31 Nut-Free Cookies Every Guest Can Enjoy

By Rachel Mulcahy
November 15, 2019
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Cookies are the perfect punctuation any dessert spread; whether it’s a birthday party or a holiday event, these round, sugary treats simply can’t be beat. Whlie we love the crunch of a nut-filled cookie, it's important to keep allergies in mind when planning for guests. Since it can be difficult for partygoers to tell if a cookie has nuts, as oats and chocolate chips can easily resemble peanuts, it's best to play things safe by baking treats without nuts at all. To keep you away from pecans, walnuts, we collected cookie recipes that are simply irresistible and nut-free. We might be biased, but decadent Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and zesty Lemon Thumbprint Cookies belong at any and every dessert spread. If you simply need nuts to complete a tasty dessert, stash a bowl of crushed pecans in the corner for guests to sprinkle over their cookies if they feel so inclined.
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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

To make these one-of-a-kind cookies, brown the butter before getting started.

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Cheesecake Cookies

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Cheesecake Cookies

These bite-sized cheesecake cookies have a cherry fruity finish.

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Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

The best-ever chocolate chip cookies include oats and flaky sea salt.

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Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

These vibrant red cookies begin with just a box of red velvet cake mix.

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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Everything you love about brownies packed into a double chocolate cookie.

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Coconut Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Coconut Cookies

These coconut cookies are toasted to perfection and taste nutty but are nut-free guranteed.

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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

The perfect combination of sweet and tangy, these fruity cookies belong at your cookie swap.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

The addition of pumpkin makes these chocolate chip cookies even more tender.

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Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars

These chocolate cookie bars easily resemble cake but are bite-size and mess-free.

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Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies

These colorful funfetti-like cookies bring all the joy to the holidays.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Guaranteed to satisfy every cookie craving—these rich chocolate cookies are topped with broiled marshmallows.

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Butterscotch Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Butterscotch Cookies

Caramelized goodness in every bite of these Butterscotch Cookies is guaranteed.

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Brown Sugar Cookie Stars

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Brown Sugar Cookie Stars

These sparkly sugar cookies know how to shine. The secret to richer sugar cookies is the addition of brown sugar.

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Copycat Berger Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Copycat Berger Cookies

Rich chocolate icing delicately tops these these cake-like cookies to really sets them apart from the ordinary cookie lineup.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

Chocolate sugar cookies bind oh-so beautifully to minty frosting to create tasty cookie sandwiches.

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Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies

Dried cranberries and orange zest make these butter cookies fruity and festive.

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Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies

We transformed the classic ginger cookie into a chocolate lover’s dream.

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No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Photo: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Stylist: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No-bake, no-problem! These easy, buttery cookies only require 15-minutes of hands on time.

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Grandma's Chocolate Drop Cookies

Katie Strasberg Rousso

Recipe: Grandma's Chocolate Drop Cookies

Nuts are entirely optional for these decadent chocolate cookies.

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Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Marisa Spyker

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dark chocolate makes its stunning debut in these simple chocolate chip cookies.

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Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

These irresistible treats deserve a spot on any dessert spread. Feel free to substitute in any berry jam.

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Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate Ganache Thumbprint Cookies with Crushed Peppermints

We redesigned thumbprint cookies and filled them with decadent chocolate ganache.

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Miss Iona's Shortbread Cookies

Zoe Denenberg, Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Miss Iona's Shortbread Cookies

These angelic cookies are buttery, sweet, and perfect for Christmas.

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Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies

Courtesy of Damaris Phillips

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies

Chocolate chips and dried cherries make a heavenly combination.

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Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Snowflake Sugar Cookies

These intricately designed sugar cookies are sure to impress guests this holiday season.

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Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies

Bite-sized and oh-so festive, these red velvet cookies will shine on any dessert spread.

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Lemony Sandwich Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Lemony Sandwich Cookies

This energizing citrus cookie is the perfect light and sweet fix.

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Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies

Pockets of ooey-gooey caramel are in every bite of these ginger cookies.

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No-Bake Salted Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars

Jen Causey

Recipe: No-Bake Salted Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars

Pair these rich chocolate cookies alongside a cup of coffee.

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Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

For a crispy outside and a gooey inside, use a skillet to bake your chocolate chip cookies.

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Belgian Spice Cookies

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Belgian Spice Cookies

Nothing puts us more in the holiday spirit than spice-flavored cookies.

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By Rachel Mulcahy