A festive collection of my favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes! From the classics to creative twists, these cookies are perfect for gifting and sharing. Plus, easy time-saving tips and other helpful hints for making the best holiday cookies.
The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes
Christmas cookies are one of my favorite holiday traditions. We always decorated sugar cookies when we were kids and it’s still one of my favorite things to do today with my own family.
Lately, I’ve been going through my grandmother’s old Christmas recipes. It’s like visiting a culinary thrift store! I’m finding so many gems and throwback treasures. Many are staple cookie recipes that I remember from my childhood, that everyone always loved.
I’ve taken to sharing some of grandmother’s other recipes that always made an appearance at the holidays, like her Overnight Cinnamon Rolls. Today’s focus is solely on Christmas cookies! It’s the be-all, end-all list of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes. Some are classics adapted from her recipes, and some are fun creative twists.
The cookie recipes below are perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas Charcuterie Boards, or as gifts for family, neighbors, friends, or clients. Even better, you just may find a new favorite Christmas cookie recipe that becomes a tradition in your family!
Helpful Cookie Baking Tips
Before we kickstart this ultimate holiday baking list, here are some helpful hints and tips that I’ve picked up throughout my many, many hours spent baking Christmas cookies!
- Prepare the dough in advance. Many cookie dough recipes can be made ahead of time, especially sugar cookies. This can really save time if you have a bunch of cookies to bake.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough. If you have recipes that call for chilling the dough, prepare them ahead so that the dough can chill while you move on to other tasks. Don’t skip chilling because you’re short on time!
- No-bake recipes are your friend. Consider adding no-bake cookies or candy recipes to the mix. These are a great way to maximize the time while your other cookies are baking, or while the dough is chilling.
- Review the baking temperatures. Cookies with similar temperatures can go into the oven together! And if a recipe requires a lower baking temperature, bake that one first.
- Avoid overloading the oven. Cookies bake more evenly in an uncrowded oven. Stick to 1-2 trays at a time, and on the top rack only, depending on the size of your oven. Try to have your next tray ready to go when the first batch is ready!
- Freeze cookies in advance. Many of these recipes can be prepared in advance and frozen for easy thawing later on! See the sections further down for easy cookie storing and freezing tips.
Decorating Your Christmas Cookies
Many of the cookie recipes below are great for decorating. I have easy recipes for Perfect Vanilla Buttercream (Check out How to Color Buttercream to dye it festive colors!) or this Cookie Icing Recipe that I always use.
If you’re looking for fun ideas for decorating and frosting your homemade Christmas cookies, check out my post on How to Decorate Cookies with Frosting for pointers!
36 Festive Christmas Cookie Recipes to Try
From the classic to the creative, let’s dive into a comprehensive list of the cookies you absolutely MUST try this holiday season. You’ll find sugar cookie recipes, spicy gingerbread cookies, festive thumbprint cookies, easy peppermint cookie bars, plus recipes for homemade truffles, and loads more.
Classic Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Learn how to make perfect cut-out sugar cookies! This is a simple tutorial that walks you through how to make, cut out, and bake up the best Christmas sugar cookies that are ready for decorating.
Chocolate Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Similar to my classic cut-out cookies, this chocolate version is a soft-baked cookie, not overly sweet and pairs perfectly with buttercream. The dough is quick to prepare with a short chill time.
Classic Spritz Cookies
I can’t get enough of these adorable little spritz cookies. This recipe is so soft and buttery. You can press them into any shape your heart desires and you’ll never run out of ways to decorate your spritz cookies!
Classic Butter Cookies
Nothing beats a classic, rich homemade butter cookie at Christmastime. These are made with just 7 ingredients that I can almost guarantee you have in your pantry. So easy, and so delicious!
Gingerbread Men Cookies
These easy, cut-out gingerbread man cookies are the best way to ring in the holidays, and always a classic! My gingerbread cookies are soft and not dry, with a thick, chewy texture and the perfect amount of spice.
Anise Cookies
These soft, cake-like Anise Christmas Christmas cookies are a traditional Italian Christmas cookie recipe flavored with anise extract. Topped with a sugary glaze and your favorite holiday sprinkles, they’re the perfect melt-in-your-mouth treat!
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Satisfy your holiday chocolate cravings with these easy chocolate thumbprint cookies! Made from a no-fuss cookie dough that’s baked and then filled with fudgy chocolate for a little something special. Sprinkle them with red and green and enjoy!
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
A Christmassy version of my grandmother’s classic soft-baked pinwheel cookies, this recipe is one of my family’s favorite additions to our annual cookie plates! Made from layers of soft, chewy sugar cookie dough dyed Christmassy colors.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These chewy, candy cane-inspired dark chocolate cookies are filled with chocolate chips and Andes peppermint crunch, for a taste of the holidays in every bite!
Peppermint Crunch Sugar Cookies
My peppermint crunch sugar cookies are infused with peppermint flavor from the inside out and dipped in white chocolate for some holiday flair. Basically, the perfect Christmas cookie!
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are classic buttery shortbread cookies filled with pecans or walnuts, then rolled in powdered sugar. You may know them as Russian tea cakes, or Mexican wedding cookies. No matter what, they’re a staple in our house!
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Peanut butter blossoms are always the first cookies I grab from the cookie platter. They’re soft-baked peanut butter cookies with a hint of chocolate, truly the best combo. So addictive!
