103 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes Made With Love
As the holiday season approaches, the sweet aroma of easy Christmas cookies fills the air. Baking cookies during this time of year is not just about indulging our sweet tooth; it’s about tradition, love, and sharing. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or someone looking for easy Christmas cookie recipes, this guide is for you.
The Tradition of Christmas Cookies: A Glimpse Into History
The tradition of baking Christmas cookies has its roots in ancient winter solstice celebrations. Over time, these simple cookies evolved into the delicious cookies we associate with Christmas today. Baking and sharing them encapsulates the holiday spirit and is a fun way to connect with loved ones.
Common Types of Christmas Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies: These are perhaps the most iconic of all Christmas cookies. From gingerbread men to houses, their rich flavors of ginger, black pepper, and molasses are a holiday staple.
- Shortbread Cookies: Buttery cookies that melt in your mouth, often shaped into festive designs.
- Chocolate Cookies: Whether it’s classic chocolate chip cookies or chocolate crinkle cookies, they’re a hit on every cookie plate.
- Christmas Sugar Cookies: Often rolled-out dough cut into shapes like Christmas trees or stars, and decorated with royal icing or sprinkles.
- Spritz Cookies: Delicate and buttery, these are pressed out using a cookie press into various shapes.
- Snowball Cookies: Round and covered in icing sugar, these resemble snowballs, making them a festive cookie choice.
- Italian Christmas Cookies: Often flavored with lemon zest and topped with a glaze and colorful sprinkles.
- Candy Cane Cookies: Twisted into the shape of candy canes, these are often peppermint-flavored and a favorite among kids.
- Chewy Peanut Butter Blossoms: A chewy peanut butter cookie topped with a chocolate candy.
Tips for the Best Christmas Cookies
- Proper Storage: Always store your baked cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
- Temperature Matters: Ingredients like butter and eggs should be at room temperature for the best results.
- Use Parchment Paper: This ensures your cookies won’t stick to the baking sheet and gives them crisp edges.
- Chilling the Dough: Wrapping sugar cookie dough in plastic wrap and chilling it makes it easier to handle and roll with a rolling pin.
Hosting Cookie Swaps: A Fun Way to Share
Cookie swaps, also known as cookie exchanges, are a delightful tradition that brings people together over the shared love of baking and tasting. Originating in the 20th century, this festive event has become a staple in many communities, especially during the holiday season.
How Does a Cookie Swap Work?
The concept is simple: Each participant bakes a large batch of their favorite cookies. On the day of the swap, they bring their cookies to the event and exchange them with others. This way, each participant leaves with a varied assortment of delicious treats without having to bake multiple recipes themselves.
The Benefits of Hosting or Participating in a Cookie Swap:
- Variety: Instead of being limited to one or two types of cookies at home, you get to sample and enjoy a wide range of flavors and textures.
- Learning: It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new recipes and baking techniques from fellow participants.
- Social Connection: Beyond the cookies, it’s a chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the festive spirit with friends, family, or neighbors.
- Cost-Effective: Baking in bulk for a swap can be more cost-effective than baking multiple small batches of different cookies.
- Charitable Twist: Some cookie swaps are organized with a charitable angle, where participants donate cookies to local shelters, hospitals, or service members.
Tips for a Successful Cookie Swap:
- Theme It: Consider having a theme, like “Cookies from Around the World” or “Vintage Cookie Recipes.”
- Provide Guidelines: Inform participants about the number of cookies to bring, any allergy considerations, and if they should bring their container.
- Labeling: Ask participants to label their cookies with the name and main ingredients, especially potential allergens.
- Presentation: Encourage participants to present their cookies creatively, making the event more festive.
- Recipe Sharing: Have participants bring copies of their cookie recipe to share. This adds a personal touch and allows others to recreate favorites at home.
In essence, cookie swaps are not just about the cookies; they’re about community, celebration, and the joy of sharing. Whether you’re hosting or attending, it’s a sweet way to make memories and enjoy the holiday season.
Dressing Up Your Cookies
Royal icing, chocolate chips, candy canes, and sweet white chocolate are just a few of the many toppings you can use. Don’t forget your favorite cookie cutters for those perfect holiday cookie shapes!
