Most-clicked holiday cookies

Cathy Swanson Wheaton, executive editor behind your favorite Pillsbury and Betty Crocker cookbooks, says a state’s favorite cookie often speaks to the culture and heritage of the region.

“People like a nod to something familiar,” says Wheaton. “It’s really fun to see that some of the eastern states selected an Italian cookie as their favorite, and I think that might speak to their Italian heritage. And some of the southern states tended to choose nut-based recipes. For example, Georgia picked a pecan recipe and they’re the number one pecan producer in the United States.”

Want more? Find eight fun fact on this year’s list below.

1. Here are some more cookie fun facts for you to enjoy: And as you might imagine, next to nothing beats Betty Crocker’s Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies and 3-Ingredient Christmas Swirl Fudge. As our number-one most-searched cookie recipe year-round and a top-spot-taker in 22 states, respectively, we felt compelled to have them sit this one out.
2. Betty Crocker’s Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms are the most popular holiday cookie in the U.S. overall, chosen by seven states: Florida, Pennsylvania, California, Kentucky, Nevada, South Carolina and Wyoming.
3. While Gingerbread Cookies seem like a holiday staple, only Hawaii claimed Pillsbury’s Easy Gingerbread Cookies version as their top pick.
4. Utah gets an average of 42 inches of fresh powder – and we’re not talking cocoa powder – every year, so it makes sense its top holiday cookie is Betty Crocker’s Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies.
5. Nebraska is the only state that prefers its Betty Crocker Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies with chocolate stars instead of Hershey’s Kisses.
6. Louis is known for its iconic Gooey Butter Cake dessert, so it should be no surprise that its home state chose Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Gooey Butter Cookies.
7. Minnesota may be home to the most Swedish Americans, but the classic Swedish Kringla cookie is more popular in Iowa.
8. “The Buckeye State” lives up to its nickname, with many Ohio residents baking Buckeye Delights around the holidays. 

And for a bit of ambiance to go with your baking efforts this season, be sure to take advantage of Betty Crocker’s Cookie Cam – a one-hour reel featuring 15 different Betty Christmas cookies.

And “Betty’s cookie playlist,” a daily drop of 15 new cookies, inspired by your favorite Christmas carols. Learn more here.