25 old-fashioned cookie recipes straight from grandma’s cookbook

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Skip the fussy desserts and bake some cookies you already know and love! These 25 recipes, pulled straight from grandma’s secret stash, are the real deal – easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Overhead shot of cookies on a white cloth with a glass of milk.
Flourless Chocolate Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Lemon Puff Cookies

Lemon cookies on a plate with a yellow checkered tablecloth.
Lemon Puff Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Ditch the fancy stuff and say hello to sunshine in a cookie! These Lemon Puff Cookies are light and fluffy with a lemony zing – perfect for a taste of grandma’s kitchen without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Puff Cookies

Quick Oatmeal Cookies

Pile of oatmeal cookies on a plate.
Quick Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Oatmeal cookies that won’t break a sweat? You bet! These babies are grandma-approved and made with stuff you probably already have. Perfect for last-minute cravings (or bribing coworkers).
Get the Recipe: Quick Oatmeal Cookies

Berlinerkranser

A tray of christmas cookies with green ribbons on it.
Berlinerkranser. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Calling all cookie monsters! Get ready for some next-level dunkin’ with these Berlinerkranser cookies. Think buttery, melt-in-your-mouth dough with a hint of orange, all twisted into cute little wreaths. Bonus points if you change the color and shape to match the season!
Get the Recipe: Berlinerkranser

Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

Lacy oatmeal cookies piled on white plate with glass of milk in background.
Lacy Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Lace who? These Oatmeal Lace Cookies are anything but fussy! Crispy on the bottom, soft on top, and practically see-through, they’re like grandma’s secret weapon for satisfying your sweet tooth. Easy to whip up, they’re perfect for sneaky snacking or sharing with friends.
Get the Recipe: Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

Mashed Potato Cookies

Mashed potato cookies on round marble plate.
Mashed Potato Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Mashed potato cookies? Don’t knock it ’til you try it! These vintage treats are all about comfort food magic. Creamy mashed potatoes meet warm spices, nuts, and raisins for a soft, moist cookie that’s surprisingly delicious. Grandma approved, these are way more exciting than another boring sugar cookie!
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Cookies

Cake Mix Cookies

A stack of pink cookies with a bite taken out of them.
Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Who needs fancy baking? These Easy Cake Mix Cookies are the best! Just 5 ingredients and you’ve got warm, gooey goodness in your oven. Plus, you can totally jazz them up with chocolate chips, sprinkles, or whatever else your heart desires. Talk about a win-win!
Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Cookies

Melting Moments Cookies

Melting moments cookies on white plate with snowman mug in background.
Melting Moments Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Calling all cookie fiends! These Melting Moments cookies are like grandma’s secret weapon for afternoon snack attacks. Made with almond extract for a crazy good flavor, they’re melt-in-your-mouth tiny and perfect for popping by the handful. Feel free to add sprinkles for a colorful twist!
Get the Recipe: Melting Moments Cookies

Traditional Rum Balls

Rum balls stacked on red plate with red glass in background.
Traditional Rum Balls. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Rum lovers, rejoice! These Traditional Rum Balls are the real deal – and way easier to make than grandma might have let on. Just 5 ingredients and bam, boozy bliss in bite-sized form. Perfect for any party (just maybe hide them from the kiddos).
Get the Recipe: Traditional Rum Balls

Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Overhead shot of cookies on a white cloth with a glass of milk.
Flourless Chocolate Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Calling all chocoholics! These Flourless Chocolate Cookies are a blast from the past. Crispy on the outside and gooey-chewy on the inside, they’re packed with rich chocolate flavor for a truly decadent treat.
Get the Recipe: Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Toffee Cookies

Two toffee cookies on white plate with bowl of chocolate chips in background.
Toffee Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Toffee fans, ditch the sticky candy bars! These Toffee Cookies are all about that satisfying crunch, without the tooth-pulling drama. They’re like little bites of toffee heaven, perfect for whenever a sweet tooth strikes.
Get the Recipe: Toffee Cookies

Corn Flake Cookies

Corn Flake cookies on white plate.
Corn Flake Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Craving something sweet but don’t feel like turning on the oven? Look no further than these throwback Corn Flake Cookies! Made with just 5 ingredients (including chocolate and peanut butter), they’re a no-bake win for any day of the week. Grandma would be proud!
Get the Recipe: Corn Flake Cookies

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Four chocolate shortbread cookies on white placemat with clear glass of milk in background.
Chocolate Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Chocolate + shortbread = pure magic! These Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are the perfect mashup, and guess what? They’re from an old-school recipe that’s ridiculously easy. Just 5 ingredients for pure deliciousness. Let’s go!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Quick Pudding Cookies

