Christmas Cookies to Make: 80 Festive Recipes for Your Holiday Baking
- Ryan Jones
- Nov 6, 2024
- 5 min read
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a festive array of Christmas cookies? Whether you’re planning a cozy baking day with family, filling gift boxes with holiday treats, or hosting a Christmas cookie exchange, we’ve gathered the ultimate list of Christmas cookies to make this year. From classic sugar cookies to unique spiced options, this guide has something for every taste and tradition. Get ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies and add a touch of magic to your holiday season.

Classic Christmas Cookies to Make
Classic Sugar Cookies – Ideal for cutting into holiday shapes and decorating with colorful icing.
Gingerbread Men – Spiced and aromatic, these are a must for Christmas baking.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Fudgy inside with a powdered sugar exterior, these are a family favorite.
Peppermint Bark Cookies – Festive and filled with holiday flavor.
Snickerdoodles – Rolled in cinnamon sugar, they’re a timeless choice.
Linzer Cookies – Almond-flavored with a jam center, perfect for gifting.
Thumbprint Cookies – Add a touch of jam or chocolate for a sweet holiday treat.
Shortbread Cookies – Buttery and delicious, ideal for dipping in chocolate.
Peanut Butter Blossoms – Soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss.
Eggnog Cookies – These bring a cozy, spiced flavor inspired by classic eggnog.
Festive Holiday Cookies for Colorful Trays
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies – A cheerful mix of red and white.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies – Chocolate and peppermint for a holiday twist.
Almond Crescents – Light and nutty, dusted with powdered sugar.
Italian Ricotta Cookies – Soft with a hint of almond, often topped with sprinkles.
Spritz Cookies – Made with a cookie press, they come in holiday shapes.
Snowball Cookies – Also known as Russian tea cakes, they melt in your mouth.
Pfeffernüsse – German spice cookies for a warm holiday flavor.
Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti – Ideal for dipping into coffee on Christmas morning.
Molasses Cookies – Soft and chewy with a festive molasses taste.
Toffee Butter Cookies – Buttery and filled with sweet toffee bits.
Christmas Cookies with a Twist
Oreo Truffle Balls – Crushed Oreos mixed with cream cheese and coated in chocolate.
Fruitcake Cookies – Fruitcake lovers will appreciate this bite-sized version.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic chocolate chip with a minty twist.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies – Colorful and festive, perfect for cookie exchanges.
Hazelnut Thumbprints with Nutella – Nutella filling for chocolate-hazelnut lovers.
Bourbon Pecan Cookies – A touch of bourbon and toasted pecans for a holiday flair.
Cherry Almond Cookies – Each cookie has a bright cherry center.
Maple Pecan Cookies – Rich and nutty with a hint of maple.
Lemon Snowflake Cookies – Zesty lemon flavor in a snowy coating.
Grinch Cookies – Green cookies with a red heart sprinkle, inspired by the Grinch.
Unique Christmas Cookies to Make
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies – A blend of sweet and salty goodness.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies – Swirled with cinnamon, they taste like mini cinnamon rolls.
Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – A holiday spin on a classic favorite.
Chocolate Espresso Cookies – Perfect for coffee lovers during the holiday season.
Cherry Pistachio Cookies – Red and green for a traditional Christmas look.
Pumpkin Spice Cookies – Add a cozy flavor with pumpkin spice.
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread – Elegant with a touch of chocolate.
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies – Buttery and nutty with white chocolate.
Marzipan-Stuffed Cookies – Almond lovers will adore these marzipan-filled treats.
Raspberry Almond Thumbprints – Filled with jam and topped with almond glaze.
Easy Christmas Cookies for Quick Baking
Candy Cane Cookies – Twisted red and white dough for a candy cane shape.
Triple Chocolate Cookies – Three kinds of chocolate for ultimate decadence.
Chai-Spiced Cookies – Warm spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
Brown Butter Pecan Cookies – Nutty and delicious with browned butter.
Coconut Macaroons – Chewy coconut cookies, sometimes with chocolate drizzle.
Chocolate-Dipped Ginger Cookies – Crisp ginger cookies half-dipped in chocolate.
Spiced Ginger Molasses Cookies – With a blend of spices, they’re soft and festive.
Marshmallow-Stuffed Hot Cocoa Cookies – Chocolate with gooey marshmallow centers.
Apple Pie Cookies – Mini apple pie flavors in a cookie form.
Matcha Green Tea Cookies – Green tea-flavored cookies for something unique.
Decadent Christmas Cookies to Impress
Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers – Flaky pastry cookies with cinnamon sugar.
Italian Pignoli Cookies – Almond-based cookies with pine nuts.
Peppermint Meringues – Light and airy with a festive red swirl.
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – A pumpkin twist on classic snickerdoodles.
Rocky Road Cookies – Filled with marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate.
Spumoni Cookies – Inspired by the Italian ice cream with layers of flavor.
Almond Roca Cookies – Crisp and nutty with a toffee flavor.
S’mores Cookies – Bring the campfire indoors with chocolate, marshmallow, and graham.
Honey Gingerbread Cookies – A twist on gingerbread with honey for sweetness.
Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars – Cookie bars with chocolate chips and toffee.
No-Bake Christmas Cookies for Last-Minute Baking
Cranberry Bliss Bars – Inspired by a favorite coffee shop treat.
Butterscotch Haystacks – Sweet and crunchy, made with butterscotch and peanut butter.
Caramel Pecan Thumbprints – Thumbprints filled with caramel and topped with pecans.
Walnut Snowball Cookies – Buttery with a powdered sugar coating.
Pecan Sandies – Simple and buttery with chopped pecans.
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars – Soft cookie bars topped with frosting and sprinkles.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pinwheels – Swirled cookies with peanut butter and chocolate.
Orange Cardamom Cookies – Fragrant with orange zest and a hint of spice.
Molten Chocolate Lava Cookies – Decadent chocolate cookies with gooey centers.
Christmas Lights Cookies – Sugar cookies decorated with candy Christmas lights.
Fun and Festive Christmas Cookies to Make with Kids
Hot Cocoa Mix Cookies – Chocolate cookies topped with mini marshmallows.
Buttery Spritz Cookies – Made with a cookie press, these come in holiday shapes.
Vanilla Bean Snowflake Cookies – Delicate snowflake cookies with royal icing.
Stained Glass Cookies – Sugar cookies with a candy center that looks like stained glass.
Nutella Stuffed Cookies – Soft cookies with a gooey Nutella center.
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons – Chewy coconut cookies with a chocolate dip.
Chewy Maple Cookies – Maple-flavored cookies with a holiday taste.
Churro Cookies – Cinnamon-sugar-coated cookies with a churro twist.
Banana Bread Cookies – Soft cookies with a hint of banana bread flavor.
Gingersnap Cookies – Crisp ginger cookies with a spicy kick.
Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a holiday cookie exchange, or just craving festive flavors, these Christmas cookies to make will bring joy and warmth to your kitchen this season. From classics to creative new twists, these recipes ensure that there’s something for everyone on your list. Try a few or try them all – and fill your holiday season with the sweet magic of homemade cookies. Happy baking!
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