I love baking cookies at Christmas, even if I end up eating half of them before they make it into the cookie tin! These Best christmas cookies recipes are great for making homemade gifts, filling cookie trays, or just spending an afternoon baking with the family. And there's nothing quite like the smell of gingerbread and freshly baked cookies filling the kitchen.
You'll find everything from buttery shortbread and traditional gingerbread to sugar cookies, chocolate treats, and peppermint favorites. There are also some classic European cookies, fun Christmas cutouts, and easy no-bake options for when you're short on time. Some are simple enough for beginners, while others are perfect if you enjoy decorating with icing and sprinkles. Just make sure you bake a few extra, because Christmas cookies never seem to last very long in my house!
1. Crinkly Fudge Brownie Christmas Cookies
Chocolate lovers don't have to choose between brownies and cookies with these rich, fudgy treats. Their crackly tops and soft chocolate centers give them that fresh-from-the-bakery look without complicated decorating. They're especially handy for busy Christmas baking days since the dough doesn't require chilling. Serve them alongside lighter sugar cookies to give your holiday platter a delicious mix of textures.
2. Classic Cinnamon Snickerdoodles for Holiday Baking
A batch of homemade snickerdoodles brings the comforting smell of cinnamon straight into the kitchen. Their cinnamon-sugar coating creates a lightly crisp outside while keeping the centers wonderfully soft. Kids can help roll the dough before baking, making these a fun choice for a relaxed afternoon together. They're just as good tucked into Christmas cookie tins as they are served warm with hot chocolate.
3. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies for Christmas
If you're looking for something beyond traditional chocolate chip cookies, this buttery variation is worth trying. The combination of creamy white chocolate and crunchy macadamia nuts gives every bite a lovely sweet-and-nutty contrast. They look simple, but their rich flavor makes them feel a little more special for Christmas gatherings. Add a few to your cookie gift boxes for anyone who enjoys classic bakery-style treats.
4. Pistachio Chocolate Christmas Cookies
These pistachio chocolate cookies bring a welcome change from the usual red-and-white holiday treats. The pistachios give them a lovely natural green color, while the chocolate adds a rich finish. Their soft, chewy texture and nutty flavor make them a nice choice when you want something different without spending hours decorating. Arrange them beside cranberry cookies for a festive combination of Christmas colors.
5. Easy Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
There's something charming about a tray of buttery cookies with little sweet centers. These Christmas thumbprint cookies have a simple homemade appeal that works beautifully for cookie exchanges and holiday gifts. Shaping the dough and making the little indentations can also be a fun activity for kids. They're a good option when you want traditional Christmas cookies without complicated frosting or decorating techniques.
6. Peanut Butter and Jelly Holiday Cookies
Peanut butter and jelly aren't just for sandwiches, and these cookies turn that familiar combination into a sweet treat. Their soft, chewy texture pairs nicely with the fruity jelly centers, giving every bite a little contrast. They're convenient for family baking sessions because the dough doesn't need chilling. Add them to a Christmas cookie platter when you want something nostalgic alongside the more traditional holiday flavors.
7. Traditional Austrian Linzer Christmas Cookies
These beautiful Austrian Linzer cookies bring a little European tradition to your Christmas baking. Their delicate cutout shapes reveal colorful jam fillings between layers of buttery cookies. They look lovely arranged on a holiday dessert tray, especially when mixed with simpler cookies for variety. Making the cutouts and assembling the sandwiches can also turn baking into a fun family activity.
8. Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti for Christmas Gifts
Not every Christmas cookie needs to be soft and chewy, and these chocolate pistachio biscotti prove it. Their satisfying crunch makes them particularly good for dipping into coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The combination of chocolate and pistachios gives them a rich flavor that feels right at home during the holidays. Their firm texture also makes them a practical choice for filling homemade Christmas cookie boxes.
