Jumble (cookie)

Jumbles are baked goods that across the early modern period were eaten as cakes and cookies in the United States and Europe.

Originating in Europe, early jumbles varied in form between shortcakes and biscuit bread. In different preparations these were shaped into interlocking rings, letters, and knots, and were flavored with cinnamon, almond, rose water, and lemon juice, among others. They were known under various names, including jumballs, jungles, jumbolds, and jombils. By the 18th century, jumbles were being eaten in America where they took on the spelling jumbles and evolved into a crispy butter cookie. These were often flavored with what the cook had at hand, including almonds, spices, chocolate, and lemon zest. These served as the precursor of the modern cookie.

Jumbles became more rare in America toward the end of the 19th century as other cookies became popular. The same decline of the jumble was described in the UK by the early 20th century, and by the 1990s jumbles were described as "almost extinct". As of 2020, the American jumble is made by some food history enthusiasts, who sometimes adapted recipes for the modern kitchen.