While winter weather is coming back to Chicago, so is the aroma of freshly baked cookies. That’s right, Christmas cookie season is back.

Whether it’s cookies for Santa, a Christmas bake-off, or something to indulge in, cookies are a household staple for many families during the holidays— a tradition dating back to medieval Europe.

Unlike cakes, pies, and many other deserts, cookies can be stored for longer periods of time, making them travel-safe treats for family and friends during the holidays.

With that being said, what are some of the best ways to make cookies? What flavors, types, and textures are the most popular and will therefore be the safest option to bring to your next Christmas gathering? Well, here’s what the Saint Ignatius community had to say.

In a Google Form that asked 50 people currently involved in the Saint Ignatius community what their favorite Christmas cookie was, chocolate chip cookies were the most popular choice. Other popular flavors included snickerdoodle, gingerbread, and peanut butter blossom. 

Senior Sadie McGuire considers herself to be an avid baker, making treats from cakes and pies to brownies and muffins. She frequently bakes for her friends and family, almost never baking just for herself. 

“I usually give people cookie tins every year for the holidays,” McGuire said, “you can never go wrong with chocolate chip cookies, they’re always a favorite.” The results of the school survey support McGuire’s point.

When survey participants were asked what feature makes a cookie “the best”, the most popular response was “crispy on the outside, gooey and warm in the middle”. Other features like softness and ratio of add-ins-to-cookie were also popular.

“Whenever I make cookies I like to under bake them a little bit because they keep baking on the pan as they come out of the oven,” McGuire said, “This is pretty much how you achieve the crispy edges and soft center texture.”

If considering making cookies, you should also know your audience. Some survey participants said that they also enjoy cookie flavors like frosted sugar, peppermint, and white chocolate, while some said they don’t eat cookies at all.

Recipes can help people make their cookie flavor of choice. You can find a wide array of highly rated recipes on online websites and cookbooks.  

”If you’re going to make your own cookies for the first time, follow the recipe,” McGuire said, “you can’t go wrong with a recipe. If it looks wrong or smells wrong, it’s wrong.”