Christmas is literally right around the corner. By now, everywhere you go is swamped with Christmas lights, Santa hats, and the smell of warm cookies in the oven. But, picture this—it’s the night before Christmas, and your little sibling/cousin/parent has devoured all the last of your cookies! What should you whip up to replace the lost batch before Christmas morning? There’s so many recipes to choose from, and they’re all so good.
Well, fear not. Whether a familial force of chaos has actually interrupted your Christmas plans or if you simply want to use the last of the holiday spirit to whip up one more batch for Santa (and your tummy), there’s a recipe that’s perfect for you—and it’s based on your Myers-Briggs Personality Type.
The Myers-Briggs test is a concise way to apply psychological theory to explain why people think the way they do. According to myersbriggs.org, behavior might be seem random, but it’s actually pretty orderly and consistent, due to the differences in the ways people prefer to use their perception and judgement. In short, all people can be sorted into one of 16 personality types based on four factors:
—Introversion/Extroversion (whether you draw energy from some alone time or from interacting with others),
—Sensing/INtuition (whether you accept information you take in or seek a deeper meaning from it),
—Thinking/Feeling (whether you look to logic or your emotions first when making a decision), and
—Judging/Perceiving (whether you prefer to have and follow a plan or go with the flow based on new information).
(Your humble author is an INFJ–what do you think that means?)
#SpoonTip: If you want to find your personality type, in my humble opinion, 16Personalities is the way to go; however, they’re so thorough (in a good way), it was a little bit difficult to narrow the personalities down to just their fundamental features and, thus, match you to your perfect cookie. So, if you’re like me and want to get a quick overview, then I highly recommend taking a peek over here.
Now, to the cookies.
Russian tea cakes for the ISTJ
ISTJs are Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging. They are serious, formal, and proper, with a love for tradition, patience, hard work, and social and cultural responsibility. They are reserved, calm, quiet, and generally upright people.
For a person who places such great value on tradition, there is no better cookie than the Russian Tea Cake, also known as the Snowball cookie or the Mexican Wedding Cookie. It’s a staple of Christmas cookies around the world, and simple ingredients like nuts, powdered sugar, and flour are mixed together to make a treat that looks formal, precise, and just a little old fashioned, but packs a flavorful punch.
Madeleines for the INTJ
Quiet, reserved, and comfortable alone, INTJs are introverts above all else. They are self-sufficient and would rather work alone, but their intuitive, thinking, and judging nature keeps them creating new ideas and theories about the world around them. Most of all, INTJs are notorious for asking why.
Madeleines push the boundaries for what it means to be a Christmas cookie, as well as what a cookie is by American standards. They are the cookie personification of “quiet,” typically overlooked by all of their more glamorous neighbors, but they’re not as plain as they may seem: inside, they can hold any number of imaginative flavors, from the classic recipe to ones that can mimic gingerbread to fruity raspberry and delicate rose water to even savory cheddar, dill, and onion. The flavors are almost as limitless as the INTJ’s imagination.
Texas sheet cake cookies for the INFJ
Hey, I’m an INFJ; it’s only fitting her favorite cookie fits her personality. INFJs are visionaries and idealists known for their creative imaginations and different way of looking at the world. We don’t accept things at surface value, always trying to find a deeper way to think. As such, we tend to come off as weird at worst or amusing at best; altogether, we’re oddballs, but still interesting and fun to be around.
Texas sheet cake is a dessert staple, but I think it’s the thought of turning this into a cookie that shows off our cleverness. We take something common and make it into something else, relating two unlike objects. By making a cake into a cookie topped with the same delicious icing, we step up the cookie game above the normal bar.
#SpoonTip: Pop over to Cookies&Cups to try my favorite recipe. Commence with the drooling; I won’t blame you.
Cut out sugar cookies for the ENFJ
ENFJs are extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging. They are people-focused and charismatic, outspoken and ethical; they know how to connect with other people. They place heavy weight on their intuition and feelings, living a bit in their imaginations and concentrating on the abstract and the future, but always wanting to make people happy along the way.
Sugar cookie cut outs are the perfect ENFJ cookies. They might be a little bit plain at first glance, but it’s the toppings that make the cookies interesting. You can decorate and cut out according to your own feelings and imaginations, making a unique cookie every time. If you don’t have a good recipe for sugar cookies (or just want a foolproof version), you can check out Cake Whiz, but the most classic cookie ever probably already has a home in your heart—and your recipe book!
