Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (2024)

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Just like the grocery store favorite this copycat Trader Joes corn cookie tastes like a sugar cookie with a soft hint of corn in every bite. And the smell from your oven is absolutely amazing! It smells just like a fresh batch of sweet cornbread and fresh sugar cookies are baking!

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (1)

what are trader joes corn cookies?

Trader Joes is a natural grocery store that is full of innovative and unique products! The Trader Joes Corn Cookie Mix is one that you can periodically find on shelves. The mix has gluten and I am making sure that the copycat recipe has food allergy substitutions because everybody should enjoy cookies. Plural.

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (2)

what should i serve with these cookies?

These cookies are absolutely amazing alone, but some of these Trader Joe's products would be perfect with these cookies:

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (3)

How about some Trader Joe's delicious Organic Jalapeno Limeade ?

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (4)

Or a nice cold glass of Trader Joe's Watermelon Cucumber Cooler ?

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (5)

let's talk about the cookies. what kind of taste can i expect?

Here's the verdict from our taste testers:

Child 1: Sugar cookie

Child 2: Snickerdoodle. ?????

Child 3: Sugar Cookie. Where's the frosting and sprinkles Mom?

Me: Sugar cookie with a nice hint of corn.

So pretty much a sugar cookie. But not a sugar cookie.

your recipe calls for corn meal and corn flour. what is the difference?

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (6)

Looking at the back of the Trader Joe's mix it calls for both corn flour and corn meal. When I opened the bag of both and looked inside I really had a hard time telling the difference. So I grabbed a scoop of each and put them on a plate.

It was interesting to see that even though they look very similar the corn meal spread and didn't retain it's shape as well as the corn flour. The corn flour also appeared to have a thicker consistency once out of the bag.

Corn Meal: Coarsely ground, has a more gritty texture

Corn Flour: Finely ground, has a more smooth texture

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (7)

why do you vary the amount of corn flour you use in the recipe?

Yes, if you look closely I did vary the amount of corn flour that I used in the recipe. This difference was really needed for me when I cooked with the gluten free flour. The recipe worked well with Gluten Free Cup4Cup with the less amount listed, but I used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free and needed the higher amount of corn flour in order to get the cookies to spread and crack the way I wanted.

If you are using regular all purpose flour you can also add the higher amount of corn flour to give your cookies a more puffy appearance instead of the cracked top look.

PS Look at that texture and corn in each cookie!

what is softened butter?

This is super important but when it comes to the butter, you want the butter to be softened to room temperature. You do not want the butter to be runny at all or too soft.

i would love to give this as a gift for a gluten free friend. how can i do that?

Yes! Just place the dry ingredients into a mason jar and print out the instructions below to include with your gift:

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (8)

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (9)

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies

Traci Wennerholm

A delicious cookie that tastes like a sugar cookie with a hint of corn in every bite. Each cookie has a beautiful cracked top and will fill your home with the wonderful aroma of sweet cornbread!

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks) can substitute dairy free butter
  • 1 whole egg can substitute with egg replacer
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour can substitute gluten free flour (add ½ teaspoon xantham gum if mix does not include it)
  • ½ cup corn meal
  • ¼-1/2 cup corn flour (use ¼ cup if using all purpose flour, use ½ cup if using gluten free flour blend)
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease or line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes on medium speed until butter is light and fluffy. Turn off mixer, scrape bowl and put mixer on low speed. Add the egg and remaining ingredients, continuing to stir until well blended.

  • Drop the dough by tablespoons onto your cookie sheet, leaving several inches of space between cookies.

  • Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes on the cookie sheet before moving cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

Notes

YOUR RECIPE CALLS FOR CORN FLOUR AND CORN MEAL. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORN FLOUR AND CORN MEAL?

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (10)

Looking at the back of the Trader Joe's mix it calls for both corn flour and corn meal. When I opened the bag of both and looked inside I really had a hard time telling the difference. So I grabbed a scoop of each and put them on a plate.

It was interesting to see that even though they look very similar the corn meal spread and didn't retain it's shape as well as the corn flour. The corn flour also appeared to have a thicker consistency once out of the bag.

Corn Meal: Coarsely ground, has a more gritty texture

Corn Flour: Finely ground, has a more smooth texture

WHY DO YOU VARY IN THE AMOUNT OF CORN FLOUR THAT YOU USE IN THIS RECIPE?

Yes, if you look closely I did vary the amount of corn flour that I used in the recipe. This difference was really needed for me when I cooked with the gluten free flour. The recipe worked well with Gluten Free Cup4Cup with the less amount listed, but I used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free and needed the higher amount of corn flour in order to get the cookies to spread and crack the way I wanted.

If you are using regular all purpose flour you can also add the higher amount of corn flour to give your cookies a more puffy appearance instead of the cracked top look.

PS Look at that texture and corn in each cookie

NOTES ABOUT SOFTENED BUTTER

This is super important but when it comes to the butter, you want the butter to be softened to room temperature. You do not want the butter to be runny at all or too soft. This picture from Mel's Kitchen Cafe illustrates perfectly on what you want your butter to look like when softened. (Hint, the cool room temp butter is the look you are going for! Hint 2: This is a GREAT illustration for showing your kids when they are learning to cook. I've had MANY cookies that look like the ones on the far right. Or worse).

