Biscochito -- Best Cookie of the Southwest
The biscochito is New Mexico's official state cookie and one of the most distinctive regional cookies in the country. It's a lard-based shortbread rolled in cinnamon sugar and flavored with anise, giving it a slightly savory, warmly spiced character unlike any other American cookie. Originally brought by Spanish colonists, it's a fixture at New Mexico holidays and celebrations. The best versions are delicate and crumbly with a pronounced anise note. Home bakers and small New Mexico bakeries ship them seasonally, and they make a genuinely memorable gift.
Check price on Amazon →A guide to the best cookies found across the United States in 2026, from iconic regional bakeries to mail-order favorites you can enjoy no matter where you live.
America’s cookie landscape is as diverse as its geography. From chewy snickerdoodles at Midwestern church socials to flaky biscochitos in New Mexico and crispy pecan sandies in the South, each region has developed cookie traditions tied to local ingredients and culture. This guide highlights five standout regional cookie styles that represent the best America has to offer, with options for ordering them wherever you live.
| Cookie Style | Region | Best Source | Rating |
|—|—|—|—|
| Biscochito | New Mexico / Southwest | Local bakeries & online | 4.9/5 |
| Byrd’s Cheese Straw Cookie | Georgia / Deep South | Byrd Cookie Company | 4.8/5 |
| Granny B’s Frosted Sugar Cookie | Utah / Mountain West | Granny B’s ships nationally | 4.8/5 |
| Joe Frogger | New England | Traditional recipe bakeries | 4.7/5 |
| Pecan Sandie | South & Southeast | Numerous regional bakeries | 4.7/5 |
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biscochito -- Best Cookie of the Southwest | Check price | ||
| Byrd's Cheese Straw Cookie -- Best Savory Southern Cookie | Check price | ||
| Granny B's Frosted Sugar Cookie -- Best Utah Cookie Nationwide | Check price | ||
| Joe Frogger -- Best New England Heritage Cookie | Check price | ||
| Pecan Sandie -- Best Southern Shortbread Cookie | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Biscochito -- Best Cookie of the Southwest
The biscochito is New Mexico's official state cookie and one of the most distinctive regional cookies in the country. It's a lard-based shortbread rolled in cinnamon sugar and flavored with anise, giving it a slightly savory, warmly spiced character unlike any other American cookie. Originally brought by Spanish colonists, it's a fixture at New Mexico holidays and celebrations. The best versions are delicate and crumbly with a pronounced anise note. Home bakers and small New Mexico bakeries ship them seasonally, and they make a genuinely memorable gift.
Byrd's Cheese Straw Cookie -- Best Savory Southern Cookie
Savannah's Byrd Cookie Company has been a Georgia institution since 1924, and their cheese straws are the most famous savory cookie in the South. Made with aged cheddar and a touch of cayenne, they walk the line between cookie and cracker in the best possible way. They're served at cocktail parties, given as hostess gifts, and shipped to Georgians living elsewhere who simply can't go without them. The combination of rich cheese flavor and mild heat makes them genuinely addictive. Byrd Cookie Company ships nationally and is available through several online retailers.
Granny B's Frosted Sugar Cookie -- Best Utah Cookie Nationwide
Granny B's frosted sugar cookies are a Utah legend with national recognition. These thick, soft sugar cookies topped with pastel-colored buttercream frosting are found at Utah grocery stores and shipped across the country by a loyal fan base. They have a cakey, tender crumb and a sweetness level that skews nostalgic without being cloying. The frosting-to-cookie ratio is generous. They're particularly popular for celebrations, holidays, and as care packages. Multiple grocers and online retailers carry them, making them one of the easiest regional American cookies to access nationwide.
Joe Frogger -- Best New England Heritage Cookie
The Joe Frogger is a colonial New England molasses cookie with a fascinating history tied to a Marblehead, Massachusetts tavern keeper named Black Joe. Large, spiced, and chewy, these cookies were traditionally made with rum or cider along with molasses, ginger, and spices. They stayed fresh for weeks, making them ideal for long sea voyages. Modern versions soften the recipe for contemporary tastes but retain the deep molasses and spice character. New England bakeries specializing in heritage recipes are the best source, and several ship nationally.
Pecan Sandie -- Best Southern Shortbread Cookie
The pecan sandie is a shortbread-style cookie studded with finely chopped pecans that appears in home kitchens and bakeries across the South and Southeast. The best versions are buttery and crisp with a nutty richness from fresh pecans. While Keebler commercialized the style nationally, true pecan sandies from Southern bakeries and home bakers use higher-quality butter and freshly harvested local pecans that make an enormous flavor difference. They're a staple at Southern holiday cookie boxes and are widely available from Georgia, Texas, and Mississippi bakeries that ship nationally.
What to look for
What to consider
When exploring regional American cookies, start with the state you want to celebrate or a cuisine you're already curious about. Check whether the bakery ships nationally or if a national retailer carries their products. Mail-order cookie quality varies significantly: shortbread and crisp cookies generally travel better than soft frosted varieties which can shift in transit. For gifts, prioritize bakeries with dedicated shipping packaging. If you're visiting a region, always buy from the original source. Local versions consistently outperform mail-order due to freshness.
What to consider
For related reading, see [best cookie gift boxes for every occasion](/articles/best-cookie-gift-boxes) and [best baking sheets for home bakers](/articles/best-baking-sheets). Review our evaluation criteria at [/methodology](/methodology).
FAQs
Regional cookies earn their reputation through a combination of local ingredients, historic bakery traditions, and cultural significance. A state cookie might use locally grown pecans, a century-old family recipe, or a flavor combination tied to local culinary heritage. The best ones are beloved by residents, frequently gifted to visitors, and genuinely hard to replicate outside their home region.
Many iconic regional bakeries now ship nationally through their own websites or via platforms like Goldbelly. Several also sell through Amazon. You can find Savannah's Byrd Cookie Company, Utah's Granny B's frosted sugar cookies, and New Mexico's biscochitos among others available for national delivery. Search by bakery name for the most current availability.
