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United States Cookies Market Size and Forecast 2025–2033

Healthier Indulgence, Digital Retail, and Flavor Innovation Drive America’s Cookie Boom

By Aaina OberoiPublished 2 months ago 5 min read

The United States Cookies Market continues to evolve as Americans balance their desire for indulgent treats with growing preferences for healthy, clean-label, and sustainably produced foods. According to Renub Research, the U.S. cookies market is projected to reach US$ 15.7 billion by 2033, rising from US$ 11.38 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 3.64% between 2025 and 2033. This steady growth underscores the staying power of cookies as an American staple—one that has seamlessly adapted to shifting lifestyles, digital buying behaviors, and new consumption occasions.

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A Market Rooted in Tradition, Driven by Innovation

America’s cookie culture runs deep, but its modern growth is propelled by changing consumer demands and rapid industry innovation. By 2025, the U.S. cookie industry is a robust segment of the baked goods market, shaped by:

A strong inclination toward clean-label, organic, and plant-based choices

Rising demand for gluten-free, keto-friendly, and low-sugar options

New textures, international flavors, and functional ingredients

Expanding online channels and subscription snack boxes

Heightened interest in sustainable and ethical sourcing

Heritage brands—Mondelez (Oreo, Chips Ahoy!), Kellogg’s (Keebler), and Pepperidge Farm—continue to dominate shelves. But they face intense competition from artisanal bakeries, DTC digital brands, and specialty producers that cater to niche preferences, especially among Millennials and Gen Z.

Seasonal drops, limited-edition flavors, and influencer-driven launches play a powerful role, keeping the category culturally relevant and socially sharable. At the same time, rising costs of ingredients like butter, wheat, and cocoa exert pressure on manufacturers, pushing them to balance pricing, formulation, and quality.

Key Factors Driving United States Cookies Market Growth

1. Rise of the On-the-Go Breakfast Culture

Urban America’s busy lifestyle has redefined breakfast. In metropolitan regions—especially the Northeast and West Coast—time-pressed consumers increasingly replace sit-down breakfasts with portable, pre-packed snacks, including cookies.

Brands are capitalizing on this shift by creating breakfast-positioned cookies featuring:

Whole grains

Protein fortification

Fiber boosts

Reduced sugar formulations

In 2025, Mondelez expanded its Oreo portfolio to include morning-friendly variants, framing cookies as acceptable early-day snacks and broadening consumption occasions beyond the traditional afternoon treat. Remote and hybrid work has further blurred meal boundaries, helping cookies slip into breakfast routines as convenient, energy-boosting bites.

2. The Surge of Plant-Based Fat Reformulation

Sustainability continues to influence buying decisions, especially among younger consumers. This has boosted demand for plant-based fats, which offer:

Cleaner nutritional profiles

Lower environmental impact

Comparable taste and texture to traditional butter/shortening

Manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D to ensure sensory consistency while securing stable supply chains for high-quality plant-based inputs. The West Coast leads adoption of these eco-conscious formulations.

Ferrero North America, for example, is rolling out plant-based reformulated cookie products as part of its 2025 innovation pipeline. As climate concerns grow, better-for-the-planet cookies will continue gaining traction—positioning sustainability not just as a trend, but as a market differentiator.

3. Growing Appeal of Portion-Controlled Indulgence

Mindful indulgence is reshaping snacking norms across the U.S. Consumers want to enjoy treats without derailing wellness goals. This shift has especially flourished in high-income regions like the Northeast, where shoppers are willing to pay premium prices for:

Mini cookies

Single-serve packs

Calorie-controlled portions

In 2025, Campbell Soup Company’s Pepperidge Farm launched limited-edition Holiday Cookie Jar Collections, combining portion-controlled cookie assortments with premium ceramic jars—blending indulgence, convenience, and gifting appeal. Such innovations tap into the desire for guilt-free enjoyment, supporting both premiumization and repeat purchases.

Challenges in the United States Cookies Market

1. Rising Consumer Health Consciousness

The shift toward health-first foods poses both an opportunity and challenge. Brands are under pressure to reformulate cookies with:

Organic ingredients

Natural sweeteners

Low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives

Gluten-free, keto, and vegan formulations

However, these ingredient swaps often alter:

Taste

Texture

Shelf life

Balancing flavor integrity with health claims remains a key challenge. Clean-label inputs are costlier and harder to source, especially for large-scale producers. Brands risk alienating loyal customers if taste or product size changes noticeably.

