Savory Cookies

Cookies don’t have to be sweet to be delicious! Our savory cookies hit all the right notes: They’re cheesy, buttery and full of herbs. They taste delicious on their own, or paired with cheese spreads (or even more cheese). Once the dough is chilled, they bake in about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Savory Cookies 

Laura Scherb for Taste of Home

• Butter: Butter adds richness and hints of buttery flavor to these cookies. Take the butter out of the fridge about an hour before you start, so it can have time to soften.
• Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese tastes great in cracker form, and it’s just as good in these savory cookies.
• Blue cheese: Crumbled blue cheese adds umami and tangy deliciousness to these cookies.
• Tarragon: Fresh or dried tarragon adds a slightly sweet, fennel-like flavor to the cookies, which helps balance out the tanginess of the cheeses.
• Dried oregano: Oregano adds earthy, sharp flavor that pairs well with the cheeses.
• Fresh garlic: Fresh garlic adds delicious bite to the flavor.
• Flour: All-purpose flour excels when it comes to making cookies. The flour gives the cookie a solid body or structure.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cookie dough

Laura Scherb for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, both cheeses, tarragon, oregano and garlic until they’re well mixed. Beat in the flour until the end result is a somewhat crumbly dough. Shape the dough into a 14-inch roll. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate it for four hours or overnight.

Editor’s Tip: Place the dough log on a cookie sheet or platter once you’ve wrapped it, for easier handling to and from the refrigerator.

Step 2: Bake the cookies

Laura Scherb for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut the dough into 1/4-inch slices, placing them on ungreased baking sheets. Bake the cookies until they’re golden brown and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. After removing the cookies from the oven, set them on wire racks and allow them to cool completely.

Laura Scherb for Taste of Home

Savory Cookie Variations

• Use smoky cheddar cheese: Smoky cheddar adds tangy, smoky notes to the flavor in these crackers. Sharp cheddar is another option—use your favorite cheddar, or even combine them!
• Change the seasonings: Use an Italian herb blend or a turkey seasoning blend for complex flavors within these cookies.
• Add zest: Add some orange or lemon zest to this recipe for citrusy notes that pair well with cheddar cheese. Yum.

How to Store Savory Cookies

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container or zippered food-storage bag on the counter, where they’ll keep for up to four days. They may soften a bit after a day or two, especially during warm, humid weather.

Can you freeze savory cookies?

Yes, the leftover cookies may be frozen for later enjoyment (but are there ever really any leftovers?). Store them in a zippered sandwich bag with all the air pressed out, and they’ll keep in the freezer for about a month.

Can you make savory cookies ahead of time?

Yes, this is an excellent snack to make ahead for a party, a holiday event or just for fun. Store the dough tightly wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for a couple days before you plan to bake them, or freeze the dough for up to a month. To keep the frozen dough at its freshest, wrap it in plastic, then foil, then in an airtight freezer bag with the air pressed out. (Feel free to cut the dough in half or in thirds to fit it into storage bags before freezing.)

Savory Cookie Tips

Laura Scherb for Taste of Home

What should I serve with these savory shortbread cookies?

For a double dose of cheesy goodness, whip up some herbed cheese spread to go along with the cookies, or this easy herbed garlic cheese spread that comes together in just a few minutes. For a large get-together or even game day, bake some of our honey-kissed savory shortbread crackers for a little flavor variation, and serve them alongside the savory cookies and cheese spreads.

Can I make other cookies without sugar?

Yes, plenty of cookie recipes contain no cane sugar (though many use an alternate sweetener, such as maple syrup). Check out these sugar-free cookie recipes for loads of delicious ideas.

Could I make these cookies thinner?

Yes, you can. Instead of making a log, make a dough ball, chill it, then flatten it with your hand. Use a rolling pin to make it a uniform thickness. Cut the dough with a knife or cookie cutters, then bake, but keep in mind that the cooking time will be greatly reduced, depending on the thickness. Check them after five or six minutes, then keep an eye on them, removing them when they’re crisp and browning.