Easy Recipe Choices for Beginners
If you’re new to baking, look for recipes with minimal ingredients. Cake mix cookies or simple cookies with basic ingredients can be a good idea. Remember, it’s the effort and love that counts.
The Joy of Sharing: Cookie Platters and Tins
Share your favorite Christmas cookie recipes by preparing cookie platters or holiday cookie tins. It’s the best way to spread the holiday joy.
The Love Behind Every Cookie
Every cookie tells a story. From the moment the ingredients are chosen to the time it comes out of the oven, there’s a narrative of love, tradition, and effort baked into its very essence.
- Memories from the Past: For many, baking is a bridge to the past. It’s a cherished family recipe passed down through generations, a token of shared memories with loved ones, or a reflection of festive traditions from childhood. Each cookie embodies these moments, making them more than just sweet treats.
- A Labor of Love: Baking is an act of love. The meticulous selection of ingredients, the careful mixing, the patient waiting by the oven, and the joy of seeing perfectly golden brown outcomes are all parts of a process where love is the primary ingredient.
- A Gift of Time: In today’s fast-paced world, taking the time to bake is a gift in itself. It’s a pause from the daily hustle, a moment of mindfulness, and a testament to the importance of the people you’re baking for.
- Creativity Unleashed: Every cookie is a canvas. From experimenting with flavors to decorating with royal icing or chocolate chips, baking is an expression of creativity. It’s a chance to innovate, play, and sometimes even surprise oneself with the results.
- Sharing is Caring: The act of sharing cookies, whether on a cookie plate at a family gathering or in a holiday cookie tin for a neighbor, is a gesture of kindness and community. It’s a way to spread joy, connect with others, and celebrate the spirit of togetherness.
In every bite of a cookie, there’s a story of love, effort, tradition, and care. It’s not just about the taste; it’s about the emotions and memories that come alive with each morsel. Whether it’s a classic chocolate chip or a festive spritz, the heart and soul poured into it make every cookie special.
Why We Bake During This Time of the Year
Baking is not just about satisfying our sweet cravings. It’s about rekindling old memories, creating new ones, and embracing the holiday spirit.
Christmas Cookie Recipes to Try This Year
Embark on a global journey with these easy Christmas cookie recipes! Explore festive flavors from around the world, perfect for seasoned bakers and novices alike.
This yummy biscotti has the flavor of the season and is perfect with a gingerbread latte!
The snickerdoodle has nothing on this pumpkin version!
No holiday is complete without the delicious taste of cranberries, and these soft cookies will send you over the moon!
These cookies are only made even more extraordinary with the addition of this incredible frosting!
These classic Christmas sugar cookies are fun to make to celebrate the holidays at your next event or party!
Make these old-fashioned Church Window Cookies for your Christmas trays this year! They are easy no-bake cookies that everyone loves!
Easy and pretty cut-out sugar cookies in snowflake shapes. The best shape for baking christmas treats with kids.
Easy and delicious snowball cookies. Make these 5-ingredient cookies and surprise your family and friends!
Do you want to take your sugar cookies to the next level? Are you ready to step away from the classic sugar cookies we all know and love? Then it’s time to try sugar cookie blossoms – a tantalizing combination of soft, buttery sugar cookies sandwiched around a Hershey kiss.
Soft and buttery classic spritz cookies shaped like Christmas trees, poinsettia, and snowflakes for the holidays season!
Sweet sugar cookies are layered with green buttercream frosting and decorated with sprinkles to make Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies.
Looking for the ultimate, classic Christmas cookie? These Shortbread Christmas Cookies with Icing are perfect to make with your family this holiday season.
Cherry Coconut Snowball Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth Christmas cookies with a hidden surprise
These cherry bonbon cookies are made with juicy maraschino cherries. They have a buttery texture and a sweet cherry icing on top.
Rich and delicious Chocolate Chip Sprinkles Butter Cookies will be the hit at your Christmas Party and on your cookie platters. You can’t get any more Christmasy than this! Christmas Tree Sprinkles, Teddy Bears sprinkles, chocolate chips shortbread cookies! YUMMY! Make sure you hide these cookies or give them away as gifts, once you taste them, you will want more! They are melt in your mouth amazing!
