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25 Festive Christmas Cookies Recipes to Make This Season

Kellie

Comments on 25 Festive Christmas Cookies Recipes to Make This Season

Holiday baking always sneaks up on me, usually right around the time I realize I forgot to buy sprinkles again.

Every year I tell myself I’m going to be organized, and every year I end up in the kitchen with a half-clean counter and a kid asking if we can “just try one” before the tray even cools.

But Christmas cookies make the season feel lighter, even on the days when the house is loud and I’m working with whatever ingredients I remembered to grab.

Some days I’m in the mood for the classics, other days I just want something quick that doesn’t need the oven.

Whatever your baking vibe looks like this year, there’s something here that will fit right into it!

Christmas Cookie Classics

These are the homemade cookies everyone grew up with!.

They’re simple, cozy, and feel like the start of the season without you needing to change a thing.

1. Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are perfect when you want something simple that still feels festive.

You can decorate them or leave them plain, whatever works for your kitchen mood that day.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps

  1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
  3. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again.
  4. Stir in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
  5. Chill for about 1 hour, then roll out on a floured surface.
  6. Cut into shapes and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until the edges start to turn light golden.
  7. Let them cool before decorating or stacking.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

These come together with a mix of warm spices and molasses that make the dough feel sturdy and easy to work with.

The dough chills well, so the shapes hold up without spreading too much.

This makes it perfect for using cookie cutters!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup molasses

Steps

  1. Mix the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Beat the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Add the egg and molasses and combine.
  4. Stir in the dry ingredients until a thick dough forms.
  5. Chill for at least an hour before rolling and cutting.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
  7. Cool completely before adding icing or leaving them plain.

3. Peanut Butter Blossoms

These are the classic peanut butter cookies with a chocolate candy pressed in the center.

Press the chocolate in right after baking so it melts slightly into the cookie!

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 24 to 30 chocolate kiss candies

Steps

  1. Stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Beat the butter, peanut butter, ½ cup sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
  3. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix well.
  4. Add the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  5. Roll into balls, coat in the remaining sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
  7. Press a chocolate candy into each cookie while still warm.

4. Snickerdoodles

These cookies stay soft inside with a light cinnamon sugar coating that makes them feel extra cozy.

The cream of tartar gives them that signature tang.

I like to roll them twice in the cinnamon sugar for more flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon (for rolling)

Steps

  1. Whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar until smooth.
  3. Add the eggs and mix again.
  4. Stir in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
  5. Mix the extra sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  6. Roll the dough into balls and coat in the cinnamon sugar.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

5. Spritz Cookies

These cookies use a cookie press and bake quickly, so you can turn out a whole tray in minutes.

Add sprinkles before baking if you want some color without extra steps.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla and mix.
  3. Stir in the flour and salt until combined.
  4. Load the dough into a cookie press.
  5. Press shapes onto an ungreased baking sheet (or use a piping bag).
  6. Bake at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes.
  7. Let them cool on the sheet for a minute before moving.

6. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These get their crackled look from rolling the dough in powdered sugar before baking.

The dough is thick and sticky, so chilling it helps a lot.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)

Steps

  1. Mix the cocoa, sugar, and oil in a bowl.
  2. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
  5. Roll into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
  7. Cool on the sheet so they set properly.

7. Peppermint Bark Cookies

These use crushed candy canes and chocolate to give a simple cookie a holiday twist.

I like to drizzle extra melted chocolate over the top after they cool.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup crushed candy canes
  • 1 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar together.
  2. Mix in the egg and vanilla.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir into a dough.
  4. Fold in the crushed candy canes and chocolate.
  5. Scoop onto a baking sheet.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes.
  7. Let them cool before adding extra chocolate if you want it.

8. Thumbprint Cookies

These are soft cookies with a little well in the center for jam or chocolate.

