33 Irresistible Christmas Cookie Recipes to Bake This Season
The holidays are here, and that means it’s time to fill your kitchen with the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies. Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, preparing treats for Santa, or simply looking to create delicious memories with loved ones, this collection has something for everyone.
From timeless classics to creative twists on traditional favorites, these recipes will help you build the ultimate holiday cookie platter. Get ready to preheat your oven and spread some seasonal cheer, one batch at a time.
Classic Sugar Cookies
These buttery, vanilla-kissed treats are the foundation of any Christmas cookie collection. They hold their shape beautifully when baked, making them perfect for decorating with royal icing and colorful sprinkles. The dough is easy to work with and can be made ahead, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday prep.
Kids especially love getting creative with cookie cutters in festive shapes. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture paired with sweet frosting makes these a crowd-pleaser every single time.
Gingerbread Men
Warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and molasses create that unmistakable festive flavor that defines the holiday season. These cookies have a slightly chewy texture with crisp edges that make them incredibly satisfying to bite into. Decorating them with icing faces and buttons is a beloved tradition for families everywhere.
The dough is sturdy enough for kids to help roll and cut without frustration. Best of all, your entire home will smell absolutely magical while they bake.
Snickerdoodles
Soft, pillowy centers wrapped in a cinnamon-sugar coating make these cookies dangerously addictive. The subtle tang from cream of tartar gives them a unique flavor that sets them apart from ordinary sugar cookies. They’re surprisingly simple to make with pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
The dough comes together quickly without any chilling time required, perfect for last-minute baking sessions. Their crackled tops and sweet-spicy flavor make them disappear from cookie plates in minutes.
Peppermint Bark Cookies
These cookies capture the essence of everyone’s favorite holiday candy in baked form. A chocolate cookie base gets topped with white chocolate and crushed candy canes for that signature peppermint bark experience. The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing mint feels festive without being overwhelming.
They’re incredibly easy to customize based on how much peppermint flavor you prefer. The beautiful red and white topping makes them look bakery-quality with minimal effort.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Fudgy chocolate centers with powdered sugar exteriors create a stunning contrast that resembles freshly fallen snow. These cookies have an intensely rich chocolate flavor that satisfies even the most devoted chocoholics. The dough does need chilling, but the dramatic crackled appearance makes the wait worthwhile.
They’re surprisingly simple despite their impressive look, requiring just basic ingredients. The soft, brownie-like texture makes them a sophisticated addition to any cookie assortment.
Candy Cane Cookies
Swirled red and white dough twisted into candy cane shapes brings festive fun to your cookie tray. These butter cookies have a hint of peppermint that’s pleasant rather than overpowering. Making the twisted shape is easier than it looks and becomes a fun activity for the whole family.
The cookies maintain their vibrant colors even after baking, creating an eye-catching display. They taste wonderful and double as edible decorations you can hang on your Christmas tree.
Shortbread Cookies
Pure butter flavor shines in these delicate, crumbly cookies that practically melt on your tongue. With just three ingredients, they prove that simplicity can be absolutely delicious. The dough is forgiving and easy to work with, whether you’re rolling and cutting or pressing into molds.
These cookies have an elegant, sophisticated flavor that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea. Their subtle sweetness makes them a welcome change from heavily frosted options.
Linzer Cookies
These beautiful sandwich cookies feature a tender almond-flavored base with sweet jam peeking through cutout centers. The combination of buttery cookie and fruity filling creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Raspberry jam is traditional, but you can use any flavor you love.
The powdered sugar dusting adds an elegant finishing touch that looks incredibly professional. They require a bit more effort than simple drop cookies, but the stunning results are absolutely worth it.
Italian Pizzelle Cookies
These delicate waffle-patterned cookies are crisp, light, and subtly flavored with anise or vanilla. You’ll need a special pizzelle iron, but it makes cooking them quick and creates beautiful intricate designs. The cookies are surprisingly low in fat compared to many holiday treats.
They can be enjoyed flat or shaped into cones and cups while still warm. Their delicate crunch and Old World charm make them a special addition to any cookie spread.
Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)
Buttery rounds rolled in powdered sugar create little snow-dusted morsels that are utterly irresistible. Toasted pecans or walnuts add a wonderful nutty richness throughout each bite. These cookies are incredibly tender with a texture that’s almost shortbread-like in its delicacy.
