50+ BEST Christmas Cookies

Our Favorite Christmas Cookies plus dozens of others to share this holiday season. They’re great to make for holiday parties and functions or to package and give as gifts to neighbors, friends and family.

MORE COLLECTIONS: Christmas Appetizers, Christmas Desserts, Christmas Side Dishes, Christmas Dinner Ideas, Mexican Christmas Food, Italian Christmas Dinner Ideas

’tis the season for COOKIES!

One of our all-time favorite things to do this time of year is bake cookies!! It’s something we do all year long but something we especially look forward to during the holidays.

Making treats and assembling plates for neighbors, friends and church members is a common occurrence and a tradition we look forward to each year.

That is why I’m sharing our classic Christmas Cookies recipe today (modified off of our classic Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe), along with dozens of other Christmas cookies that are great to enjoy this time of year!

Whether you’re baking up several types for a fun holiday party or only baking a few for a cozy night at home, I’ve listed several Christmas cookie recipes that I know you’ll love along with some tips and packaging ideas.

Christmas Cookie RECIPES Tips

Most all of these recipes include tips and tricks in the post, but I wanted to include some general cookies tips here:

• Many cookies keep for about a week when stored in an airtight container. Including a piece of white bread helps keep the cookies soft.
• Most cookie dough can be frozen and stored for up to 3 months. This is especially helpful as December is particularly busy with shopping and other Christmas events. Keeping dough on hand will give you a quick freshly baked treat for any event.
• Line your pans with parchment paper, not only does it keep the cookies from sticking, but it makes for easy clean up.

how to package

Here are some of our top tips for packaging cookies this holiday season:

• The easiest is to put the cookies in a store bought holiday box or bin. Dress it up by putting piece of tissue paper, or holiday napkin, in the box before placing the cookies inside.
• Wrap in Cellophane: This is particularly pretty. Place cookies on a holiday plate and cover with plastic wrap. Then, place the plate in the center of a piece of cellophane, bring all the sides up over the plate and gather them together. Finally, tie closed with a holiday ribbon or tulle.
• Bake the cookies the same size and stack them in a large mouth mason jar. Cover the lid with Christmas fabric or paper. Tie a ribbon around the top.
• Save those Pringles cans! Wash and dry, then wrap the can with decorative holiday paper. Stack the cookies in the can, cover with the lid, and top with a gift wrapping bow.
• A brown lunch bag is pretty in its simplicity. Stack cookies in a brown lunch bag. Fold the top over and punch two holes. Thread a simple ribbon through, tulle or raffia also work, and tie the top closed.

Classic Christmas Cookies

Here are some of my favorite cookies to make at Christmas. Some take a little more work than others, but are definitely worth it. They’re classics this holiday season, so be sure to check them out.

Ginger Snaps – Homemade Gingersnaps Are A Family Favorite During The Holidays, And These Ones Are Especially Soft. A Few Secret Ingredients Make These Ginger Snap Cookies Perfectly Chewy And Sweet!

Christmas Sugar Cookies – Soft And Tender Christmas Sugar Cookies Are The Perfect Holiday Treat To Make And Eat As A Family. They Look As Magical As They Taste!

Snickerdoodles – Super Soft And Full Of Cinnamon – This Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe Is Sure To Be A Hit! They’re One Of Our Most Requested Cookie Recipes And Always Get So Many Compliments!

Spritz Cookies – Spritz Cookies Are Buttery And Sweet Pressed Cookies. They Are Festive And So Fun To Make, With All Kinds Of Shapes!

Christmas Wreath Cookies – Christmas Wreath Cookies Are Made From Cornflakes Mixed In A Marshmallow Coating And Speckled With Cinnamon Candies. They Are Fun And Easy Kid-Friendly Goodies.

Christmas Oreos – Classic Christmas Oreo Cookies Dipped In Milk Or White Chocolate And Topped With Festive Sprinkles Make For A Decadent Treat! You’ll Love These Sweet Little Bites.

Meringue Cookies – These Easy 5-Ingredient Meringue Cookies Are Lots Of Fun To Make! Get Your Kids Involved In Making These Sweet Treats.

Snowball Cookies – Buttery Soft Snowball Cookies Loaded With Crunchy Pecans. Not Only Are They Simple, But They’re Also The Best Holiday Cookie In The World!

Shortbread Cookies – What’s Not To Love About These Delicious And Buttery Shortbread Cookies That Just Melt In Your Mouth? It Only Takes A Small Handful Of Common Ingredients!

Iced Oatmeal Cookies – Perfectly Textured With A Combination Of Whole And Blended Oats, Deliciously Flavored With Spices, And Topped With A Sweet Icing Glaze—They’re Amazing!

Gingerbread Cookies – Homemade Gingerbread Cookies Are Perfect For Decorating And Better Than Store Bought Variety. These Gingerbread Cookies Are Soft With Slightly Crispy Edges And A Delicious Ginger Molasses Flavor.

