Introduction
The holidays aren’t just about gifts — they’re about sweet smells from the oven, giggles in the kitchen, and cookies that disappear faster than you can bake them. These 25 festive holiday cookie recipes are fun to make, even more fun to decorate, and absolutely adored by kids. From classics to creative twists, they’ll add joy (and sprinkles) to your season.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with little hands.
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter and sugar; add egg and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Roll, cut shapes, bake 8–10 minutes.
2. Gingerbread Men
A holiday baking tradition kids love to decorate.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ cup molasses
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¾ cup butter
Instructions
- Chill dough 30 minutes.
- Roll, cut, and bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes.
3. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Minty, chocolatey, and extra festive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Chill dough 1 hour.
- Roll in powdered sugar; bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
4. Thumbprint Jam Cookies
Sweet, simple, and full of fruity goodness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup jam
Instructions
- Shape dough into balls; press thumb in center.
- Fill with jam; bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
5. Snowball Cookies
Melt-in-your-mouth buttery bliss.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Mix dough, shape into balls.
- Bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
6. Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
Colorful and fun — a guaranteed kid favorite.
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup M&Ms
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix dough; fold in candies.
- Bake 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
7. Candy Cane Cookies
A fun twisty project for kids’ little hands.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups flour
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
Instructions
- Divide dough; color half red.
- Twist ropes together; shape into canes.
- Bake 8–10 minutes at 350°F.
8. Chocolate Dipped Shortbread
Simple, buttery, and so fun to decorate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Mix dough; cut into sticks.
- Bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
- Dip in melted chocolate and decorate.
9. Red Velvet Cookies
Festive, soft, and cocoa-rich.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp red food coloring
Instructions
- Mix and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
10. Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Sweet, chewy, and full of texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1½ cups oats
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Mix dough; bake 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
11. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Like a mug of cocoa in cookie form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- Mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Bake cookies; top with marshmallows and drizzle chocolate.
12. White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Crunchy, minty, and colorful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Mix dough; bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
13. Snickerdoodles
Crispy edges, soft centers, and sweet spice.
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups flour
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup shortening
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Roll dough in cinnamon sugar.
- Bake 10 minutes at 375°F.
14. Peanut Butter Blossoms
A classic favorite that’s fun to press and pop!
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Chocolate kisses
Instructions
- Bake cookies at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Press a kiss in each while warm.
15. Chocolate Crackle Cookies
Fudgy inside, crisp outside — pure joy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Chill dough 1 hour.
- Roll in sugar; bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
16. Spritz Cookies
Delicate, buttery, and super fun to press.
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Use cookie press; bake 8 minutes at 350°F.
17. Coconut Macaroons
Chewy, toasty, and lightly sweet.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups shredded coconut
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Scoop onto sheet; bake 12–14 minutes at 325°F.
18. Holiday Pinwheel Cookies
Colorful, buttery, and full of cheer.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- Red and green food coloring
Instructions
- Divide dough; color halves.
- Roll, layer, and slice.
- Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
19. Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Soft, spiced, and perfect for fall-to-winter baking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
Instructions
- Mix and bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
20. Chocolate Dipped Oreos
No baking — just dunk, decorate, and devour.
Ingredients
- 12 Oreo cookies
- 1 cup melted chocolate
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Dip cookies halfway in chocolate; add sprinkles.
- Chill to set.
21. Cranberry Orange Cookies
Bright, fruity, and festive.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp orange zest
Instructions
- Mix, bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
22. Rice Krispie Christmas Trees
Playful, sticky, and a kid favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups rice cereal
- Green food coloring
Instructions
- Melt butter and marshmallows; stir in cereal and color.
- Shape and decorate.
23. Linzer Cookies
A pretty treat that feels extra special.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup jam
Instructions
- Cut out cookies with center holes; bake 10 minutes.
- Fill with jam and dust sugar.
24. White Chocolate Cranberry Bars
Soft, chewy, and easy to slice for sharing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Bake in 9×13 pan at 350°F for 20 minutes.
25. Reindeer Cookies
The cutest holiday cookies ever — perfect for kids to help make.
Ingredients
- 1 batch peanut butter cookie dough
- Pretzels
- Chocolate chips
- Red candies
Instructions
- Shape cookies; press in pretzels and candies before baking.
- Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
Conclusion
From sprinkle-covered sugar cookies to candy cane twists, these holiday cookies bring the magic of the season to your kitchen. Let the kids roll dough, sneak chocolate chips, and decorate with wild creativity — after all, that’s what makes these cookies so special. Bake a few batches, share them with friends, and make this season deliciously fun! 🎄🍪
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