Christmas Cookie Recipes: 40 Festive Treats for the Holiday Season
Are you looking for some delicious Christmas cookie recipes to impress your guests? Look no further! We have compiled a list of 40 mouth-watering Christmas cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. From classic sugar cookies to unique and festive flavors, there is something for everyone on this list.
These Christmas cookie recipes are easy to follow and will have your kitchen smelling like the holidays in no time. So grab your apron and get ready to spread some Christmas cheer with these delicious cookies.
With so many unique recipes to choose from, you’ll have plenty of treats to share with your loved ones or to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Tips for Baking Perfect Christmas Cookies
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure all your ingredients (eggs, butter, etc.) are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help them mix together more easily and create a smoother batter.
- Chill the dough: After you’ve mixed your dough, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough firm up and prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Use parchment paper: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Don’t overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies while they’re in the oven and take them out as soon as they start to turn golden brown around the edges. Overbaking can make them dry and hard.
- Decorate with care: If you’re decorating your cookies with icing or other toppings, make sure the cookies are completely cool before you start. Otherwise, the icing will melt and slide off.
- Store properly: Once your cookies are baked and decorated, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week.
40 Christmas Cookie Recipes
Photo: rockyhedgefarm
This is the best cut-out Christmas sugar cookies and royal icing recipe! A classic holiday favorite, decorated with frosting, these are the perfect cookies that your family will love.
If you are looking for the best Christmas sugar cookie recipe, whether you are a decorator or not, this is the ultimate sugar cookie recipe for you.
Get the full recipe from Rocky Hedge Farm
Photo: funcookierecipes
Make a batch of this easy and basic cookie dough to make at least 8 different types of Christmas cookies! This recipe is so versatile, so you can get creative using it.
Including soft chocolate chip cookies, M&M cookies, sprinkle cookies, snickerdoodles, hidden kiss cookies, jam thumbprints, Iced cookies, and cut-out sugar cookies!
Get the full recipe from Fun Cookie Recipes
Photo: thetoastykitchen
Snickerdoodle cookies are dressed up for the holidays in red, green, and gold sprinkles.
Christmas snickerdoodles are soft and chewy, with a subtle tangy flavor and cinnamon sugar crust.
Get the full recipe from The Toasty Kitchen
Photo: cincyshopper
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are a simple way to whip up some tasty and fluffy cookies. These delicious holiday treats are so easy to make!
Making cookies can be tough sometimes- but Cake Mix Cookies keep things easy. Bake up some of these delicious holiday treats- simple to make and oh-so-tasty!
Get the full recipe from Cincy Shopper
Photo: thrivinginparenting
These cookies are a twist on the classic peanut butter blossom cookies and are a must-have on your holiday cookie tray.
Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a fan of Hershey’s Kisses, or just looking to try something new, these cookies are sure to become your new favorite holiday cookie.
Get the full recipe from Thriving Parenting
Photo: ihearteating
No chill sugar cookies are the easiest sugar cookies to make! This quick, one-bowl sugar cookie recipe can be made from scratch in just 20 minutes.
The cookies are made in one bowl (fewer dishes!) and take just a few minutes to stir up. Hold their shape beautifully and are the perfect base for fun and festive decorations.
Get the full recipe from I Heart Eating
Photo: littlesunnykitchen
If you love cookies with warm spices, then you are going to love these easy gingersnap cookies!
These cookies have crispy edges and chewy and soft centers, and they’re decorated with white chocolate and sprinkles to make the cutest gingersnaps ever!
Get the full recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen
Photo: thissillygirlskitchen
These Christmas Sandwich Cookies are colorful with the fluffiest buttercream frosting sandwiched between two soft and chewy cookies loaded with chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles..
Get the full recipe from This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Photo: crazyforcouponing
Are you ready to sprinkle some magic onto your holiday spread? Look no further than these enchanting 3D Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies!
These delightful treats not only taste delicious, These charming cookies are not only visually appealing but also pack a punch in terms of flavor.
Get the full recipe from Crazy For Couponing
Photo: twopinkpeonies
These Christmas Monster Cookies are loaded with tons of yummy oats, peanut butter, M&Ms and more! They are the perfect Christmas treat to make this holiday season.
A Christmas monster cookie (a monster cookie with red and green M&Ms) on a white background. These Christmas monster cookies are so quick and easy to make.
Get the full recipe from Two Pink Peonies
Photo: thecookinchicks
Christmas M&M Cookie Bars– soft, gooey, and loaded with both chocolate chips AND M&M’s throughout! Easy to make and perfect for cookie exchanges or goodie trays!
Nothing beats baking in a cozy kitchen when the weather is cold and dreary. Turn on some Christmas music and you’re set.
Get the full recipe from The Cookin Chicks
Photo: uniquecooks
With just a few minutes of kitchen time you can whip them up and have a batch ready to dig into, and they’re sure to be a total hit with everyone in the family!
These 5 ingredient Nutella candy cane cookies are perfect for Christmas or for when you’re in the holiday mood.
