The obvious source of the word cookie is the wrong one: cookie has no relation to cook, which seems less surprising when you stop to consider that cookies are not cooked but baked. Whereas cook derives from a Latin source, cookie derives from a Germanic one: namely the Dutch koekje—a diminutive of koek, meaning cake—which became the English cookie in the mid eighteenth century. Prior to this, and even still in England, cookies were called biscuits. Given its Dutch origin, cookie is closely related to the word cake, which developed from the Old Norse kaka in the thirteenth century.
Cookies are a type of small cake that can be either filled or unfilled with sweet ingredients. The term “cookie” likely originates from the Dutch word “koekje.” Different varieties of cookies exist, some being soft and chewy, while others are crisp in texture. These sweet treats are enjoyed in almost every country, with each nation having its own specialty. Cookies are generally straightforward to prepare and can be stored in the freezer for later consumption.