18 Mother's Day Cookies That Are Better Than Store-Bought Gifts

We have 18 yummy Mother's Day cookies to make from scratch to show mom just how much she means to you. And she'll probably share them with you!

Chocolate Buckeye Cookies with peanut butter dollops
Photo: Brie Passano

A made-from-scratch cookie is sure to brighten Mom's day. We're sharing our favorite Mother's Day cookie ideas, including chocolate chip, sugar, and snickerdoodles. Whip up a batch and gift them to her along with a heartfelt card. She'll love the thought (and the treats!).

01 of 18

Masala Chai Cookies

Masala Chai Cookies
Carson Downing

Mother's Day cookies are an unexpected gift idea, just like these tea-infused shortbread cookies. This easy recipe calls for just six ingredients, including loose-leaf masala chai tea. If you can't find it, mix together black tea, cardamomcinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper.

02 of 18

Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Lace Cookies

Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Lace Cookies with Currants
Kelsey Hansen

You've nurtured your sourdough starter for too long to let any of it go to waste. Put your sourdough discard to delicious use in these chewy oatmeal Mother's Day cookies. Add it to the cookie batter with rolled oats, your favorite dried fruit, and plenty of cinnamon.

03 of 18

Ruby Red Grapefruit Shortbread Cookies

Ruby Red Grapefruit Shortbread Cookies and slices of grapefruit
Brie Passano

A double dose of ruby red grapefruit gives these gingery shortbread cookies bright, citrusy flavor. Use the zest to flavor the batter and save the juice to make a homemade grapefruit glaze. Dip the edge of each one in pink sanding sugar to finish these Mother's Day cookies.

04 of 18

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies on cookie sheet
Jason Donnelly

Inspired by the jumbo sweets made famous by New York City, these thick chocolate chip cookies must be served warm. Seriously! If you can't serve them right from the oven, microwave them for 20 seconds before digging in.

05 of 18

Huckleberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Huckleberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies dusted with crushed freeze-dried raspberries
Brie Passano

Huckleberries are similar to wild blueberries in flavor. Here we've used purchased huckleberry jam to fill vanilla-orange thumbprint cookies. Finish these Mother's Day cookies with a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried raspberries.

06 of 18

Buckeye Cookies

Chocolate Buckeye Cookies with peanut butter dollops
Brie Passano

Inspired by the iconic chocolate and peanut butter candy from Ohio, these buckeye cookies start with chocolate dough and are finished with creamy peanut butter frosting and melted chocolate. Double the batch and freeze half for a treat Mom can defrost whenever she needs a chocolate fix.

07 of 18

Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Carson Downing

Look for Meyer lemons to make this Mother's Day cookie recipe. They're slightly smaller, thinner-skinned, and less acidic than traditional varieties. Adding whole milk ricotta ensures the cookies stay moist. Once cool, dunk each cookie in a homemade glaze.

08 of 18

Mississippi Mud Cookies

Mississippi Mud chocolate cookies topped with marshmallows and chocolate drizzle
Brie Passano

These rich Mother's Day cookies have three kinds of chocolate, making them the perfect treat for all chocolate lovers. To make them "Mississippi Mud," slather each cookie with marshmallow fluff, more chocolate, and a sprinkle of toasted pecans.

09 of 18

Air Fryer Snickerdoodles

snickerdoodle cookies stacked on pink plate
Jason Donnelly

Yes, you can make Snickerdoodle cookies in your air fryer. The results are golden, sugary sweets ready in just six minutes. This small-batch recipe yields just 15 cookies, perfect for cozy Mother's Day celebrations.

10 of 18

Lacy Oat Cookies

Lacy Oat Cookies
Carson Downing

If mom is a fan of crispy cookies, this recipe is a must-make! The delicate oatmeal cookies spread while baking into crisp, slightly chewy rounds. One BHG home cook raved, "Simple and delicious." A drizzle of bittersweet chocolate and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds the finishing touch.

11 of 18

Ore-gone Trail Cookies

Stacked Ore-gone Trail Cookies on gray background
Brie Passano

This Mother's Day cookie idea has it all. Filled with rolled oats, chocolate chunks, almonds, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, these trail mix cookies are best served with a big glass of milk.

12 of 18

Manchego Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Preserves

Manchego Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Preserves on teal plate
Brie Passano

If mom's idea of a good time is a cheese plate and a glass of wine, try making her these savory Mother's Day cookies. One reviewer called them "A great twist on a cheese straw. Delicious!" Serve them alongside her favorite pickles, meats, and fruit for the ultimate charcuterie board.

13 of 18

Strawberry Meringue Cookies

Strawberry Meringue Cookies
Andy Lyons

Adding fresh strawberry puree to these Mother's Day cookies gives them a sweet taste of spring. If you're making the cookies ahead, keep them stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat.

14 of 18

Wicked Good Whoopie Pies

Chocolate whoopie pies with cream filling and coated in rainbow sprinkles
Brie Passano

Soft chocolate cookies are stuffed with fluffy marshmallow filling to create these sweet Mother's Day desserts. Adding a touch of instant espresso to the cookie dough ensures each bite tastes extra rich.

15 of 18

Macarons

overhead view of different color macarons
Blaine Moats

Our Test Kitchen perfected the art of making macarons at home. We'll walk you through how to make them at home, including tips for decorating your finished cookies. They make a sweet Mother's Day gift for any mom.

16 of 18

Tropical "Lofthouse" Cookies

Tropical "Lofthouse" Cookies on green and white stripe background
Carson Downing

Remember those pink frosted cookies from the grocery store? Put a tropical twist on Mother's Day sugar cookies with coconut, macadamia nuts, and lime zest. Finish each soft sugar cookie with lime frosting and toasted coconut.

17 of 18

Cherry-White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cherry-White Chocolate Chip Cookie dipped in white chocolate
Carson Downing

Chocolate and cherries are one of the all-time great flavor pairings. For these Mother's Day cookies, add maraschino cherries and white chocolate to a basic sugar cookie dough. Once baked, dip each cookie in melted white chocolate and let set.

18 of 18

Chocolate Cookie Crisps

Chocolate Cookie Crisps with Coconut Cream
Andy Lyons

These crispy chocolate cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy with mom over a cup of coffee. Finish each cookie with a drizzle of homemade coconut frosting and toasted coconut flakes.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles