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.
- 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.
- 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.
- While Gingerbread Cookies seem like a holiday staple, only Hawaii claimed Pillsbury’s Easy Gingerbread Cookies version as their top pick.
- 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.
- Nebraska is the only state that prefers its Betty Crocker Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies with chocolate stars instead of Hershey’s Kisses.
- 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.
- Minnesota may be home to the most Swedish Americans, but the classic Swedish Kringla cookie is more popular in Iowa.
- “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.