Molasses Cookies – These soft molasses cookies are the most tender and chewy ginger-spiced cookies you’ll find. They are a holiday must-make!!

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies – With Chopped Pecans On The Outside, A Caramel Filling And Chocolate All Around, These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies Are Hard NOT To Love!

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies – Delicious Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies (AKA Peanut Butter Blossoms) are soft, chewy peanut butter cookies topped with a tasty Hershey’s Kiss! Everyone LOVES this yummy, simple cookie recipe.

Brown Sugar Cookies – Brown sugar cookies are sweet, soft, and ultra chewy. They are a TASTY twist on a much-loved classic cookie.

FESTIVE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

We also love having some delicious cookies that are also festive and great for parties and get togethers!

Here are some of our favorite cookies that are a little more festive and fun.

Peppermint Crunch Cookies – White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Crunch Cookies Are Sprinkled With Candy Cane Bits For Double The Peppermint And Holiday Charm.

Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies – Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies Are Soft, Chocolate Cookies Topped With A Marshmallow And Delicious Chocolate Frosting.

Eggnog Cookies – Deliciously soft Eggnog Cookies are topped with lovely eggnog glaze. Top with a cute printable tag for holiday perfection!

Eggnog Snickerdoodles – Rum Flavored Eggnog Snickerdoodles Are Rolled In A Nutmeg And Cinnamon Mixture. They Are The Perfect Holiday Cookie!

Peppermint Melt Aways – Soft And Butter-Y Peppermint Meltaways Are A Delicious Holiday Cookie Topped With A Peppermint Glaze And Crushed Candy Canes!

Christmas Cookie Bars – Christmas Cookie Bars Are Chewy And Delicious. The M&Ms Add A Festive Pop, Making Them Perfect For Any Party!

Christmas Snickerdoodles – Super soft white chocolate dipped Christmas Snickerdoodles are chewy and full of cinnamon. They are both festive and delicious!

Strawberry Cookies – These quick and simple Strawberry Cookies are flavored perfectly with jello mix, and full of sweet white chocolate chips.

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies half dipped in white Chocolate and Topped with Sprinkles.

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies – Luscious red velvet white chocolate chip cookies are rich yummy. They are loaded with white chocolate chips and under baked to perfection!

Christmas Sugar Cookies

What is Christmas without Sugar Cookies cut into holiday shapes with red and green frosting? We have several different recipes that will give you that Christmas Cookie Fix. And, of course, they are all delicious!

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies – You Know Those Amazing Frosted Sugar Cookies You Buy At The Grocery Store That Are So Addicting?! Well Now You Can Make Them At Home With This Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Copycat Recipe!

Chewy Sugar Cookies – These Chewy Sugar Cookies Are SO Yummy! A Hint Of Almond Extract And A Bit Of Glaze Makes These Cookies Irresistible!

No Roll Sugar Cookies – Super Easy And Delicious NO ROLL Sugar Cookies With A Delicious Frosting. No Rolling Pin Needed For These – Just Drop And Bake!

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies – Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Are A Perfectly Soft, Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cutout Cookie! They Are Easy To Make And Fun To Decorate.

Classic Sugar Cookies – Our ALL-TIME Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe!! These Homemade Sugar Cookies Are So Soft And Have The Best, Creamy Frosting With Hints Of Almond.

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies – Quick, Easy And Delicious Sugar Cookies Made With Just 3 Ingredients – Butter, Flour And Sugar! Can’t Get Easier Than That!!

Peppermint Sugar Cookies – You’re Going To Love These Frosted Peppermint Sugar Cookies. It’s A Version Of My Mom’s Tried And True Sugar Cookies, With A Peppermint Twist That’s Perfect For The Christmas Season.

Amish Sugar Cookies – Amish Sugar Cookies are uncomplicated, simple and elegant. This quick cookie is deliciously soft and thick!

Sugar Cookie Blossoms – Sugar Cookie Blossoms are a chewy, soft sugar cookie rolled in sugar and topped with a Mint Meltaway candy. 

Sugar Cookie Bars – One Of Everyone’s Favorite Cookies In Bar Form – These Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Are Simple And Are Topped With A Delicious Buttercream Frosting That Makes This Dessert Irresistible.

more classic cookies

We also know that sometimes, cookies (in general) are all you want to bake at Christmas time. Here are some of the classic cookies we like to make all year long, but are also great additions to any party or cookie plate!

Gooey Butter Cookies – These Gooey Butter Cookies Are Made With A Yellow Cake Mix, Butter, Cream Cheese, And A Few Additional Ingredients. They Are So Gooey, Chewy, And Moist – It’s Impossible To Resit Them!

Brownie Cookies – Fudgy brownie cookies combine the best of dessert worlds to make one delicious “brookie” filled with loads of chocolate chips AND flavor!

Butter Cookies – Soft And Crunchy Butter Cookies Are A Delicious Classic Must-Make For Any Holiday Party And Are Delicious Plain Or Frosted.

Funfetti Cookies – Soft And Chewy Funfetti Cookies Are Quick, Simple And A Kid-Favorite! They Are The Perfect Little Treat To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth.