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth mini buttery cookies that are the perfect size for your Christmas cookie tray
These delicious Italian anise cookies are traditional Christmas cookies and are a little moist and dipped in a a tasty anise glaze, then topped with nonpareils. They’re EASY-to-make and a great addition to a holiday cookie tray.
Soft, chewy, and spiced just right, these Frosted Gingerbread Cookies have all the flavors that make them a classic holiday treat. As soon as you smell the delightful aroma of these cookies baking, you’ll be ready to celebrate the season!
These buttery and delicious classic thumbprint cookies with a sweet jam filling are a holiday favorite, simple to make, and even easier to customize with different flavor variations!
Made soft and chewy with a combination of molasses and brown sugar, these Molasses Crinkle Cookies are a Christmas classic. They feature warming spices and are rolled in sugar before baking for an extra touch of sweetness.
This Cranberry Noels Cookie recipe combines the tartness of cranberries with the rich flavors of buttery cookies. The result is a mouthwatering treat that will have everyone returning for another! Whether you're baking them for a holiday gathering or simply enjoying them at home, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
The traditional recipe for Italian Ricotta Cookies is a classic Christmas dessert. The cake-like moist cookie with a hint of lemon, sweet glaze, & colorful sprinkles is a favorite for good reason.
These easy Christmas cookies are decorated to look like a Christmas wreath. Sugar cookies are flavored with peppermint extract with festive colored decorations like frosting and pomegranate seeds.
Christmas Sugar Cookies are made with roll out sugar cookie dough, cookie cutters you prefer and royal icing. These sugar cookies are soft , have amazing flavor and is the best recipe for decorating cookies for Christmas!
Lemon Crinkle cookies are soft, chewy, coated with confectioners’ sugar and full of delicious sweet and tart lemon flavor. Lemon cookies make the perfect holiday cookie!
These classic Linzer cookies are delicious and simple, and always a favorite during the holidays! A nutty, buttery, and almond flavored cookie, with a fruity filling.
Reindeer cake mix cookies are a festive treat that the whole family will love as it transforms an ordinary box of cake mix into an extraordinary reindeer cookie. You will love the rich chocolate flavor with pieces of chocolate chips in every single bite of the cookie that is then topped with even more chocolate and salty pretzels.
Undoubtedly, this Sugar Cookie Recipe is both the simplest and the tastiest. Crafted from a flexible vanilla sugar cookie dough that's effortless to shape, it ensures crisply defined edges upon baking, ideal for adorning with any choice of frosting. Dive into this guide and master the art of making impeccable Sugar Cookies for every festive occasion.
Soft persimmon cookies are perfect for making during the holiday season. They feature fresh persimmon pulp, warming spices, dried cranberries, and topped with orange glaze.
Christmas cookies have never been easier to make, thanks to Bisquick baking mix! Make cutout cookies, add frosting or sprinkles if you’d like, and you’re all set for the holidays.
Italian Rainbow Cookies are as tasty as they are beautiful, and they are surprisingly easy to make. The red, white and green color makes it the perfect holiday cookie.
So simple and yet so elegant! These pretty Christmas tree cookies make a lovely addition to your holiday cookie platter.
These easy to make chocolate peppermint cookies are filled with Christmas joy. They're vegan cookies with a crispy exterior and chewy inside. Eat them dipped in hot chocolate or set them out for Santa to enjoy!
These cranberry almond shortbread cookies are buttery with a bold almond flavor. They're made with fresh cranberries making them a festive treat for Christmastime.
Norwegian pepperkaker cookies are seasoned with all kinds of warming spices. Top with royal icing in an original design and these will be a beautiful addition to your Christmas cookie plate.
These delicious Christmas chocolate chip cookies are so easy and delicious. Make a batch and customize with any sprinkles you have on hand. These also make a great teacher or neighbor gift!
These simple cut-out sugar cookies can be made in the air fryer for a quick and easy Holiday treat. They can be topped with a quick icing as well.
These easy cake mix Christmas cookies are a festive way to make a couple different kinds of holiday treats in minutes. Here is how to make them.
Vanilla Kipferl Cookies are always shaped like a crescent and dusted with vanilla sugar. This is a great Christmas cookie recipe not just because they’re traditional but also because it's a great “make ahead” recipe.
