These easy Christmas cookies recipes include a mix of my go-to favorites and creative treats from other bakers that always turn out beautifully. Whether you want classic flavors or something a little more festive and fun, you’ll find plenty of ideas to make your holiday baking simple and delicious.
I don’t know about you, but there’s something about Christmas cookies that always puts me in the holiday mood.
Even before the tree is fully decorated, a batch of cookies cooling on the counter makes the whole house feel cozy and festive.
So I gathered a bunch of my favorite recipes, along with some delicious ones from other bakers I’ve bookmarked over the years.
Whether you love soft and chewy classics, pretty decorated cookies, or fun flavors you don’t see every day, this list has plenty of sweet ideas to help fill your cookie tins (and maybe even start a new tradition or two).
Create Cherry Winks Cookies for a nostalgic holiday treat that adds a pop of cherry and nutty flavor to your Christmas cookie plate. Made with cornflakes and maraschino cherries, they’re a fun, old-fashioned snack that can be gluten-free and dairy-free if you like.- If you’re looking for a festive, make-ahead treat, these slice and bake Peppermint Cookies are a fun addition to your Christmas cookie list. With a burst of peppermint flavor and a candy cane twist, they’re easy to store and enjoy whenever you want a sweet, holiday treat.
- For a beautiful, wintry touch on your holiday cookie tray, these Snowflake Sugar Cookies are a lovely choice. Decorated with royal icing and sparkling sugar, they add a delicate, lacy look that’s perfect for Christmas.
- Try Shortbread Cut Out Cookies for a classic holiday treat that’s easy to make and fun to decorate. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive shapes, they’re a favorite around Christmas time.
- These holiday Shortbread Thimble Cookies are a nutty, fruity treat that’s easy to make ahead. Filled with jam or jelly, they add a nostalgic touch and some traditional red and green colors to your Christmas baking.
- With these Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies, you get a fun, mint-flavored treat that’s shaped into hearts and decorated with a red accent. They’re a sweet way to celebrate the season with a little Grinch-inspired flair.
- When you make this Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies recipe, you get a soft, zesty treat that’s easy to prepare ahead of time. Decorated with red and green candied cherries, they add a festive touch to your Christmas cookie tray.
- For a quick and colorful holiday treat, these Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are a super easy cookie recipe. Made with a boxed cake mix and white chocolate chips, they come together in less than 30 minutes and look festive with their red and white colors.
- These White Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful treat with a festive flavor combo. The creamy ganache filling and peppermint candy cane topping make them especially appealing on a holiday cookie tray.
- Create these Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies for a rich, indulgent treat that’s great for holiday gatherings or cookie swap parties. Made with a smooth peanut butter and a chocolate coating, they’re a sweet addition to your Christmas cookie lineup.
- If you’re looking for a festive twist on oatmeal cookies, these Cranberry And White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are a great choice. Made with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, they add a sweet and tart flavor that’s perfect for Christmas or holiday cookie swaps.
- These Oatmeal Crescent Cookies are a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s both easy to make and fun to decorate. With their buttery, crescent shape and chocolate-dipped finish, they add a nutty, festive touch to your holiday cookie tray.
- Create gingerbread cookies that are easy to make ahead and great for festive decorating. This recipe combines dark brown sugar, molasses, and warm spices like ginger and cinnamon, giving you a soft, chewy cookie with a rich, spiced flavor.
Try reindeer cookies for a fun, kid-friendly project that adds a festive touch to your Christmas cookie tray. These easy sugar cookies are baked with simple ingredients like vanilla, chocolate chips, and red candies, making them a cheerful treat to share or gift. Plus, they’re make-ahead and freezer-friendly, so you can enjoy holiday cheer without the last-minute rush.
Image credit: Alli @ An Alli Event When you make Peppermint Buttons, you get a festive, no-cook treat that’s easy to prepare ahead of time. With a creamy peppermint flavor and a touch of white chocolate, they’re a charming addition to holiday candy trays or potluck dessert tables.
Image credit: Kimberly @ A Wonderful Thought With Homemade Snickers Bars, you get a rich, gooey treat that combines chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, and butterscotch in every bite. Made to be freezer-friendly, they’re easy to store and grab whenever you want a sweet snack.
Image credit: Habiba @ Craftify My Love When you bake Spitzbuben German Christmas Cookies, you bring a sweet, jam-filled treat to your holiday table. With a hint of lemon zest and hazelnuts, they’re a tasty addition to your Christmas cookie lineup.
Image credit: Emily Fish @ Harper n Co With this Neapolitan Cookies recipe, you get a colorful and festive treat that’s easy to make. Their bright layers of brown, pink, and white add a cheerful touch to holiday cookie exchanges or gift baskets.
Image credit: Nikki @ Tikkido This gingerbread house recipe and printable templates is a fun way to bring holiday cheer to your Christmas cookie baking. It’s a simple project that lets you make a festive gingerbread house to display or gift. Plus, the printable templates make assembly so much easier.Image credit: Jamie H @ As For Me and My Homestead When you make Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Frosting, you get a Christmas treat that’s easy to prepare ahead. With a rich chocolate base and a peppermint cream cheese topping, they bring a burst of holiday flavor to gatherings or gift baskets.
