10+ Christmas Cookies Recipes to Delight Your Holiday Season

Christmas cookies bring joy and warmth to the holiday season. They are a delightful way to share love and creativity with family and friends.

You can create a variety of delicious cookies that will make your gatherings even more special.

Baking these cookies allows you to explore fun flavors and festive decorations. Whether you prefer classic sugar cookies or something more adventurous, there’s a recipe out there for everyone.

Enjoy making memories in the kitchen while preparing treats that will be cherished by all.

1) Classic Sugar Cookie with Easy Icing

Classic sugar cookies are a holiday favorite. They are soft, sweet, and perfect for decorating. You can add your own touch with colorful icing and sprinkles.

To make these cookies, start with a simple dough. Roll it out and cut your favorite shapes. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until lightly golden.

Let the cookies cool before icing. For easy icing, mix powdered sugar, water, and a splash of vanilla. Use a squeeze bottle for fun designs.

Enjoy these cookies with family and friends. They are sure to bring smiles during the holidays.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
• 2 tablespoons water (for icing)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light.
4. Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
6. Roll the dough on a floured surface and cut into shapes.
7. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes.
8. Allow cookies to cool before decorating with icing.

2) Vanilla Almond Snowball Cookies

Vanilla almond snowball cookies are a delightful treat for the holiday season. These cookies are soft, buttery, and packed with almond flavor. The dusting of powdered sugar gives them a snowy look that adds to their charm.

You can easily whip up a batch with just a few simple ingredients. They are perfect for sharing with friends and family at gatherings or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar.
3. Mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Stir in flour, almonds, and salt until combined.
5. Roll the dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
7. Let cool, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

3) Gingerbread Men with Spiced Icing

Gingerbread men cookies are a classic holiday treat. They are soft and spiced, perfect for decorating with fun icing. You can enjoy these cookies at parties or give them as gifts.

For the icing, a mix of powdered sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of milk creates a sweet and flavorful topping. You can get creative with colors and designs to make your cookies festive.

These cookies are simple to make and bring a warm, cozy feeling to your holiday baking. Gather your family or friends to make this enjoyable treat together.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture.
5. Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients.
6. Roll out dough and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
8. Let cool and decorate with spiced icing.

4) Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies are a delightful treat for the holiday season. These cookies are soft and fudgy, with a refreshing hint of peppermint.

To make them, you will need cocoa powder for a rich flavor. Rolling the dough in powdered sugar gives them their signature crinkle look. It’s like having a chewy brownie in cookie form!

These cookies are great for sharing during Christmas gatherings. You can also package them as gifts, making your friends and family smile.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50g) cocoa powder
• 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (115g) butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Powdered sugar for rolling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and baking powder.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, and peppermint extract.
4. Combine both mixtures and stir until smooth.
5. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes.
6. Scoop the dough and roll into balls.
7. Roll each ball in powdered sugar.
8. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

5) Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies

Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies are a festive treat that everyone will love. These cookies are soft, thick, and bursting with colorful M&M candies. They are perfect for cookie swaps and holiday gatherings.

To make these cookies, you will need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter. The M&Ms add a fun touch and make them extra special.

You can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes. That means you can enjoy your treats without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup M&M candies

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
5. Gradually mix in the flour mixture.
6. Fold in the M&Ms.
7. Drop by tablespoons onto a baking sheet.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

6) Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies are soft and delicious treats perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are made with ricotta cheese, which keeps them moist and adds a unique flavor. You can decorate them with icing and sprinkles for a festive touch.

To make these treats, you’ll need basic ingredients like butter, flour, and of course, ricotta cheese. They are easy to prepare and great for sharing at parties or cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226g) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (400g) white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Add eggs and ricotta cheese, then stir until smooth.
4. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to the wet mixture.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until lightly golden.

7) Soft Snickerdoodle Christmas Stars

Soft Snickerdoodle Christmas Stars are a fun twist on the classic cookie. They are perfect for holiday parties and gatherings. The stars not only taste amazing but also look festive on a cookie platter.

To make these cookies, you’ll need to start with the right ingredients. The combination of cinnamon and sugar gives them a delightful flavor. You’ll also enjoy their soft and chewy texture.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sugar for coating
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon for coating

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, then mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mix.
6. Roll the dough into star shapes, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mix.
7. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

8) Lemon Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful treat. They have a buttery texture with a bright lemon flavor, perfect for any holiday gathering.

To make them, start with a simple shortbread dough. You can add lemon zest to boost that refreshing taste.

Once you shape the cookies, make a small indentation in the center. This is where you’ll add your favorite lemon curd or strawberry jam.

These cookies bake at 325°F (165°C) until they are lightly golden. Enjoy them warm or cooled; they’re sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• Lemon curd or strawberry jam for filling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar.
3. Add vanilla, flour, salt, and lemon zest. Mix until combined.
4. Shape the dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Make an indentation in the center of each ball.
6. Fill each indentation with lemon curd or jam.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
8. Let cool before serving.

9) Cinnamon Roll Christmas Pinwheels

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Pinwheels are a fun and tasty treat to make during the holiday season. These cookies are soft and have a sweet cinnamon filling. They look like cute little spirals that everyone will love.

To start, you’ll use a simple sugar cookie dough. Roll it out and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Next, roll it into a log shape and slice it into rounds.

Bake them until golden for a delightful treat.

These pinwheels are perfect for holiday gatherings or just a cozy night in. Enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa for the full festive experience!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together in a bowl.
3. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
4. Gradually add flour to form dough.
5. Roll out the dough; sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar on top.
6. Roll the dough into a log and slice it into pinwheels.
7. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

10) Cranberry Orange Biscotti

Cranberry orange biscotti are a delightful treat for the holidays. These Italian cookies are crunchy and full of flavor. The combination of dried cranberries and fresh orange zest makes them perfect for dipping in hot drinks.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll want to have everything ready for an easy baking experience. These biscotti make wonderful gifts or snacks for any festive gathering.

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
3. Beat in the eggs, orange zest, and orange extract.
4. In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients.
6. Fold in dried cranberries.
7. Shape the dough into two logs and place them on a baking sheet.
8. Bake for 25 minutes, then let the logs cool for a few minutes.
9. Slice the logs into biscotti shapes and bake again for 10 minutes.
10. Allow the biscotti to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!