Crinkle cookies for the ISTP
ISTPs are rational beings, logical and mysterious, yet spontaneous and enthusiastic. Such a contradictory set of characteristics makes them appear unpredictable to the people who don’t know them, but they hide their personality traits well.
Crinkle cookies are the perfect cookies for the ISTP. Just like you, they have hidden complexities that are only shown after they’re baked, peeking out through the cracks instead of really showing what they’re made of. They’re sweet, interesting, and really cool to watch as they bake, since you never know when their true colors will start to show. And with their numerous flavor palettes, they’re almost as interesting as you.
Hershey’s Kiss cookies for the ESFJ
ESFJs are social butterflies, extroverted, popular and never afraid to make people smile. More than anything, they want to make other people happy. If they can revel in the spotlight while they do so, well, they certainly won’t complain.
Hershey’s Kiss cookies are the perfect cookie for ESFJs. They stand out at every cookie table, a reliable all star, always making kids smile. Plus, you get an actual Kiss with every cookie—what’s not to love? There’s peanut butter variations, chocolate variations, and a million more, so these cookies are the perfect way to spread a little love around.
Gingerbread for the INFP
INFPs are quiet and reserved, preferring not to talk about themselves. They like spending time alone and analyze signs and symbols, considering them to be metaphors that have deeper meanings related to life. Often lost in their imagination and daydreams, INFPs are always deep in their thoughts, fantasies, and ideas.
What is better cookie could there be for an idealistic dreamer than gingerbread? The cookie most known for fantastical houses and other Christmas creations, gingerbread provides a sturdy and more elaborate canvas for Christmas works of art. Decorate cut outs with little doodles, drop cookies with splattered icings and sprinkles, or elaborate creations with works beyond compare (or just the little kits), and you’ve got a cookie befitting your limitless imagination.
Chocolate chip cookies for the ESFP
And the most anticipated cookie award goes to… the ESFP. ESFPs are entertainers, born to be in front of others. They are thoughtful explorers who love learning and sharing what they learn with others. At their core, they are “people people” with strong interpersonal skills, and lively spirit. Most importantly, they are warm, generous, sympathetic, and friendly.
Chocolate chip cookies are everything an ESFP wants to be. They are one of the most thought-of Christmas cookies, and they’re a classic crowd pleaser in any situation. Make some really nice ones, and no one will even look any further. Even if you don’t, you’re still guaranteed an empty plate to take home. Pretty much everyone has a favorite chocolate chip recipe, but whether you like fluffy, gooey, crispy, or want something different (like brown butter or rosemary cayenne), there’s always another recipe to try.
No bake cookies for the ENFP
The ENFP is highly individualistic, creating their own methods, looks, actions, habits, and ideas. They don’t like cookie cutter people, and they especially hate it when they are forced to live inside a box. An ENFP likes to be around other people, and they have a strong intuitive nature—always very aware of other people’s feelings. Overall, the ENFP is highly perceptive and thoughtful.
If you don’t like thinking inside the box, no bake cookies are the perfect Christmas alternative. They’re just as sweet, but these in particular are made on a stovetop, then dropped irregularly onto a piece of wax paper to dry. They’re still as sweet and sugary as other cookies, but they break the mold. Go, you, you rebel.
Snickerdoodles for the ESTP
ESTPs are doers. They thrive with social interaction, feelings and emotions, logical processes, reasoning, and, above all, freedom. However, they really would prefer not to think about theory. They’re impulsive, not planners, moving quickly and making decisions that let them live in the moment.
Snickerdoodles are the perfect cookie for an ESTP. They’re simple, quick to make at the drop of a hat, they don’t need much more of a shape than a drop cookie, but come out looking like you spent so much more time than you did, leaving you with free time to be your awesome self.
#SpoonHack: if you want to commit a bit of time, there’s great recipes out there, but if you don’t, a roll of sugar cookie dough and a bowl of cinnamon and sugar can save even more time while you curb your cookie cravings!
Stained glass cookies for the ESTJ
ESTJs are organized, honest, dedicated, dignified, and traditional. They are great believers in doing what’s right. That said, they’re not bogged down in this tradition. Instead, they’re leaders—offering guidance and counsel and above all happy that they’re approached for help.
