30 Easy Cookie Recipes From Around The World (No Mixer Required)
- Savannah
- Feb 19
- 9 min read
By Savannah Ryan, Cookbook Author
My Savor Cookies cookbook has sold 172 copies and it's my #1 bestseller for a reason: these cookies actually work. No stand mixer, no chilling overnight, no fancy ingredients. Just 30 minutes and ingredients you probably have.
I've tested over 600 cookie recipes from 40+ countries. These 30 are the ones people make again and again. From Italian biscotti to Mexican wedding cookies to Japanese matcha shortbread—global flavors, simple techniques.
Time: 20-30 minutes | Yield: 24-36 cookies per recipe | Skill: Beginner-friendly
Why These Cookie Recipes Work
1. No stand mixer neededEverything mixes by hand or with a bowl and wooden spoon. Stand mixers overmix cookies anyway.
2. No chilling requiredMost recipes you can mix and bake immediately. Perfect for last-minute baking.
3. Pantry ingredientsFlour, butter, sugar, eggs. Maybe cocoa or nuts. Nothing exotic unless noted.
4. MAHA-friendlyButter, not shortening or margarine. Real ingredients, no seed oils.
5. Actually taste like the country they're fromThese aren't Americanized versions. They're authentic recipes adapted for home kitchens.
For more baking basics, see my MAHA kitchen guide.
30 Easy Cookie Recipes
European Cookies (10 Recipes)
1. French Butter Cookies (Sablés) - FRANCE
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch salt
Method:Mix butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour and salt. Roll dough into log, slice into rounds. Bake at 350°F for 12 min.
What makes them French: The name "sablé" means sandy—that crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture from high butter ratio.
2. Italian Biscotti - ITALY
Twice-baked, perfect for coffee dunking.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup almonds, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon
Method:Mix everything into a dough. Shape into 2 logs on baking sheet. Bake 25 min. Cool 10 min, slice diagonally. Bake slices 10 min per side until crispy.
Why biscotti work: They last for weeks in an airtight container. Perfect for gifting or meal prep.
More Italian recipes in my top collection.
3. Scottish Shortbread - SCOTLAND
Three ingredients. That's it.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup butter, cold and cubed
½ cup sugar
Method:Mix sugar into flour. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press into 9x9 pan. Score into squares. Bake at 325°F for 35 min until edges are golden.
Secret: Cold butter creates that signature crumbly texture. Don't let it get warm.
4. Spanish Polvorones - SPAIN
Almond shortbread that crumbles on first bite.
Ingredients:
1½ cups flour
½ cup ground almonds
¾ cup butter
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Method:Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Shape into balls, flatten slightly. Bake at 350°F for 15 min. Roll in powdered sugar while warm.
5. Austrian Linzer Cookies - AUSTRIA
Jam sandwich cookies with hazelnut flavor.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup ground hazelnuts
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
Raspberry jam
Method:Mix everything except jam. Roll thin, cut circles. Cut small holes in half the circles. Bake 10 min. Sandwich with jam, dusted hole-top with powdered sugar.
Visual appeal: These are gorgeous—perfect for cookie swaps or gifts.
6. Greek Kourabiedes - GREECE
Butter cookies rolled in powdered sugar.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup butter
⅓ cup powdered sugar
½ cup almonds, chopped
1 tsp vanilla
Method:Cream butter and sugar. Add flour and almonds. Shape into crescents. Bake at 325°F for 20 min. Roll in powdered sugar twice (once warm, once cool).
More Mediterranean baking in Savor Mediterranean.
7. German Lebkuchen (Spice Cookies) - GERMANY
Christmas market flavor year-round.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup honey
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp each: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg
Zest of 1 orange
Method:Warm honey and sugar until melted. Cool slightly, add egg and spices. Add flour. Roll thin, cut shapes. Bake at 350°F for 12 min. Glaze with powdered sugar + lemon juice.
8. Portuguese Pastéis de Nata (Cookie Version) - PORTUGAL
Custard tart flavors in cookie form.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tsp cinnamon
Zest of 1 lemon
Method:Mix like basic butter cookies, add cinnamon and lemon zest. Bake at 350°F for 12 min. Dust with cinnamon-sugar mix while warm.