Get the full recipe from Unique Cooks
Photo: walkingonsunshinerecipes
Lemony cookies topped with a sweetened glaze and fun colorful sprinkles. These cookie recipes will be great for hosting a cookie exchange,
These Best Italian Christmas Cookies are classic Italian cookies that can be served year-round but are very popular around the holidays.
Get the full recipe from Walking On Sunshine Recipes
Photo: twokidsandacoupon
Start your holiday baking early with these easy Christmas Sprinkle Cookies. A simple sugar cookie with a festive twist, they are sure to be a hit this holiday season!
Sugar cookies are always a popular request; these Christmas sprinkle cookies are easy to make and delicious.
Get the full recipe from Two Kids And A Coupon
Photo: lifeloveandgoodfood
Christmas Sand Tarts are tasty little pecan butter cookies coated with sweet powdered sugar.
These little walnut-sized cookies have a lovely balance of sweetness and nuttiness using only five simple ingredients, yielding two dozen!
Get the full recipe from Life Love And Good Food
Photo: sugarpursuit
These cookies are so beautiful that you can easily serve them during Christmas celebrations or gift them to your loved ones as presents.
Buttery and tender, with tangy cranberry jam in the middle, these cookies are delicious and festive-looking sandwich cookies that you can make for any special occasion.
Get the full recipe from Sugar Pursuit
Photo: bakingwithmom
Sometimes, Simple M&M Cookies are all you need. A Soft and delicious cookie that is only minutes away from being in the oven.
It’s a great addition to any Christmas cookie tray! We are all in the Christmas spirit over here.
Get the full recipe from Baking With Mom
Photo: savorthespoonful
These gluten-free gingerbread cookies are dairy-free, too! They’re made with gluten-free flour, coconut oil, and lots of ginger and cinnamon spices.
These cookies are so easy to make and are perfect for Christmas baking! They’re topped with a three-ingredient royal icing that comes together in just 2 minutes.
Get the full recipe from Savor Thespoonful
Photo: mariasmixingbowl
Christmas Shortbread Cookies are gorgeous and they taste amazing because they have that classic and unmistakable shortbread flavor.
Christmas is the best time of year for cookies. Cookies of course are not seasonal. However, there is some sense of seasonality that goes with making home-baked cookies.
Get the full recipe from Maria’s mixing bowl
Photo: stefseatsandsweets
Christmas is just around the corner! Holiday baking has begun and we all look for something different every year.
Try these Double Peppermint Sugar Cookies for a festive easy cookie to take to parties or to hand out.
Get the full recipe from Stefs Eats And Sweet
Photo: wearenotmartha
These Eggnog Linzer Cookies will be the hit of the holiday cookie platter! Eggnog screams Christmas holidays through and through.
With delicious eggnog icing sandwiched between two eggnog cookies, these make a delightful holiday treat.
Get the full recipe from We Are Not Martha
Photo: lemonsandzest
Soft and chewy, just like a chocolate chip cookie should be–these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are your new favorite Christmas Cookie!
Take these to the cookie exchange–or save them for yourself–loaded with candy canes and lots of chips, they will make Santa extra happy!
Get the full recipe from Lemons And Zest
Photo: freshapron
These Chocolate Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat to kick off the Christmas cookie season. They’re simple to make with just a handful of ingredients.
They’re slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Dipped in melted chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes, they’re sure to impress this holiday
Get the full recipe from Fresh Apron
Photo: cincyshopper
Some call them Peanut Butter Hershey Kissed Cookies but we call them Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. Call them what you like,
they are perfect year-round, or make them for a tasty traditional Christmas cookie. The dough requires no chilling so, they can be made quickly!
Get the full recipe from Cincy Shopper
Photo: fantabulosity
looks like they are topped with snow-sprinkled Christmas trees, and these cute reindeer face cookies are the newest addition to our Christmas dessert spread!
Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies: You will love these chewy fudgy chocolate cookies (that start with cake mix!) that are decorated to look like adorably festive reindeer faces!
Get the full recipe from Fantabulosity
Photo: theexploringfamily
The joy of the shortbread often lies in its elegant simplicity. But adding a little extra holiday flavor and color just makes shortbread that much more festive.
These cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies are the perfect Christmas Cookie Idea. While technically speaking Christmas shortbread cookies can be eaten at any time
Get the full recipe from The Exploring Family
Photo: lolohomekitchen
The perfect combo! use Hiland Dairy for all the dairy ingredients in both the cookie and the frosting. They are the absolute best and I don’t use anything else in my baking.
They are super simple and you can make everything from scratch or grab a few things at the store and be ready to go.
Get the full recipe from Lolo Home Kitchen
Photo: savingtalents
These delicious but easy Christmas sour cream sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting are the perfect Christmas sugar cookie recipe!
The perfect Christmas activity for kids – cookie decorating! A great DIY Christmas present kids can make and gift to neighbors, friends, and family.
Get the full recipe from Saving Talents
Photo: veggieideas
Gingerbread biscuits are great for getting children involved with Christmas food preparations.
