These recipes are inspired by my ever so popular edible cookie dough recipes (without raw eggs or flour), check them out here!

Homemade Cookie Cakes

When I set out to create this recipe I was originally just going to go with the classic chocolate chip cake. But of course I couldn't stop there because who doesn't love multiple options?

The chocolate chip version is chewy and buttery and tastes just like a classic chocolate chip cookie with a chocolate frosting upgrade swirling around the edges.

If you are a chocolate fan the double chocolate cookie cake is for you. It's made with rich Dutch cocoa, has a tempting fudgy texture and it's not just made with a chocolate base. It's also dotted with chocolate chips and finished with a decadent chocolate frosting.

And if you are a chewy and sweet sugar cookie fan and love sprinkles the funfetti sugar cookie cake is the one you'll love.

These are such a fun change from the classic fluffy cake for a birthday and people of all ages will enjoy them, because who doesn't love cookies?

What are Cowboy Cookies?

We are all familiar with the classic chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies and snickerdoodles but what exactly are cowboy cookies?

They are a cookie similar to oatmeal cookies as they include oats but what makes them unique is that they also include additions of shredded coconut, chocolate chips, pecans and cinnamon.

Some say they were created and attained their name in being a a good pack along cookie that held up well in a saddlebag, while others believe they originated in Texas and are named after the cowboys.

People of all ages love these cookies and they are a welcome change from the traditional cookies with one main flavor. These are tempting blend of so many cookies in one!

What's not to love about these highly textural cookies? It's a decadent cookie brimming to the max with all the best things!

The Best Ricotta Cookies Recipe!

Our favorite ricotta cookies! They're easy to make and they're always consistently delicious.

They're so good that you can never stop at just one.

The ricotta cookie dough can be made two days in advance so it's a great make ahead recipe. Plus it makes a huge batch of cookies so they're great for celebrations and gifting.

You'll love their lightly lemony flavor, the melt-in-your-mouth texture and that sweet and simple icing finish. And if you want a little contrast finish them with crunchy sugar sprinkles which also adds a pretty and festive pop of color.

Favorite M&M Cookie Recipe

These are a favorite cookie from childhood that always satisfies those cookie cravings!

They can be made with regular sized M&M's or mini M&M's, milk chocolate or dark chocolate flavor, and the great part is that you can use any color. It's fun to switch the M&M's out with different colors to complement the latest holiday.

You'll love that they're perfectly sweet, deliciously buttery, they're a generous size, and have the perfect texture. Truly a highlight to any celebration or weekend.

A cookie that checks all the boxes. Temptingly tasty, fun and festive, a pretty individual hand held treat, and they're easy to make.

What's not to love?

Simple Sugar Cookie Cut Outs

Who says you need to wait 2 hours to chill sugar cookie dough before cutting? This recipe and simple method proves that old method wrong.

The simple technique to speed up the process, which also happens to be less of a mess as well, is to roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and freeze for just 15 minutes it to firm it up.

From there the dough is easy to work with and ready to go to cut into various shapes.

It's a process I use in my gingerbread men recipe and it works amazingly well here also.

You end with cookies that hold there shape nicely, that have crisp edges, chewy centers and a deliciously buttery flavor.

Decorating Suggestion

Then to keep the simplified method going I would suggest trying the cheater icing option like I've done here.

• Make one recipe of icing found here.
• Pipe an outline of the cookie with the icing.
• Then drizzle back and forth within the shape leaving some space uncoated, it's a quick rough fill.
• Immediately cover with sprinkles and shake off the excess.

Cut out sugar cookies really don't get any easier than this, and that's without sacrificing flavor or texture either.

Easy Sugar Cookie Icing

When I've made sugar cookie icing in the past I've gone with royal icing, which uses dried egg white powder. But who wants to buy a specialty ingredient that's hard to find that you've only got one use for, right?

So a few weeks ago I tested a different icing that uses corn syrup instead and from here on out it will definitely my go-to.

There's so many reasons to love it: It's unbelievably easy to make, you just need a bowl and a fork. You'll find it tints nicely holding vibrant colors (and a little food color goes a long way). It pipes beautifully (once you get the right consistency), and it sets to a nice hard layer making it suitable for stacking.

No unique ingredients and you really don't even need special equipment (like a piping bag and tip) if you don't need detailed shapes. I've even used a quart size freezer bag with success, just seal the bag and cut a tiny tip from one corner for that option.

It's the perfect icing for all your holiday and celebratory sugar cookies!

A New Favorite Fall Recipe

We all love the classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but sometimes it's nice to switch up tradition for something different but equally as delicious. These iced pumpkin cookies fill that space perfectly.

These are a very similar to those cakey pumpkin flavored cookies we are used to but dark chocolate chips are omitted and instead they're finish them with two types of icing and chopped nuts.

They may just take the winning lead for your favorite fall cookie!

They are fun to decorate two. One way I came up with is to use both types of icing and finish with a criss-cross pattern that becomes a pretty autumn plaid design. All you need is to small resealable bags or two piping bags to create it (and snip a small corner away with scissors to drizzle over).

Just plain on two per person because most likely everyone will want to try each type of icing. Let us know which you love the most!

Halloween Gingerbread Cookies

After just one bite I have the feeling these will become a new Halloween tradition for you. Not only are they such a cute treat but they are an intensely delicious treat too (every time I make them I think I eat half the batch myself!).

They have an abundance of warm ginger (which can be toned down for little kids and cut in half if preferred), and the deeply flavored, thick molasses keeps them soft for days. And that crisp bright icing is the perfect contrast and finish.

Forget trick-or-treat candy this is the new highlight of the season. And if you do have kids at home let them help decorate they'll have a blast!

Special Equipment Needed

You'll need the kitchen standards here such as an electric mixer, rolling pin, cookie sheets, parchment paper, a kitchen scale or measuring cups. Then also:

• Black edible food marker: I tested two different brands and preferred the Wilton edible markers.
• A piping bag for the icing.
• Small plain round tip such as #3 or #4 size.
• Gingerbread cookie cutter.

Chocolate Halloween Cookies

Meet the tastiest, buttery and decadently chocolaty cookies you'll never be able to get enough of! They have a melt-in your-mouth tender texture and such an enticingly rich flavor.

They are actually a breeze to make (you just need a piping bag and a toothpick to create the web) and they're always sure to impress with their detailed, high contrast design. You can give them as gifts, serve them at a Halloween party or just make them for a fun baking project to treat yourself this weekend.

If you’d like you can also make these in advance and freeze them (shortbread is a perfectly freezer friendly cookie). You can freeze the dough or baked and prepared cookies.

Just be warned you most likely can’t stop at one cookie. They are 100% irresistible and new favorite Halloween treat!

Perfect Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

We all love pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, but have you tried pumpkin whoopie pies yet?

They are very similar but rather than being dotted with dark chocolate chips two cookies are layered and meld together with a rich cream cheese frosting in the center. So it's like an irresistible cake but in single serve cookie form, and they're easier to make!

These soft and fluffy cookies are delicious rolled in chopped pecans or walnuts which also adds a light crunch. Or you could try adding some chocolate chips to the cookie dough for an extra decadence.

Try them at least once this fall, you won't regret it!