History

During the early part of the 18th century North Americans began to use the word "cookie" to define a small, sweet, flat or slightly confection. The word "cookie" appears to come from the Dutch word "koekje or koekie" and refers to a small cake. Alan Davidson in The Oxford Companion to Food states that "cookies were originally associated with New Year's Day..... references from the early part of the 19th century show that cookies and cherry bounce A cherry cordial) were the correct fare with which to greet visitors on that occasion.
Cookies are now eaten any time of the day, coffee breaks, as a snack, for dessert and even given as a welcoming gift.