What To Add To Your Cookies
Cookies are one of the most beloved sweet treats in America, and it's not hard to see why. They're easy to eat, incredibly versatile, and satisfy your sweet cravings in an instant. But while there are plenty of delicious cookies out there, there are some that leave people scratching their heads. Here are 10 cookie add-ins that won't win over crowds, and 10 that are undeniable favorites.
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1. Raisins
Already one of the most polarizing cookie add-ins, raisins are always a hit or miss for people. Most of the time, people just feel betrayed by them because they look like chocolate chips from a distance! You might enjoy them in oatmeal cookies for the nostalgia, but they’re rarely the crowd-pleasing choice.
2. Hard Candy Pieces
If you've got a big sweet tooth, hard candies might sound fun in theory, but they just melt unevenly when baked and create sharp and sticky patches in the cookie. These baked goodies should be enjoyable without making you worry about the state of your teeth.
3. Gummy Candy
Maybe just step away from using candies in cookies in general. Gummy candy also doesn't improve in the oven, in fact, they melt into odd, tacky spots or turn unpleasantly firm after baking. These also tend to have more artificial flavors that don't mesh well with the dough base.
4. Fresh Berries
Sure, fresh berries are delicious and healthy to enjoy on their own, but when it comes to making cookies, they bring a lot of unwanted moisture. Adding these in just makes the cookies spread too much, turn soggy, or bake unevenly. If you really want to use them, consider dried varieties instead.
5. Pretzel Sticks
Pretzel sticks can work in cookies, but it really depends on your base and how much you add in. If you accidentally use too many, it turns your cookie into a salted mess, and not to mention, full of tough spots to bite through. Put simply, this combo is hard to make work more often than not.
6. Marshmallows
Marshmallows on cookies sound cozy, but the reality is, they can disappear into the cookie or leak out and burn on the pan. Instead of getting soft, fluffy pockets, you may end up with sticky craters and caramelized edges that are more messy than tasty.
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7. Coconut Flakes
Coconut tends to be another polarizing flavor that not everyone enjoys, and for cookies that feature soft and delicate flavors, we can see why. Coconut flakes in particular carry a strong flavor that can quickly dominate the entire cookie. They can also turn dry or stringy in texture after being baked!
8. Large Nut Halves
There's nothing wrong with adding in nuts to your cookies, but it does matter what size they are. When they're too large, it makes your cookie feel chunky in the worst way. They also don’t always distribute evenly, so one bite may have too much nut while the next has none at all.
9. Cereal
Cereal has become a popular topping for a variety of sweet treats in recent years, but we'd recommend staying away from using them in cookies. Many of them become stale-tasting, tough, or oddly chewy once they sit inside cookie dough.
10. Potato Chips
Sweet and salty works for many things, but not always for cookies. Potato chips can be used creatively as batter for fried goods or as a filling for sandwiches, but when it comes to cookies, they turn greasy or stale after baking. And quite often, their delicate texture won't last being mixed into the thick cookie dough.
1. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic for a reason, and even after all this time and many new toppings, they still earn their place right at the top. They bring just enough sweetness without overwhelming the dough, and their slight bitterness keeps each bite balanced.
2. Dark Chocolate Chunks
For a more grown-up cookie, dark chocolate chunks lower the sugar levels, but enhance the cocoa flavor. Their uneven shapes also create pockets of melted chocolate that feel generous and satisfying. It never feels like too much!
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3. Toasted Pecans
If you prefer something a bit more hearty and nutty, toasted pecans add warmth, crunch, and a rich flavor that blends beautifully into cookies. Toasting them first makes a big difference because it deepens their taste and helps them stay crisp.
4. Toffee Bits
As long as you don't mind them getting stuck in your teeth, toffee bits bring a crisp, buttery sweetness that works well in chewy cookies. They melt just enough to create little caramel-like spots, too! They're great for those who don't prefer chocolate.
5. Peanut Butter Chips
For a salty-sweet combo that does work, peanut butter chips add a creamy and nutty flavor that feels right at home in many cookies recipes. These pair beautifully with chocolate, oatmeal, and a wide variety of other cookie dough types.
6. White Chocolate Chips
White chocolate chips can be a great cookie add-in when they’re paired with ingredients that balance their sweetness. That's why they work especially well with dried cranberries, macadamia nuts, citrus zest, or a darker dough! Use them thoughtfully and they add creamy sweetness without making the cookie feel too heavy.
7. Chopped Walnuts
If you love a cookie with texture, chopped walnuts add pleasant crunch and a slightly earthy flavor that keeps cookies from tasting too sweet. They work especially well in chocolate chip, oatmeal, and banana-based cookies.
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8. Dried Cranberries
For a brighter, zestier add-in, dried cranberries are perfect for introducing a tart flavor that can freshen up an overly rich cookie. They’re chewy without being too heavy, and they hold their shape way better than fresh fruit. They’re especially good with white chocolate, oats, orange zest, or pistachios.
9. Espresso Chips or Powder
Did you know coffee can make chocolate taste all the deeper and more flavorful? Makes sense why espresso chips or powder work so well in cookies then! The coffee flavor doesn’t have to be strong, but it helps cut through the sweetness in a useful way and pairs wonderfully with chocolate chips.
10. Caramel Bits
For fans of caramel, no cookie tastes better than adding in little bits that create soft, sweet pockets of goodness. They work best when paired with salt, chocolate, or nuts so the sweetness stays balanced. You’ll want to use them carefully though, because too many can make cookies sticky.
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