In the United States and Canada, the term “cookie” is commonly used to refer to sweet, baked treats. Cookies in these regions are typically sweet, flat, and round, and they come in a wide variety of flavours and textures.
In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and some other English-speaking countries, the term “biscuit” is more commonly used. In these regions, “biscuit” refers to both sweet and savoury baked goods. What Americans and Canadians call “cookies,” the British and Australians often call “biscuits.”
Sweet vs. Savoury
Cookies in the U.S. and Canada are usually sweet and may contain ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, and various flavorings. They can be soft, chewy, or crispy, depending on the recipe.
In the UK and Australia, biscuits can encompass a broader range of baked goods. They include sweet biscuits like shortbread and digestive biscuits, but also savory biscuits like water biscuits or cheese biscuits. Savoury biscuits are similar to what Americans might call “crackers.” Biscuits are a staple for tea time. They are also used in desserts like “biscuit bases” for cheesecakes.
The main difference between a cookie and a biscuit lies in the terminology and regional variations in usage. While they share some similarities, the term used and the specific types of baked goods referred to can vary depending on where you are in the world.
Our favourite cookie and biscuit recipes
Pan Cookie
This is a serious game changer. One large cookies baked in a pan it’s guaranteed to please the masses.
Gingersnaps
Powdered ginger, cinnamon, golden syrup, and black pepper make this popular holiday cookie the perfect blend of sweet and spicy
Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles are a type of drop cookie (any cookie that is formed by dropping spoonfuls of dough directly onto a baking sheet). They can be crisp or soft, with a slightly cracked surface.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are drop cookies that can be soft and doughy or crisp and crunchy depending on how long you cook them or what ingredients you use.
Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies originated in Scotland and are traditionally made with butter, sugar, and flour. Cut or shape into hearts or stars and bake until golden
Peanut Butter Cookies
These delicious chocolate cookies are made even more decadent with gooey peanut-butter centers. A sprinkling of sea salt balances out the sweet, salty flavours.
Thumbprint Cookies
Shortbread cookies are made by pressing your thumb into the dough to make a hole that can then be filled with jams or chocolate freckles
Oat Cookies
A type of drop cookie. The dough is made using rolled oats, raisins and brown sugar.
Jam filled biscuits
Belgian cookies are spiced cookie filled with raspberry jam, then topped with vanilla icing and sprinkled with raspberry jelly crystals
Shrewsbury Cookies
These classic buttery cookies are easy to make and tastes delicious especially as they are sandwiched together using your favourite jam
Fruit Cookies
Make the most of those delicious in season fruit, chewy raisins, tart cranberries or crunchy nuts these cookies make a perfect afternoon treat
Yoyos
Classic melt-in-your-mouth soft crumbly cookies sandwiched together with a sweet creamy filling.
Cookie Mix in a Jar
A thoughtful and convenient gift idea that layers the dry ingredients for cookies in a decorative jar, making it easy for the recipient to bake fresh cookies at home.
Christmas Cookies
Christmas cookies are a beloved holiday tradition, with a wide variety of festive shapes and flavours that bring joy to the season.
Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are crisp, sweet, and often served in Chinese restaurants, containing a small piece of paper with a message or “fortune” inside.