I usually do half with jam and half with chocolate so everyone is happy.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup jam or melted chocolate for filling

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla and mix.
  3. Stir in the flour and salt.
  4. Roll dough into balls and press your thumb in the center.
  5. Fill each indent with jam or chocolate.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes.
  7. Cool on a rack so the centers firm up.

9. Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread uses just a few ingredients and still feels like a classic Christmas treat.

The dough is crumbly at first but comes together with a little pressing.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar until smooth.
  2. Stir in the flour and salt until crumbly.
  3. Press the dough together with your hands.
  4. Roll out or press into a pan.
  5. Bake at 325°F for 18 to 22 minutes.
  6. Cool before cutting if you baked it in a pan.
  7. Store in an airtight container.

10. M&M Cookies

These bake up like soft chocolate chip cookies but with holiday-colored M&Ms.

I save a few to press on top right before baking to make them look fuller.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups holiday M&Ms

Steps

  1. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.
  2. Beat the butter and both sugars until creamy.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla.
  4. Stir in the dry ingredients.
  5. Fold in the M&Ms.
  6. Scoop onto a baking sheet.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Easy No-Bake Christmas Cookies

These no bake Christmas cookies are perfect when you’re tired, busy, or just not in the mood to preheat anything.

You melt a few things, mix everything together, and suddenly you’ve got festive treats without the work.

11. Chocolate Macaroons

These come together on the stovetop and set up in the fridge, so they’re great when you don’t feel like turning on the oven.

The mixture is a blend of chocolate, oats, and coconut, and it firms up pretty quickly once scooped.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups quick oats
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

  1. Melt the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Bring it to a gentle boil for about 1 minute.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the oats, coconut, and vanilla.
  4. Scoop onto parchment paper in small mounds.
  5. Chill until firm.
  6. Store in the fridge to keep them set.

12. Holiday Haystack Cookies

These use chow mein noodles and melted chocolate to make crunchy little clusters.

The mixture only needs a quick stir and a spoon to portion it out.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup crushed holiday sprinkles or candy
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

  1. Melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips in the microwave or on the stovetop.
  2. Stir in the chow mein noodles until coated.
  3. Mix in the vanilla and sprinkles.
  4. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper.
  5. Let them set at room temperature or in the fridge.

13. Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies

These use melted butterscotch chips to bind the oats, and they firm up nicely as they cool.

The texture is chewy with a little crunch from the oats.

You can add a handful of chopped nuts if you want a little more texture.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups quick oats
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • ¼ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

  1. Melt the butterscotch chips and peanut butter together.
  2. Stir in the oats and vanilla.
  3. Add nuts if you’re using them.
  4. Scoop the mixture onto parchment.
  5. Cool until firm.

14. S’mores Cookies

These are a mix of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, all held together once the chocolate cools.

The marshmallows stay a little chewy which gives them that campfire vibe without the fire.

I usually crush the graham crackers lightly so the pieces aren’t too big.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups crushed graham crackers
  • 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Steps

  1. Melt the chocolate and butter together.
  2. Stir in the graham crackers and marshmallows.
  3. Mix until everything is coated.
  4. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper.
  5. Let them cool until set.

15. Salted Caramel Pretzel Cookies

These come together with crushed pretzels, caramel, and chocolate for a salty-sweet mix.

The caramel softens the pretzels just a bit but they still keep a good crunch.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • 1 cup caramel bits
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • pinch of flaky salt

Steps

  1. Melt the caramel bits with the milk in a saucepan.
  2. Stir in the crushed pretzels.
  3. Melt the chocolate separately.
  4. Spoon the pretzel mixture into clusters and drizzle with chocolate.
  5. Add a little salt on top and let them cool.

Creative Christmas Cookie Creations

These creative cookies are for when you want something fun or a little unexpected without making your life harder.

The flavors are different enough to feel special, but still easy enough that you won’t be stressed halfway through.

16. Snowball Cookies

These are simple little bite-size cookies coated in powdered sugar, and they stay soft inside once they cool.