This classic gingerbread cookie recipe is one that has been passed down through my family for generations. It makes the most perfect gingerbread cookies for the holiday season.
Include the children in your life in your Christmas cookie baking. These Chocolate crinkle cookies are very simple and very delicious.
Festive, with a creamy filling and chocolate crumble cookie, these mascarpone cookies are simply amazing and perfect for Christmas.
Delicate melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are perfect for Christmas. And they are naturally gluten free!
These tri-colored Neapolitan cookies is made from just one cookie dough that's flavored with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. They’re shaped in a loaf pan and so festive!
A fab tradition for the holidays. Kids LOVE them, and they are great for little hands to help decorate.
These maple syrup chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy and packed with maple and chocolate flavor. Made with real maple syrup, chocolate chips and sliced almonds. These cookies are way better than regular chocolate chip cookies.
Do these cookies live up to their claim? You've got to try them to find out!
Seven layers of delicious flavor and texture, all held together by sweetened condensed milk.
Embrace your inner Grinch with these adorably delicious Grinch Christmas Cookies! Create your own bit of Whoville magic in the kitchen, and let your heart grow three sizes as you decorate these whimsical treats.
Eggnog fudge is the perfect treat for the holiday season. Get that festive taste in a tasty candy form. Perfect for your next cookie exchange or as part of your dessert buffet.
Delicious vanilla cookies that just fall apart in your mouth. Crumbly and tasty. It's hard to eat just a couple.
A simple but classic Christmas cookie recipe with clever ideas on how to decorate them.
Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with our Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies – a vegan and gluten-free treat that's perfect for the autumn season.
This simple classic chocolate cookie is the perfect vegan recipe to celebrate Christmas with. These cookies have a super rich cocoa flavor pairing fantastically with the cozy Christmas spirit.
Soft and chewy coconut macaroons made even better with the addition of a Hershey kiss. An easy cookie recipe for coconut fans!
These homemade pistachio biscotti are flavored with lots of pistachios, orange zest and dipped in coating of rich dark chocolate. They are the perfect festive treat for the holiday season!
Add some extra sweetness to your holiday festivities with these tasty Christmas sugar cookie bars. The easy to make cookie bars will be a hit with everyone!
These super cute Christmas Lights Cookies are fun and easy to make! Made with royal icing and mini M&M's - everyone from teachers to kids to your friends will love them!
Try these healthy hot chocolate cookies, made with hot chocolate mix and topped with red and green M&M’s and a mini marshmallow for the perfect holiday cookies look.
These delicious and soft cookies are made with a boxed cake mix to make it EXTRA simple!
Up your Christmas cookie game with these soft baked white chocolate and cranberry cookies. These are made in a healthier way with the use of whole wheat flour and organic coconut sugar.
These buttery, soft gingerbread men hold their shape perfectly and they’re simple to make. Paired with frosting and candies, you can decorate your gingerbread man cookies however you see fit.
Chocolate spritz cookies are butter cookies piped into festive designs and decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. A fun twist on the classic recipe!
Indulge in the irresistible taste of these Italian Christmas cookies. Made with a blend of butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and a touch of almond extract, these delicious treats are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at your upcoming gathering.
Looking for a holiday season Italian cookie that everyone will love? Try this gingerbread pizzelle recipe and you will find they make amazing gifts as well as delicious treats for everyone at home.
These stained glass cookies are homemade sugar cookies with a fun and festive candy center. The ultimate holiday treat!
These buttery and soft thumbprint cookies with icing are eggless and gluten-free! The centers are filled with easy-to-make icing that melts in your mouth.
These Christmas Monster Cookies are perfect for a holiday cookie tray or to leave for Santa! They are so easy to make too.
Only four ingredients are needed to make these tasty holiday cookies. They're perfect for parties or when you want a sweet holiday treat.
Made with fresh cranberries, these homemade white chocolate-dipped cranberry shortcake cookies are perfect for the holidays. Friends and family will love the buttery holiday cookies.
These soft & thick Honey Cookies are decorated with a honey cream cheese frosting. These chewy cookies hold their shapes perfectly while baked, and can be decorated however you like, including a sparkling forest of evergreen trees.
