You might like enjoying a cup of milk with some warm chocolate chip cookies occasionally, especially during the winter. Alternatively, you like preparing a hot cup of masala tea after work daily and relishing it with your favourite biscuits while a beloved song plays in the background. But have you ever wondered about the differences between cookies and biscuits? Let’s find out.

What are biscuits?

The word biscuit is a British English name. It is derived from the Middle French word known as ‘bescuit’ The word ‘bescuit’ comes from two Latin words ‘bis’, meaning ‘twice’ and ‘coquere’, meaning cooked or to cook, which stands for ‘twice cooked’. Biscuits usually have a crusty exterior. They also have a light texture. They are generally made from flour, butter, and sugar. They may also include salt.

They are usually thinner than cookies. Biscuits are also perfect for decorating on the outside once they are baked. You can dunk them in icing or chocolate. You can also drizzle them with these. They are believed to be a classic companion for tea.

What are cookies?

Most of us have come across multiple cookies. For example, you would have heard of chocolate cookies like chocolate chip and double chocolate chip cookies. You find other varieties like orange cookies, hazelnut cookies, gingerbread cookies, brown butter sugar cookies, and more. Cookies with milk are an all-time favourite. You can simply warm them and enjoy them with a glass of milk. You can also crumble some double chocolate chip cookies over a bowl of ice cream.

The word cookie is an American English name. This name has been derived from the Dutch word ‘koekje’, which means ‘little cake’. Cookies use a thick batter. They use denser ingredients like oats, chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, etc. Consequently, it takes more time to bake a cookie. They have a chewy and moist texture.

Notable differences

The key differences between a cookie and a biscuit are as follows:

• Cookies require a thicker and softer dough, often leading to a denser final product. However, biscuits need a harder or tougher dough. Consequently, the texture of a biscuit is usually firmer and crumblier.
• Concerning texture, cookies are heavier than biscuits, while the latter are fluffier.
• Biscuits sometimes have a cream or jam filling. However, cookies do not have such things.
• Cookies are usually larger, softer, and chunkier than biscuits.

Conclusion

People believe that ‘biscuits’ are just English ‘cookies’. On the other hand, ‘cookies’ are just American ‘biscuits.’ However, this is usually not the case. A biscuit and a cookie are different in several ways, as listed. With so many flavours and choices, cookies and biscuits have become a big part of our lives, making it better for many.