30+ Christmas cookies recipes for your cookie tray or cookie swap! My list includes all the best Christmas cookie recipes, from beloved classics to new and unique options.
The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes ( & My Personal Favorites!)
Santa called, and he thinks you need to up your Christmas cookie game. Sure classic chocolate chip cookies are good, but the jolly old elf deserves something a bit more unique and festive on his big day, right? Make him one of these Christmas cookies recipes, and you will land a permanent spot on his “nice” list!
Today’s post is actually an update of one of my older recipe roundups. At that time, I only had 12 Christmas cookies recipes, and today that number has climbed to well over 30! Below you’ll find a little bit of everything: chocolatey cookies, spicy cookies (even with cayenne pepper!), fruity cookies, buttery cookies, and more.
If I had to pick one recipe for you to try from this list–dare I say the BEST of the best Christmas cookie recipes–it would have to be my easy sugar cookies. Gone are the days when you cut out adorable cookie shapes only to have them turn into unrecognizable blobs in the oven. My recipe cuts beautifully, holds its shape, and can even be customized to be as thick (soft) and thin (crispy) as you like!
Top them with my easy sugar cookie icing (my preference over fussier and less tasty royal icing!), and you’ll have the most beautiful, most flavorful, BEST sugar cookies of your life. Seriously!
1. Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe
“Phenomenal recipe! It was so easy to make and tasted and turned out PERFECT! I’ll definitely be using this recipe again in the future!” – Lulu, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavorful, easy, and they hold their shape–these truly are the BEST sugar cookies.
EASY SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE
2. Thumbprint Cookies
One of my most popular Christmas cookies recipes! I also have chocolate thumbprint cookies, if you want something a little different.
Customize classic thumbprint cookies with your favorite jam filling. Just 30 minutes of chilling!
THUMBPRINT COOKIES RECIPE
3. Crinkle Cookies
These are thick, soft, and fudgy and one of the first to go on my Christmas cookie tray! Just a quick note, the dough does take several hours to chill, but that makes it a great candidate for making a day in advance.
Crinkle cookies taste like brownies and have a festive look, thanks to a powdered sugar coating.
CRINKLE COOKIES RECIPE
4. Gingerbread Men Cookies
“These cookies come out perfectly every time for us. We follow the recipe exactly and they make the most amazing gingerbread cookies I’ve ever had.” – Melanie, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Shortbread Cookies
One of the best Christmas cookie recipes! I love dipping mine in melted chocolate, and sometimes topping with a few festive sprinkles, too.
Tender and buttery shortbread cookies that hold their shape in the oven. These can be enjoyed year-round, but especially at Christmas.
SHORTBREAD COOKIES RECIPE
6. Snowball Cookies
I also have chocolate chip snowball cookies.
Buttery, tender cookies filled with chopped nuts and rolled in powdered sugar. They look so pretty on a Christmas cookie tray!
SNOWBALL COOKIES RECIPE
7. Grinch Cookies
Cute and festive Grinch cookies are one of my kids’ favorites. They’re a fun twist on classic M&M cookies.
No chilling! These cookies have a very subtle peppermint flavor and fun green color.
GRINCH COOKIES RECIPE
8. Whipped Shortbread
“These are phenomenal. I’ve been searching for years for a shortbread cookie that was more melt in your mouth than crumbly. These are perfection.” – Lindsay, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The easiest Christmas cookie you’ll make! Just 6 ingredients, no chilling, and ready in under 30 minutes.
WHIPPED SHORTBREAD COOKIES RECIPE
9. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Just like peppermint bark candy! They’re pretty and festive.
Chewy chocolate cookies, white chocolate, and crushed candy canes come together in this easy no-chill cookie recipe.
PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES RECIPE
10. Peanut Butter Blossoms
One of the most popular Christmas cookies recipes and a top request! I grew up with dry, crumbly blossoms that were shortening-heavy, for my version I perfected a soft and buttery texture that pairs perfectly with the milk chocolate kisses.
Peanut butter blossoms have a soft peanut butter cookie base topped with milk chocolate kisses. You can’t have Christmas without them!
PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS RECIPE
11. Spritz Cookies
“Never liked spritz cookies but these were delightful! So light and airy. I think I will add some almond extract next time and also experiment with dipping some in chocolate. Thanks for a great recipe!” – Jan, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spritz cookies are classic German Christmas cookies. They are very simple and a lot of fun to make with no chilling required!
