Posted Dec 04, 2020, Updated Jan 17, 2023
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A list of our favorite , tried and tested Christmas Cookie Recipes – find all the best Christmas cookies to bake and enjoy this holiday season in one place! Plus tips and tricks on how to store, wrap, and prepare Christmas cookies to make the ultimate Christmas Cookie trays!
We take cookies seriously in our house, especially around Christmas time. So I decided it was time that I compiled our list of the best Christmas Cookie Recipes to help you decide what to bake this holiday season!
Baking Christmas Cookies with my kids is my absolute favorite holiday tradition. My mom baked with my sister and I as far back as I can remember, and over the years I’ve worked hard to perfect our favorite Christmas cookie recipes. So here’s a list of the best Christmas Cookie recipes, all in one place, plus some tips and tricks on preparing and packaging Christmas cookies!
Best Christmas Cookies
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Table of Contents
Tips & Tricks for Holiday Baking
After decades of baking dozens and dozens of cookies every Christmas, here are some of my tips to help you get organized and have successful, low-stress baking days!
- Choose recipes from trusted sources. Obviously I hope to be a great resource for you and all your holiday baking needs, but there are many wonderful places to find delicious Christmas cookie recipes. Just be sure to choose Christmas cookie recipes that you have tried before or those that come from bakers or resources you trust.
- Make a list and check it twice! Once you’ve gathered the Christmas cookie recipes you will be baking, make a shopping list of the ingredients required for your baking endeavor. Don’t forget to include the amounts of each – how much butter? how much flour? etc.
- Read recipes thoroughly. In order to plan well, it’s important to know the steps in the recipes you choose. Which Christmas cookie recipes require chilling? Take lots of hands-on prep or work? Do you roll the dough into balls or flatten it into round discs? etc. This helps with the next step, which is to make a plan!
- Make a plan. Create a game plan and choose the order in which you’ll prepare and bake the Christmas cookies. I often take two days to do our Christmas baking. On the first day we make all the dough that needs to be chilled (like snowball cookies, sugar cookies, etc.), and on the second we bake it all off and decorate.
- Expect mistakes. I’ll never forget the Christmas I preheated the oven to bake dough that had been chilled overnight – unaware that the cookies we baked and decorated the day before were stored inside – all of which got completely ruined. Doesn’t turn out that some of the most memorable moments are the mistakes we laugh off and about for years to come? For this reason, always buy extra ingredients, just in case!
Freezing Dough & Cookies
If you would like to start preparing farther in advance than one day, you can! The dough for almost every cookie recipe on this list can be made, rolled into balls, and frozen in an airtight container to be baked off later.
Be sure to gradually let the dough thaw in the refrigerator or on the counter before baking.
Christmas Baking Essentials
Here’s a list of some of my must-haves for Christmas Cookie baking!
- Baking Sheets. I have so many baking sheets and never regret it!
- Parchment Paper. Always bake on parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy clean up!
- Standing Mixer. A powerhouse in the kitchen. A handheld mixer also works very well.
- Measuring spoons & measuring cups. I adore these measuring spoons and measuring cups because they have the measurements etched into the metal so they will not rub off – which is critical when you have 5 eager kitchen helpers.
- Marble rolling pin. I’ve used this rolling pin for 13 years and counting. Perfect for rolling out cut-out sugar cookies!
- Cookie cutters. Everyone needs a great set of Christmas cookie cutters! I prefer metal cookie cutters because they last longer.
- Sprinkles. What’s holiday baking without sprinkles right?!
- Gel Food Coloring. To make different color frosting you absolutely need great food coloring.
Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes
Check out some of our favorite classic Christmas Cookie recipes. The ones we return to year after year because it just doesn’t feel like Christmas without them!
Classic Christmas Cookies
The best Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes.
The Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe! They are soft, chewy and hold their shape perfectly! Plus an easy sugar cookie frosting that tastes great and hardens with a beautiful shine!Â
The best Peanut Butter Blossoms cookie recipe! A soft peanut butter cookie is coated in sugar and topped with a chocolate kiss! These peanut butter kiss cookies are a favorite Christmas cookie that will become a must-make for your holiday cookie trays for years to come!Â
These snickerdoodle cookies have crispy edges, chewy centers, and a rich cinnamon flavor. They’re easy to make with no chilling or strange ingredients! A classic Christmas cookie recipe passed down from my grandma that I have been baking since I was a little girl!