Image credit: Carlee @ Cooking With Carlee With these German Gingerbread Cookies, you get a tasty treat that’s full of warm spices and buttery flavor, making them a holiday favorite. They’re easy to make ahead and can be rolled out into fun shapes for decorating.
Image credit: Erlene @ My Pinterventures These Fried Rosette Cookies bring a light, crispy touch to holiday celebrations. With a delicate texture and a hint of cinnamon, they’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.Image credit: Nikki @ Tikkido Create a gingerbread castle that turns holiday baking into a festive project. Decorated with royal icing, red sprinkles, and charming garlands, it adds a magical touch to your Christmas celebrations.
Image credit: Carol @ Through My Front Porch Try Pecan Sandies for a classic Christmas cookie that’s rich, nutty, and buttery. It’s a simple recipe that’s been a holiday favorite in many families for good reason.Image credit: Jessa Plant @ Sparkle Living Blog This Mocha Chocolate Dipped Cookies recipe is a delightful holiday treat with a subtle coffee flavor. Dipped in melted chocolate, they add a touch of elegance to your Christmas cookie tray.
Image credit: Lynne @ My Family Thyme Try these Chocolate Mint Snowball Cookies for a festive treat that’s crowd-pleaser at holiday parties or cookie exchanges. With a buttery, sweet flavor and a hint of mint, they’re an easy cookie recipe to enjoy all season.Image credit: Michelle James @ Our Crafty Mom This easy recipe for 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies is a quick way to get holiday baking done without a lot of fuss. Made with just butter, sugar, and flour, they’re soft, flavorful, and fit right into your Christmas cookie lineup.
Image credit: June Albertson-Dick @ Practically Homemade Create a batch of Peppermint Texas Sheet Cake Cookies for a super easy way to get your holiday baking done. With a moist texture and a touch of peppermint in the frosting and crumbles on top, these cookies are a sweet addition to your holiday menu that everyone will enjoy.
Image credit: Alli @ An Alli Event These Toffee Pecan Pie Squares bring a sweet and nutty flavor to holiday gatherings. With a buttery crust and crunchy toffee bits, they’re a simple treat that’s sure to please family, friends, or colleagues at any holiday party.
Image credit: Emily Fish @ Harper n Co With these gluten-free Frosted Cookies, you get a sweet, vanilla-flavored treat that’s easy to enjoy during the Christmas season. Decorated with festive colors, they’re a great addition to holiday cookie exchanges or just to have on hand for family gatherings.Image credit: Shirley @ Intelligent Domestications This Christmas Magic Cookie Bars recipe is a sweet, chocolatey treat that’s simple and delicious. With layers of graham cracker crumbs, pecans, and colorful M&M’s, they add a festive touch to any holiday table.
Image credit: Lexi @ That Fit Fam If you’re looking for a cozy, sweet treat to enjoy during the holiday season, these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies fit right in. With a warm, comforting flavor and a little crunch from the oats, they’re a delightful dessert to share with family or friends.
Image credit: Amanda @ Domestically Creative If you’re following a Keto diet, these Keto Brownie Cookie Bites are a delicious way to enjoy chocolate without breaking your diet. With a rich, sweet flavor and easy baking, they’re a fun addition to your Christmas cookie list.
Image credit: T’onna @ Sew Crafty Crochet These Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies bring a cheerful burst of color to your cookie tray. With festive red and green M&Ms, they’re a fun treat to share for Christmas Eve or a cookie exchange.
Image credit: Marie @ DIY Adulation Try these Hello Kitty Sugar Cookies (with a DIY Cookie Cutter) for a kid-friendly holiday project. With simple decorations, you can turn these cookies into cute characters that will add a playful touch to your holiday baking.
Image credit: Lauren @ Mom Home Guide If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s easy to make ahead, try these Frosted Gingerbread Cookies. With warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, plus a touch of molasses and vanilla, these cookies bring cozy winter flavors to the table. Decorated with mini gingerbread sprinkles and gold sanding sugar, they also add a little sparkle to your holiday cookie tray.
Image credit: Jenny @ Simply Crafty Life For anyone wanting to add a touch of tradition without a lot of work, this Easy Cookie Press Recipe makes it simple to create buttery, almond-flavored cookies that everyone will love. With just a few ingredients, these cookies turn out golden and sweet, making them a super easy way to make holiday treats.
Image credit: Kristie @ Love My Little Cottage If you’re looking for an international twist on holiday cookies, these Mexican Chocolate Christmas Crisps bring a touch of Mexican-inspired flavor with chocolate and cinnamon. Rolled in sugar and topped with snowflake sprinkles, they add a little Christmas magic to your dessert table.
Have comments or questions about our easy Christmas cookies recipes? Tell us in the section below.