Looking for the best Christmas cookie recipes to make this holiday season? From classic sugar cookies and buttery shortbread to chocolate cookies, peppermint treats, and festive decorated cookies, there are plenty of delicious options for every Christmas celebration.
Christmas cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, family gatherings, Christmas dessert tables, and homemade edible gifts. Whether you prefer simple cookies that are easy to bake or colorful treats that look festive on a holiday tray, these recipes bring plenty of sweet Christmas cheer.
This collection includes easy Christmas cookie ideas that are perfect for beginners as well as classic holiday favorites.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Easy and festive holiday baking ideas
- Perfect for Christmas parties
- Great for cookie exchanges
- Includes classic and creative cookie options
- Ideal for holiday dessert trays
- Perfect for making with family
- Great for homemade gifts
- Easy to prepare ahead of time
Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies
Classic Christmas sugar cookies are a holiday favorite.
These soft and buttery cookies can be rolled out, cut into festive shapes, and decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles.
Popular Christmas cookie cutter shapes include:
- Christmas trees
- Stars
- Snowflakes
- Gingerbread people
- Candy canes
- Ornaments
Sugar cookies are especially popular because they can be customized in many different ways.
Simple Sugar Cookie Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Sugar Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Beat butter and sugar until light and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut the dough into Christmas shapes.
- Place cookies on a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 8–10 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Chocolate cookies are always a delicious addition to a holiday cookie tray.
You can make classic chocolate cookies with cocoa powder, melted chocolate, or chocolate chips.
For a festive version, add:
- Crushed peppermint candy
- White chocolate drizzle
- Red and green sprinkles
- Holiday candy pieces
Chocolate cookies pair especially well with a warm cup of milk, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Easy Chocolate Christmas Cookie Idea
Try making soft chocolate cookies with chocolate chips and decorating them with crushed peppermint candy.
The rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint combination is perfect for the holiday season.
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies can easily become a festive Christmas dessert.
Prepare your favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie dough and add holiday colors and toppings.
Try adding:
- Red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces
- White chocolate chips
- Crushed peppermint candy
- Christmas sprinkles
Bake until the edges are lightly golden and the centers remain soft.
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are one of the most traditional Christmas cookie recipes.
They are made with warm spices such as:
- Ground ginger
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
Gingerbread dough can be shaped into classic gingerbread people or festive holiday designs.
After baking, decorate with simple white icing.
Easy Gingerbread Cookie Tips
For soft gingerbread cookies, avoid overbaking them.
Remove the cookies when the edges are set.
They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Christmas Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are buttery, delicate, and simple to prepare.
Traditional shortbread usually requires only a few ingredients, including:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Flour
For Christmas, you can add festive sprinkles or dip the cookies into melted chocolate.
Shortbread cookies are also excellent for holiday gift boxes.
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Peppermint and chocolate make a classic Christmas flavor combination.
Prepare soft chocolate cookies and top them with crushed candy canes.
You can also add peppermint extract to the dough for additional flavor.
A white chocolate drizzle adds a festive finishing touch.
Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies
Peanut butter cookies are rich, soft, and perfect for holiday baking.
Make classic peanut butter cookies with a traditional fork pattern on top.
For a festive variation, add chocolate chips or holiday candy pieces.
You can also drizzle melted chocolate over cooled peanut butter cookies.
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are simple and beautiful.
The cookie dough is rolled into small balls, and a small indentation is made in the center.
The center can be filled with:
- Raspberry jam
- Strawberry jam
- Chocolate
- Caramel
- Lemon curd
For Christmas, raspberry-filled thumbprint cookies are especially festive because of their bright red color.
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are buttery cookies covered in powdered sugar.
They have a soft, crumbly texture and are often made with chopped nuts.
These cookies look like little snowballs and are perfect for a Christmas cookie platter.
Common Snowball Cookie Ingredients
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Flour
- Vanilla
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
After baking, roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still slightly warm.
