Cookies, those delightful, hand-held treats, have a history as rich and varied as their many flavours. While we often associate them with a warm glass of milk or a special holiday, their story began centuries ago, in a completely different part of the world.

Ancient Origins

The journey of the cookie begins in 7th-century Persia (modern-day Iran), one of the first countries to cultivate and use sugar. Early cookies were not the sweet treats we know today, but rather “test cakes” — small amounts of cake batter baked to check the temperature of an oven before a larger cake was put in to bake. This simple, practical practice gave rise to the cookie.

As the Muslim conquest of Spain and the Crusades spread, so did the knowledge of sugar and cookie-making. By the 14th century, cookies were common throughout Europe, enjoyed by everyone from royalty to street vendors.

The Renaissance and the New World

During the Renaissance, new ingredients from trade routes, like spices, dried fruits, and nuts, were incorporated into recipes. This period saw the development of regional varieties like the Italian biscotti and the Dutch koekje (“little cake”).

The Dutch settlers who came to the American colonies in the 17th century brought their koekje with them, and the word was Anglicised to “cookie.” In early American cookbooks, cookies were often listed at the end of the cake chapter and were called by names like Jumbles and Plunkets.

The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Mass Production

The 19th century brought significant changes with the Industrial Revolution. Mass production made cookies more accessible to the general public, and companies like Nabisco and Huntley & Palmers were established. The invention of the decorative biscuit tin by Huntley & Palmers in 1831 helped export British biscuits (what the British call cookies) all over the world.

Cookies Trends Today

Freshness of sweet baked goods influences purchasing decisions for 26% of consumers1, which means manufacturers should increasingly proritise this in their developments. Beyond this, flavour continues to be a major influencing purchase driver, with many cookie brands looking to exotic and international flavours to inspire consumers to buy. Flavours such as ube, matcha and yuzo attract interest, with savoury flavours like miso catching the eye of consumers too.

Since consumers “eat with their eyes,” format remains important, leading producers to push boundaries with stuffed and deep-dish formats, big cookies and also hybridising with other popular sweet goods for creations like brookies and cookie cakes.

From their humble beginnings as oven testers to the countless varieties available today, cookies have become a symbol of comfort, nostalgia, and culinary creativity. They continue to evolve with modern trends, with new recipes and variations emerging all the time. But no matter the shape, size, or flavour, the cookie remains a testament to the enduring appeal of a simple, sweet treat.

Elevating your cookie assortment together

Bakels are well positioned to support your cookie developments. From frozen cookie pucks, to versatile multi-cookie mixes and various finishing ingredients like truffles, ganache and spreads, elevate your cookie lines with Bakels. Particulates from Bakels Orley in South Africa such as chips and nibs too are available to customers across the world.

Get in touch with a Bakels representative to kick-start your next cookie innovation today: