7 Full Flavoured Savoury Cookie Recipes

Savoury means salty, and spicy rather than sweet. Roasted seeds, toasted spice, rendered fats and wild peppercorns flavour the cookies in this list.

1. Hazelnut Fennel Butter Cookie

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

These Hazelnut Fennel Butter Cookies are not middle-of-the-road cookies. Interesting, clever and intriguing, they will bring you back from fatigue simply for the palate cleansing properties of the fennel. Meditate on a couple of these crispy wonders. They are a little on the sweet side, so use the freshest fennel seed and star anise for the brightest flavour. Get the recipe.

2. Roasted Lentil Cookies with Cumin and Caraway

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

This crunchy, noisy savoury cookie is the order of the day with these Roasted Lentil Butter Cookie with Cumin and Caraway. The roasted lentils add texture and distinct earthiness, while the cumin and caraway seeds raise the flavour to another level. They are impossibly fragrant, hardly sweet—certain winners for anyone who is an admirer of the unique. Perfect for work, after dinner, or when you want to crunch away your afternoon. Use the leftover roasted lentils in salads, couscous, or in place of nuts or seeds. These cookies will not disappoint. Get the recipe here

3. Salt and Pepper Cookie

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

It's remarkable that these Salt and Pepper Cookies have only one ounce of sugar, but satisfy your cravings as any sweeter cookie would. Bake them and enjoy the salt and spice. Get the recipe.

4. Sweet Potato Panellet (GF)

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

Panellets…oh panellets…the most charming Catalan cookie of the land. The sweet potato lends caramel tones, while the coconut determines the final chewy texture. The savoury cardamom, when used judicially, deepens the sweetness and gives a spicy finish. Then there’s the lemon—the citrusy lemon. They are gluten free, no added fat (except from the almonds) and have such an unexpected appeal, you won’t be sorry for making them or eating them.

Get the recipe here

5. Anise & Espresso Macaron with Pear, and Cinnamon Jelly (GF)

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

Anise & Espresso Macaron with Pear, and Cinnamon Jelly combines the elegance and sophistication this macaron deserves. The crispy meringue, creamy coffee and spice flavours transform this perennial favourite into something remarkably impressive. The Pear and Cinnamon Jelly adds a light fruit lift to the earthiness of the anise, and espresso. When served in the afternoon, or after a meal, they will satisfy even the most discriminating palate. Get the recipe.

6. Savoury Bacon Fat Gingersnaps

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

Savoury Bacon Fat Gingersnaps snap with spicy ginger and clove, crackle with smoke and pop with molasses. Using bacon fat instead of butter sounds risky, but these knockouts are among the Beauties of the Year. For the richest flavours, buy the highest quality bacon available -- your stomach will rejoice. Get the recipe.

7. Peppercorn Shortbread

Kimberlie Robert / The Finer Cookie

Traditional shortbread with four flavours of peppercorn sits deep within the niche of savoury cookies category. Twisting flavours and textures modernize the cookie experience. The confectioners’ sugar makes the shortbread crumble and dissolve bite after bite. You’ll encounter sweetness first, then the pepper builds in intensity. Don’t be afraid. They are gorgeous with a cool ruby porto and you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried them before. Get the recipe here.