They use ground nuts for texture, but you can skip them if someone in the house can’t have them.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
  • extra powdered sugar for rolling

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
  2. Mix in the vanilla.
  3. Add the flour and nuts and stir until the dough comes together.
  4. Roll into small balls and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
  5. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar and roll again once cool.

17. Peppermint Mocha Cookies

These are chocolate cookies with a little coffee and crushed peppermint mixed in.

The coffee boosts the chocolate flavor without making it taste like a cup of espresso.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee
  • ¾ cup crushed peppermint candies

Steps

  1. Beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
  2. Add the eggs and vanilla.
  3. Stir in the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and instant coffee.
  4. Fold in the crushed peppermint.
  5. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

18. Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

These bake up like soft red velvet rounds that get sandwiched with cream cheese frosting.

I chill the frosting for a few minutes so it doesn’t squish out the sides too much.

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

  1. Mix the dry cookie ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar, then add the egg, vanilla, and food coloring.
  3. Stir in the dry ingredients.
  4. Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes.
  5. Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth.
  6. Spread frosting onto one cookie and press another cookie on top.

19. Sugar Cookie Biscotti

These are crisp sugar cookie slices that bake twice, just like classic biscotti.

You can dip the ends in chocolate or leave them plain if you want something simple.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar until smooth.
  2. Add the eggs and vanilla.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Shape into two logs and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
  5. Slice into strips and bake again for 8 to 10 minutes per side.

20. Fruitcake Cookies

These are soft cookies made with dried fruit and nuts, sort of like a quicker version of fruitcake.

The dough holds everything together well, so nothing sinks to the bottom!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups mixed dried fruit
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and brown sugar.
  2. Add the eggs and vanilla.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Fold in the dried fruit and nuts.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

21. Cranberry Orange Cookies

These have a bright flavor from fresh orange zest and a chewy bite from dried cranberries.

The dough mixes quickly and doesn’t spread too much.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried cranberries

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar.
  2. Add the egg, orange zest, and vanilla.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Fold in the cranberries.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

22. Eggnog Cookies

These taste like the drink but in soft cookie form, and the nutmeg gives them that familiar holiday flavor.

You can add a little extra nutmeg on top before they go in the oven.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ cup eggnog
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and both sugars until creamy.
  2. Add the egg, eggnog, and vanilla and mix again.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
  4. Scoop onto a baking sheet.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
  6. Let them cool so they stay soft.

23. Baklava Cookies

These take the flavors of baklava but turn them into soft cookies instead of a layered pastry.

You mix chopped nuts with cinnamon and honey and fold it into the dough.

A light drizzle of honey on top works well once they cool.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pistachios
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla.
  2. Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Stir together the nuts, honey, and cinnamon.
  4. Fold the nut mixture into the dough.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

24. Hot Chocolate Cookies

These taste like a cup of hot cocoa in cookie form, with marshmallows melted right on top!

The dough is chocolatey and soft, and the marshmallows get gooey in the oven.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows

Steps

  1. Beat the butter and sugars.
  2. Add the eggs and vanilla.
  3. Stir in the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Scoop onto a baking sheet.
  5. Press a few mini marshmallows on top and bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes.

25. Nutella Cookies

These are soft, chocolate-hazelnut cookies made with just a few ingredients.

The Nutella makes the dough rich and easy to scoop.

I keep them slightly underbaked so they stay fudgy inside.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Nutella
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Steps

  1. Stir together the Nutella, flour, and egg.
  2. Fold in the chocolate chips if you want them.
  3. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
  5. Cool before moving them so they don’t break.

Christmas Cookies for Every Kind of Baker

Holiday baking doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and having a mix of easy, classic, and fun ideas makes it a lot more doable.

Pick a couple that fit your time and energy, and enjoy filling a tray without stressing over perfection.

Christmas cookies are supposed to be enjoyable, not a full project.

Grab what sounds good and start there!

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