This festive collection of 25 Christmas cookie recipes has sweet treats for every cookie plate. From classics to creative twists, this collection has something for every holiday baker.
Baking Christmas cookies has always been one of my favorite activities. As long as I can remember, my mom and I have baked Christmas cookies together. When I was about 5, I was always responsible for creaming the butter and sugar by hand. I used to say "I hate the butter sugar part," but she would explain why that part was important. I used to also spend time in the kitchen with my German grandmother. That kitchen is still one of my favorite places to be! So, of course I had to include a section with German Christmas cookies in this post. I haven't posted any of her Christmas cookie recipes, but maybe one day she'll let me!
Christmas Cookie Baking Tips
Here are some of my tips for successful Christmas cookie baking:
- Read the entire recipe before beginning. See how easy or complex the recipe is. Make note of any chilling or cooling time and any special tools needed.
- Don't skimp on the chilling. When a recipe says to chill cookie dough, it's usually for a reason, like to help the cookies hold their shape when baking.
- Cooling is especially important for iced cookies. If cookies are iced warm, your icing will probably be melty and won't set right.
- Parchment paper is my bestie for baking cookies. Even on a nonstick baking sheet, using parchment makes for easier cleanup.
- Make sure your baking soda and baking powder are not old. Even if they aren't expired, consider replacing them if they've been open for 6-12 months. If your house tends to be humid, err on the shorter side of this timeline. You can also test baking soda and baking powder to see if it's still good. This post from Taste of Home will tell you how.
Contents
This post is broken into the following categories of Christmas cookie recipes:
- Christmas Themed Cookies
- Inspired by Christmas Desserts
- Pinwheel Cookies
- Ginger and Gingerbread Cookies
- German Christmas Cookies
- Peppermint Cookies
- Cranberry Cookies
Looking for more cookie recipes? Check out my Cookie Collection. For a couple more Christmas baking ideas (that aren't cookies) check out my Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes and Eggnog Cupcakes.
Christmas Themed Cookies
Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies
Festive Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings! This easy Austrian inspired cookie recipe is buttery, zesty, and simple for edible gifting, cookie trays & cookie exchanges.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Reipes from a Pantry
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate sweet-and-salty holiday treat. They’re quick to make, budget-friendly, and packed with all the fun mix-ins everyone loves.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Budget Delicious
Grinch Cookies with Cake Mix
Easy Grinch cookies are made with cake mix, tinted Grinch green, rolled in powdered sugar "snow" and decorated with a heart sprinkle.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: I Heart Naptime
Stained Glass Cookies
Stained glass cookies are an easy holiday cookie to make, but they are showstoppers! Jaws will drop when you reveal that you made them!!
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Italian Christmas Cookies
Italian Christmas cookies are a holiday treat with a soft vanilla flavored ricotta cookie topped with an almond glaze and red and green sprinkles.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: I Heart Naptime
M&M Holiday Cookie Bars
Bake up a batch of chewy and festive M&M Cookie Bars! This easy holiday recipe is packed with chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms—perfect for parties, gifting, or a sweet family treat.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Mommy Christmas
Reindeer Oreo Cookie Balls (No Bake)
These adorable reindeer Oreo balls are a magical no-bake Christmas cookie! With only 2 main ingredients, they’re cute, easy and quick to make.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: jellojoy
Inspired by Christmas Desserts
Fruitcake Cookies
Fruitcake cookies are festive holiday cookies with candied fruit and a touch of cinnamon. Perfect for Christmas baking!
Go to Recipe
Gingerbread Yule Log Cookies with Nutella Filling
Featured in Taste of Home’s “Ultimate Cookie Swap,” this soft gingerbread cookie is a delicious combination of gingerbread, Nutella, and lime (and no molasses) all rolled up in a festive Yule Log cookie.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Food Meanderings
Pinwheel Cookies
Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cookies bring the comfort of a warm cinnamon roll into cookie format. Fresh orange zest brightens the flavors and adds a subtle citrus flavor that pairs perfectly with the cozy cinnamon and nutty brown butter flavors balanced by cream cheese icing.
Go to Recipe
Christmas Almond Pinwheel Cookies
With the festive red, white and green swirls and a unique almond flavor, these Christmas Pinwheel cookies make a great addition to your holiday baking platter, a cookie swap or an edible Christmas gift.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Food Meanderings
Ginger and Gingerbread Cookies
Ginger Cookies with Orange Icing
These ginger cookies are a twist on gingersnaps. The dough is filled with spicy ground ginger and the glaze uses bright, fresh orange.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: The Sifted Field
Double Ginger Molasses Cookies
Double Ginger Molasses Cookies belong to the chewy-molasses-cookie family, but they have so much flavor and so many surprises that they transcend the familiar. For starters, there’s both crystallized ginger and powdered ginger, lots of chopped dark chocolate and an optional bit of instant espresso too.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: A Cedar Spoon
Gingerbread Blossoms
Gingerbread blossoms are a beautiful soft and chewy gingerbread cookie with a Hershey hug on top.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Liv’s Little Muffins
Gingerbread Macarons
Festive gingerbread macarons with crispy gingerbread flavored shells, gingerbread buttercream filling, chocolate drizzle, and sprinkles.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Anna Banana
German Christmas Cookies
Zimtsterne: German Cinnamon Stars (Gluten Free)
A light, sweet, German Christmas cookie made with almonds, sugar, and egg whites. These are gluten-free by default since they are made with ground nuts rather than traditional flour and therefore do not use a specialty flour.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Christina's Cucina
Pfeffernusse: German Spice Cookies
German Spice Cookie are perfectly sweetened with brown sugar and molasses. They gave all of the wonderful Christmas spices and scents that taste like the holiday season.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Mommy Evolution
Lebkuchen
Make a batch of Lebkuchen and you are sure to fall in love with these traditional German cookies! Heavenly spiced soft cookies that are cross between a biscuit and a cake and only get better with age.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Supergolden Bakes
Peppermint Cookies
Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Chewy peppermint sugar cookies with a simple glaze and crushed candy canes. A family Christmas recipe made without chilling or rolling.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Kelly Neil
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are loaded with peppermint candy and chocolate chips! The soft cookie base with festive add-ins provides a festive and tasty twist to a classic cookie recipe.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: 365 Days of Baking
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
These Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate Cookies make one festive holiday dessert, perfect for gifts and cookie exchanges.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Midwexican
Peppermint Kiss Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These Peppermint Kiss Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are like brownie crinkle cookies with a holiday spin.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: A Taste of Madness
Cranberry Cookies
Cranberry Noels
Slightly chewy, slightly crunchy, and totally delicious, these Cranberry Noels are a wonderful holiday cookie, perfect for a snack, after dinner dessert or as a welcome addition to a holiday cookie tray.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Ann's Entitled Life
Cranberry Orange Pecan Scottish Shortbread
This recipe is a twist on traditional Scottish shortbread with cranberry, orange, and pecans.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Caroline's Easy Baking Lessons
Cranberry Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cranberry oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with crispy, caramelized edges and perfectly gooey centers can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Go to Recipe
Recipe from: Liv’s Little Muffins
