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Unexpected

Discover unique cookie recipes with bold flavors, unexpected ingredients, and globally inspired combinations that turn ordinary cookies into something memorable.

Picture of umeboshi cookies

Umeboshi Cookies: A Japanese-Inspired Global Fusion Dessert

Some flavors sound like they belong in dessert. Umeboshi is not one of them. Every time I think of umeboshi, I think of my host mother from Japan. Whenever she saw them, she’d always remind me how healthy they were. Technically, what she said was 体にいい — “good for the […]

Apricot Khmeli Suneli Cookies

Apricot Khmeli Suneli Butter Cookies: Warmly Spiced and Unexpected

Sweet apricot, warm spice, and a little curiosity—these cookies feature khmeli suneli, Georgia’s signature spice blend, often made with herbs, blue fenugreek, and yes, even marigold. This recipe wasn’t inspired by a single person, but by a moment of curiosity. A few years ago, I was trying to track down […]

Smoky BBQ Cookie Picture.

BBQ in a Cookie? Stay With Me.

Some recipes come from tradition. Others come from curiosity. These BBQ passionfruit cookies came from a little bit of both. This one started with Isra from Tunisia, who answered the call to help choose my next flavor. She’s already inspired one Tunisian cookie (still coming!), but this time she flipped […]

Mango chiles with mango in the background and bird's eye chiles in the foreground.

Mango Chile Cookies: Where Tropical Sweetness Meets Chile Heat

I adore the combination of mango and chili in this cookie. This recipe was one of the first I developed, inspired by Kwelda, who had a passion for mangoes—and hot spices. She loved spice so much that she once asked where my ingredients for cooking were, but meant solely spices. […]

Picture of several jameed cookies.

Jameed Cookie Recipe: A Sweet and Savory Jordanian-Inspired Cookie

This cookie is difficult to define. It has a tangy, lemony, salty flavor, yet I still struggle to put into words what jameed actually tastes like. I have eaten it straight, without any modification, and the overwhelming flavor was salt. However, I can also say this: when I brought these […]

Picture of za'atar spiced apple cider olive oil cookies with an apple in the background.

Savory-Sweet Za’atar Olive Oil Cookies for Hanukkah

I had every intention of dropping this cookie on the first day of Hanukkah. But life got in the way. At least I got it out before Hanukkah was over. Za’atar has never been one of my favorite spices, but honestly, many of my best cookie recipes begin that way—with […]

Vibrant, Spicy, & Totally Unique: Mango Passionfruit Fruit Chaat Crinkle Cookies

I adore this recipe for its vibrant, tropical flavors and the delightful kick of spiciness with every bite. They are thick, gooey, and absolutely scrumptious. More importantly, they bring back memories of Salaar and my first experience having people observing Ramadan living with my family. For those who may not […]