National Cookie Day is celebrated every year on December 4th, dedicated to one of the most universally loved treats around: warm, freshly baked cookies in all their countless varieties.
History of National Cookie Day
The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch word “koekje,” meaning “little cake,” reflecting the Dutch influence on early American baking traditions brought over by settlers. Cookies themselves date back much further, with early versions believed to have originated in 7th century Persia, not long after sugar became more widely used in cooking. Bakers would use a small amount of cake batter as a test to check oven temperature before baking a full cake, and these little test cakes eventually became a treat in their own right.
National Cookie Day was created in 1987 by Matt Nader, a cookie shop owner in Blue Springs, Missouri, who wanted a dedicated day to celebrate cookies of all kinds. Since then, the day has grown into a widely recognized and much-loved unofficial holiday, celebrated by home bakers, bakeries, and cookie lovers everywhere each December.
How to Celebrate National Cookie Day
- Bake a batch of cookies from scratch (recipe below)
- Try a new cookie recipe or flavor you’ve never made before
- Visit a local bakery and pick out a few different cookie varieties
- Host a cookie exchange or swap with friends and family
- Share your favorite cookie recipe or photo on social media using #NationalCookieDay
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients (makes about 24 cookies):
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips and nuts, if using.
- For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are golden but centers still look slightly soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Fun Facts About Cookies
- The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch word “koekje,” meaning “little cake.”
- National Cookie Day was founded in 1987 by Matt Nader, a cookie shop owner in Missouri.
- The chocolate chip cookie was invented by accident in the 1930s by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts.
- Chilling cookie dough before baking allows the flour to fully hydrate and the fat to firm up, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies with more developed flavor.
- The world’s largest cookie ever baked weighed over 40,000 pounds, according to Guinness World Records.
- Cookies are considered one of the easiest baked goods for beginners, since they require minimal equipment and forgiving techniques compared to cakes or pastries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Cookie Day?
National Cookie Day is celebrated annually on December 4th.
Who created National Cookie Day?
National Cookie Day was created in 1987 by Matt Nader, a cookie shop owner in Blue Springs, Missouri.
Why should I chill cookie dough before baking?
Chilling the dough allows the flour to fully absorb the liquid ingredients and the butter to firm up, which helps prevent excessive spreading and results in a thicker, chewier cookie with richer flavor.
How do I keep cookies soft after baking?
Storing cookies in an airtight container, sometimes with a slice of bread inside to maintain moisture, helps keep them soft for several days after baking.