9. Buckeye Cookies for Christmas Treat Boxes
Chocolate and peanut butter are always a tempting combination, especially when served in these little holiday treats. Buckeye cookies have creamy peanut butter centers surrounded by a rich chocolate coating. They're a nice change from traditional baked sugar cookies and bring a different texture to your Christmas dessert spread. Package them in small gift boxes or arrange them beside other chocolate treats for an easy holiday assortment.
10. Austrian Vanillekipferl Christmas Crescent Cookies
These traditional Austrian crescent cookies are a lovely way to bring an old-fashioned Christmas favorite to the table. Their delicate vanilla flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them different from richer chocolate cookies. The little crescent shapes look elegant without requiring colorful icing or elaborate decorations. They're especially nice for holiday cookie tins when you want to include something with a traditional European touch.
11. Easy Gingerbread Men Cookies for Christmas
It's hard to imagine Christmas baking without a tray of homemade gingerbread men. Their warm spices, soft centers, and slightly crisp edges give them that familiar classic Christmas flavor. Decorating the little gingerbread shapes is half the fun, especially when kids get to create their own designs. Make them for holiday parties, homemade gifts, or a cozy afternoon when everyone wants to join in the baking.
12. Peppermint Meltaway Cookies for Christmas
These peppermint meltaway cookies are a refreshing change from the usual rich chocolate holiday treats. Their delicate texture practically dissolves with every bite, giving them a wonderful meltaway softness. The peppermint flavor adds a cool, festive touch that pairs nicely with warm drinks. They're a lovely addition to Christmas cookie platters when you want something light, pretty, and full of seasonal flavor.
13. Chocolate Orange Shortbread Christmas Cookies
Chocolate and orange make a delicious pairing, especially in a buttery shortbread cookie. The bright citrus flavor balances the richness of the chocolate, creating a lovely sweet-citrus combination. Their simple appearance makes them a nice alternative to heavily decorated Christmas cookies. Serve them with coffee after Christmas dinner or tuck them into homemade cookie boxes for a slightly different holiday treat.
14. Gingerbread Cookie Bars for Easy Christmas Baking
Love gingerbread but don't feel like rolling and cutting out individual cookies? These gingerbread cookie bars offer the same cozy holiday flavors in a simpler bar-style treat. They're especially convenient when you're baking for a crowd or preparing several desserts at once. Cut them into neat squares and arrange them on a Christmas platter alongside traditional cookies.
15. Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Christmas Cookies
These peppermint chocolate thumbprint cookies bring together two flavors that feel right at home during Christmas. Their chocolatey base and refreshing peppermint finish create a delicious mint-chocolate contrast. The thumbprint shape gives them a pretty appearance without requiring complicated cookie cutters. They're a nice choice for holiday cookie exchanges when you want something a little richer than traditional jam-filled thumbprints.
16. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies for the Holidays
Cranberry and orange are a wonderful combination for Christmas baking, especially in buttery shortbread cookies. The fruity flavors give these cookies a bright seasonal twist that balances the richer treats on a holiday dessert tray. Their simple shape makes them easy to arrange in cookie tins or gift boxes. They're especially nice with afternoon tea or coffee when you want something sweet without heavy frosting.
17. Peppermint Bark Cookies for Christmas
If peppermint bark is already one of your favorite Christmas treats, these cookies offer another delicious way to enjoy those familiar flavors. The combination of rich chocolate and peppermint creates a festive candy-inspired treat that's perfect for the season. Their contrasting colors and textures also make them stand out on holiday cookie platters. Add them to your Christmas baking plans when you want something that feels a little more indulgent than an everyday chocolate cookie.
18. Christmas Spritz Cookies with Festive Shapes
Spritz cookies are a traditional holiday favorite that brings plenty of charm to a Christmas cookie tray. Their buttery flavor and delicate pressed shapes make them look beautiful without needing elaborate decorations. Using a cookie press is also a fun way to create different designs for a festive assortment. They're especially practical for Christmas gifting when you want a collection of small, pretty cookies.