2. Increasing Ingredient Costs

Price volatility in essential raw materials—including wheat, flour, cocoa, butter, packaging materials, and labor—continues to squeeze margins. These fluctuations stem from:

Persistent inflation

Climate variability affecting crops

Supply chain disruptions

Rising global demand for premium ingredients

Manufacturers employ strategies such as lightweighting packages or reformulating recipes to manage costs, but these adjustments risk affecting consumer perception and brand trust. Smaller regional brands are particularly vulnerable due to limited sourcing power.

United States Cookies Market Overview by States

While cookies remain universally loved across the U.S., state-level preferences reflect cultural diversity, demographic patterns, and health-food trends.

California Cookies Market

California leads innovation in the cookie category. Its health-conscious population, preference for organic and clean-label products, and tech-driven consumer base create demand for:

Gluten-free

Plant-based

All-natural cookies

International and fusion flavors

Cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco drive artisanal and small-batch cookie popularity. Farmers’ markets, specialty stores, and DTC bakeries flourish, while sustainability and ethical sourcing remain top purchase criteria. California’s multicultural identity brings bold and exotic flavor experimentation into the mainstream.

Texas Cookies Market

Texas presents a massive and fast-growing cookies market supported by its large population and strong retail footprint.

Key trends include:

High demand for classic favorites (chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar cookies)

Growing availability of premium artisanal cookies

Rising popularity of Southern-inspired flavors like pecan and snickerdoodle

Influence of Hispanic cuisines reflected in cinnamon, dulce de leche, and spicy chocolate flavors

Cities like Austin and Dallas embrace healthier alternatives, while mainstream indulgent cookies dominate in suburban and rural regions. Strong community ties and support for local brands further strengthen market dynamics.

New York Cookies Market

New York’s vibrant cookie scene reflects its fast-paced culture and global palate. The state is a hub for gourmet and trend-driven varieties.

Consumers here look for:

Artisanal quality

Premium packaging

Novel and Instagrammable flavors

Vegan, gluten-free, and filled cookies

Large-format bakery cookies and stuffed variants

NYC’s density and reliance on food delivery create ideal conditions for DTC brands and pop-up bakeries. Cultural diversity fuels demand for fusion flavors, from Middle Eastern tahini cookies to Asian-inspired matcha or black sesame varieties.

Recent Developments in the U.S. Cookies Industry

July 2025 — Hershey × Mondelez Collaboration

Two giants teamed up to launch:

Reese’s Oreo Cup

Oreo Reese’s Cookie

These hybrid offerings combine peanut butter, Oreo crumbs, and layered chocolate crème—designed for social-media buzz and nostalgic appeal.

May 2025 — Pillsbury Launches “BIG COOKIES”

Pillsbury introduced chilled cookie dough capable of producing three-times-larger cookies, appealing to the at-home bakery trend. Each batch bakes in 17–21 minutes and comes in convenient six-count packs.

April 2025 — Tate’s Bake Shop Expands Product Line

Mondelez-led Tate’s Bake Shop entered the soft-baked segment for the first time, expanding beyond its signature thin-and-crispy identity to capture wider consumer bases.

Market Segmentations

By Ingredient

Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Butter, Cream, Ginger, Coconut, Honey, Others

By Product

Drop Cookies, Bar Cookies, Molded Cookies, No-Bake Cookies, Ice Box Cookies, Rolled Cookies, Sandwich Cookies, Others

By Packaging

Rigid, Flexible, Others

By Sales Channel

Online Channels, Offline Channels

By States

California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Washington, New Jersey, Rest of the United States

Key Companies Covered

Mondelez International Inc.

Ferrero Group

Campbell Soup Company

Girl Scouts of the USA

McKee Foods Corporation

Grupo Bimbo

General Mills Inc.

PepsiCo Inc.

Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd

Hostess Brands LLC

Each includes company overview, key personnel, SWOT analysis, revenue analysis, and recent developments as provided in your research framework.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. cookies market is entering a phase of healthy, innovative, and experiential growth. Even as consumers demand better-for-you ingredients, they remain deeply loyal to indulgent favorites. Digital shopping, sustainability concerns, and modern snacking habits will continue reshaping how cookies are crafted, marketed, and purchased through 2033.

Whether through plant-based reformulations, breakfast-positioned varieties, or premium small-batch creations, the next decade promises a flavorful evolution—ensuring cookies remain an iconic American comfort food with modern appeal.

food

About the Creator

Aaina Oberoi

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