The double coating of powdered sugar ensures they look beautiful and taste even better. They’re bite-sized perfection and disappear faster than you’d expect for such simple-looking cookies.
Gingerbread House Cookies
Flat gingerbread cookies decorated to look like little houses bring architectural fun to your baking. They have all the warm spices you love in gingerbread but in a more manageable form than actual 3D structures. The decorating process is where creativity really shines, using icing and candies to create doors, windows, and rooflines.
They’re much less stressful to make than traditional gingerbread houses while being just as festive. Kids can go wild with decorations without worrying about structural collapse.
Frosted Christmas Tree Cookies
Sugar cookies cut into tree shapes become canvases for green frosting and colorful sprinkle “ornaments.” The decorating possibilities are endless, from simple green icing to elaborate fondant decorations. These cookies taste wonderful but look so impressive that people often hesitate to eat them.
Making them is an excellent holiday activity that keeps kids entertained for hours. The combination of buttery cookie and sweet frosting delivers that classic Christmas cookie experience everyone craves.
Red Velvet Cookies
These soft, cake-like cookies bring the beloved flavor of red velvet cake into portable form. The subtle cocoa flavor paired with tangy cream cheese frosting creates an unforgettable combination. Their vibrant red color makes them stand out beautifully on any cookie platter.
The cookies themselves are incredibly soft and stay moist for days when stored properly. They feel indulgent and special while being straightforward enough for bakers of any skill level.
Eggnog Cookies
Capture the creamy, spiced flavor of everyone’s favorite holiday beverage in cookie form. These soft sugar cookies are infused with nutmeg and topped with eggnog-flavored frosting. They taste exactly like the drink but in a handheld, shareable format.
The cookies have a tender, almost cake-like crumb that’s incredibly satisfying. If you’re an eggnog enthusiast, these will quickly become your new seasonal favorite.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Tart dried cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips create a flavor combination that’s perfectly balanced. The cookies have a soft, chewy texture that showcases the mix-ins beautifully. The festive red and white colors make them look naturally holiday-appropriate without any extra decorating.
They come together quickly using a straightforward drop cookie method. The sophisticated flavor profile makes them suitable for both cookie exchanges and elegant holiday gatherings.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
A chocolate kiss pressed into the center of a peanut butter cookie creates an iconic treat that’s been loved for generations. The combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate is timelessly delicious. The cookies are soft with slightly crisp edges and that signature crackled appearance from rolling in sugar.
They’re incredibly easy to make and always a hit with kids and adults alike. The assembly is simple enough that little helpers can press the kisses into the warm cookies.
Thumbprint Jam Cookies
Buttery cookies with jewel-toned jam centers are as beautiful as they are delicious. Making the thumbprint indentation is satisfying and gives each cookie a homemade, rustic charm. You can use different jam flavors to create a colorful variety on your cookie tray.
The cookies have a tender, shortbread-like texture that pairs perfectly with the fruity filling. They’re elegant enough for gifting but simple enough for everyday holiday snacking.
Spritz Cookies
These delicate butter cookies are pressed through a cookie press into festive shapes and designs. The dough is rich and buttery with a crisp, tender texture that practically dissolves in your mouth. Using a cookie press makes producing uniform, professional-looking cookies incredibly quick.
You can tint the dough different colors and add various decorations for endless variety. They’re a Scandinavian tradition that adds elegance and old-fashioned charm to any cookie selection.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies studded with peppermint chips deliver a refreshing twist on traditional chocolate treats. The cool mint flavor cuts through the richness of the chocolate perfectly. These cookies have a fudgy, brownie-like texture that chocolate lovers absolutely adore.
They’re simple drop cookies that require no special shaping or decorating. The flavor combination screams Christmas while being easy enough to whip up on a weeknight.
Molasses Cookies
Deep, rich molasses combined with warm spices creates cookies with an old-fashioned, comforting flavor. These have a wonderful chewy texture with slightly crisp edges that develop beautiful cracks. The robust spice blend gives them a complexity that stands out from simpler sugar cookies.
They’re hearty enough to hold up well for shipping to faraway loved ones. The dough is easy to work with and the cookies stay soft and delicious for days.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
All the flavors of a cinnamon roll packed into a portable cookie form with sweet icing drizzled on top. These cookies are soft and tender with a generous cinnamon-sugar swirl throughout. The cream cheese frosting adds that signature tangy sweetness that makes cinnamon rolls irresistible.