19. Italian Rainbow Cookies for Christmas
These Italian rainbow cookies are hard to miss with their colorful layers and chocolate coating. Their red, white, and green layers make them particularly fitting for Christmas dessert tables. The combination of almond flavor and chocolate gives them a rich taste that feels different from traditional sugar cookies. Cut them into small pieces for holiday platters when you want something colorful and a little more elegant.
20. Checkerboard Cookies for Holiday Cookie Platters
Checkerboard cookies prove that you don't need frosting to make a cookie look impressive. Their contrasting dough creates a striking checkerboard pattern that gives each slice a beautiful finish. They're a fun choice for bakers who enjoy working with shapes and patterns rather than decorating with icing. Arrange them in Christmas cookie tins alongside colorful treats to add a little visual variety.
21. Vintage Nutmeg Log Cookies for Christmas
These vintage nutmeg log cookies bring an old-fashioned touch to modern Christmas baking. Their warm nutmeg flavor gives them a cozy holiday spice that pairs beautifully with coffee or hot chocolate. The simple log shape makes them different from the usual stars, trees, and snowflakes. They're a lovely option when you want a traditional homemade cookie with a little nostalgic charm.
22. Holly Jolly Santa Christmas Cookies
These cheerful Santa cookies are almost like tiny edible Christmas decorations. Their festive red details and white frosting create adorable Santa designs that immediately catch the eye. They're a fun decorating project for families, especially when everyone wants to add their own little touches. Place them at the center of a Christmas cookie platter for a playful treat that brings plenty of holiday personality.
23. Cute Reindeer Cookies for Christmas Parties
These reindeer cookies bring a playful touch to Christmas baking with their adorable little faces. Their fun character designs make them especially appealing for kids' parties and family decorating sessions. Everyone can create their own reindeer, so no two cookies have to look exactly alike. Serve them alongside Santa and snowman cookies for a Christmas dessert tray filled with festive characters.
24. Frosted Snowflake Sugar Cookies for Christmas
Snowflake cookies are a beautiful way to bring a little winter magic into your holiday baking. Their delicate frosting designs turn simple sugar cookies into colorful treats that look lovely on a dessert table. Decorating them can be a relaxing activity for anyone who enjoys working with icing and festive colors. They're especially nice for Christmas cookie exchanges when presentation matters just as much as flavor.
25. Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing
A good Christmas sugar cookie recipe is one of those holiday baking essentials you'll return to again and again. These buttery cookies provide the perfect base for easy festive decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles. Kids can help create Christmas trees, stars, stockings, and plenty of other fun shapes. They're ideal for homemade gifts, cookie exchanges, or an afternoon when decorating cookies is part of the celebration.
26. White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Christmas Cookies
These ginger cookies combine the warmth of holiday spices with the sweetness of white chocolate. The smooth coating creates a lovely sweet-and-spiced balance that makes them feel special for Christmas. Their festive decorations add a pretty finishing touch without covering the entire cookie in frosting. They're a great choice for holiday gift boxes when you want something that looks elegant but still feels homemade.
27. Colorful Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies
These Christmas lights cookies turn a familiar holiday decoration into something sweet and edible. Their bright candy designs resemble tiny strings of Christmas lights, making them a cheerful addition to dessert platters. Kids can help arrange the colorful decorations and create their own patterns. They're especially fun for Christmas parties when you want cookies that look playful and festive.
28. Christmas Pinwheel Cookies with Red and Green Swirls
These Christmas pinwheel cookies bring a beautiful splash of color to your holiday baking. Their festive spiral patterns appear in every slice, giving them an impressive look without detailed icing work. They're a nice option for preparing ahead when you have several Christmas treats to make. Stack them in clear cookie bags or arrange them on a platter to show off their cheerful swirls.
29. Decorated Candy Cane Sugar Cookies for Christmas
Candy cane sugar cookies bring one of the most recognizable Christmas shapes straight to your dessert table. Their red-and-white icing creates a classic candy cane look that feels instantly festive. Decorating the stripes can be a fun activity for kids and adults who enjoy working with colorful frosting. They're a sweet choice for homemade gifts, especially when paired with other Christmas-shaped sugar cookies.