9. Swedish Pepparkakor (Ginger Snaps) - SWEDEN
Thin, crispy, spicy.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
1 tbsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cloves
Method:Cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and spices. Add flour. Chill 30 min (one of the few that needs it). Roll very thin, cut shapes. Bake at 350°F for 8 min.
10. Russian Tea Cakes - RUSSIA
Buttery, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 tsp vanilla
Method:Mix everything. Shape into 1-inch balls. Bake at 350°F for 15 min. Roll in powdered sugar while warm, then again when cool.
Latin American Cookies (5 Recipes)
11. Mexican Wedding Cookies - MEXICO
Similar to Russian tea cakes but with almonds.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup butter
½ cup powdered sugar
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1 tsp vanilla
Method:Same as Russian tea cakes. Shape into crescents or balls. Bake 350°F for 15 min. Double-roll in powdered sugar.
Get more Mexican recipes in my cookbook collection.
12. Argentinian Alfajores - ARGENTINA
Dulce de leche sandwich cookies.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup cornstarch
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
2 egg yolks
Dulce de leche (store-bought is fine)
Method:Mix into dough. Roll thin, cut circles. Bake at 350°F for 10 min. Cool, sandwich with dulce de leche. Roll edges in coconut.
Cultural note: These are EVERYWHERE in Argentina—gas stations, bakeries, corner stores.
13. Brazilian Brigadeiro Cookies - BRAZIL
Chocolate-condensed milk cookies.
Ingredients:
1½ cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup butter
½ cup condensed milk
Chocolate sprinkles
Method:Mix flour and cocoa. Add butter and condensed milk. Shape into balls, roll in sprinkles. Bake at 350°F for 12 min.
14. Chilean Sopaipillas (Cookie Version) - CHILE
Pumpkin spice shortbread.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup pumpkin puree
½ cup butter
⅓ cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Method:Mix pumpkin and butter. Add sugar and cinnamon. Add flour. Roll, cut shapes. Bake at 350°F for 15 min.
15. Peruvian Alfajores de Maicena - PERU
Cornstarch makes these incredibly tender.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup cornstarch
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Dulce de leche
Method:Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Shape into small rounds. Bake at 325°F for 12 min. Sandwich with dulce de leche.
Middle Eastern & African Cookies (5 Recipes)
16. Moroccan Ghriba (Crackle Cookies) - MOROCCO
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup butter, melted
½ cup sugar
⅓ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
Method:Mix everything. Shape into balls, roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350°F for 15 min. They crack on top beautifully.
17. Egyptian Kahk - EGYPT
Date-filled cookies traditionally made for Eid.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
¼ cup milk
Date paste for filling
Powdered sugar
Method:Mix dough, wrap around date paste balls. Bake at 350°F for 18 min. Dust with powdered sugar.
18. Lebanese Ma'amoul - LEBANON
Semolina cookies with walnut or date filling.
Ingredients:
1½ cups semolina flour
½ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup butter
Walnut or date filling
Method:Mix flours with melted butter. Press around filling in special molds (or use your hands). Bake at 350°F for 20 min.
19. Turkish Kurabiye - TURKEY
Jam thumbprint cookies.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
Jam (apricot or cherry)
Method:Mix into dough. Shape into balls, press thumb indent. Fill with jam. Bake at 350°F for 15 min.
20. South African Koeksisters (Cookie Version) - SOUTH AFRICA
Coconut-cardamom cookies.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp cardamom
½ cup shredded coconut
Method:Mix everything. Shape, bake at 350°F for 15 min. Drizzle with honey-lemon glaze while warm.
Asian Cookies (10 Recipes)
21. Japanese Matcha Shortbread - JAPAN
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 tbsp matcha powder
1 cup butter
½ cup sugar
Method:Sift flour and matcha. Add butter and sugar. Roll into log, slice. Bake at 325°F for 12 min.
Where to buy matcha: Any Asian grocery store or online. $8-12 for a tin that lasts 20+ batches.
More Asian recipes in Savor Asia.
22. Chinese Almond Cookies - CHINA
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract
Whole almonds for topping
Method:Mix everything. Shape into balls, flatten, press almond on top. Bake at 350°F for 15 min.
23. Korean Yakgwa (Honey Cookies) - KOREA
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup honey
¼ cup sesame oil
¼ cup rice wine (or water)
Ginger powder
Method:Mix into dough. Roll, cut shapes. Fry in oil until golden (or bake at 350°F for 18 min). Soak in honey syrup.
