Cookies are one of the most low-stress, beginner-friendly desserts you can make, and they’re always a crowd pleaser whether they melt in your mouth or crunch as you take a bite. There’s room to grow, too — as you become confident in the kitchen, you can pick more complex recipes that require a bit more skill.

If you, like me, are gearing up for a holiday season that involves lots of cookie baking, read on. I talked to professional bakers about each step of the process and the best cooking baking tools to use. As an avid baker myself, I also added some of the tips and tricks I swear by. Plus, experts answered some of the most frequently asked questions about baking cookies, including what’s likely your biggest concern: how to avoid a burnt batch.

Selected. Our top picks

Best cookie scoop

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Best cookie cutters

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Best cookie press

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Best slice-and-bake tool

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