Brown Sugar Cookies
This is an easy sugar cookie recipe made extra soft and tender thanks to brown sugar. I love the subtle caramelized flavor, it makes these brown sugar cookies super cozy.
Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies
These fudgy chocolate sugar cookies are packed with cocoa flavor and are perfect for decorating! Load them up with holiday sprinkles and sink your teeth into a bit of yuletide indulgence.
Melted Snowman Cookies
Christmas cookies don’t come cuter than these melted snowmen! This easy cookie recipe is a perfect holiday activity to do with the kids, too.
Perfect Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles
These are simply the BEST snickerdoodle cookies you’ll ever have. This is my go-to Christmas cookie recipe that I bring to all my holiday gatherings, as it’s totally easy and always a hit.
Soft Molasses Cookies
My molasses cookies pack a generous kick of ginger flavor and have the most amazing chewy texture! With crispy edges and soft middles, they’re downright irresistible. Finished with a coating of crunchy sugar? u003cemu003eChef’s kissu003c/emu003e
White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies
This homemade cookie recipe is packing the trifecta of seasonal flavors: white chocolate, cranberry, and zesty orange! Made from buttery cookies bursting with bright fruit and drizzled with a sweet glaze, these are completely irresistible.
Andes Mint Cookies
Mint and chocolate are really the perfect pair. These fudgy Andes Mint cookies bring them together with loads of chocolate chips in a tasty, holiday-worthy chocolate cookie recipe!
Peppermint Kiss Cookies
These peppermint kiss cookies are a Christmas-inspired take on my favorite peanut butter blossoms! They have a rich sugar cookie base that’s rolled in festive sprinkles, then topped with a Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss.
Easy Christmas Oreos
Easy, fun and festive these Chocolate Covered Christmas Oreos are adorable. These make the perfect gift or addition to a Christmas cookie platter.
Chocolate Dipped Espresso Shortbread Cookies
My espresso shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate are the best after-dinner pick-me-up! Espresso powder and dark chocolate give this traditional shortbread recipe a jolt of mocha flavor.
Cranberry Almond Shortbread Cookies
These Christmas-worthy almond shortbread cookies are bursting with sweetened dried cranberries and dipped in white chocolate. They’re a perfect addition to any cookie tray!
Seven Layer Bars
Thick and chewy 7-layer bars are choc full of all the good stuff! Made from layers of chocolate and butterscotch chips, crunchy nuts, and shredded coconut smothered in sweetened condensed milk and then baked. There’s a reason these are also called magic bars!
Soft and Chewy Almond Cookies
For a fabulous Christmas cookie that’s loaded with rich, buttery almond flavor, look no further than these chewy almond cookies. Friends and family always beg me for this recipe!
Classic Cream Cheese Cookies
Simple and classic, with tons of sweet and tangy flavor, these cream cheese cookies are a holiday favorite. The texture of these cookies melts in your mouth!
Peanut Butter Buckeye Cookies
A traditional homemade Christmas candy gets turned into a decadent cookie recipe! If you love peanut butter buckeyes, you’re going to swoon after these peanut butter buckeye cookies.
Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
Does it get merrier than a sheet of peppermint sugar cookie bars frosted to look like a Christmas tree? This is my ultimate “lazy” Christmas cookie recipe, as there’s no shaping or scooping involved. Just bake the bars all in one go, then get decorating!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These easy-peasy chocolate chip cookie bars are perfect to bring to your next holiday potluck, or to leave out for Santa! Everything we love about chewy chocolate chip cookies with half the effort.
Coconut Krispie Date Balls
Crispy no-bake holiday date balls are made with Rice Krispie cereal for crunch, and rolled in coconut for a snowed-in look! One bite of these easy date balls will have you hooked. My mom loved always loved this recipe, as it’s great for gifting.
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Coconut lovers, meet the ultimate cookie platter add-on: chocolate coconut macaroons! This delicious homemade dessert is infused with tropical coconut and drizzled with dark chocolate.
Chocolate Truffle Dessert Recipe
This easy chocolate truffles recipe can be dressed up for any holiday, but we especially love it at Christmas! Roll these decadent homemade truffles in cocoa powder or sprinkles, dip them in chocolate, or roll them in nuts.
4-Ingredient Peanut Clusters
You only need 4 ingredients to make these super-easy no-bake peanut clusters! This homemade candy recipe is another of my family’s favorites. Package these chocolate peanut butter clusters into some festive bags for the perfect homemade holiday gift!
Chocolate Rum Balls
My boozy chocolate rum truffles are an indulgent treat made with chocolate, dark rum, Nilla Wafers, plus walnuts for crunch. Make them ahead to really let the flavors develop!
Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
I make my peanut butter balls with creamy peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and dark chocolate for a delicious combination of textures and sweet-salty chocolate peanut butter flavor!
Classic Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Similar to the Peanut Butter Balls, these no-bake Buckeyes are super simple to make. These taste like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, maybe a bit fudgier
How to Store and Freeze Christmas Cookies
Whether you’re making them ahead or storing leftovers, storing your homemade Christmas cookies is easy enough.
- Storing Cookies: Most cookie recipes are fine to store airtight at room temperature for a few days. Of course, always refer to the storage instructions for individual recipes to be sure! If you’ve frosted your cookies, for example, certain frostings may need to be kept refrigerated.
- Freezing Cookies: To freeze cookies for a later day, store them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Defrost the cookies on the counter at room temperature, outside of the bag or container, before serving.
