How the Data Was Collected

The cookies were divided into five categories—flavor, shape, substitute ingredients, internationally inspired, and other—and there were some clear winners in the bunch. To clarify, the reason why you won’t see some favorites on the map below, such as chocolate chip cookies or gingerbread cookies, is because the data only encompasses queries that were over-represented in a state compared to the country as a whole.

The Results

The most popular uniquely searched cookie was actually something called “Christmas cookie fudge,” which nabbed the top spot in six states. “Italian Christmas cookies” were close behind, reigning supreme in five states, with a similar search term—“Old Fashioned Italian Christmas Cookies”—taking the top spot in Washington, D.C. Other yummy but seemingly less popular confections, such as “Lemon Christmas Cookies” and “Oreo Christmas Cookies,” only came out on top in one state each. Similarly, even though interest in plant-based food and recipes is on the rise, “Vegan Christmas Cookies” was the most uniquely searched cookie variety in only a single state—Washington. By contrast, “Keto Christmas Cookies” and “Gluten Free Christmas Cookies” came out on top in four states each, indicating that many Americans are taking diet into account as they prepare to celebrate the holidays. While the results did vary from state to state, there were some clear trends across different regions of the country. If you take a peek at the Northeast, for example, you’ll notice that many states favored internationally inspired cookies, while those who live in the Midwest tend to prefer cookies made with alternative ingredients.

Need some inspiration for your own batch of Christmas cookies? Scroll down to see some of our favorite holiday cookie recipes inspired by the Google data.