These Hot Cocoa Cookies taste just like a mug of cocoa! Rich, chewy hot chocolate cookies are flavored with peppermint & stuffed with a marshmallow. Dunk them in melted chocolate and add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint.
These Easy Mini Gingerbread Men are so stinkin' cute and you don't even really have to decorate them! Just dust with powdered sugar and they're perfect, festive, and delicious!
Repurpose another Christmas cookie cutter to make these Easy Christmas Reindeer Cookies! They're lots of fun and anybody could make them - the kids can even help!
Florentine cookies are delicate, delicious and very beautiful, they are perfect for when you want to eat something sweet or to give away, and they are also very simple to make.
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are perfect for the holidays. This recipe gets its mild peppermint flavors with the addition of crushed candy canes and Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses.
These Christmas cowboy cookies are perfect for coconut lovers! They are a wonderful Christmas cookie to bake for friends and neighbors.
These chocolate thumbprint cookies are filled with homemade salted caramel. They're the perfect elegant yet easy to make cookie for the holidays.
Easy Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies are delicious treats made with soft, sweet, and buttery dough. They are adorned with rainbow-colored sprinkles on the outside and feature a delightful and eye-catching colorful swirl on the inside. These cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday baking adventures!
These stacked sugar cookie Christmas trees are so gorgeous on your cookie table! They are easier to make them they look, you can get the kids involved, and they are a total crowd pleaser and don’t stick around for long!
Chocolate Chip Biscotti is the perfect Christmas cookie to bake and share. A crunchy and delicious Italian cookie filled with chocolate chips.
These chocolate chip peppermint cookies are Amish inspired with a special sugar cookie recipe. Here is how to make them.
These soft and chewy gingerbread cookies are perfect for holiday baking! They're easy to make and topped with a simple royal icing
These Ginger Cookies are both gluten-free and vegan, featuring a delightful blend of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. With a sugary coating that provides a crisp outer layer, they remain wonderfully soft in the center. These cookies strike a harmonious balance between sweetness and spice while being free from gluten, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
Serve up these traditional German Christmas cookies for friends and family and you'll have a tasty party treat everyone will enjoy. They're great for parties, gift-giving, or when you want a sweet holiday treat.
Christmas Cookie Bars with M&M's, Chocolate Chips, and Sprinkles
These festive Christmas cookie bars are great for when you need a truly quick and easy Christmas cookie recipe. No rolling, no cookie cutters, no scooping - just press the dough into the pan and bake!
Kids and adults alike will love these Grinch cookies. Made with a box of cake mix and a handful of simple ingredients, they couldn't be easier to make!
These Christmas sprinkle cookies have a secret ingredient that makes them incredibly soft and chewy - pudding mix! Give the recipe a try this Christmas and I am sure that they will be a crowd-pleaser with your family as well.
Soft, chewy, & flavorful Gingerbread Blossoms are a must-have for your Christmas cookie platter or exchange. The creamy Hershey’s Hugs are the perfect topper to the classic spiced cookie.
The favorite holiday Starbucks drink is even better as a beautiful Christmas cookie. Peppermint Mocha Cookies are rich, chocolatey, & have a touch of coffee flavor that pairs perfectly with candy canes.
Dutch Speculaas are crisp and richly spiced, and they're the perfect addition to this year’s holiday baking festivities! They’re easy to make, stay fresh for weeks, and taste like Christmas.
This spectacular fudge is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and made from a completely surprising ingredient - Velveeta cheese!
As Christmas time approaches, there’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by baking the best Christmas cookies. Whether it’s a family tradition or a new venture, the joy of baking and sharing cookies is unparalleled. So, put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and let the cookie baking begin! Remember, every cookie, no matter how simple or intricate, is made with love.
Katie Reed is a passionate writer and mother of four vivacious boys from Salt Lake City, Utah. Drawing from her own journey through TTC, pregnancy, and the joys of raising children, she offers a wealth of insight into the world of motherhood. Beyond her heartfelt tales, Katie delights her readers with family-friendly recipes, engaging crafts, and a curated library of printables for both kids and adults. When she’s not penning her experiences, you’ll find her crafting memories with her husband and sons—Dexter, Daniel, Chester, and Wilder.
