The holiday season is never complete without a tray of beautifully decorated Christmas cookies. These sweet treats bring joy to kids, delight guests, and make perfect homemade gifts. Whether you love classic gingerbread, buttery shortbread, or colorful sugar cookies, there’s a recipe here for everyone to enjoy. Let’s jump into some spectacular cookie ideas you can bake and share this Christmas!
Classic Gingerbread Men
Gingerbread men are the heart of Christmas cookie traditions. The dough is spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, filling the kitchen with a cozy aroma. Rolling out the dough is fun for the whole family, and cookie cutters in classic shapes make it even better.
Decorating is where creativity shines. Use simple white icing for outlines, or add candy buttons for a playful touch. If you’re on a budget, basic powdered sugar icing works perfectly. No need for fancy tools—just a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off will do the job.
Want to gift these cookies? Wrap them in small clear bags tied with red ribbons. They look cheerful and keep the cookies fresh for days. Gingerbread men aren’t just cookies—they’re little pieces of Christmas joy.
Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies
These cookies look just as fun as they taste. The dough is tinted with red food coloring and twisted together to create a candy cane shape. A sprinkle of crushed peppermint on top adds both crunch and flavor.
Making them is simpler than it looks. Roll two ropes of dough—one plain, one red—and gently twist them together. Kids love helping with this part. If you’re keeping costs low, skip the peppermint topping and just bake the candy cane shape. They’ll still look beautiful.
Serve them alongside hot cocoa for a holiday movie night. Or arrange a bunch of them in a jar for a thoughtful, inexpensive gift. They store well and stay chewy for several days. Peppermint candy cane cookies bring color and charm to any holiday dessert spread.
Soft Sugar Cookie Cutouts
Soft sugar cookies are a holiday classic. They’re easy to shape, fun to decorate, and always a crowd-pleaser. The dough rolls out smoothly, making it perfect for cookie cutters in festive shapes like snowflakes, stars, or bells.
When it comes to decorating, you don’t need fancy tools. Just mix powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring for quick frosting. Add sprinkles or crushed candy for extra sparkle. Kids love getting creative with these cookies, and they double as edible holiday crafts.
To keep things budget-friendly, make a big batch of dough and split it into sections. Each section can be dyed a different color for variety without extra ingredients. These cookies also freeze well, so you can bake ahead and decorate closer to Christmas. Soft sugar cookie cutouts are simple, fun, and perfect for family traditions.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies look like they’ve been dusted with snow, making them perfect for Christmas. The dough is rich and chocolatey, rolled in powdered sugar before baking. As they bake, cracks form, creating a beautiful contrast of dark chocolate and white sugar.
They taste like brownies in cookie form—soft, chewy, and full of chocolate flavor. If you’re baking on a budget, these are a great option since the ingredients are simple: cocoa powder, sugar, flour, and eggs. No fancy decorations needed—the crinkle effect makes them stunning on their own.
Make a big batch and store them in an airtight tin. They stay chewy for several days, making them ideal for cookie swaps or gifts. For an extra festive touch, pair them with a sprinkle of crushed candy cane on top before baking. Chocolate crinkle cookies are an easy way to bring both beauty and flavor to your holiday table.
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, are melt-in-your-mouth buttery bites rolled in powdered sugar. Their snowy look fits perfectly with the Christmas theme.
The dough is simple—just butter, flour, sugar, and chopped nuts. Walnuts or pecans work great, but if you’re keeping costs low, use peanuts or skip the nuts entirely. They’ll still taste delicious.
After baking, roll them in powdered sugar while warm, then again once cooled for that fluffy snow-like coating. They’re not overly sweet, which makes them perfect alongside a cup of hot cocoa or coffee.
Snowball cookies also package beautifully as gifts. Place them in a festive tin lined with tissue paper, and they’ll look like little snow treasures. These cookies are delicate, tasty, and make the holiday table extra magical.
Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are as beautiful as they are tasty. They feature two buttery cookie layers with jam sandwiched in between. The top layer has a cutout—often a star, heart, or tree—revealing the colorful jam underneath.
The dough is rich and slightly nutty, often made with almond flour for extra flavor. But if you’re sticking to a budget, you can use regular flour and still get great results. Raspberry or strawberry jam works best for that festive red color.
Making them may look fancy, but the process is straightforward. Roll out the dough, cut your shapes, and bake. Once cooled, spread jam and gently press the top cookie on. A dusting of powdered sugar completes the look.
Linzer cookies are perfect for holiday parties because they stand out on a cookie tray. They also make thoughtful gifts, packaged in small boxes with wax paper layers. Linzer cookies are the ultimate mix of elegance and holiday cheer.
Shortbread Christmas Trees
Shortbread cookies are simple, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good. By cutting the dough into triangles, you can decorate them as little Christmas trees. A touch of green icing and colorful sprinkles turns a plain cookie into something festive.