They are quick and easy to make, decoration ideas are endless and even young children can get involved by adding sprinkles.
Get the full recipe from Veggie Ideas
Photo: stephaniessweets
These Grinch Christmas cookies are sure to make even the Grinch’s small heart grow three sizes!
These Christmas Grinch cookies are green sugar cookies loaded with chopped Andes mints. They are rolled in green sugar and topped with a jumbo heart sprinkle.
Get the full recipe from Stephanies Sweets
Photo: dinneratthezoo
This recipe for no-bake Christmas wreath cookies has just six ingredients and can be made in 15 minutes. A festive addition to your holiday dessert table!
These amazingly delicious little cornflake cookies are dressed up for the holidays, kids and adults alike adore them!
Get the full recipe from Dinner At The Zoo
Photo: theforkedspoon
This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most delicious Sugar Cookie Recipe. defined edges perfect for decorating with your favorite homemade or store-bought frosting.
This simple recipe makes versatile vanilla sugar cookie dough that is easy to roll and holds its shape while baking, giving you sharp, beautiful,
Get the full recipe from The Forked Spoon
Photo: homanathome
These soft sugar cookies are a fantastic addition to your baking rotation. They are quick and easy, taking only about 30 minutes from start to ready for the cookie exchange.
They are versatile. You can change the look by simply changing the sprinkles. And they taste delicious. It’s the most wonderful time of the year — Christmas baking season!
Get the full recipe from Homan At Home
Photo: thereciperebel
These No-bake Christmas Tree Cookies are an easy no-bake Christmas cookie that the whole family loves! Made with just a few ingredients and is fun to decorate.
The original recipe didn’t have the mini M&M’s, but I thought it might add more of a Christmas touch to my snow-capped trees.
Get the full recipe from The Recipe Rebel
Photo: flouronmyface
Christmas Spritz Cookies are a favorite Christmas cookie because they taste so good. These almond flavored butter cookies melt in your mouth.
Spritz cookies are one of the best Christmas cookies to make. These buttery cookies melt in your mouth.
Get the full recipe from flour On my face
Photo: shesnotcookin
These delectable Butter Pecan Meltaways are the perfect little cookie any time of the year, or enjoy them as Christmas cookies that would be ideal for cookie exchanges and cookie trays.
Buttery cookies, loaded with chopped pecans, these are sure to please the whole family!
Get the full recipe from She’s Not Cookin
Photo: burrataandbubbles
Celebrate the season with the merriest holiday treat and bake a batch of these peppermint chocolate chip cookies! You won’t find a more festive Christmas cookie recipe.
Featuring the perfect buttery, soft, and chewy texture and wonderfully crispy edges, these divine holiday cookies are loaded with chocolatey goodness and cooling peppermint flavor in every bite.
Get the full recipe from Burrata And Bubbles
Photo: littlenomadsrecipes
These Mini Gingerbread Men Cookies are the ultimate Christmas bites to make with kids! Although, beware…they are highly addictive!
The mini size helps to contain the amount of sugar your kids consume. They always turn out less presentable but very devourable.
Get the full recipe from Little Nomads Recipes
Photo: smalltownwoman
These delicious Butter Cookies are one of my all-time favorite Christmas Cookies. With a few helpful tips, these beautiful classic cookies are so easy to make.
For an extra special touch, dip in melted chocolate and dress up with assorted holiday sprinkles.
Get the full recipe from Small Town Woman
Photo: yellowblissroad
Christmas Cookie Pinwheels are a festive holiday treat that’ll be the star of your Christmas cookie plate!
No lies, these Christmas Cookie Pinwheels take a little time and some love, but what good Christmas cookies don’t?
Get the full recipe from Yellow Bliss Road
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I make Christmas cookies?
You can make Christmas cookies up to a week in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze Christmas cookies?
Yes, you can freeze Christmas cookies for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Can I make Christmas cookies without eggs?
Yes, you can make Christmas cookies without eggs by using substitutes such as applesauce, mashed bananas, or yogurt.
How long do Christmas cookies stay fresh?
Christmas cookies can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature.
What are some healthy Christmas cookie alternatives?
Some healthy Christmas cookie alternatives include oatmeal raisin cookies, almond flour cookies, and fruit-filled thumbprint cookies.
Christmas cookies are a beloved holiday tradition that comes in a variety of flavors and styles. From classic sugar cookies to unique peppermint bark cookies, there are countless options to choose from.
Decorating Christmas cookies can be a fun activity for kids and adults alike, and there are many creative ways to make your cookies stand out. Christmas cookies are a delicious and festive treat that brings joy to the holiday season.
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Judy Kahansky
Judy Kahansky is an experienced writer and baker, creating delicious desserts (including pie!) for over 40 years. She loves to take classic and vintage recipes and update them to fit the busy lives of her readers. When not baking, Judy and her husband Mark are passionate golfers, travelers and dog lovers, spending as much time as they can with their sweet pup Millie.