Once cooled, add another light coating of powdered sugar.
Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Crinkle cookies have a beautiful cracked surface covered in powdered sugar.
Chocolate crinkle cookies are especially popular during Christmas.
The dark chocolate cookie dough creates a striking contrast with the white powdered sugar coating.
These cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for holiday cookie trays.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
White chocolate cranberry cookies are sweet, chewy, and filled with festive holiday flavors.
The combination of creamy white chocolate and tart dried cranberries makes these cookies a great choice for Christmas.
You can also add chopped pecans for extra texture.
Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas
Decorating Christmas cookies can be a fun family activity.
Here are a few simple decorating ideas:
- Red and green sprinkles
- White icing
- Colored frosting
- Crushed candy canes
- Mini chocolate candies
- Holiday-themed sugar decorations
- White chocolate drizzle
Allow cookies to cool completely before adding icing or melted chocolate.
Tips for Making the Best Christmas Cookies
Use Room-Temperature Ingredients
Room-temperature butter and eggs often mix more smoothly into cookie dough.
This can help create a more even dough texture.
Measure Ingredients Carefully
Too much flour can make cookies dry.
Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it instead of packing it tightly.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Mix the dough only until the ingredients are combined.
Overmixing can affect the final texture.
Chill the Dough When Needed
Some cookie dough recipes benefit from chilling before baking.
Chilling can help the cookies hold their shape.
Don’t Overbake
Many cookies continue cooking slightly after being removed from the oven.
Remove them when the edges are set and follow the recipe’s recommended baking time.
Make-Ahead Christmas Cookie Tips
Christmas cookies are perfect for preparing ahead of time.
You can:
- Prepare cookie dough in advance
- Freeze portions of dough
- Bake cookies a few days before a party
- Freeze baked cookies
- Decorate cookies closer to serving time
Store cookies in airtight containers to help maintain freshness.
How to Store Christmas Cookies
Allow cookies to cool completely before storing.
Keep them in airtight containers.
Separate different types of cookies if their textures or flavors may affect each other.
For decorated cookies, place parchment paper between layers when stacking.
Can You Freeze Christmas Cookies?
Yes.
Many Christmas cookies freeze well.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container.
Separate layers with parchment paper.
For best quality, enjoy frozen cookies within approximately 2–3 months.
Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Best Christmas Cookie Recipes for Cookie Exchanges
These cookies are great choices for holiday cookie exchanges:
- Sugar cookies
- Gingerbread cookies
- Chocolate crinkle cookies
- Thumbprint cookies
- Snowball cookies
- Peppermint chocolate cookies
- White chocolate cranberry cookies
- Shortbread cookies
- Chocolate chip cookies
Choose recipes that travel well and can remain fresh for several days.
What to Serve with Christmas Cookies
Christmas cookies are delicious with:
- Hot chocolate
- Coffee
- Tea
- Cold milk
- Eggnog
- Holiday punch
Create a festive dessert table by serving several varieties of cookies together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Most Popular Christmas Cookies?
Some popular Christmas cookies include sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, shortbread cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies, snowball cookies, and thumbprint cookies.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Christmas Cookies?
Many cookies can be baked several days before serving when stored properly in airtight containers.
Some cookies can also be frozen for longer storage.
Can I Freeze Christmas Cookie Dough?
Yes.
Many cookie dough recipes can be frozen in individual portions.
Freeze the dough in an airtight freezer-safe container and thaw according to the recipe instructions before baking.
What Cookies Are Best for Christmas Gifts?
Shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread cookies, and peppermint chocolate cookies are all great choices for holiday gift boxes.
How Do I Keep Christmas Cookies Soft?
Store soft cookies in an airtight container.
Avoid leaving them uncovered for long periods because they can dry out.
Recipe Card
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut into festive Christmas shapes.
- Place cookies on a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes.
- Cool completely before decorating.
Storage: Store in an airtight container for several days.