Try layering chocolate into the cookie dough for crisp edges and a moist and tender inside.

Despite peanut-butter’s reputation as a wholesome health-food, these soft, chewy cookies stand up well to the chocolate chip as a pleasurable dessert.

Simple, buttery vanilla sugar cookies are a classic; they make great gifts or potluck desserts.

Our gluten-free alternative to the classic actually gives the cookies a boost: subtracting flour highlights their pure peanut butter flavor and adds a wonderfully chewy texture. Get the recipe for Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies »

Dough studded with dried cranberries and a drizzle of sweet, cinnamon-spiced glaze take oatmeal cookies from ordinary to perfect.

Potato chips give this treat from Mary Sue Milliken’s Border Grill restaurant unexpected salt and crunch.

Honey makes a great substitute for brown sugar. A deep, spicy honey like sourwood works best, though you can experiment with different single varietal honeys for extra flavor. Get the recipe for Honey Chocolate-Chip Cookies »

Colorful and festive, these traditional Italian butter cookies taste just as good as they look. See the recipe for Sprinkle Cookies »

The key to the chewy, gooey appeal of this recipe is a combination of the bitter chocolate chips and the high-fat butter (look for butters labeled European-style, or indicating 80 percent or more butterfat). See the recipe for Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip cookies »

The ample amount of butter in these soft, chewy cookies draws out and enhances the warm cinnamon flavor.

Traditional French shortbread cookies taste best using a good salted butter with a high butterfat content, such as Kerrygold.

The origin of these legendary cookies is hotly debated, but their sheer tastiness stands the test of time. The secret ingredient? Blended oats, which lends a wonderful nutty flavor to the traditional chocolate chip cookie. See the recipe for Neiman Marcus Cookies »

The recipe for these cookies is based on one published in The Essential New York Times Cookbook. The addition of bittersweet chocolate tempers the cookies’ sweetness, making for a more sophisticated bite. See the recipe for Flat and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies »

These small, cinnamon treats are bursting with flavor and seasonal charm. A wonderful, warm alternative to flour. See the recipe for Gluten-Free Ginger Molasses Cookies.»

With an addictive balance of sweet and salty, it’s almost impossible to have just one of these dense, creamy cookies. See the recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies »

Incorporating an interesting array of ingredients, such as rolled oats, chopped pecans and flaked coconut, this hearty recipe is a favorite of former first lady Laura Bush. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie fans, this one’s for you.

Simple, sweet butter cookies have a near-universal appeal. This rich, buttery dough makes a perfect base for your toppings or decorations of choice. See the recipe for Butter Cookies »

Wafer thin with a perfect crunch, gingersnaps are delicious alone or alongside fresh apples or pears. See the recipe for Gingersnaps »