They require a bit of rolling and shaping but nothing too complicated. The result is a cookie that tastes like your favorite breakfast treat.
Stained Glass Window Cookies
Sugar cookies with crushed hard candy centers create a gorgeous translucent effect when held up to light. The candy melts during baking to fill cutout centers with jewel-toned “glass.” These cookies are as fun to make as they are to display and eat.
Kids love seeing the transformation as the candy melts into smooth, colorful windows. They make stunning tree ornaments that are both decorative and edible.
Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt
Classic chocolate chip cookies elevated with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt become something truly special. The salt enhances the sweetness and adds a sophisticated touch that makes these feel gourmet. They have the perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy centers that define a great chocolate chip cookie.
The recipe is wonderfully straightforward, making it accessible for any skill level. The slight salty-sweet contrast makes them incredibly addictive and memorable.
Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Delicate sugar cookies cut into intricate snowflake shapes and decorated with white icing and sparkly sugar. The decorating process lets you get creative with different icing patterns on each snowflake. These cookies are stunning on a platter and create a winter wonderland effect.
The buttery, vanilla flavor is classic and universally loved. They’re perfect for showcasing your decorating skills while still being approachable for beginners.
Almond Biscotti
Twice-baked Italian cookies with a satisfying crunch and rich almond flavor throughout. These cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee, hot chocolate, or dessert wine. The crunchy texture might seem intimidating, but they’re actually quite simple to make.
Studding them with whole almonds adds visual appeal and extra nuttiness. They store exceptionally well and actually improve in flavor after a day or two.
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies topped with melted marshmallows capture the cozy essence of hot cocoa. The cookies are intensely chocolatey with a soft, fudgy center beneath the gooey marshmallow topping. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat, especially with kids.
The combination of chocolate and marshmallow is nostalgic and comforting. These cookies deliver that warm, cozy feeling of sipping hot chocolate by the fire.
Coconut Macaroons
Chewy, golden-brown mounds of sweetened coconut are naturally gluten-free and incredibly simple to make. The exterior becomes delightfully crispy while the inside stays moist and tender. Dipping the bottoms in chocolate adds richness and makes them look extra special.
They require just a few ingredients and come together faster than most cookie recipes. The tropical coconut flavor provides a nice change of pace from traditional spiced cookies.
Pecan Sandies
These shortbread-style cookies loaded with toasted pecans have a delicate, crumbly texture that’s absolutely heavenly. The nutty flavor is prominent but not overwhelming, with butter playing a strong supporting role. They’re less sweet than many holiday cookies, which makes them perfect for those who prefer subtle flavors.
The dough is easy to shape into balls or logs before slicing. Their sophisticated taste makes them ideal for adult cookie exchanges or afternoon tea.
Orange Cranberry Cookies
Bright citrus and tart cranberries combine in soft, cake-like cookies with a refreshing flavor profile. The orange zest adds incredible aroma and taste that feels festive and uplifting. These cookies bring a welcome burst of fruitiness to traditional cookie assortments.
The combination is both seasonal and unexpected, making them memorable. They’re soft, flavorful, and come together quickly without any complicated techniques.
Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
Classic gingerbread enhanced with generous amounts of sweet, creamy frosting in festive colors. The warm spices pair beautifully with vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting. These cookies are soft rather than crispy, with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
Decorating them becomes an opportunity for artistic expression with piping bags and sprinkles. The combination of spicy cookie and sweet frosting creates perfect holiday harmony.
Reindeer Peanut Butter Cookies
Adorable peanut butter cookies decorated with pretzels, candies, and frosting to look like Rudolph and friends. The base is a classic peanut butter cookie that’s soft, rich, and perfectly sweet. Transforming them into reindeer faces is simple and fun for kids to help with.
The pretzel antlers add a nice salty crunch that complements the sweet cookie. These whimsical treats always bring smiles and make cookie trays more playful.
Snowy White Chocolate Cookies
Soft cookies loaded with white chocolate chips and rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy appearance. The white-on-white presentation creates an elegant, winter-themed aesthetic. These cookies have a tender, almost cake-like texture that’s incredibly soft.
The sweetness from the white chocolate is balanced by the buttery cookie base. They’re simple to make but look sophisticated enough for special occasions.
