Christmas cookies are one of the best parts of any holiday season- from party platters or cookie exchanges, to give as gifts, or just to enjoy cozy on your couch. Join in on the holiday baking fun with the best assortment of our favorite holiday cookie recipes!
Whether you pair them with a cup of hot chocolate, stuff your cookie jars, or bake a batch to send to a loved one, it’s always a good idea to have an assortment of cookie recipes to rely on during the holiday season!
With this collection of festive holiday cookie recipes, you’ll find cookies perfect for bakers of all skill levels. We’ve covered all the bases- cookies you can prepare ahead of time, quick and easy cookie recipes that can be made last minute, and the best of the best cookie recipes that will impress!
You don’t want to miss our favorites- chocolate s’mores cookies, chewy pumpkin cookies, or Oreo cookie cake!
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love These Holiday Cookies
- These festive holiday cookies blend warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) with seasonal ingredients such as cranberries, peppermint, and chocolate.
- For a time-saving option during the holidays, try our quick and easy no-chill recipes that don’t compromise on flavor!
- If you’re looking to impress with your baking skills, we have included our favorite unique and creative cookie recipes!
- These holiday cookies are great gift-giving ideas! We hope these recipes inspire you to share the joy of homemade treats with your loved ones.
Festive Christmas Cookies
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Baked in a sheet pan, dipped in royal icing, and decorated with festive sprinkles, these soft and chewy Christmas sugar cookie bars are the ultimate Christmas cookie! They have that melt-in-your-mouth texture like the middle of a sugar cookie, complete with the royal icing top that keeps them soft and chewy for days (making them perfect for cookie boxes!
Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
A family favorite Christmas treat, these peppermint chocolate chip cookies are loaded with dark chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. They are super festive and begging to be included in your holiday cookie exchange, Christmas cookie boxes, or in a bowl on your lap this holiday season!
Peppermint Cookie Recipe
Raspberry Shortbread Linzer Cookies
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Raspberry Shortbread Linzer Cookies
Shortbread linzer cookies are chewy and buttery shortbread cookies with a cranberry raspberry jam filling. Instead of traditional almond dough, this recipe uses a sugar cookie dough that's nut-free and much easier to work with. This festive twist on a classic Christmas recipe makes the prettiest jam sandwich cookies for the holiday season!
Linzer Cookie Recipe
Cookies to Impress
Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
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Apple Pie Cookies
These buttery and flaky caramel apple pie cookies are bursting with sweet apple pie flavor! Made with 8 ingredients, store-bought puff pastry, and homemade apple pie filling, they're perfect holiday treats- no forks required!
Apple Pie Cookie Recipe
Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Chocolate chip pecan cookies are a cozy twist on classic chocolate chip cookies! Packed with cinnamon-roasted pecans, molasses, and chocolate chips- these bakery-worthy cookies have a rich buttery flavor that's perfect for the holidays!
Pecan Cookie Recipe
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
These espresso chocolate chip cookies are a one-bowl grown-up version of a classic chocolate chip cookie! Made with browned butter, espresso grounds, and packed with chocolate, they are perfect additions to Christmas cookie boxes, cookie exchanges, or to feed a crowd at your holiday party!
Espresso Cookie Recipe
Brown Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Brown Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet and salty toffee chocolate chip cookies are an elevated twist on classic chocolate chip cookies– soft and chewy, packed with chocolate chips, salted toffee bits, and brown butter flavor. They are the most flavorful cookies you'll ever make!
Toffee Cookie Recipe
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
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Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies
Brown butter snickerdoodle cookies have a caramel-like flavor from nutty brown butter, perfectly crisp edges, and extra gooey centers. This twist on a classic Snickerdoodle cookie recipe is made in one bowl with no mixer required!
Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Chocolate Fudge Thumbprint Cookies
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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
These chewy chocolate thumbprint cookies, a classic Christmas favorite, feature a dark chocolate cookie filled with chocolate ganache and topped with extra chocolate. These bakery-style cookies will melt in your mouth with chocolate goodness!
