It just doesn’t feel like Christmas without a batch (or three!) of cookies in the oven. These are my go-to holiday bakes — simple, festive, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing.
Every December, I find myself baking just one more batch of cookies for cookie swaps, holiday parties, and, let’s be honest, plenty of late-night taste testing.
Whether you’re after the classics, something chocolatey, or a cozy spiced favorite, this list has you covered. I’ve gathered my favorite Christmas cookie recipes from over the years — the ones I bake again and again — to make your holiday baking a little easier (and a lot sweeter).
So grab your mixing bowls, queue up some festive music, and let’s fill those cookie trays!
Updated for 2025 with new cookies and refreshed favorites!
Jump to Your Favorite Cookies
Cookie Baking Tips
Every recipe has its quirks, but a few simple habits can make all the difference in your holiday baking. Keep these essentials in mind as you work your way through your Christmas cookie list.
- Read through the recipe first. It sounds simple, but it’s easy to dive right in and miss a key step or a long chill time. A quick read can save you a mid-bake surprise.
- Gather your ingredients before you start. Having everything measured and ready (the fancy term is mise en place) makes baking smoother and ensures you’re not missing anything halfway through.
- Check your pans. Think of your baking sheets as another ingredient. They matter more than you might expect. I recommend light-colored, non-shiny metal pans for even browning. Learn more: How to Choose Baking Pans
- Take stock of your tools. Make sure you’ve got parchment paper, cookie scoops, and cutters at the ready before you begin. You can find my favorite cookie tools in my Amazon storefront (affiliate link).
- Chill doughs when needed. If a recipe calls for chilling, don’t skip it! It helps control spread and improves texture. And if your kitchen is extra warm from all that baking, a little extra chill time won’t hurt.
- Make substitutions carfully. Small changes can lead to big differences in results. If you need to swap ingredients, look for guidance in the recipe notes or from a trusted source first.
- Get ahead on prep. Most cookie doughs as well as many baked cookies freeze beautifully. Check the recipe for storage tips, and see How to Freeze Cookie Dough for even more guidance.
Timeless Christmas Classics
The heart of every holiday cookie tray! These are the tried-and-true favorites that never fail to bring smiles. Buttery, simple, and endlessly giftable, they’re the recipes you’ll want to bake year after year.
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Spritz Cookies
Danish Butter Cookies
3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
Snowball Cookies
Linzer Cookies
Drop Sugar Cookies
Cornmeal Cookies
Brown Sugar Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate Lover’s Favorites
From fudgy and chewy to crisp and cocoa-rich, these cookies are made for anyone who believes there’s no such thing as too much chocolate. Keep a few of these on your tray for the chocoholics in your crowd. They’ll disappear first!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Outrageous Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Double Chocolate Cookies
Marbled Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cozy, Spiced, and Full of Cheer
These cookies bring all the warmth and aroma of the holidays, with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a little nostalgia in every bite. They’re perfect for filling the kitchen with that unmistakable Christmas scent.
Pfeffernüsse Cookies
Sugar and Spice Cookies
Maple Ginger Cookies
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Cranberry Orange Shortbread
Chai Sugar Cookies
Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies
Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies
Toasty, Nutty, and Irresistible
Buttery, crunchy, and full of rich flavor, these cookies celebrate the simple magic of nuts in all their forms, from delicate almond to bold peanut butter. They’re perfect for adding variety and texture to any holiday cookie tray.
Amaretti Cookies
Macadamia Butter Cookies with Dried Cranberries
Cinnamon Pecan Puffs
Brown Butter Pistachio Cookies
Hazelnut Crescent Cookies
Pignoli Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Easy Bars and No-Bake Treats
When you want something sweet without extra fuss, these recipes deliver all the joy of homemade cookies with a fraction of the effort. Perfect for last-minute gifts, cookie swaps, or simply keeping your dessert tray full.
Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
Chocolate Shortbread
Macadamia Shortbread
Avalanche Cookies
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Salted Nut Squares
Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars
Haystacks
Pretty and Gift-Ready Cookies
These are the showstoppers, the cookies that look every bit as special as they taste. They stack beautifully, pack well for gifting, and make a holiday cookie tray feel instantly festive.
Pinwheel Cookies
Slice and Bake Pistachio Cookies
Coconut Macaroons
White Chocolate Snickerdoodles
Raspberry Ribbon Cookies
Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Zimtsterne
Cookie Troubleshooting
Cookies spreading, over-baking, or sticking to the pan? Don’t worry — it happens to the best of us. I’ve rounded up the most common cookie issues (and their easy fixes) in Common Cookie Problems and How to Prevent Them. Even seasoned bakers will find a few reminders worth revisiting before the holiday baking marathon begins.
Packaging and Serving Tips
Sharing homemade cookies is one of the sweetest parts of the season. Whether you’re building a cookie tray for a party or wrapping up gifts for friends and neighbors, a little presentation goes a long way.
You’ll find lots of ideas for arranging and packaging in How to Make a Perfect Christmas Cookie Tray, plus some of my favorite packaging and serving supplies in my Amazon storefront (affiliate link).
Here’s to a Season Full of Cookies
Whether you love the classics or prefer something a little unexpected, this collection has a cookie (or bar, or bite!) for every kind of baker. From buttery classics and rich chocolate treats to spiced, nutty, and no-bake sweets, these recipes are made to bring a little extra joy to your holiday baking.
Bake a few for a cookie swap, box them up as homemade gifts, or simply keep some on hand for cozy nights in. There’s no wrong way to share a little sweetness this season.
What will you bake first? I’d love to hear your holiday favorites in the comments!
11 Comments on “Best Christmas Cookies for the Holidays”
What a fabulous lineup of cookies! I want to bake all of them, but won’t be able to pull that off. But, for sure, I’ll be sampling @ least of few of them….
I will try the Cranberry Shortbread tomorrow. Just the thing to take to the Quilt Guilt Christmas party next Tue.
Fabulous collection! Love the salty brown sugar cookies, those look delicious 🙂
Thanks for the round up – You have given me some ideas for my holiday baking. Hard to believe it is almost December!
Great list! Happy Baking!
What a great round-up of cookies. Loving those Zimtsterne. Can’t wait to try them!
Would it be totally outrageous for me to make all of these?!
Hmmm.
All lol fabulous, will definitely be making some of them
I feel total overload right now…. In a very good way. Maybe my New Years resolution will be to bake each one of these cookie recipes!!!!! Except for the no bake one! Probably a resolution I would actually do!
Now that’s a resolution I could do! 🙂