Salty-Sweet Cashew Cookies for Baking or Gifting

Name: Salty-Sweet Cashew Cookies
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 19 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; ¾ teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ cup light brown sugar (packed); ½ cup sugar; 1 ⅓ cups old-fashioned oats; 1 cup salted whole cashews; ⅔ cup butter; ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 eggs (1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, room temperature)

I have cashew lovers in my family, so a plate of warm, buttery cashew cookies fresh out of the oven always brings a smile. The brown sugar caramelizes just enough to make the edges slightly chewy while keeping the center soft and rich. And when you get that salty crunch from the roasted cashews, oh, friend, that’s cookie perfection.

A plate of freshly baked cashew oatmeal cookies on a beige cloth. More cookies cool on a wire rack in the background. A jar filled with layered cookie mix ingredients is nearby.

Cashew Cookies

I started making these cashew cookies years ago as part of my “cookies in a jar” gifts for friends and neighbors. They loved the idea of being able to bake a homemade treat anytime, without the rush of doing everything from scratch. Now, these cookies have become my go-to when guests drop by unexpectedly or when I need a sweet moment of calm after a busy day.

Ingredients for a recipe arranged on a white surface: brown sugar, white sugar, cashews, flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, baking soda in bowls, alongside two eggs, vanilla extract in a small bowl, and a stick of salted sweet cream butter.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

All-purpose flour: Gives structure and keeps the cookies soft in the center.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for that chewy bite. Check your expiration date. I used old baking soda once, and my cookies turned out flat.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and pairs beautifully with brown sugar and cashews.
Light brown sugar: Creates moisture and caramel-like flavor; this is sort of the secret to chewy cookies.
White sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps crisp the edges.
Old-fashioned oats: I recommend using rolled oats because they’re able to keep their shape during baking, hence providing a nice texture vs instant oatmeal.
Salted cashews: The star of the show, roasted, buttery, nutty, and slightly salty. Use raw cashews if you prefer a milder cookie, and sprinkle a touch of flaky salt on top before baking.
Butter: Always use real butter for the best flavor. Melted butter gives these cookies a chewy, rich texture.

How To Make Cashew Cookies

Whisk together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Then add cashews.
In a medium-sized bowl, cream the melted butter and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly fluffy. Add the egg and egg yolk, whisking until well combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto a prepared cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven.

A white mixing bowl contains flour, cinnamon, and baking soda. A whisk rests in the bowl, set against a plain white background.

Two white bowls on a countertop: the left bowl contains dry ingredients with a spoon for mixing, and the right bowl contains melted butter with a whisk.

How To Make Cashew Cookies In A Gift Jar

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. In a clean 1-quart glass jar, layer ingredients in the following order: flour mixture, brown sugar, sugar, and oats.

Use the bottom of a glass or small vase to press down each layer firmly.

A jar filled with layers of different sugars and a red funnel on top. A wooden spoon with a light blue top rests beside it on a white surface, set against a white tiled background.

A glass jar filled with layered ingredients, including oats, sugar, brown sugar, and flour, sits next to a tall empty glass on a white countertop against a tiled white background.

Adding Cashes and Sealing The Jar

Add cashews on top and gently press them down. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months.

If gifting these cookies in a jar, the recipe card below has instructions you can print or copy to add a gift tag to your jars.

A glass jar filled with layers of cookie ingredients, including flour, brown sugar, white sugar, oats, and topped with cookies. The jar is on a white surface with a white lid beside it, set against a white tiled background.

A glass jar filled with layers of flour, sugar, oats, and nuts, tied with twine, sits in front of a cooling rack with oatmeal cookies on a light cloth.

Decorating The Jar For A Gift

I like to put a rubber-sealed canning jar lid on to help keep moisture out, and then cover it with a plastic white jar lid that I buy at Walmart.

Next, tie a festive ribbon or string around the neck of the jar. Be sure to print the instructions. You can print the recipe card below and cut out the instructions for mixing the cookies and baking. Then, hole punch and tie onto the jar.

Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips

Flavor Enhancements:
Add a touch of maple extract for deeper flavor or drizzle browned butter glaze (powdered sugar and brown butter) on top once cooled.

Add-In Options:
Fold in chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or toffee bits for an extra indulgent twist.

Simple Substitutions:
Use chopped macadamia nuts or pecans if you don’t have cashews.

Tips for Recipe Success:

Don’t overmix the dough once the flour goes in — it can make the cookies tough.
Slightly underbake for the perfect chewy center.
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky salt over the tops before baking for true bakery-style salted cashew cookies.

Can I freeze cashew cookie dough?

Absolutely. Roll the dough into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

A plate of oatmeal cookies with cashews sits on a beige cloth, with more cookies cooling on a wire rack in the background.

Hospitality Challenge

Here is a fun idea: host a simple ladies’ night to assemble “Cashew Cookies in a Jar” for gifting. Set up an assembly line with jars, pretty ribbons, and preprinted recipe tags that also include a short note of encouragement and your contact info for prayer or a coffee invite. Before you begin, pray together for the recipients by name if you can. As you work, bake one warm tray of cookies so everyone leaves with a small plate to deliver that same evening along with a jar. Encourage each woman to choose one neighbor, one co-worker, and one person who may feel overlooked, then drop by with a smile and a few minutes of unhurried conversation. Include this verse on the instructions tag for a gentle gospel touch: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13, ESV). For more recipe ideas for cookies in a jar, be sure to visit my DIY Cookies In A Jar or Gingerbread Cake Mix In A Jar Gift.

These buttery brown sugar cashew cookies are soft, chewy, and just the right amount of salty-sweet, perfect for everyday baking or gifting in a jar. If you have any questions about making this recipe, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!

A plate of homemade cookies sits beside a jar filled with layered cookie ingredients and a cooling rack with more cookies in the background. A beige cloth is placed under the plate.