If you’re looking for inspiration for this year’s cookie tin (or trying to decide what to set out for Santa) I’ve got you covered. Today I’m sharing my all-time favorite Ina Garten cookie and candy recipes.
Think warm, spiced classics like Spicy Hermit Bars; no-bake treats like English Chocolate Crisps; showstopping chocolate bark; and plenty of buttery shortbread – my personal cookie love language, which of course makes more than one appearance on the list.
Cherry Pistachio Biscotti – Cooking for Jeffrey, page 182 (Recipe) | I’m typically not a biscotti person, but these completely won me over. They’re crisp, buttery, studded with tart cherries, and honestly … you just can’t go wrong with pistachios.
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies – How Easy Is That, page 228 (Recipe) | The first of many shortbreads on this list (shortbread is my forever favorite), and these do not disappoint. Nutella makes everything better!
Chocolate-Dipped Brown Sugar Shortbread – Modern Comfort Food, page 218 (Recipe) | See, more shortbread.
Cinnamon-Spiced Shortbread – Go-To Dinners, page 243 (Recipe) | Love the coating of cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and cloves on these beauts.
Coconut Macaroons – Family Style, page 163 (Recipe) | I love anything with toasted coconut, and while mine didn’t turn out exactly like the photo in Ina’s book, they were still absolutely delicious: golden, chewy, and full of that toasty coconut flavor I can never resist.
English Chocolate Crisps – Make It Ahead, page 232 (Recipe) | A wonderfully simple, no-bake holiday treat – crisp, chocolatey, and perfect for those moments when you want something festive without turning on the oven.
Fleur de Sel Caramels – How Easy Is That, page 232 (Recipe) | Salty, sweet, and perfectly soft without being too chewy.
French Chocolate Bark – Back to Basics, page 200 (Recipe) | Ina is the one who turned me onto chocolate bark, and this recipe is where it all started. It’s simple, elegant, and endlessly customizable.
Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies – Modern Comfort Food, page 211 (Recipe) | Salted chocolate chip cookies with crispy edges and chewy interior … say no more.
Ginger Shortbread – Make It Ahead, page 230 (Recipe) | Love the spicy complexity that the crystalized ginger brings to these.
Pecan Sandies – Foolproof, page 219 (Recipe) | One of my dad’s favorite store-bought treats gets the homemade treatment.
Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies – Make It Ahead, page 192 (Recipe) | Team chocolate when it comes to oatmeal cookies! Forget the raisins!
Spicy Hermit Bar – Cooking for Jeffrey, page 238 (Recipe) | These absolutely scream holiday – packed with warm spices, deeply fragrant, and the kind of cozy, nostalgic bar cookie that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible.
White Chocolate Bark – How Easy Is That, page 235 (Recipe) | Salty pistachios help cut the sweetness of the white chocolate.
White Chocolate Toffee – Modern Comfort Food, page 215 (Recipe) | Had a bit of trouble with this one, but the results, while sweet, were heavenly.
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