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:

To store cookies, place in an airtight container for several days or you can freeze cookies in an airtight container and thaw when ready to eat. Cookies will stay fresh in freezer up to two months.

Keyword cookie, copycat, dairy free, dessert, egg free, gluten free

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

LOVE THIS RECIPE? TRY SOME OF OUR OTHER COPYCAT RECIPES!!

Copycat Trader Joes Corn Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does cornstarch do in cookies? ›

The science is simple: According to the flour authorities over at Bob's Red Mill, cornstarch can help “soften the rigid proteins of the flour, resulting in a light and chewy dessert.” “The cornstarch complements the flour in absorbing the liquids, but won't develop gluten structure like the flour will,” stresses ...

Are corn flour and corn starch the same? ›

Corn flour is made from the entire corn kernel, whereas cornstarch is made just from the kernel's starchy center, known as the endosperm. The endosperm is processed into a fine white powder that is so smooth it will squeak when rubbed between your fingers.

How to make store bought sugar cookies taste homemade? ›

How To Make Boxed Cookies Better
  1. Use butter instead of margarine or oil.
  2. Add powdered milk. Sprinkling about 2 to 3 tablespoons of powdered milk per cup of cookie mix may seem kind of unconventional, but it is the best hack! ...
  3. Add brown sugar. ...
  4. Add vanilla extract. ...
  5. Brown the butter. ...
  6. Include an extra egg yolk.
Jan 3, 2024

How to improve Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix? ›

Easy Add-In: After creating the dough according to the sugar cookie mix instructions, Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to create a tangier, cakier and all-around more flavorful cookie. Flavor Twist: For a punchier twist, swap the water in the sugar cookie mix instructions for rum, bourbon or coffee liqueur.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

Light corn syrup is another ingredient that you can add to cookie dough that will help it stay softer longer. The corn syrup you buy at the grocery store is not the high-fructose corn syrup that soft drinks are made with; it's a sugar that is liquid at room temperature and helps other sugars say liquid at high heat.

Is baking powder or cornstarch better for cookies? ›

You'll find cornstarch in a variety of recipes. I often use it with flour to create tender cakes and delicate cookies. This little trick has been a lifesaver for me so many times. Meanwhile, baking powder is king when you need to give a lift to your baked goods.

Which is healthier corn starch or flour? ›

Nutritionally, corn flour surpasses corn starch due to its whole-grain composition. It provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to digestive health and overall well-being.

What is a replacement for cornstarch? ›

The 11 Best Substitutes for Cornstarch
  • Wheat flour. Share on Pinterest AwakenedEye/Getty Images. ...
  • Arrowroot. Arrowroot is a starchy flour made from the roots of the Maranta genus of plants, which is found in the tropics. ...
  • Potato starch. ...
  • Tapioca. ...
  • Rice flour. ...
  • Ground flaxseeds. ...
  • Glucomannan. ...
  • Psyllium husk.

What does corn flour do in baking? ›

Corn flour can be used to make breads, pancakes, biscuits, waffles, and pastries, in addition to or as a substitute for wheat flour. It adds a distinct corn taste and yellow color.

Why do homemade cookies taste better than store bought? ›

Have you ever read some of the ingredient labels for your favorite store-bought cookies? They can have a lot of additives, preservatives, and hydrogenated fats. When you make homemade cookies the ingredient list is pretty straight forward - butter, eggs, flour, and sugar, which results in higher quality cookies.

Should you refrigerate sugar cookies before baking? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you should refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. More than that, and you won't see a noticeable difference in the final product. Once the dough has chilled, let it warm up at room temperature until it's just pliable (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Why is my Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix so dry? ›

You may not have used enough water, margarine or egg. Be sure to measure ingredients carefully. To measure water, place a liquid measuring cup on your counter, pour in the water, bend down and check the amount at eye level.

Can you over mix sugar cookie dough? ›

Working the dough too much.

bad habit of mixing in the dry ingredients until they were completely incorporated. And then mixing the dough even more, for no good reason. Thankfully I was eventually steered in the right direction. Over-working the dough yields a tough cookie, which is not at all what you want.

What is a substitute for butter in Betty Crocker cookie mix? ›

On the other hand, if your cookie recipe calls for melted butter, vegetable oil can be subbed, because it has a similar consistency.

What happens if I don't have cornstarch for cookies? ›

Cornstarch Substitute for Baked Goods

You can use all-purpose flour in place of cornstarch in a baking recipe, but be warned: The texture won't be as soft and tender. Rice flour works especially well as a sub for cornstarch in cookie recipes and potato starch is a good replacement in cake recipes.

What makes cookies chewy vs. crunchy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

How does cornstarch affect baked goods? ›

Use as a Thickening Agent

Here's how it works: when cornstarch is added to a recipe, the starch molecules work to absorb water and thicken the mixture. When heated, those molecules swell and consume even more of the liquid in the recipe.

Why do you dust cookies with cornstarch? ›

a lot of people asked why i dust my cookies with cornstarch. and this is just to help prevent the icing from sticking to the inside of cellophane bags. you can use any kind of cornstarch. mine is just a store brand.

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