When the holiday season arrives, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house. Christmas cookies are a tradition that brings everyone together—whether it’s baking with the kids, sharing them at a holiday party, or packing them up as gifts for neighbors. This year, take the joy of baking to the next level with these easy Christmas cookie recipes that everyone will love. From classic sugar cookies to new festive favorites, these treats are sure to bring smiles and holiday cheer.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Sugar cookies are a quintessential Christmas classic. They’re simple, buttery, and perfect for decorating. To make sugar cookies, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then add in egg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Slowly mix in flour until a soft dough forms. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface and cut into your favorite holiday shapes—stars, trees, reindeer, you name it! Bake until just golden on the edges, then let them cool before decorating.
For the royal icing, whisk together powdered sugar, egg whites, and a little lemon juice until smooth. Use different colors to decorate your cookies and let your creativity shine—these cookies are perfect for a decorating party with friends or family.
2. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
For those who love a spiced treat, chewy ginger molasses cookies are the perfect holiday pick. These cookies are soft, with just the right amount of spice to evoke that warm Christmas feeling. To make them, cream together butter and brown sugar, then add in molasses, an egg, and a mix of spices—ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Roll the dough into balls, coat them in sugar, and bake until the edges are set and the centers are still soft.
These cookies stay chewy for days, and their spicy-sweet flavor makes them a holiday staple. Pair them with a glass of milk or a cup of tea for a cozy afternoon treat.
3. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Peppermint and chocolate are a classic holiday combination, and these crinkle cookies bring the two flavors together perfectly. Start by making a rich chocolate cookie dough, adding cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, and peppermint extract for that holiday twist. Chill the dough for at least an hour, then roll it into balls and coat each one in powdered sugar.
Bake the cookies until the tops crackle, revealing the rich chocolate beneath. The result is a fudgy cookie with a hint of peppermint and a beautiful powdered sugar finish. These crinkle cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
4. Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
These classic thumbprint cookies are buttery, fruity, and look beautiful on any cookie platter. Make a simple shortbread dough by mixing butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour until a smooth dough forms. Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet. Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each cookie, then fill it with a spoonful of raspberry jam.
Bake until the edges are golden and the jam is bubbly. The combination of the tender, buttery cookie and the tangy raspberry jam is always a crowd-pleaser. You can also use other types of jam, like apricot or strawberry, to mix things up.
5. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
When you want an easy treat that doesn’t require turning on the oven, these no-bake chocolate peanut butter balls are the answer. Mix together peanut butter, powdered sugar, and softened butter until smooth. Form the mixture into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Once chilled, dip each ball into melted dark chocolate until fully coated. Let the chocolate harden before serving. These peanut butter balls are rich, creamy, and always a hit—plus, they’re easy enough for kids to help make.
6. Snickerdoodles with a Holiday Twist
Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie that many people enjoy year-round, but adding a holiday twist makes them perfect for Christmas. Start by making your snickerdoodle dough—butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cream of tartar, and a touch of cinnamon. Roll the dough into balls and coat in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. For a holiday touch, add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg to the cinnamon-sugar coating.
Bake until the cookies are puffy and the edges are lightly golden. These snickerdoodles are soft, with a hint of spice that gives them a festive flavor. They’re perfect for enjoying with a warm mug of hot cocoa.
7. Festive Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are beautiful, sandwich-style cookies that look impressive but are surprisingly easy to make. Start with an almond-flavored shortbread dough and roll it out on a floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to cut out round shapes, and for half of the cookies, use a smaller cutter to create a window in the center.
Bake the cookies until they are just beginning to turn golden, then let them cool completely. Spread raspberry or apricot jam on the whole cookies and top with the windowed cookies, creating a sandwich. Dust with powdered sugar for a classic festive look. These Linzer cookies are tender, nutty, and perfect for gifting.
8. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Stars
These buttery shortbread stars are a holiday favorite, thanks to their simplicity and elegance. To make the dough, cream together butter and sugar, then add flour until a soft dough forms. Roll out the dough and cut it into star shapes using a cookie cutter. Bake until just golden at the edges, then let them cool.
Once cooled, dip one half of each star in melted dark or white chocolate and add festive sprinkles before the chocolate sets. These cookies are simple but stunning and are perfect for adding a little festive sparkle to your cookie tray.
9. Italian Almond Biscotti
Biscotti are perfect for dunking in coffee or tea, and these Italian almond biscotti are a delightful addition to any holiday cookie lineup. Start by making a dough with flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and plenty of chopped almonds. Form the dough into a log shape and bake until firm. Let the log cool slightly before slicing it into diagonal pieces.
Bake the slices again until they are golden and crispy. These biscotti are crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfect for gifting. For a festive touch, you can drizzle them with melted chocolate or dip one end for a decorative finish.
10. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Cranberry and orange are classic holiday flavors, and these shortbread cookies combine the two beautifully. Mix butter, powdered sugar, flour, orange zest, and dried cranberries to create a fragrant dough. Roll the dough into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill until firm.
Once chilled, slice the dough into rounds and bake until golden. The result is a buttery, crumbly cookie with bursts of tart cranberry and bright citrus flavor. These cookies are festive, easy to make, and perfect for adding a splash of holiday color to your cookie platter.
11. Melted Snowman Cookies
These melted snowman cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat, making them a great choice for baking with kids. Start with simple sugar cookies as the base, baking them until they are lightly golden. Once cooled, add a blob of white royal icing on each cookie to create the look of melting snow.
Place a marshmallow on top for the head, and use black and orange icing to draw on the eyes, nose, and arms. These cookies are whimsical and will bring a smile to everyone’s face—they’re a perfect choice for a kid-friendly holiday baking activity.
12. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
For a heartier cookie that still feels festive, white chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies are a great choice. Combine rolled oats, flour, butter, brown sugar, eggs, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips to create the dough. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake until golden.
The combination of chewy oats, tart cranberries, and sweet white chocolate is simply irresistible. These cookies are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or for packing into gift tins for friends and neighbors.
13. Chocolate Hazelnut Snowballs
Snowball cookies are a holiday classic, and adding hazelnuts gives them a rich, nutty twist. Make the dough with butter, powdered sugar, flour, vanilla, and finely chopped hazelnuts. Roll the dough into small balls and bake until set but not browned. Once cooled, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create a snowy finish.
These cookies are tender and melt in your mouth with every bite. The hazelnuts add a delightful crunch that makes these snowballs extra special—perfect for the holiday season.
These easy Christmas cookie recipes are sure to make your holiday season a little sweeter. From classic sugar cookies to creative new treats, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Get the whole family involved, share with friends and neighbors, and make this holiday season truly delicious.
