The holidays call for baking trays full of sweet joy. Christmas cookies aren’t just treats—they’re traditions, shared memories, and edible gifts. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, family gathering, or just to fill the house with that magical aroma, these recipes will make your dessert table sparkle.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Simple, buttery cookies perfect for decorating.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients.
- Roll, cut, and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Decorate with royal icing for festive designs.
2. Gingerbread Men
Spiced, chewy cookies shaped into little characters.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp cloves
Process:
- Beat butter, sugar, molasses, and egg.
- Mix in dry ingredients. Chill dough.
- Roll, cut into shapes, bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add orange zest to the dough.
- Decorate with mini candies for buttons.
3. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkles
Rich chocolate meets peppermint crunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup oil
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups flour
- Powdered sugar for rolling
- Crushed candy canes
Process:
- Mix cocoa, sugar, and oil. Add eggs and extract.
- Stir in flour and baking powder. Chill dough.
- Roll in powdered sugar, bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Swap peppermint extract for vanilla.
- Roll in cocoa powder before powdered sugar for extra depth.
4. Snickerdoodle Cookies
Soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar mix
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar. Bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add nutmeg to the sugar coating.
- Drizzle with white chocolate.
5. Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery cookies with a fruity center.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ cup raspberry jam
Process:
- Beat butter and sugar. Add yolks and vanilla.
- Mix in flour. Shape into balls.
- Press thumbprint, fill with jam. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Try apricot or blackberry jam.
- Add almond extract for more depth.
6. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
Crisp, buttery cookies with chocolate flair.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 6 oz dark chocolate
Process:
- Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add flour and salt.
- Roll dough, cut into shapes, bake at 325°F for 15 minutes.
- Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate.
Make it Unique:
- Sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
- Use white chocolate for variety.
7. Eggnog Cookies
Creamy eggnog turned into cookie form.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup eggnog
- 1 tsp vanilla
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and eggnog.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Drop spoonfuls and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add rum extract for more flavor.
- Drizzle with eggnog glaze.
8. Linzer Cookies
Elegant, jam-filled sandwich cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup ground almonds
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup raspberry jam
- Powdered sugar
Process:
- Mix butter, sugar, yolk, and vanilla. Add flour and almonds.
- Roll dough, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Sandwich with jam, dust with powdered sugar.
Make it Unique:
- Use apricot jam.
- Cut out stars instead of hearts.
9. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
Fudgy cookies dressed up with peppermint.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup white chocolate
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add egg.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Top with melted white chocolate and candy canes.
Make it Unique:
- Use peppermint bark chunks instead of candy canes.
- Add mini chocolate chips to dough.
10. Pecan Snowball Cookies
Nutty, crumbly cookies rolled in sugar.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Extra powdered sugar for rolling
Process:
- Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add flour and pecans.
- Shape into balls, bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
Make it Unique:
- Swap pecans for walnuts or hazelnuts.
- Add cinnamon to the sugar coating.
11. Stained Glass Cookies
A showstopper cookie with jewel-toned centers.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Assorted hard candies
Process:
- Mix butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients.
- Cut out shapes, then cut smaller shapes inside.
- Fill centers with crushed candies. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Use cinnamon candies for red windows.
- Hang on the tree with ribbon.
12. Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
A festive twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms
Process:
- Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients, stir in chips and M&Ms.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Use peanut butter M&Ms.
- Add crushed pretzels for crunch.
13. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Sweet, tart, and chewy.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Process:
- Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Mix in cranberries and chips.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add orange zest.
- Swap cranberries for cherries.
14. Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Rich, nutty, and gooey in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ½ cup pecans
- Melted chocolate for drizzle
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Top with caramel, pecans, and drizzle chocolate.
Make it Unique:
- Add sea salt on top.
- Use almonds instead of pecans.
15. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Soft and festive with a bold red hue.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and coloring.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Chill dough.
- Roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add white chocolate chips.
- Use cream cheese frosting as filling.
16. Snowflake Sugar Cookies
A winter wonderland in cookie form.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Royal icing for decorating
Process:
- Make basic sugar cookie dough. Roll and cut into snowflakes.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Decorate with royal icing.
Make it Unique:
- Use edible glitter.
- Add lemon zest to dough.
17. Almond Crescents
Delicate, nutty cookies shaped like moons.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup finely ground almonds
- Powdered sugar for coating
Process:
- Mix butter, sugar, and almond extract. Add flour and almonds.
- Shape into crescents. Bake at 325°F for 12 minutes.
- Roll in powdered sugar while warm.
Make it Unique:
- Swap almonds for hazelnuts.
- Dip ends in chocolate.
18. Toffee Bit Cookies
Buttery cookies with a caramel crunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup toffee bits
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Process:
- Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Mix in toffee and chips.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add chopped pecans.
- Use white chocolate chips.
19. Molasses Cookies
Spiced cookies with deep flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ginger
- ½ tsp cloves
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 egg
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and egg.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Roll balls in sugar. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add orange zest.
- Sandwich with cream cheese frosting.
20. Hot Chocolate Cookies
All the flavors of hot cocoa in cookie form.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Top with marshmallows and chocolate drizzle.
Make it Unique:
- Add peppermint extract.
- Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers.
21. Italian Ricotta Cookies
Pillowy cookies with a sweet glaze.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, sprinkles
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, ricotta, and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Dip in glaze and add sprinkles.
Make it Unique:
- Add lemon zest to glaze.
- Use almond extract.
22. Coconut Macaroons
Chewy, tropical-style cookies.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups shredded coconut
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Melted dark chocolate
Process:
- Mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla.
- Drop spoonfuls on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes. Drizzle with chocolate.
Make it Unique:
- Dip bottoms in chocolate.
- Add crushed almonds.
23. Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Hearty, chewy holiday cookies.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Process:
- Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Add oats and cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Add white chocolate chips.
- Use golden raisins instead of cranberries.
24. Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
Crunchy cookies perfect for coffee or cocoa.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup dark chocolate
Process:
- Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder. Stir in almonds.
- Shape into logs, bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Slice and bake 10 more minutes.
- Dip in melted chocolate.
Make it Unique:
- Use pistachios instead of almonds.
- Add dried cranberries.
25. Holiday Sprinkle Cookies
Cheerful cookies that scream Christmas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup holiday sprinkles
Process:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Roll dough balls in sprinkles. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make it Unique:
- Roll in crushed peppermint instead of sprinkles.
- Add a chocolate kiss on top after baking.
Wrap-Up
Christmas cookies are more than sweets—they’re little bites of joy that make the season brighter. From simple sugar cookies to dazzling stained-glass creations, there’s something here to surprise every guest. Pick a few, bake with love, and watch the holiday spirit fill your kitchen.
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