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.
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 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 christmas cookies
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.
But because these M&M cookies are so fun and festive, they’re definitely our main go-to. It’s simple, it’s delicious, it gets 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. Its makes 3 dozen so it’s also 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. Here is how we make them.
CREAM + BEAT. Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter, oil and sugars. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
SPRINKLES + M&Ms. Fold in sprinkles. Use cookie scoop to put on greased cookie tray. Top with 4-5 M&Ms.
BAKE. Bake at 350 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 even more Christmas cookie recipes!
These are our family's favorite Christmas cookie recipe! Not only are they delicious, but they are great for gifting to family, friends and neighbors or leaving out for Santa.
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.
DessertSpritz Cookie Recipe
Spritz cookies are buttery and sweet pressed cookies. They are festive and so fun to make, with all kinds of shapes!
Super soft and full of cinnamon - this Snickerdoodles recipe is sure to be a hit! They're one of our all-time favorite cookie recipes and always get so many compliments!
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.
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.
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!
Perfectly textured with a combination of whole and blended oats, deliciously flavored with spices, and topped with a sweet icing glaze—they're amazing!
These gingerbread men cookies have soft centers and crispy edges. Then they're filled with brown sugar, molasses & warm spices for a delicious gingerbread flavor. Frost with royal icing or a buttercream frosting for the perfect holiday cookie.
BEST Gingersnap Cookies - our favorite recipe for the classic cookie filled with molasses, ginger and cinnamon!!
Total Time: 19minutes
5 from 1 vote
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.
DessertPeppermint Meltaway Cookie Recipe
Soft and butter-y Peppermint Melt Aways! This holiday cookie is delicious and melts in your mouth and has a peppermint glaze, topped with crushed candy canes!
Everyone loves these soft and tasty Eggnog Cookies with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. These cookies are also topped with an eggnog glaze and are perfect for the holidays.
Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies - a sweet and festive holiday treat. Soft and yummy cookies made with cheesecake instant pudding and peppermint baking chips!
This recipe is SO simple, you'll want to make these cinnamon-y cookies drizzled with baking chocolate all the time!! The fact that these Cinnamon Roll Cookies are bite-sized makes it even harder to not eat the whole batch!
My Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Are Beyond Easy (Perfect For The Kiddos To Help With). If You Love Chocolate Chip Cookies And You Love Christmas, Then You Have To Try This Recipe.
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!
DessertPeppermint Sugar Cookies Recipe
Peppermint Sugar Cookies - the softest sugar cookie with hints of peppermint and topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and candy cane pieces.
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.
So delicious and festive Peppermint Oreo Sugar Cookies. A great treat for family, friends, and neighbors. Recipe includes your favorite sugar cookie mix, andes peppermint baking chips, and candy cane oreos!!
Our ALL-TIME favorite Sugar Cookie recipe!! They are always so soft and have the best, creamy frosting with hints of almond. Everyone loves these delicious sugar 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!
DessertGooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Whether you call them butter cookies or cake mix cookies, you know they are ultra yummy! These 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!
Soft and crunchy butter cookies are everyone's favorite! They are a delicious classic must-make for any holiday party and are delicious plain or frosted.
These Funfetti Cookies are quick, simple and a kid-favorite! They are made using funfetti cake mix and can be topped with canned frosting or homemade frosting along with every kids' favorite - SPRINKLES!
These almond cookies are not only soft and a bit chewy - but they're easy to make and are full of flavor. With hints of almond through out the cookie, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite in no time.
Delicious Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies (aka Peanut Butter Blossoms) are soft, chewy cookies with peanut butter goodness and topped with a tasty chocolate-y Hershey's Kiss!
Chewy 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.
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!
These Easy Oatmeal Cookies are a family favorite because they are chewy, soft and always gone in minutes. Filled with brown sugar and oats, these cookies are irresistible and will soon become a go-to cookie recipe.
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. They're a family favorite!
My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!
My favorite part about these cookies (aside from eating them, was trying all the different variations! One batch of cookies but adding some sprinkles or a kiss changed it completely. Love it!
Love the flavors and I’ve been searching for a soft sugar cookie recipe…HERE IT IS! So yummy!
So delicious and festive!
We make these every Christmas, they are so yummy! And a fun treat to deliver to neighbors. 😊
My children love using the festive M&Ms!
Will be making these for Christmas!
These cookies are so good! You can totally change the m and maybe for any holiday too!
My favorite part about these cookies (aside from eating them, was trying all the different variations! One batch of cookies but adding some sprinkles or a kiss changed it completely. Love it!
Made these for 2020 Sweet Exchange. So yummy! Couldn’t stop eating the dough
I absolutely love the M&M cookie recipe!!! Delicious
Love these cookies..
Love a good m&m coomie! Especially with festive m&ms!