24. Indian Nankhatai - INDIA
Cardamom shortbread.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
½ cup chickpea flour (besan)
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp cardamom
Method:Mix everything. Shape into rounds. Bake at 325°F for 18 min until edges are golden.
Find more Indian sweets in my Indian collection.
25. Thai Coconut Cookies - THAILAND
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup coconut milk
½ cup butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup shredded coconut
Method:Mix everything. Drop by spoonfuls. Bake at 350°F for 15 min.
26. Vietnamese Coffee Cookies - VIETNAM
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 tbsp instant espresso powder
¾ cup butter
½ cup condensed milk
⅓ cup sugar
Method:Mix dry ingredients. Add butter and condensed milk. Shape, bake at 350°F for 12 min.
27. Filipino Polvoron - PHILIPPINES
Toasted flour shortbread (no baking required).
Ingredients:
2 cups flour, toasted in oven 10 min
½ cup butter, melted
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup milk powder
Method:Mix everything while flour is still warm. Press into molds. Chill 1 hour. Wrap in tissue paper.
28. Malaysian Pandan Cookies - MALAYSIA
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp pandan extract (green color, vanilla-like flavor)
Method:Mix like basic butter cookies. Shape, bake at 350°F for 12 min.
29. Indonesian Nastar (Pineapple Tarts) - INDONESIA
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg yolk
Pineapple jam
Method:Mix dough. Wrap around small balls of pineapple jam. Bake at 350°F for 18 min until golden.
30. Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes - TAIWAN
Buttery pastry with pineapple filling.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 egg
Pineapple jam (thick, not runny)
Method:Mix dough. Press into small squares, add pineapple jam center, top with more dough. Bake at 325°F for 20 min.
Cookie Baking Essentials
Tools you need:
Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Baking sheets
Parchment paper (prevents sticking without cooking spray = seed oils)
Wire cooling rack
Tools you DON'T need:
Stand mixer
Cookie scoops
Fancy cutters
Silpat mats
Ingredients to always have:
All-purpose flour
Butter (salted or unsalted - both work)
Sugar (white, brown, powdered)
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Baking powder
Get the complete baking setup guide in my merch shop.
The MAHA Cookie Approach
Use butter, not shortening or margarine.Shortening is hydrogenated vegetable oil. Margarine is seed oils + additives. Butter is real food your body recognizes.
Choose quality chocolate.Many chocolate chips use palm oil or vegetable oil. Look for brands with cocoa butter only.
Learn more MAHA baking in my kitchen guide.
Common Cookie Problems Solved
Problem: Cookies spread too muchFix: Chill dough 15-30 min before baking
Problem: Cookies are too hardFix: Don't overbake. Pull them when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone.
Problem: Cookies stick to panFix: Always use parchment paper. Always.
Problem: Cookies taste flatFix: Add ¼ tsp salt even if recipe doesn't call for it. Salt enhances all flavors.
Problem: Cookies are uneven sizesFix: Use a scale. 30g of dough = consistent cookies.
Cookie Storage & Gifting
Storage:
Room temperature: 5-7 days in airtight container
Refrigerated: 2 weeks
Frozen: 3 months (separate layers with parchment)
Gifting tips:
Package in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon
Include recipe card
Mix 3-4 varieties for cookie boxes
Biscotti and shortbread travel best (don't crumble)
Your Cookie Challenge
Week 1: Make 3 European cookies (French butter, Italian biscotti, Scottish shortbread)
Week 2: Try 3 cookies from other continents
Week 3: Host a cookie swap with friends
Week 4: Bake your favorites for gifting
By end of month, you'll have a repertoire of global cookies and impressed everyone you know.
For all 30 recipes with photos, step-by-step instructions, and troubleshooting tips, get Savor Cookies cookbook.
Resources
More Baking Recipes:
My Cookie & Baking Cookbooks:
Savor Cookies - 172 sold! My #1 bestseller
Savor Mediterranean - Greek & Italian sweets
Savor Asia - Asian cookies & desserts
Shop Baking Tools:
Learn More:
Tags: Easy Cookie Recipes, Cookie Recipes, Cookies From Around The World, Simple Cookies, No Mixer Cookies #CookieRecipes #EasyCookies #BakingFromScratch #Cookies #HomemadeCookies #CookieBaking #SimpleBaking
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