If you have ever travelled between countries or watched a foreign cooking show, you may have noticed that the words cookie and biscuit are often used differently. In Australia, we hear both terms, but what is the real difference between cookies and biscuits? Are they the same thing, or two completely different treats? Let’s break it down.
What Is a Cookie?
In American English, the word cookie refers to a small, sweet baked treat that is usually soft, chewy, or chunky in texture. Popular varieties include chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and filled cookies.
Cookies are often:
- Rich and indulgent
- Made with butter, sugar, and flour
- Packed with extras like chocolate, nuts, or fillings
- Soft in the middle with a slightly crisp outside
The term comes from the Dutch word koekje, meaning “little cake.” Cookies are especially popular in the United States, where they are considered a comfort food and a staple of home baking.
What Is a Biscuit?
In British English and much of the Commonwealth, the word biscuit is used instead of cookie. However, biscuits are generally thought of as a little different in style and texture. They are:
- Crisper and drier than cookies
- Often simpler, with fewer add-ins
- Made to be dunked in tea or coffee
- Available in both sweet and savoury varieties
Classic examples include shortbread, digestive biscuits, and gingernuts. Biscuits are a traditional part of afternoon tea in the UK and Australia.
Cookies vs Biscuits in Australia
Here in Australia, we actually use both words — and sometimes interchangeably. Generally speaking:
- Biscuits are the more traditional, crisp varieties, such as ANZAC biscuits or Monte Carlos.
- Cookies are often used to describe softer, chunkier, American-style bakes that are loaded with chocolate chips, chunks, or indulgent fillings.
If you see “cookie” on a menu in Australia, you can usually expect something richer and more decadent than a standard biscuit.
Why Funky Monkey Makes Cookies, Not Biscuits
At Funky Monkey Cookies, we proudly call our creations cookies because they are everything a biscuit is not. Our treats are:
- Soft and gooey in the middle with just the right bite on the outside
- Packed with flavour — from classic choc chip to stuffed centres like Nutella or Wagon Wheel
- Bold and indulgent rather than plain or simple
- Handcrafted in small batches so every cookie is full of love and personality
Biscuits are great for dunking in tea, but Funky Monkey Cookies are designed to be a full-blown indulgent experience. When you bite into one of our cookies, you are not just snacking, you are treating yourself to something decadent, fun, and unforgettable.
Indulge in the Best Cookies in Australia
Whether you call them cookies or biscuits, one thing is certain: there is nothing quite like a freshly baked Funky Monkey Cookie. Perfect for gifts, celebrations, or a well-deserved treat, our cookies are baked fresh and shipped across Australia.
👉 Order cookies online in Australia today and taste the difference for yourself. Big, bold, and unapologetically indulgent — that’s what makes them cookies, not biscuits.