Almond Cookies – Tasty almond cookies are soft and a bit chewy. They are easy to make, FULL of flavor and are sure to be a family fav in no time.

Gooey Rolo Cookies – Ooey Gooey Chocolate Rolo Cookies are soft and indulgent, filled with a caramel Rolo center! They are quick, easy, & Chocolatey!

Cookies and Cream Cookies – These soft and chewy Cookies and Cream Cookies are filled with white chocolate chips and Oreo chunks—great for any Oreo lover!

White Chocolate Snickerdoodles – White Chocolate Snickerdoodles are the classic cookie with white chips baked throughout! They take regular snickerdoodles to a whole new level of yum!

Oatmeal Scotchies – These Oatmeal Scotchies are soft and chewy with pops of butterscotch morsels. They are everything you want in an oatmeal cookie!

Monster Cookies – Chewy, Crunchy And Colorful Cookies That You Will Not Be Able To Get Enough Of! Bake Up A Batch Of These Monster Cookies For Any Occasion.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Filled With Tasty Oats! These Are The Best Cookies To Satisfy That Sweet Tooth. A Little Crunchy On The Outside And Soft On The Inside.

Avalanche Cookies – Crispy Crunchy Cookies Filled With Peanut Butter, Marshmallows, And Chocolate Chips! These Are No-Bake And Such A Fun Recipe To Try With Kids.

Oatmeal Cookies – Easy irresistible Oatmeal Cookies are a family favorite because they are chewy, soft and always gone in minutes!!

Coconut Cookies – Perfectly chewy coconut cookies make the perfect sweet treat when you want something light. With a tasty tropical twist, these delish bites are done in under 30 minutes!

M&M Cookies – Soft And Chewy M&M Cookies – These Fun And Colorful Cookies Are Perfect All Year Long And Easily Changed Up With The M&Ms You Use.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies – Chewy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are so simple to make, and SO yummy! They’re a deliciously sweet and salty bite!

Nestle Tollhouse Cookies – Nestlé Toll House Cookies are one of the most iconic chocolate chip cookies. They are bursting with chocolatey chip perfection!

White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies – Our FAVORITE White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are so soft and chewy and filled with nuts and white chocolate chunks!

Cream Cheese Cookies – Cream cheese cookies are soft and delicate. These sweet morsels will be ready for eating in just over 20 minutes!

Caramel Cookies – Soft And Chewy Caramel Cookies Sprinkled With A Little Bit Of Sea Salt. The Perfect Combination Of Sweet And Salty In One Delicious Cookie!

Go-to Christmas Cookie Recipe

There are so many delicious cookies to make this holiday season!!

Linzer cookies filled with raspberry jam, Coconut Macaroons, and Almond Biscotti are classic, but some of our favorites include this M&M cookie, Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Snickerdoodles!

Because these Christmas Cookies are so fun and festive, they’re definitely our main go-to. Simple, delicious, rave reviews, and it’s one even the kids can help make.

This recipe is filled with sprinkles and M&Ms and is great for gift giving, or even for Santa’s plate. These easy Christmas Cookies make 3 dozen, so they’re great to make for any holiday function or party.

How to Make them

These are our go-to cookies to leave out for Santa AND to bring to holiday parties. They’re so yummy and festive. You really can’t go wrong with them.

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

WET INGREDIENTS. Cream butter, oil, and sugars. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.

DRY INGREDIENTS. Add baking soda, salt, powder, vanilla, and flour. Mix well.

SPRINKLES + M&Ms. Fold in sprinkles. Use a cookie scoop to put on greased cookie sheet. Top with a few M&Ms.

BAKE. Bake for about 8-10 minutes.

Let the cookies cool before adding them to Santa’s plate. Or you can STORE them in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. 😉

Christmas Cookie Variations

This recipe is so simple and so easy to change up!! Here are some other ways we like to enjoy these Christmas Cookies by using the same base recipe and modifying it just a bit. 😉

• White Chocolate Dipped Cookies – Make the cookies without adding M&Ms or sprinkles to the batter. Let set and then dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
• Candy Cane Bit Cookies – Make the cookies and add 1 tsp peppermint extract to the batter. Top with crushed candy canes and holiday chocolate chips.
• Candy Cane Kiss Cookies – Make the cookies with chocolate chips or peppermint chips and right after pulling them from the oven – add a Candy Cane Kiss!
• Chocolate Chip Cookies – can you really go wrong with the go-to classic recipe? I think not!!

Like I said – so easy to change up! And all of these are perfect for the holidays.

If you’re looking for a simple, festive and delicious Christmas goody, these ones will be perfect! And trust me when I say that Santa LOVES them too! ;D

We hope you enjoy our classic Christmas cookie recipe and the dozens of other shared today. Hopefully, they will be simple and perfect for all your cookie exchanges and holiday fun this season.

Keep scrolling past the recipe card for picture recipe cards of the Christmas cookie recipes!