Pecan Snowball Cookies are easy to make with 7 ingredients. They are buttery, nutty, and melt-in your mouth delicious. These butterball cookies are an old family recipe, and a must-make Christmas cookie!
These Soft Gingerbread Cookies have crispy edges with soft and chewy centers and are perfectly spiced! Plus they are so easy to make – no rolling or cutting-out necessary to enjoy this rich & nostalgic gingerbread recipe!
In this recipe for chocolate kiss cookies, a rich chocolatey cookie is rolled in sugar (or sprinkles) and topped with a chocolate kiss. These Hersey kiss cookies are blossom cookies for chocolate lovers and a delicious addition to your holiday cookie tray or to bake any time of the year.
These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are chewy & fudgy with a deep chocolate flavor. Chocolate Crinkles are an easy-to-make, classic Christmas cookie recipe for chocolate lovers!Â
The best Oatmeal Cookie Recipe – crispy edges with soft and chewy centers, these oatmeal cookies are easy to make (no chilling, simple ingredients) and out-of-this-world delicious. Add your favorite mix-ins for an extra special twist!Â
This gingerbread cookie recipe makes soft & chewy, perfectly spiced, molasses-sweetened holiday cookies that are everyone's favorite. This gingerbread man recipe rolls well into shapes and the glaze hardens with a beautiful shine so they can be packaged and given as gifts.
These bakery-style butter cookies are melt-in-your mouth delicious. Richly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. You can make them by rolling & slicing or using a cookie press.
The best thumbprint cookies! In this thumbprint cookie recipe a 5-ingredient, buttery shortbread cookie is filled with your favorite jam for a delicious treat perfect for the holidays.
Thousands of 5-star reviews don't lie, these Chocolate Chip Cookies are the best of the best. No chilling required.
These classic, soft peanut butter cookies are easy to make, loaded with peanut butter, and will definitely become your new favorite peanut butter cookie recipe!Â
These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, buttery and sweet. They’re an easy to make (no chilling), festive cookie perfect for the holidays.
Chocolate snowball cookies are easy to make with 8 ingredients. Chocolate snowballs a fun and festive holiday treat for chocolate lovers.
The BEST easy double chocolate chip cookie recipe ever! These chocolate cookies have soft centers, chewy edges and are irresistibly chocolatey. They come together in 5 minutes and require only 30 minutes of chilling time!Â
These White Chocolate Chip cookies are everything a cookie should be -crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, buttery, sweet and slightly salty. This White Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is easy to make – no chilling required.Â
These chocolate peppermint cookies have soft centers, chewy edges, and are rich and chocolatey. Mint chocolate cookies are easy to make in 10 minutes and don't require any chilling - a simple and easy holiday cookie!
These are the absolute best chocolate chip cookie bars EVER. This cookie bar recipe is easy to make (5 minutes to mix, 20 minutes to bake) and results in a gooey, chewy, doughy yet fully cooked chocolate chip cookie bar that is 100% irresistible. Add Christmas M&Ms or Sprinkles for a festive twist!
Brookies are the ultimate dessert for the indecisive eater. . A fudgy chocolate brownie layer sits atop a gooey chocolate chip cookie layer - both made from scratch. There's no need to choose between a cookie or a brownie, because you get both in this brookie recipe!
These chocolate chip caramel cookies have crispy edges and chewy centers. They are loaded with caramel & chocolate chips and topped with flaky sea salt for complete cookie perfection. They're easy to make - no chilling required!
The best monster cookies recipe! These monster cookies are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, plus they’re loaded with peanut butter, chocolate chips & M&Ms!
Chocolate thumbprint cookies - a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cookie is filled with a rich chocolate ganache. A simple but impressive holiday cookie for chocolate lovers that's easy to make!
