Hot Drink
These 9 Cozy Drinks Are a Cookie's BFF
Think: cardamom hot chocolate, malted milk lattes, and more.
Milk and cookies are a classic combo, but this year, we're teaming up with Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse® to raise the jar—ahem, bar. Here, we'll show you how to pair up their new Thin & Crispy Butter Pecan Cookies (they've got a short and sweet ingredients list, so they taste like homemade treats) with creative, season-ready sips. Gluten-free? We've got a few ideas for their simply crafted Butter Crisp and Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies, too.
I don't know why, but I simply cannot enjoy a cookie unless I have a drink to sip with it—and dunk the cookie in, of course.
An ice-cold glass of milk is my usual go-to (it's a classic for a reason), but there are sooo many other drinks that are just as dreamy. During the chilly winter months especially, I like to switch things up a bit and pair whatever cookies I'm nibbling on with something warm and cozy, like cardamom-spiced hot chocolate or Irish coffee. Since I'm not the world's best baker, I'll keep Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy Cookies stocked for whenever the mood strikes—aka basically every night after dinner.
If you foresee cookies in your future (how could you not?), take a peek at these cold-weather-friendly drink recipes—they're all super comforting and pair perfectly with a cookie (or five).
1. Cardamom Hot Chocolate
A few crushed green cardamom pods take hot chocolate from ho-hum to warmly herbal and citrusy, while a tablespoon of butter lends a richness you can't get from milk alone. The result is soothing, complex, and intensely chocolatey—a perfect match for the nutty, sweet flavors of the Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Butter Pecan cookies.
2. Apple Peel Tea
This slow-simmered tea is yet another excellent reminder to save produce scraps—in this case, apple peels. For an extra-seasonal touch, swap out the brown sugar for maple syrup and punch up the spice level with more clove, and perhaps even some allspice. The tartness of the apple peel and warming spice balances the butteriness of the pecan cookies; the pair make for a very relaxing end to the workday or a lazy Sunday.
3. Malted Milk Latte
My work-from-home life is all about routine, and in the morning, that means coffee. When I want something a bit fancier than my usual French press with milk, I'll whip up this malted-milk latte that's chocolatey and creamy, with a nice espresso kick. Every now and then, I'll treat myself to sipping it alongside a cookie—any variety of chocolate chip is an A+ match in my book.
4. Sticky Chai
Speaking of routine, my boyfriend and I have an afternoon ritual, as well. Every day around 4 o'clock, he makes a batch of gingery, spice-forward chai and we'll take a short break from work to sip it together. It's supremely comforting all on its own, but a few buttery cookies are a very welcome addition. (I like to dunk mine in the chai until they're soft and nearly about to disintegrate, before taking a bite.)
5. Irish Coffee
There are few things as soul-warming or satisfying as a good Irish coffee, and by good I mean one with soft, billowy peaks of whipped cream, strong (but never bitter) coffee, and smooth Irish whiskey served at a comfortably toasty temperature. It feels especially luxurious to sip one after dinner alongside a few crisp, nut-flecked cookies, like the Butter Pecan—the perfect dessert combo, if you ask me.
6. Star Anise Milk
This simple, star anise-spiced milk is so much more than the sum of its parts: whole milk (silky coconut milk would also be lovely here), star anise, and a teaspoon of molasses for smoky sweetness. Since anise is thought to aid digestion, this also makes a nice after-dinner treat, along with a couple of Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Butter Crisp Cookies (that just so happen to be gluten-free).
7. Brown Butter Cafe Brulot
This New Orleans-famous drink is known for being served at some of the city's most iconic restaurants (from Antoine's to Arnaud's) with lots of tableside fanfare, but you can whip up a riff on this classic at your own table. This version calls for brown butter, which adds even more depth of flavor to this spiced and spiked hot coffee. And, to make this even more over-the-top, why not throw in a cookie or two on the side?
8. Tahini Date Shake
Though not cozy in the traditional sense, this morning (or afternoon) shake has the creamy-rich warmth of tahini and cinnamon, with the bright sweetness of dates, frozen bananas, and vanilla almond milk. It would make a nice accompaniment to cookies with chocolate or tahini already in them, as well as anything with nuts (I'm looking at you, Butter Pecan).
9. Caramelized White Chocolate Cocoa
You can never have too many hot cocoa options, right? This caramelized white-chocolate version is probably unlike any you've had before, with more depth and caramelly richness than recipes that call for just cocoa powder. It would be heaven with just about any cookie, so take your pick.
In partnership with Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse, we're sharing delicious ideas for enjoying their new Thin & Crispy Butter Pecan Cookies all season long—from dunking them in a cozy-warm tea after work to serving 'em with a spiced coffee cocktail after dinner. Made with a short list of quality ingredients, these buttery-crunchy cookies'll remind you of the homemade kind (only without all the cleanup). For a gluten-free treat, check out their Thin & Crispy Butter Crisp and Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies, starring real ingredients like creamery butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. You can snag a bag (or two!) of Farmhouse goodies on your next shopping trip in the Pepperidge Farm section of the cookie aisle.
See what other Food52 readers are saying.