SPRITZ COOKIES RECIPE
12. Drop Sugar Cookies
Don’t have time to roll and cut dough? Drop sugar cookies are just as festive. These are buttery, soft, and chewy and I love making them year round. Customize them for the occasion by using holiday-themed sanding sugar.
No chilling, rolling, or cutting required! Drop sugar cookies are the easier (but just as tasty!) alternative to classic sugar cookies. One of the best Christmas cookie recipes to make when you’re short on time!
DROP SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE
13. Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
A chocolatey twist on classic shortbread! These are just as buttery and hold their shape beautifully. Dip them in melted chocolate for next-level decadence.
Only 6 ingredients! My chocolate shortbread cookies hold their shape and taste amazing with a melted chocolate dunk.
CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD COOKIES RECIPE
14. Soft & Chewy Gingersnaps
“Wow. This recipe is incredible! I made a batch for company and it disappeared so quickly I had to whip up a second batch. By far the best gingersnaps I’ve ever had. Thanks for a great recipe!” – Jenny, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love the flavor of gingersnaps but prefer soft and chewy cookies, this recipe is for you!
SOFT & CHEWY GINGERSNAPS RECIPE
15. Butter Cookies
Mix the dough very well, so it’s soft enough to pipe easily (under-mixing could leave you with a hand workout and frustration towards your piping bag!). Dipping in chocolate is optional, but highly recommended.
Simple (only 6 ingredients), crisp, and buttery! Butter cookies are one of my favorite Christmas cookies.
BUTTER COOKIES RECIPE
16. Chocolate Sugar Cookies
“I can’t believe how delicious these cookies are!! I have tried many chocolate sugar cookies and was so disappointed, but I have found the perfect one for holiday cookies. Thank you for the recipe. Can’t stop eating these.” – Cheryl, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These hold their shape and can be as thick or thin as you like, just like my non-chocolate version!
CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE
17. Snickerdoodles
Or, to be a bit unique, try my chocolate snickerdoodles or brown butter snickerdoodles.
No chilling required! This classic snickerdoodle recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and always flies off the cookie tray.
SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES RECIPE
18. Lace Cookies
Lace cookies are a cookie/candy hybrid that are almost like a brittle. These are risky to keep around… it’s impossible to stop at 1 (or 2… or 3…).
Lace cookies taste like toffee and have a candied brittle texture. Just 15 minutes to prep!
LACE COOKIES RECIPE
19. Linzer Cookies
With their peek-a-boo jam centers and powdered sugar exteriors, Linzer cookies are fun, festive and pretty. Oh, and they’re egg-free, too.
Includes a nut-free option! These beautiful Austrian Christmas cookies will be the star of your cookie swap.
LINZER COOKIES RECIPE
20. Christmas Kiss Cookies
A fun twist on the crinkle cookies I shared above. I won’t lie, the candy-cane stripes paired with the dark chocolate and white sugar sometimes remind me a bit of Jigsaw… but they sure are tasty! Use your favorite holiday kisses!
Fudgy chocolate cookies topped with your favorite holiday Hershey kisses. Simple and easy, but so good!
CHRISTMAS KISS COOKIES RECIPE
21. Pizzelle
“These were delicious and perfect! I’ve tried many pizzelle recipes and I finally found the one I will always use! These are perfectly sweet (no powered sugar needed) and very thin and crispy (the way a pizzelle should be).” – Bernie, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pizzelle are crisp Italian cookies that are lightly sweetened and flavored with Anise. So pretty and unique on a cookie tray!
PIZZELLE RECIPE
22. Eggnog Cookies
These eggnog cookies are festive without any peppermint or ginger.
Flavored with real eggnog in both the cookies and the glaze, this recipe is SO festive and fun. No chilling!
EGGNOG COOKIES RECIPE
23. Hot Chocolate Cookies
Like a cup of hot chocolate in cookie form! This is one of my most unique Christmas cookie recipes.
Fudgy chocolate cookie bases, marshmallow centers, and even more chocolate on top. These are decadent and so fun!
HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES RECIPE
24. Italian Cookies
“This was my first time making these. I’m not much of a baker but they turned out wonderfully. I made them with anise extract. I’m going to make another batch with lemon. Thanks for the recipe and video!” – Mary, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Italian cookies are super soft and simple Christmas cookies. No chilling required!
ITALIAN COOKIES RECIPE
25. Orange Cranberry Cookies
I have to thank a few of you for turning me on to how amazing cranberry and orange are when paired together. This is a fun and unique cookie that works well with fresh or frozen cranberries.
26. Gingersnaps
Many gingersnap recipes on the internet lack the critical snap factor and are instead soft and chewy. Not these. These are perfectly spiced (remember the cayenne I mentioned earlier…) and carefully perfected to be actually snappy.
Crisp and snappy gingersnaps are a Christmas classic! My recipe guarantees that classic gingersnap texture.
GINGERSNAP COOKIES RECIPE
27. No-Chill Sugar Cookies
“Made these for the first time tonight, followed the instructions exactly and they are perfect. Did not puff, clean crisp edges and the taste absolutely amazing.” – Susan, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the BEST Christmas cookie recipes! These no-chill sugar cookies maintain a crisp, defined shape without any chilling at all.
NO CHILL SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE
28. Coal Cookies
Need something unique? Coal cookies taste like Oreo cookies and look like lumps of coal! Black cocoa is the secret to the color (no food coloring needed).
Coal cookies might not look so pretty, but the taste is unreal! This recipe will have you begging to be on Santa’s naughty list.
COAL COOKIES RECIPE
29. Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
These are a favorite of mine. This recipe combines soft gingerbread cookies with creamy white chocolate buttercream.
These gingerbread sandwich cookies have all the flavors of classic gingerbread, but in an elevated, gourmet style!
GINGERBREAD SANDWICH COOKIES RECIPE
30. Russian Tea Cakes
Very similar to snowball cookies, these are classic, super simple and pretty.
These simple cookies are a classic at tea parties, showers, and Christmas. They are super easy to make and oh so pretty.
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES RECIPE
31. Sand Tarts
This recipe is especially festive with colored sanding sugars. Feel free to cut your cookies into fun shapes!
Sand tarts are classic Pennsylvania Dutch cookies that are rolled thin and sprinkled with sugar. They have a crisp texture and buttery flavor.
SAND TARTS RECIPE
32. Lemon Meltaway Cookies
“This has become my absolute favorite lemon cookie! I have made them twice so far and my family loves them just as much as I do!” – Laurie, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lemon meltaways get their name because they truly melt in your mouth! Only seven ingredients.
LEMON MELTAWAY COOKIES RECIPE
33. Anise Cookies
A traditional twist on the Italian cookies I shared earlier. Anise has the distinct flavor of black licorice, and while I’m not a fan of that candy in its plain form, I love these melt-in-your mouth cookies.
Anise cookies are classic Italian Christmas cookies. They are very easy to make with a simple glaze on top!
ANISE COOKIES RECIPE
34. Molasses Cookies
Similar to gingerbread, these cookies have a warm and cozy flavor that’s perfect for Christmas.
Molasses cookies are similar to gingerbread with a warm, cozy flavor and a sparkly, crackled appearance.
MOLASSES COOKIES RECIPE
35. Funfetti Christmas Cookies
This is a festive spin on classic chocolate chip cookies. Use your favorite holiday sprinkles!
Soft and chewy with chocolate chips and plenty of sprinkles! These are classic chocolate chip cookies, but elevated in a festive way.
FUNFETTI CHRISTMAS COOKIES RECIPE
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing cookie dough is a great way to break up your Christmas baking! Fortunately for you, I have an entire guide on how to freeze cookie dough. I outline how to freeze each type of cookie, from cutouts to sugar coated cookies. It’s a great resource!
Yes! Some might even argue that no-chill Christmas cookie recipes are the best Christmas cookie recipes (especially if you are baking with impatient little ones)!
If you head over to my no-chill cookie recipes post, you’ll find my 13 no chill Christmas cookies recipes listed there.
Leave me a comment below if you plan to try any of these recipes this year. I’d LOVE to hear what you typically include on your Christmas cookie tray!
Oh, and if there’s a cookie that you think deserves a spot among the BEST Christmas cookie recipes, please comment below so I can add it to my list.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
