Best Bets: Choice Cookies

A good cookie is always appreciated, no matter who baked it. here are some gift-worthy delicacies.

BROWN BUTTER SEA SALT COOKIES

For shortbread fans, these might be the best treats to come out of a box. The cookies are small yet substantial, with a sandy texture and the unmistakable flavor of butter browned on the stove top. Sisters Traci Nickson and Christa Hozie of Cayucos, Calif., bake three flavors: original, cocoa and espresso. $12.95 to $14.95 per dozen. East Coast orders should arrive between Christmas and New Year's. 805-995-2076, www.brownbuttercookies.com.

HOT PEPPER JELLYPECAN RUGELACH

Potomac baker Nina Deva's new Brownie Bakes business is off to a savory start, with beet cupcakes with goat cheese topping and tomato-basil cupcakes with ricotta topping. Not to be missed are her rugelach, which provide a perfect two-bite sensation of heat and sweet. Also in cranberry and pistachio. And she delivers within the Washington metro area. Rugelach, $2; cupcakes, $1.50- $3. 48 hours' notice. 301-717-2660, www.browniebakes.com.

KENNA'S COOKIES

Her gingersnaps rock. Her sandwich cookies (raspberry shortbread, mint chocolate) are inspired. The farmers markets where Kenna Cuomo sells are closed for the season, but the Warrenton baker ships gift boxes and delivers. $6 to $9 per half-pound. 24-72 hours' notice. 7119 Jocelyn Ct., Warrenton, 540-349-9401, www.kennascookies.com. Also available at T&K Treasures, 12644 Chapel Rd., Clifton, 703-266-1664.

MOTHER'S MACAROONS

Owner Kay Lomedico, who already bakes beloved chewy coconut mounds and hand-decorated, chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies, has added one-pound gift -wrapped logs of refrigerated cookie dough, made with all-natural ingredients. Flavors include chocolate chip, lemon sugar, oatmeal raisin, molasses ginger and Ranger. I Bake logs, $6.95; macaroons, $14.95 per pound; shortbread cookie party baskets in store through Christmas Eve (closing 3 p.m.). 24 hours' notice for special orders. 2442 N. Harrison St., Arlington, 703-532-6991, www.mothersmacaroons.com.

ROLLING PIN BAKERY

The Bladensburg institution keeps its colorful cookie platters on hand through Christmas Eve. The assortment includes decorated sugar cookies shaped as stars, pinwheels, Christmas trees and reindeer, plus gingerbread men, Belgian spice cookies, springerle and pfeffernusse. 20-person platter, $40.95, 30-person platter, $50.95; $9.25 by the pound. 4916 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg, 301-699-9119, www.rollingpinbakeryofmaryland.com.

-- Bonnie S. Benwick