Chocolate pudding cookies piled on white plate.
Quick Pudding Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Calling all cookie monsters! These Pudding Cookies are the ultimate shortcut for satisfying your sweet tooth. Think Bisquick, instant pudding, and a sprinkle of magic (aka grandma’s secret weapon). Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just because.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pudding Cookies

Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pile of chocolate chip cookies on marble plate with glass of milk in background.
Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Level up your chocolate chip game with Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies! These bad boys are like Toll House cookies, but with a secret grandma hack (shortening instead of butter!) that makes them even chewier and crispier. Get ready for melty chocolate in every bite – pure gooey goodness!
Get the Recipe: Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies

Corn Flake Macaroons

Three Corn Flake macaroons on silver platter with glass of milk in background.
Corn Flake Macaroons. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Craving a taste of grandma’s kitchen? Whip up a batch of Corn Flake Macaroons! These easy cookies are all about that classic crunch and old-school vibes. Plus, they’re gone in a flash at potlucks (wink wink). Make a double batch, trust us!
Get the Recipe: Corn Flake Macaroons

Soft Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies shaped like trees, ribbons, and stars on Christmas plate.
Soft Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Sugar cookie cravings got you down? These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are the answer! They’re soft, sweet, and perfect for frosting like a boss. Bonus points for fun shapes and sprinkles – get creative and make them your own!
Get the Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies

Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies

Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies with amonds in the middle.
Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Gingerbread cookies gone guilt-free? Believe it! This healthy twist on a classic uses gluten-free flour and ditches the sugar for a delicious treat everyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies

Kolacky

Several poppy seed filled kolacky on a white plate with red and gold ribbons in the background.
Kolacky. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Craving something a little different? This Czech kolacky recipe is all about flaky pastry pockets bursting with a sweet poppy seed filling. Ditch the boring cookies and impress your friends with this easy (and delicious) twist!
Get the Recipe: Kolacky

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Ricotta Cookies decorated with Christmas sprinkles.
Italian Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ditch the fussy desserts and say hello to these Italian Ricotta Cookies! Imagine soft, cakey cookies with a touch of sunshine. These are a holiday fave in Italy, but who needs a reason to enjoy something this delicious?
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Low carb Shortbread Cookies

Keto Shortbread Cookies on a cooling rack.
Low carb Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Keto? No problem! These Low-Carb Shortbread Cookies (inspired by a vintage recipe) are calling your name. Made with almond flour and only 1g net carb per cookie, they’re basically a sugar-free, gluten-free dream come true. Butter lovers rejoice, this one’s for you!
Get the Recipe: Low carb Shortbread Cookies

Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

Low-angled shot of a honey cookie broken in half with stacks of honey cookies and a glass of milk in the background.
Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Honey alert! These Honey Cookies are perfect for any occasion, holidays or just cause. Soft, chewy, and bursting with orange and cinnamon, they’re like a hug from grandma in cookie form. Get ready for them to vanish in seconds!
Get the Recipe: Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

Sour Cream Cookies

Sour cream cookies with blue, green and yellow icing.
Sour Cream Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sour cream cookies? Don’t knock it ’til you try it! These babies are soft and fluffy on the inside, with a dreamy layer of frosting on top. The secret ingredient? Sour cream (shhh, it’s grandma’s trick!). Easy to bake and crazy delicious, they’re perfect for satisfying afternoon cravings or sharing with friends.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Cookies

Almond Flour Butter Cookies

Almond Flour Keto Butter Cookies with cup filled with cookies.
Almond Flour Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Keto crew, listen up! Forget fancy baking – these Almond Butter Cookies are your new BFF. Imagine crumbly shortbread with a hit of almond and a gooey, buttery center (like a delicious fat bomb!). Plus, they’re whipped up with just 4 ingredients and totally sugar-free, gluten-free, and grain-free. Grandma might not recognize them, but your taste buds will thank you!
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Butter Cookies

Hamentashen

Hamentashen cookies piled on a white plate with more cookies on a rack in the background. There is jar of jam with a spoon in it in the background too.
Hamentashen. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ditch the boring cookies and celebrate with Hamentashen! These fun, triangular treats from Jewish tradition are basically little flavor bombs. Fill ’em with jam, chocolate, poppyseed, or whatever else your heart desires – it’s all about getting creative and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Hamentashen

Church Window Cookies

Church window cookies with colored marshmallows and coconut.
Church Window Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Skip the fancy stuff and whip up a childhood classic – Church Window Cookies! These beauties combine chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts for a no-bake treat that’s easy, pretty, and needs just 5 ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

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