Difference Between Cookies and Biscuits

Main Difference – Cookies vs Biscuits

The two terms cookies and biscuits can be used for a variety of baked, commonly flour-based food products. Though cookies and biscuits have a distinct difference in some countries, in other countries they refer to the same. There is a lot of confusion about these two terms. Cookies are sweet, unleavened, baked goods containing flour, eggs, sugar and some oil whereas Biscuits can refer to two products. In North America, the term biscuit refers to a small, savoury cake that is somewhat similar to scones. In British English, the term biscuit refers to a small, baked, unleavened cake, which is typically crisp, flat, and sweet. This is the main difference between Cookies and Biscuits.

What are Cookies

Cookies are sweet, flat, baked goods, generally made of flour, eggs, sugar, and oil. Sometimes they can contain other ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, etc. to enhance the flavour. The term cookie is mostly used in American English. In the UK and Commonwealth countries, this product is known as biscuits.

Cookies may be bulk-produced, made in small bakeries or home-made. They are often served with beverages such as coffee, tea or milk.

There are various types of cookies, and some cookies are named after their shape.(ex: bar) They are also made according to various recipes using various ingredients. They are baked in the oven until they become crisp, or until the required softness reached. 

What are Biscuits

Biscuit is a term used for an assortment of baked, mainly flour-based food products. The term biscuit can mainly refer to two products. In British English, the term biscuit refers to a small, baked, unleavened cake, which is typically crisp, flat, and sweet. In most English-speaking countries outside North America, a biscuit is a crisp cookie. In North America, the term biscuit refers to a small, savoury cake that is somewhat similar to scones.

Biscuits (as used by Commonwealth of Nations and Europe) can be either sweet or savoury. Sweet biscuits are commonly eaten as a snack. Examples for sweet biscuits include Digestive biscuits, rich tea biscuits and, hobnobs. In General, the British and other Commonwealth nations use the term cookie to refer to sweet biscuits.

Savoury biscuits, commonly known as crackers can be eaten with cheese. Ingredients such as onion or onion seeds, poppy seeds, cheese, etc. are used additionally in the production of savoury biscuits.

Difference Between Cookies and Biscuits

Definition

Cookie is a term used for sweet, flat, baked goods.

Biscuit is a term used for a variety of baked, mainly flour-based food products. 

Taste

Cookies are generally sweet.

Biscuits are either sweet or savoury.

Countries

The term cookie is mostly used in American English.

In British English, the term biscuit refers to a small, baked, unleavened cake, which is typically crisp, flat, and sweet. In North America, the term biscuit refers to a small, savoury cake that is somewhat similar to scones.

Image Courtesy:

“Chocolate Chip Cookies – kimberlykv” by Kimberly Vardeman from Lubbock, TX, USA – Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies. (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

“Crackers” by Quinn Dombrowski (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr

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