6 Best Types Of Cookies From Around The World

Let’s explore six of the most iconic cookies from around the world—and what makes each one truly special.

1. French Macarons (France)

Elegant, colorful, and delicately crisp on the outside with a chewy center, French macarons are the pinnacle of refined baking. Made from almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, these sandwich cookies are filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam.
They require precision and patience, but the result is a picture-perfect cookie with vibrant colors and flavors like pistachio, raspberry, lavender, and chocolate. A staple in Parisian patisseries, macarons have become globally adored.

2. Nankhatai (India)

India’s answer to the shortbread, nankhatai is a crumbly, cardamom-scented cookie made from a mix of flour, ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and sometimes chickpea flour.
These golden bites are traditionally baked during festive seasons and are loved for their soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich, aromatic flavor. The simplicity of ingredients makes nankhatai a household favorite, especially in Indian bakeries and home kitchens.

‍3. Biscotti (Italy)

If you're a coffee lover, you've likely encountered biscotti—crunchy, twice-baked Italian cookies that are perfect for dunking. Biscotti are often flavored with almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios, and sometimes infused with orange zest or chocolate.
Originating from Tuscany, these cookies are dry and crisp, making them long-lasting and ideal for shipping or gifting. Their versatility makes them suitable for both savory and sweet adaptations.

4. Snickerdoodles (USA)

Snickerdoodles are soft, chewy American cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar. Though they resemble sugar cookies, their tangy flavor sets them apart—thanks to the use of cream of tartar.
These cookies are nostalgic comfort food for many in the U.S., often baked during holidays or family gatherings. Their simplicity and cozy flavor profile have made them a timeless favorite.

5. Alfajores (Argentina/Spain/Latin America)

Alfajores are delicate sandwich cookies with a soft, crumbly texture, traditionally filled with dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar or rolled in coconut.
While their origin traces back to Spain, alfajores are most popular in Argentina, Peru, and Chile. With regional variations in the filling and dough, alfajores embody the sweet richness of Latin American dessert culture.

6. Speculaas (Netherlands/Belgium)

Speculaas (or speculoos) are spiced shortcrust cookies commonly enjoyed during the holiday season in the Netherlands and Belgium. These crisp cookies are typically shaped using decorative molds, often bearing windmills, saints, or animals.
Infused with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom, they offer a warm and spicy flavor that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea. Over time, speculaas has inspired popular cookie spreads and snack products around the globe.

There’s something magical about pulling a fresh tray of cookies out of the oven—the smell, the warmth, the joy it brings to others. But for many, baking isn’t just a weekend ritual—it’s a calling. If you’ve ever felt that spark, where mixing dough feels meditative and decorating sweets feels like art, maybe it’s time to explore where that passion can take you.

In a city like Dubai—where culinary innovation meets global tradition—you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. Whether you want to perfect your brioche or explore how to scale cookie production for a business, there are programs here that guide you every step of the way.

At ICCA Dubai, people from all walks of life come together to turn their love for baking into something bigger. Some go on to open cafés, others launch home bakeries, and many simply find joy in doing what they love—professionally. With expert mentors, industry exposure, and a curriculum built around real-world learning, it’s more than just school—it’s where stories (and dreams) rise.

If you’ve ever thought, “What if I could do this for a living?”—this might just be your sign.