30. SunButter Snowman Christmas Cookies
These SunButter snowman cookies add a cute winter character to your Christmas cookie collection. Their snowy icing, colorful scarves, and little faces create playful snowman designs that make each cookie unique. Using SunButter also offers a different flavor option from traditional peanut butter cookies. They're a fun choice for family decorating sessions when everyone wants to make their own little snowman.
31. Red Velvet Snowflake Christmas Cookies
These red velvet snowflake cookies bring beautiful Christmas colors to the dessert table. Their deep red cookie base and white cream cheese icing create an eye-catching color contrast that looks especially festive. The snowflake shapes give them an elegant winter appearance without needing too many decorations. They're a lovely addition to Christmas cookie exchanges when you want something colorful and a little different.
32. Peppermint Snowball Cookies for Christmas
Snowball cookies are already a holiday favorite, and this peppermint variation gives them a refreshing seasonal twist. Their snowy coating and cool peppermint flavor make them a natural fit for Christmas dessert trays. The crushed candy pieces add a little crunch against the softer cookie texture. They're especially nice in holiday gift boxes when you want to include something different from chocolate and gingerbread.
33. Christmas Tree Oreo Cookies for Easy Holiday Treats
These Christmas tree Oreo cookies are perfect for days when you want festive treats without baking from scratch. Their green decorations and colorful sprinkles transform familiar sandwich cookies into cute edible trees. Kids can help with the decorating, making them a convenient choice for a quick holiday activity. They're especially handy for classroom celebrations, Christmas parties, or last-minute dessert platters.
34. Plaid Christmas Sugar Cookies
These plaid Christmas cookies bring a cozy, old-fashioned pattern to your holiday baking. Their red-and-green icing creates beautiful plaid designs that look lovely arranged in a Christmas cookie tin. They're a good choice for anyone who enjoys taking a little extra time with detailed decorations. Package them individually for homemade gifts or display them alongside simpler cookies for a festive mix.
35. Frosted Cutout Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles
Sometimes the simplest Christmas cookies are the most fun to decorate. These frosted cutout cookies have a soft, sweet finish and colorful sprinkle toppings that make them cheerful without complicated piping. Kids can help spread the frosting and add their favorite decorations. They're a great choice for family baking days when you want everyone to enjoy the process.
36. Oreo Ornament Cookies for Christmas
These Oreo ornament cookies turn ordinary chocolate sandwich cookies into miniature Christmas decorations. Their colorful ornament designs make them a fun addition to holiday dessert tables and cookie gift boxes. Since there's no need to prepare cookie dough, most of the activity focuses on dipping and decorating. They're especially convenient for younger helpers who want to join in the Christmas fun.
37. Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies for the Holidays
If you prefer soft cookies over crisp cutouts, these sour cream sugar cookies are worth trying. Their pillowy, tender texture makes them different from traditional firm sugar cookies used for decorating. You can finish them with frosting and festive sprinkles for a cheerful Christmas appearance. They're a comforting choice for holiday gatherings when you want a homemade cookie that feels familiar and simple.
38. Stacked Christmas Tree Cookies for Holiday Parties
These stacked Christmas tree cookies are part dessert and part edible holiday decoration. Their layered shapes create a three-dimensional tree design that looks beautiful on a Christmas dessert table. Assembling the different cookie sizes can be a fun project for anyone who enjoys creative holiday baking. They're especially nice for parties when you want something that stands out among traditional flat cookies.
39. White Chocolate Dipped Christmas Chocolate Cookies
These chocolate cookies get a festive upgrade with a creamy white chocolate coating. The combination creates a rich chocolate contrast that makes them look especially pretty on holiday platters. Their simple dipped finish is a nice alternative to detailed frosting designs. Add them to Christmas cookie gift boxes when you want something chocolatey that still feels special for the season.
40. Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies
These Christmas wreath sugar cookies bring a familiar holiday decoration to your baking tray. Their green coating and little red bows create charming wreath shapes that look lovely without complicated icing techniques. They're a fun choice for anyone who enjoys decorating cookies but prefers a simpler design. Arrange them on a white platter to let their festive colors stand out.
41. Rolo Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
These Rolo chocolate chip cookies add a sweet surprise to a familiar homemade favorite. Their gooey caramel centers make each bite extra satisfying alongside the rich chocolate flavor. Festive red-and-green decorations give them a Christmas appearance without requiring elaborate frosting. They're a nice option for holiday cookie exchanges when you want something different from traditional sugar cookies.
42. Adorable Penguin Christmas Cookies
These penguin cookies bring a little winter fun to your Christmas dessert table. Their black-and-white chocolate decorations create cute penguin faces that are sure to catch attention. Decorating them can be a fun family activity, especially when kids want to make their own little characters. Arrange them with snowman and reindeer cookies for a playful holiday-themed collection.
43. Lemon Christmas Cookies with Festive Icing
These lemon Christmas cookies offer a refreshing change from the richer flavors often found in holiday baking. Their bright citrus flavor pairs beautifully with sweet icing for a delicious balance. Festive sprinkles and colorful decorations help them fit right in with traditional Christmas treats. They're a lovely addition to cookie platters when you want something lighter alongside chocolate and gingerbread.
44. Chocolate Sugar Cookies for Christmas Decorating
These chocolate sugar cookies are a delicious option when you want something beyond classic vanilla cutouts. Their rich cocoa flavor and dark chocolate base create a beautiful contrast with white icing. Cut them into snowflakes, stars, or other Christmas shapes for a festive finish. They're especially fun for decorating sessions when chocolate lovers want to join in the holiday baking.
45. White Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cookies
White chocolate cranberry cookies bring a beautiful combination of holiday colors and flavors to the table. The creamy chocolate and tart cranberries create a sweet-tart balance that keeps every bite interesting. Their red-and-white appearance looks festive even without extra decorations. They're a wonderful choice for homemade Christmas gifts when you want something simple but full of seasonal charm.
46. Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups for Christmas
These hot chocolate cookie cups turn a cozy winter drink into an adorable little dessert. Their miniature mug shapes, chocolate filling, and marshmallow toppings create playful hot cocoa designs that look almost too cute to eat. They're a fun decorating project for families who enjoy making creative holiday treats. Serve them at Christmas parties when you want something different from ordinary flat cookies.
47. Classic Gingersnap Cookies for Christmas
Gingersnap cookies are a traditional holiday favorite with plenty of warm, comforting flavor. Their crisp, snappy texture makes them a nice contrast to softer Christmas cookies. The bold ginger flavor pairs especially well with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate on a chilly afternoon. They're a practical choice for holiday cookie tins when you want something classic and full of spice.
48. Soft Pecan Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing
These soft pecan sugar cookies bring together comforting nutty flavors and sweet maple icing. Their cozy maple-pecan combination makes them especially fitting for winter baking. The festive wreath decorations add a pretty finishing touch that looks lovely on Christmas cookie platters. They're a nice choice for holiday exchanges when you want something a little different from traditional vanilla sugar cookies.
49. Cute Christmas Bear in a Boot Cookies
These Christmas bear cookies bring a playful storybook feel to your holiday baking. Their little brown bears peeking out of red Christmas boots create adorable festive characters that make each cookie look special. The detailed decorations are a fun project for anyone who enjoys creative icing work. They're especially charming for Christmas parties, homemade gifts, or dessert trays filled with cute holiday designs.
50. Easy No-Bake Christmas Wreath Cookies
These no-bake Christmas wreath cookies are a handy option when the oven is already busy with other holiday treats. Their bright green wreath shapes and little red decorations create a festive no-bake treat that's both colorful and fun. The crunchy texture makes them different from traditional soft sugar cookies. They're a great choice for family holiday activities when you want something cheerful without another batch of baking.
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