Shortbread only needs a handful of ingredients—flour, sugar, and butter. That makes it budget-friendly and quick to prepare. The key is to use cold butter and avoid overmixing the dough.
Once baked, let them cool before decorating. A drizzle of icing is enough, or you can keep them plain if you prefer a minimalist look. These cookies pair beautifully with tea or coffee, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.
If you’re gifting them, stack a few in a cellophane bag tied with string. They keep well and don’t crumble easily, so they travel nicely. Shortbread Christmas trees are simple yet festive treats that never disappoint.
Stained Glass Cookies
Stained glass cookies are showstoppers. They’re sugar cookies with centers filled with crushed hard candy that melts into a glass-like design as they bake. When held up to the light, they shimmer just like ornaments.
They may look complicated, but they’re easy to make. Just cut shapes out of cookie dough, then cut smaller shapes in the middle. Fill the space with crushed candy (like Jolly Ranchers), and bake. The candy melts into a glossy, colorful window.
These cookies double as edible decorations. Punch a hole at the top before baking, add a ribbon, and hang them on your tree. They also make stunning gifts when wrapped in clear bags.
To keep costs low, buy bulk hard candies and crush them yourself with a rolling pin. Each color adds its own sparkle, so even a mix of leftovers will look gorgeous. Stained glass cookies bring creativity and beauty to the Christmas table.
Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are soft, buttery treats with a sweet jam filling in the center. They’re fun to make because you press your thumb into the dough before baking, creating a little well for the jam.
Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam all work well, but red and green jams look the most festive. You can even use melted chocolate or caramel instead of jam for variety.
They’re quick to prepare and don’t require fancy equipment. If you’re watching your budget, buy one jar of jam and use it across a big batch of cookies. Powdered sugar dusted on top adds extra holiday flair.
These cookies store well in airtight containers and taste even better the next day. They’re great for cookie platters or boxed gifts. Thumbprint cookies are simple, colorful, and always a favorite at Christmas gatherings.
Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are light, buttery treats that come in fun shapes thanks to a cookie press. They’re perfect for making large batches without much effort.
You can dye the dough with food coloring to create red, green, or even gold cookies. Add sprinkles or colored sugar before baking for a festive finish. Since the dough is simple, it’s also a budget-friendly recipe.
The cookie press creates intricate designs with little work, but if you don’t have one, you can pipe the dough using a sturdy pastry bag. These cookies bake quickly and are ready in minutes.
Spritz cookies are perfect for holiday parties because you can make dozens in no time. They’re light enough to enjoy after a big meal, and they look impressive on a tray. Spritz cookies combine ease, beauty, and tradition in one bite.
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Oatmeal cranberry cookies bring a cozy, hearty flavor to the Christmas table. They’re chewy, slightly spiced, and dotted with sweet-tart cranberries.
The dough is simple: oats, flour, butter, and sugar. Dried cranberries give them holiday color, but you can swap raisins if you’re on a budget. A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg makes them even more festive.
These cookies are hearty and not overly sweet, so they balance out trays filled with sugary options. They also store well, making them great for preparing ahead of time.
For a DIY touch, mix the dry ingredients in a mason jar and gift it as a cookie mix. Add a little tag with baking instructions for a thoughtful, inexpensive present. Oatmeal cranberry cookies are wholesome, flavorful, and a perfect holiday tradition.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
White chocolate and cranberries are a match made in heaven. The sweetness of white chocolate pairs beautifully with tart cranberries, making these cookies a festive treat.
The dough is easy to prepare and uses everyday pantry ingredients. Dried cranberries add holiday color, and white chocolate chips melt into creamy pockets. If you’re looking to save money, chop up a bar of white chocolate instead of buying chips.
These cookies bake into soft, chewy rounds with pops of red and white. They look festive on a cookie tray and taste incredible with hot cocoa.
They’re also ideal for gifting. Wrap a stack in parchment paper and tie with twine for a rustic, homemade touch. White chocolate cranberry cookies are colorful, sweet, and sure to impress.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles are cinnamon-sugar coated cookies that are soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Their warm spice makes them perfect for Christmas gatherings.
The dough uses simple ingredients, and rolling each ball in cinnamon sugar before baking gives them their signature look and taste. No fancy equipment is needed—just a mixing bowl and spoon.
They stay soft for days, making them great for cookie exchanges. If you want to stretch your budget, this recipe makes a large batch with basic pantry staples.
Pair them with a glass of milk or hot chocolate for a cozy holiday snack. Snickerdoodles are simple, comforting, and always a hit with family and friends.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut butter blossoms are a holiday favorite. They’re soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss pressed in while warm.
The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is hard to beat. The dough comes together quickly, and the kiss adds a fun, festive touch. If you’re keeping costs low, substitute with any small chocolate piece you have on hand.
They’re especially fun to make with kids. Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking gives them sparkle. The melted chocolate in the center makes each bite rich and satisfying.