Thumbprint Cookie Recipe
Make-Ahead Cookies
Molasses Crinkle Cookies
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Molasses Crinkle Cookies
These chewy molasses crinkle cookies include brown butter, ground ginger, and lots of rich molasses. Each cookie is rolled in white sugar, resulting in beautiful crinkle tops and a crispy texture, while still being soft and gooey in the center. They are the best-elevated twist on a holiday favorite!
Molasses Cookie Recipe
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
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Soft Iced Oatmeal Cookies
These iced oatmeal cookies are soft and chewy, warmly spiced, and lightly dipped in vanilla icing to taste just like the classic store-bought cookies! With flavors of brown butter, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon, these oatmeal cookies are perfect for Christmas.
Iced Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
Oreo Cheesecake Cookies
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Oreo Cheesecake Cookies
These Oreo cheesecake cookies are soft and chewy cookies stuffed with Oreo cookie crumbs and a creamy Oreo cheesecake filling. Each cookie tastes just like Oreo cheesecake in cookie form!
Oreo Cookie Recipe
Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cookies
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Chewy Chocolate Snickerdoodles
Classic snickerdoodles with a rich and chocolatey twist! These chocolate cookies are soft and chewy with crispy edges and a Mexican chocolate flavor from the cinnamon sugar. They have the same tangy flavor as the classic cookies but with the addition of rich cocoa powder!
Chocolate Snickerdoodle Recipe
M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
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M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
M&M chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy cookies packed with mini M&Ms and mini chocolate chips. They're so easy to make in one bowl with just 10 ingredients!
M&M Cookie Recipe
Peanut Butter Miso Cookies
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Peanut Butter Miso Cookies
Peanut butter miso cookies are chewy peanut butter cookies with a hint of savory flavor from miso paste. These unique cookies strike the perfect balance of rich, salty, and sweet; everyone will love them!
Miso Cookie Recipe
Quick and Easy Cookies
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
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Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
These chocolate marshmallow cookies are fudgy, brownie-like cookies with a hint of espresso and a gooey marshmallow center. They are perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace!
Marshmallow Cookie Recipe
Chewy Brownie Cookies
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Mocha Brownie Crinkle Cookies
Part brownie, part cookie, these fudgy brownie crinkle cookies are ready to eat in 20 minutes and require no chilling time. They are perfect holiday cookies- everyone loves them!
Brownie Cookie Recipe
Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Chewy Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chewy butterscotch chocolate chip cookies are a delicious twist on chocolate chip cookies! Each cookie is packed with butterscotch flavor and a touch of coffee to balance the sweetness. You can make this recipe in one bowl in just 30 minutes!
Butterscotch Cookie Recipe
Cookie Butter Cookies
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Biscoff Butter Cookies
Biscoff butter cookies are super soft, extra gooey, and packed full of cinnamon cookie butter flavor. This easy no-chill cookie dough is made in one bowl and is ready to eat in 20 minutes!
Cookie Butter Cookie Recipe
Million Dollar Cookies
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Million Dollar Cookies
Million dollar cookies are soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies stuffed with potato chips, walnuts, coconut, and dark chocolate. They are the perfect combination of salty and sweet! With no chill time or mixer required, they are the best last-minute dessert!
Million Dollar Cookie Recipe
Holiday Cookie Prep Tips
- Read recipes thoroughly: Read the entire recipe before starting, this can ensure you have all of the necessary equipment and ingredients before starting!
- Be mindful of chilling times: Most recipes require an overnight chill time. Plan to make these recipes the day before you plan to bake them!
- Use an oven thermometer: To ensure baking accuracy, preheat the oven and use an oven thermometer to maintain consistent temperatures. This helps prevent issues like excessive spreading or browning.
- Properly measure ingredients: Avoid scooping flour directly into measuring cups, as it can lead to using too much. Opt for the spoon-level method: fluff the flour, then spoon it into the measuring cup. For precise results, use a kitchen scale!
- Check your baking powder and baking soda: Check leavening expiration dates! Fresh baking powder and soda are vital for proper rise and texture in cookies.
- Freeze the dough ahead of time: Most recipes can be baked straight from the freezer- mix, scoop, and freeze the cookie dough balls to save time.
If you tried these or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!
