Few things beat a warm cookie fresh from the oven. National Cookie Day, on December 4, celebrates the small baked treats that fill jars, lunchboxes and holiday tins. It arrives right as holiday baking season gets going, making it the perfect day to bake a batch of a family favorite, try a new recipe, or plan a cookie exchange. From chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin to sugar cookies and snickerdoodles, there's a cookie for every taste.
History of National Cookie Day
Early cookies may have started as test cakes. Bakers would drop a small amount of batter onto a pan to check the oven temperature before baking a full cake. Small, sweet baked treats were known in Persia by the 7th century, and spread to Europe through trade and conquest.
The word 'cookie' comes from the Dutch 'koekje', meaning 'little cake'. Dutch settlers brought the word and their baking traditions to New Amsterdam, and the term became part of American English. In Britain, they're usually called biscuits.
The most famous American cookie was invented in the 1930s. Ruth Wakefield, who ran the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, added chopped semi-sweet chocolate to a cookie recipe, creating the chocolate chip cookie. Its popularity soared, and chocolate chips were soon sold specifically for baking.
National Cookie Day is commonly said to have been started in 1987 by Matt Nader, president of a San Francisco cookie company, Blue Chip Cookies.
Why National Cookie Day Matters
Cookies are made for sharing. A plate of homemade cookies is one of the easiest ways to say thank you, welcome a new neighbor or brighten someone's day.
Baking cookies is also a beginner-friendly way to learn kitchen skills, and many families have cookie recipes passed down for generations.
How to Celebrate National Cookie Day
- Bake a family recipe: make the cookies you remember from childhood.
- Host a cookie swap: invite friends to bring a dozen cookies and leave with a mix.
- Try a new style: bake shortbread, macarons, biscotti or alfajores.
- Freeze dough: scoop balls of dough and freeze them for fresh cookies any time.
- Share the love: drop off cookies to firefighters, nurses or delivery workers.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, organize a cookie swap or a 'cookie of the week' rotation through December, and make sure to label cookies containing nuts or other allergens. In classrooms, cookies are perfect for lessons on measurement, fractions and chemistry, such as why baking soda makes cookies spread. Younger students can decorate pre-baked sugar cookies. At home, bake together and let children choose mix-ins, shape dough balls and decorate. Use the day to start building a holiday cookie plan, making and freezing dough so you can bake fresh batches later in the month. Package some cookies to give to neighbors, teachers or community workers.
Fun Facts About National Cookie Day
- 'Cookie' comes from the Dutch 'koekje', meaning little cake.
- Ruth Wakefield created the chocolate chip cookie at the Toll House Inn in the 1930s.
- In Britain, cookies are usually called biscuits.
National Cookie Day FAQs
When is National Cookie Day?
National Cookie Day is December 4 every year.
Who invented the chocolate chip cookie?
Ruth Wakefield of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, in the 1930s.
How do I keep cookies soft?
Slightly underbake them, store them airtight, and add a slice of bread to the container.
Can I freeze cookie dough?
Yes. Scoop it into balls and freeze for up to about three months.