Best Cookies Of All-Time: Experts Agree These 5 Are The Best Brand-Name Treats Ever

Are you a self-described cookie monster? Then you’re in the right spot. This article is for all you cookie lovers out there. And there happens to be a lot of you! Did you know nearly 250 million people in the U.S. are predicted to buy ready-to-eat cookies in 2023? But with so many cookies to choose from in the grocery store, which ones stand out as the best cookies in the aisle? 

Before we get into the list, we’ve got something interesting to share about Oreo cookies. In a study, MIT scientists tried to get Oreos to split with the “creme” on both sides. Aside from older boxes, the team found there wasn’t a single variety of Oreo that split with the creme on both wafers. It didn’t matter how much stuffing there was or what kind of wafer the Oreo had, they couldn’t find a way to twist a fresh Oreo open and get the creme to evenly break on both sides. 

But is creme what makes a great cookie? A recent poll on behalf of Crumbl Cookies set out to find the answer, delving into what makes a cookie “perfect.” Chocolate chips come out as the clear winner: 62 percent agree that it’s hard to beat the taste of a classic chocolate chip cookie. Those surveyed also shared that a yummy cookie may be more complex than it seems, citing must-have ingredients like vanilla extract and cinnamon. But how does that stack up against the flavors and ingredients you find at the store? 

We wanted to find out, so Study Finds went on a search for the consensus top five cookie according to culinary aficionados. They ranked them on a variety of features, including texture, smell, size and taste (obviously). It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. From crunchy to frosted to oh-so-munchy, these are the five best cookies that 10 experts can’t live without on a trip to the supermarket. Keep reading to see if your favorite cookie made the list!

The List: Best Store-Bought Cookies Recommended By Cookie Lovers

1. Oreos

Milk’s favorite cookie? More like the experts’ favorite cookie. GQ writes, “We don’t think it’s out of turn to say that Oreos hold a rightful place in every American heart. They’re the cookie that launched many lovers of cookies all over the country. They’re a classic. No matter how you eat them, they’re always good. They’re the only cookie in the world that’ll satisfy you when they’re fresh, stale, or frozen. It’s a holy trinity. These are God’s cookies.” 

“Oreos are without a doubt the GOAT. It might seem basic or predictable to give Oreo the number one spot but be completely honest with yourself, is there a better grocery store cookie out there? I’d argue that when one hears the phrase ‘grocery store cookie’ they immediately envision a classic Oreo. Everything about this cookie just works,” GoneTrending raves.

Mashed also had these fan-favorite cookies high on their list saying, “despite all of the many Oreo flavors available, there’s still something so perfect about the Original Oreo, with its ideal ratio of crunchy, chocolate cookie with creme filling. It’s the perfect cookie for dipping in milk, including in desserts such as cookies and creme cheesecake or ice cream, or simply eating a whole sleeve on its own. With so much versatility, what more could you ask for?”

2. Tate’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chip

According to Tasting Table, “You’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled for Tate’s Chocolate Chip. These cookies are super thin, crispy, and wonderfully buttery — all things we absolutely love in a chocolate chip cookie.”

Eat This, Not That! says, “Our tasters really couldn’t stop raving about these cookies! ‘These are nice and thin, as I’m not a thick cookie fan. They’re slightly buttery with a great amount of crunch, like my favorite type of homemade cookies are,’ one taster said. Another tasted called these cookies her ‘go-to’ and said she can ‘eat a whole bag of these in one sitting, as the crunch is addicting.’ When in doubt, go for the Tate’s!”

When imagining Tate’s, think: “Light, airy, and crispy. There’s no cookie on the shelf that’s quite like a Tate’s chocolate chip cookie. These are baked thin and spread large, so you’re getting solid snackage with each one. The thing to remember about Tate’s is that they’re highly addictive, and the packages don’t come with a ton of cookies in them. So, stock up. Also, they’re from the Hamptons, which means they’re super sophisticated,” GQ writes in their review.

3. Lofthouse Frosted Sugar Cookies

Mashed thinks these are can’t-miss cookies: “Lofthouse Sugar Cookies are the dreams that school parties are made of. Countless school functions have put these delicious treats front and center for assemblies, class celebrations, holiday gatherings, and more. What makes these sugar cookies so special is, of course, their soft and fluffy texture. And the frosting — who wouldn’t want a brightly colored cookie decked out in sprinkles? It’s the perfect ratio of cookie to frosting, and the colorful sprinkles make them that much better.” 

Spoon University writes, “Some people think these cookies taste like cardboard, but they’re wrong. The sweet buttercream paired with the soft sugar cookie is pure magic. Haters of these cookies need to sprinkle up their lives.” 

“These cookies are drama. You spot them out of the corner of your eye at a holiday party, and suddenly they’re all you can think about — the frosting laid on so thick it sticks to the roof of your mouth and dyes your tongue…These cookies feign modesty, but they know by the end of the party, they’ll be gone,” says KSAT in their ode to these beloved Lofthouse sweets.

4. Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies

Find The Aisle recommends you specifically find Milano cookies in the cookie aisle: “Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies have a crisp and delicate texture with a luxurious flavor. This makes them the perfect choice for any special occasion. Their texture is what sets them apart from other cookies, and their flavor will leave you wanting more. In addition, the dark chocolate flavor is a great choice for those who want something a little different than the usual milk or white chocolate.” 

“Nothing said maturity to a school-aged kid more than showing up at lunchtime with these vaguely European wafers. Are these cookies meant to be Italian? Kids could care less, when there’s that luxurious fudge that glues the two biscuits together,” KSAT says.

Mashed raves about Milano’s mint chocolate flavor specifically. They write, “Milano cookies come in a variety of flavors, but there’s one clear winner when it comes to the balance of flavors. Mint Chocolate Milano cookies are seriously refreshing, with real peppermint oil in the recipe and the perfect amount of chocolate.”

5. Biscoff Cookies

The Kitchn says there’s so much to love about these cookies: “The speculoos-style cookies are my favorite. I love their taste, I love their texture (a mix of crisp and shortbread-sandy), and I love how I can incorporate them into my own homemade desserts.” 

“The European speculoos darling that took over in-flight snacking, Biscoff wins for best biscuit cookie by a long, long shot. Made in Belgium and safe for people with nut allergies, this simple and beautiful cookie tastes like an elegant graham cracker mixed with a holiday spice cookie. Buttery with a gentle crisp, Biscoff is also the perfect cookie to pair with a black cup of coffee. They’re vegan and have no artificial junk to boot,” The Manual claims.

Mashed warns, “if you don’t like a cookie with a powerful crunch, this definitely isn’t the cookie for you. The deep, caramel flavor with a hint of spice is incredible, but the texture can definitely be off-putting. Unless, of course, you have a nice warm cup of coffee or a glass of milk to dip them in.”

And that’s the way the cookie crumbles on the best-of list. Leave your cookie recommendations in the comments!

Sources

• GQ
• GoneTrending
• Tasting Table
• Eat This, Not That!
• Mashed
• Spoon University
• Find The Aisle
• KSAT
• The Kitchn
• The Manual

You might also be interested in:

• Best Of The Best Potato Chips
• Best Of The Best Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
• Best Of The Best Vegan Chocolate Brands
• Best Of The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.