These cookies store well and make excellent gifts. Place them in small boxes lined with parchment, and you’ll have a holiday gift that feels special without breaking the bank. Peanut butter blossoms are classic, easy, and delicious.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint are a classic Christmas pairing. These cookies are soft, fudgy, and topped with crushed candy canes for crunch and color.
The dough is simple—chocolate base with a hint of peppermint extract. If peppermint extract is hard to find, you can simply top the cookies with crushed candy canes for flavor.
These cookies look festive thanks to the red-and-white topping. They’re also perfect for gifting since they stay chewy and flavorful for days.
Serve them with hot cocoa for a double peppermint treat. Chocolate peppermint cookies are bold, festive, and full of holiday cheer.
Eggnog Cookies
Eggnog cookies capture the flavor of the holiday drink in soft, spiced bites. Nutmeg and a touch of rum extract bring out the eggnog taste, while a simple glaze adds sweetness.
They’re quick to make and use basic pantry ingredients. If you’re sticking to a budget, you can skip the glaze—they’ll still taste delicious.
These cookies are unique and stand out among more traditional Christmas cookies. They’re also great conversation starters at parties.
Wrap a dozen in a holiday tin, and you’ll have a thoughtful homemade gift. Eggnog cookies are warm, spiced, and perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Red Velvet Cookies
Red velvet cookies are colorful, chewy, and festive. The bright red dough and creamy white chocolate chips make them stand out on any cookie tray.
They taste slightly cocoa-flavored and are soft in the center. The dough comes together quickly, and red food coloring gives them their vibrant hue.
If you’re on a budget, use fewer white chocolate chips—the color alone makes them impressive. They bake in minutes and cool quickly, so you can prepare a big batch in no time.
They also freeze well, so you can make them ahead for Christmas gatherings. Red velvet cookies are bold, colorful, and perfect for the holiday season.
Molasses Cookies
Molasses cookies are soft, spiced, and full of old-fashioned flavor. They’re flavored with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, making them taste like Christmas in cookie form.
The dough is easy to mix, and rolling the balls in sugar before baking adds sparkle. They bake into chewy rounds with slightly crisp edges.
These cookies are inexpensive to make and require only pantry staples. They stay soft for days, making them ideal for cookie exchanges.
Pair them with hot tea for a cozy evening treat. Molasses cookies are simple, spiced, and full of holiday tradition.
Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
Biscotti are crunchy Italian cookies perfect for dipping in coffee or cocoa. Adding a chocolate dip makes them festive and delicious.
The dough is baked twice, giving the cookies their signature crunch. Almonds or cranberries can be added for flavor, but even plain biscotti taste great when dipped in chocolate.
They’re budget-friendly since you can make a large batch with simple ingredients. A sprinkle of nuts or sprinkles on the chocolate coating makes them gift-ready.
Wrap a few in a bag with ribbon, and you’ll have a thoughtful treat for coffee lovers. Chocolate-dipped biscotti are elegant, crunchy, and perfect for holiday mornings.
Italian Ricotta Cookies
Ricotta cookies are soft, moist, and lightly sweet. The ricotta cheese in the dough makes them tender and fluffy.
After baking, they’re topped with a simple glaze and colorful sprinkles. Red and green sprinkles make them extra festive.
They’re easy to make and don’t require chilling the dough, so you can bake them quickly. Ricotta is inexpensive and stretches into a large batch of cookies, making this recipe budget-friendly.
These cookies are light enough to enjoy after a big meal, and they stay soft for several days. Italian ricotta cookies are delicate, cheerful, and perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Pecan Tassies
Pecan tassies are like mini pecan pies baked in cookie form. They’re made in muffin tins with a buttery crust and sweet nutty filling.
They look impressive but are simple to make. The crust can be made with cream cheese and flour, while the filling uses basic ingredients like sugar, eggs, and nuts.
If pecans are pricey, walnuts make a good substitute. These cookies are rich and satisfying, so a small batch goes a long way.
Pack them in small boxes for homemade gifts, or serve them on a dessert tray for variety. Pecan tassies are rich, nutty, and perfect for holiday indulgence.
German Pfeffernüsse
Pfeffernüsse are spiced German cookies traditionally enjoyed at Christmas. They’re flavored with black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, giving them a bold taste.
The cookies are rolled into balls and dusted with powdered sugar once baked. They’re chewy inside with a lightly crisp exterior.
These cookies use simple pantry ingredients, and spices can be adjusted to what you have on hand. They’re inexpensive yet full of flavor.
They’re also great for gifting since they pack and store well. Pfeffernüsse bring old-world holiday tradition to modern cookie trays.
Conclusion
Christmas cookies are more than just desserts—they’re memories baked into every bite. From classic gingerbread men to sparkling stained glass cookies, each recipe brings its own charm to the holiday season. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or gifts, these 21 cookies will fill your home with warmth and joy.
Try a few this year, share them with loved ones, and don’t forget to save your favorites for next time. Baking cookies is one of the sweetest ways to celebrate Christmas.
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