No-Bake Christmas Cookies
Sometimes you need to run to a party and just don’t have enough time to bake Christmas cookies. These no-bake Christmas cookies, balls and bars are great holiday treat recipes to make when you’re short on time.
No-Bake Christmas Cookies
Quick and easy no-bake Christmas Cookie Recipes.
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls are seriously the best! This no-bake peanut butter balls recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients (including graham crackers)! They are always the first treat to disappear from my Christmas cookie tray! Decorate them with melted chocolate or festive holiday sprinkles!Â
This scotcheroos recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients and no corn syrup. They’re a delicious no-bake treat sure to become a family favorite.
This Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies recipe is easy and delicious ! They’re made on the stovetop in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients and they are gluten-free!Â
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars! A thick layer of chocolate and peanut butter is sandwiched between a buttery oatmeal cookie crust, then drizzled with more chocolate and peanut butter.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are SO easy to make! This recipe is made with 7 ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes! They taste like a peanut butter cup but better!
These Oreo Balls are an easy and delicious no-bake dessert made with only 4 ingredients! They are so good you won’t be able to eat just one. Watch the video and follow the step-by-step photo instructions to learn how to make the best Oreo truffles recipe ever! A perfect summer treat and sure to be the star of your Christmas dessert platter.Â
More Christmas Treats (Candy, Nuts, etc.)
Christmas cookies usually steal the show, but here are some honorable mentions in the category of “Christmas treats” that aren’t cookies. Homemade toffee, candied nuts and peppermint flavored goodies that are welcome additions to any Christmas cookie tray.
Christmas Treats
Delicious Christmas treat recipes that belong on every cookie tray, but aren't necessarily cookies!
The Best Homemade Almond Toffee Recipe ever! Only 8 ingredients make this delicious holiday treat that is perfect to give as gifts to your neighbors and friends!
This Reindeer Food is a fun and festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe that’s easy to make with only 7 ingredients! Reindeer chow is a cute gift for friends, neighbors and coworkers!Â
This homemade peppermint bark recipe is even more delicious than store bought varieties. It's easy to make with only 6 ingredients and is a delicious treat to give as gifts for the holidays.
Soft and rich homemade caramels are way better than store bought!
This Candied Almonds Recipe is easy to make with just 6 ingredients. These cinnamon roasted almonds are even more delicious than the nuts you can get at the mall or fair, and they’re freezer-friendly! Put them in cute jars or bags with a pretty bow for a great gift to give to friends and neighbors.
These Peppermint Brownies are rich, chocolatey and easy to make from scratch. They have a gorgeous crinkly top with a gooey middle, and a chocolate & peppermint ganache. Christmas brownies make a great addition to any holiday cookie tray!
Is there anything more classic or easier to make than Puppy Chow?! Only 4 ingredients and no baking makes it the perfect treat to give to neighbors and friends.
Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are easy to make and another great gift for neighbors and friends.
The best Millionaire Shortbread Recipe! Buttery shortbread, smooth caramel and a layer of chocolate come together to make the most delicious caramel shortbread recipe ever. A great bar to feed a crowd or to include on your Christmas cookie tray!
This homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe is made with 6 ingredients in 6 minutes in the blender! It has two kinds of chocolate so it’s ultra-rich and creamy and it’s flavored with candy canes instead of expensive extracts and is the perfect holiday treat to enjoy while decorating the tree!
This homemade eggnog recipe is the best eggnog you will ever taste. It's thick and creamy with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. It's easy to make and so delicious that you'll never settle for store-bought again!
These are the best M&M Cookie Bars. This recipe is easy to make (5 minutes to mix, 20 minutes to bake) and results in gooey, chewy, buttery M and M bars. Use red and green M&Ms to make Christmas cookie bars!
This candied walnuts recipe is easy to make with six ingredients. They are even more delicious than the nuts you can get at the mall or fair, and they're freezer-friendly so you can make a batch and enjoy them for months as a snack, on top of salads, etc.Â
What is your favorite?
There are so many options when it comes to holiday baking! What is your favorite Christmas cookie?! My all-time favorites are Peanut Butter Blossoms!
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These all look amazing and your photos are gorgeous!! 🙂 Can’t wait to try some!