortment of attractive shortbread bars abound. This is sure to raise the bar for bake sales, cookies swaps, and holiday baking.