Stained glass cookies are traditional cookies, reminiscent of a time long past. They involve some organizing and planning, but they come out looking pristine almost every time. The crystalline sugar glass offers a window through which to look, as for guidance or counsel, but more importantly, the colors propel the cookies towards people’s eyes. Look no further for a good recipe—or make one all of your own.
Thumbprint cookies for the ENTJ
ENTJs deal with things rationally and logically, letting their intuition and reasoning be their guide. They see challenges and obstacles as chances to improve, and they are always looking for new possibilities. They are natural born leaders, and they thrive when they’re in charge, making decisions, and considering options and ideas quickly yet carefully. They can take charge like no other—just don’t ask them to sit still.
Thumbprint cookies would be amazing cookies for the ENTJ. There are tons of variations in flavor, allowing them to explore a bunch of possibilities, then put their own personal touch on each with their thumbprint! They can consider all of their options or none of them: with thumbprint cookies, even if you change your mind, up until they’re literally done, you can always change where you’re going and lead others there, too.
French macarons for the INTP
INTPs are the creators of brilliant theories and unrelenting logic, arguably the most logical minded of the MBTIs. They love patterns, have an eye for discrepancies, and have the ability to read people. That said, though, they aren’t interested in practical, day-to-day activities; rather, when they find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution.
This hyperfocus makes them perfect for cooking up some French macarons. It’s an adventurous cookie endeavor, but the INTP can devote some of their pattern and deviation skill to the technical side of these complex cookies while letting their imaginations run wild with flavor. From rose water to hot chocolate to honey lavender to creme brûlée to snickerdoodle to fruity pebble, the possibilities are endless.
Peanut butter cookies for the ISFJ
ISFJs are philanthropists. They return the generosity they are given with more generosity, and what they believe in will be upheld and supported with enthusiasm. Warm and kind-hearted, ISFJs value harmony and cooperation, and they’re very sensitive to other people’s feelings, bringing out the best in others.
Peanut butter cookies may be simple, but don’t be fooled. Their gooey filling warms your heart, and they pair well with almost any other cookie. Try peanut butter thumbprints, peanut butter madeleines, peanut butter macarons, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, or just the old classic, and you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy in no time.
Shortbread cookies for the ENTP
ENTPs are the rarest personality type in the world. They aren’t much for small talk and may not thrive in many social situations, despite their extroverted status. They are, however, intelligent and knowledgeable; they need to be constantly mentally stimulated. As such, they spend a lot of time discussing theories and facts in extensive detail. Logical, rational, and objective in their approach to information and arguments, ENTPs are complex and simple all at once, just like shortbread.
Shortbread cookies are the most underappreciated type of cookies, in my opinion. They may be simple, but their slightly sour flavor and stubborn texture makes them really fun to bite into and taste, especially when coated in chocolate. ENTPs would appreciate the science behind how three ingredients in the right amounts made such a cookie to begin with, but even if they don’t, there’s a simple recipe to make that can make you happy to have a cookie in your hand without having to worry too much about that dreadful socializing. Or, spend more time making more complex shortbread cookies and stay away from the endless chatter of small talk for even longer; I won’t judge.
Spritz cookies for the ISFP
ISFPs are introverts that don’t immediately seem like introverts. They have difficulties connecting to other people at first, like most introverts, but then quickly become warm, approachable, and friendly. All in all, they’re fun to be with, very spontaneous, they want to live their life to the fullest, and embrace the present. It is in experience that they find wisdom, so they place value in meeting new people and having new experiences.
Spritz cookies would be a fun experience for ISFPs, since they rely on living so much in the moment. You can’t regret what you did once you’ve done it, and there’s not much of a way to plan other than to practice, practice, practice with that spritzing tool. But either way, you’re bound to have fun. Spritz cookies have a list of flavors a mile long, which gives you the opportunity to experiment. Overall, they’re a great cookie to socialize over or eat huddled by the fire with a good book.
So, what cookies do you think you’ll make this holiday season? Did you find an old favorite or a new staple? Either which way, this holiday season, keep an open mind. There’s always new cookies to try and always new people to meet, so whip up a couple batches and let that sparkling personality of yours shine.
Happy Holidays to all of you, and I hope you have a delicious time!