As I recall "cookie" is a corruption of the Dutch word for small cakes. So the word comes to the US from the Dutch settlers and that is why it doesn't appear in other English speaking countries.

Myself, I am a Tim Tam hater. Being a traditionalist, I prefer Arnots Chocolate Granitas (For you Poms: similar to MacVities chocolate bisquits. For you Yanks: similar to chocolate covered Graham crackers--the kind with chocolate only on one side). These are not so expensive. Those damn Tim Tams, and Monte Carlos and the lot have replaced them on the shelves of all my local shops.

Murray