Pistachio Cookies Steal The Show In Utah’s Holiday Baking

I think I'm glad it's 2025. Based on what we were looking at as Utah's favorite cookie during the Christmas season last year, I probably wouldn't have been eating a lot of Christmas cookies last year. That might have made my doctor happy.

As the holiday season unfolded, residents of the Mountain West are showing distinctly different tastes when it comes to Christmas baking — and ZME Science’s 2024 state-by-state analysis brings Utah’s unique flavor preference into sharp focus. According to their review of Google Trends data for early December, Utah’s most searched holiday treat wasn’t the usual sugar cookie — it was rich, nutty pistachio cookies.

What About The States Surrounding Utah?

That pistachio choice really sets Utah apart from its neighboring states. Just to the east in Colorado, searches spiked for “Cake Mix Christmas” cookies — an easy, make-and-bake holiday solution that speaks to convenience over flair. Meanwhile up north in Idaho, classic “Sugar Cookies” claimed the top spot, showing a steady allegiance to tried-and-true holiday staples.

Read More: Utah Shows Its Charity

Head west into Nevada, and holiday bakers are instead turning toward the more eclectic “Christmas Kitchen Sink” — a mash-up treat often featuring nuts, candies, or chocolate bits for a festive, everything-goes kind of cookie. Across the border in Arizona, searches most favored “Raspberry Thumbprint” cookies — a jam-filled, fruit-forward twist that evokes warmth and holiday comfort. And in Wyoming, the spotlight landed on “Italian Christmas Cookies,” reflecting a taste for European-inspired traditions.

Get our free mobile app

Utah’s preference for pistachio reveals a festive palate drawn to bold, nutty flavors — a contrast to the more classic, fruity, or mix-and-match approaches favored by surrounding states. That divergence suggests that Utah households may enjoy adding a little flair and texture to their cookie trays, embracing something a bit unexpected for the holidays.