The best part of the holidays is the cookies! Here are 28 Christmas Cookies Ideas to try this year!
Christmas cookies are like a blank canvas. There are so many ways to decorate and flavor them.
You can make classic sugar cookies or spice them up with a little cinnamon.
You can decorate with icing or sprinkles, or make them extra special by adding chocolate or crushed candy canes. There are so many possibilities!
I’m sharing 28 Christmas cookie recipes today that will make your holiday season a little sweeter!
I’ve got cookies for everyone including chocolate lovers, peanut butter lovers, and even gluten free cookies!
I hope you find a new favorite recipe to share with your friends and family!
1. Melted Snowman Cookies
Melted snowman cookies are a fun way to get creative with your Christmas cookies.
Make your favorite sugar cookie dough and then decorate with white royal icing.
This one is a little more advanced but you can make it as simple as you like. Use a black edible marker to dot on little eyes, a mouth and arms.
Then use orange and red edible markers to draw on a carrot nose and a scarf. You can even add little candy hat like we did here.
2. Christmas Swirl Sugar Cookies
We’re calling it now: this is the most fun you can have with sugar cookie dough.
Split your dough in half and tint one half red and the other green. Then roll out each color and place one on top of the other.
Roll the dough up into a log and slice to reveal the beautiful swirl.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Pro tip: Make sure your dough is chilled before slicing and baking. If it’s too soft, the swirl will get lost in the oven.
3. Christmas Crinkle Cool Whip Cookies
These cookies are made with a box of cake mix and Cool Whip, making them super easy to whip up. Plus, you can make them in whatever color you like!
You can even add in your favorite mix-ins. We love the idea of adding a little peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
4. Pineapple Cookies
These pineapple cookies are a tropical twist on the classic thumbprint cookie.
The sugar cookie base is filled with a homemade pineapple curd, which is made with fresh pineapple, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
Get the recipe from The Flavor Bender.
5. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These chocolatey cookies are made with cocoa powder and powdered sugar.
The dough is rolled into balls and then coated in powdered sugar before baking.
As they bake, they spread and the powdered sugar coating cracks and creates a beautiful crinkle effect.
Get the recipe from Delish.
6. Christmas Light Sugar Cookies
Bake these sugar cookies and then let your kids help you decorate with royal icing and colorful sprinkles.
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to make the base of the lightbulb, then add a round circle on top with a #1.5 tip to make the top of the lightbulb.
Get the recipe from Delish.
7. Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
These little meringue cookies are so fun to make, and they almost look too cute to eat.
The meringue cookies are a classic vanilla flavor, and then you can decorate them with different colored sprinkles for a festive look.
The best part is that you can make the meringue cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks!
8. Stained Glass Cookies
These sugar cookies are made extra festive thanks to the addition of crushed hard candies.
After baking, the cookies are filled with the crushed candies and then baked again until the candies melt and resemble stained glass.
Get the recipe from Delish.
9. Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies are filled with raspberry jam and topped with a sweet almond glaze.
The dough is super easy to make and is made with just a few simple ingredients. You can also switch up the flavors and use any jam you like.
Get the recipe from Saving Room for Dessert.
10. Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
These cookies are as festive as it gets. The dough is dyed red and green, then rolled together to create a pinwheel effect.
Sprinkle with some festive jimmies and you’ve got yourself a Christmas cookie masterpiece.
11. Snowman Oreo Cookies
These fun snowman cookies are made with Oreos. You’ll need mini Oreos, candy eyeballs, orange M&Ms, and sprinkles to decorate.
Get the recipe from Delish.
12. Chocolate Dipped Toffee Pecan Shortbread Cookies
You can never have too many shortbread cookies on your cookie platter.
This recipe from The Recipe Critic is a twist on classic shortbread with a sweet toffee crunch.
Chef Alyssa Rivers uses a traditional shortbread cookie recipe and adds chopped pecans and toffee bits.
The cookies are then dipped in chocolate and topped with more toffee bits. The sweet and salty combo is perfection!
13. Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Butter cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, but this version is a game-changer.
The soft and gooey texture of these cookies is so good, and they’re even better when coated in powdered sugar.
Get the recipe from Wishes and Dishes.
14. Red Velvet Snowflake Cookies
These stunning snowflake cookies are made with a red velvet cookie dough and topped with a cream cheese frosting.
They are the perfect Christmas cookie to make for any holiday party!
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
15. Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
A chocolate-covered cherry is a classic Christmas candy, but have you ever tried it in cookie form?
These cookies are filled with a cherry and then covered in a rich chocolate glaze.
16. Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
You can’t go wrong with a classic sugar cookie. This recipe is super simple and perfect for decorating with your favorite sprinkles and frosting.
Get the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
17. Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
These cookies are a great option if you want to make a Christmas cookie that’s not overly sweet.
They’re light and fluffy and have a great peppermint flavor without being too overpowering.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
18. Grinch Cookies
Sneaky Grinch! These sugar cookies are colored with green food coloring and topped with a heart sprinkle to make the Grinch himself.
A simple design that will be a hit with kids!
Get the recipe from Delish.
SHOP BAKING SHEETS
19. Christmas Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Fudgy chocolate cookies get a holiday upgrade with a dollop of peppermint frosting. Top with a drizzle of chocolate and crushed candy canes.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
20. Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake Cookies
These cookies look like they’re straight out of a winter wonderland!
The vanilla cookie dough is rolled in powdered sugar and then rolled up before being sliced and baked.
Then, they’re drizzled with a sweet glaze and topped with more powdered sugar for a snowy look.
21. Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Blossoms
These peanut butter blossoms are a festive twist on the classic cookie.
Rolled in green sanding sugar and topped with a Hershey’s Kiss, they look just like a Christmas tree.
Get the recipe from Delish.
22. Christmas Snowball Cookies
These snowball cookies are a classic Christmas cookie recipe that you’ll find in most households.
They’re made with a simple shortbread cookie dough that’s rolled in powdered sugar and baked until they’re perfectly melt-in-your-mouth.
These cookies are great to make ahead of time as they store well in an airtight container.
23. Christmas M&M Cookies
M&Ms are the key to these cookies. The classic sugar cookie base is perfect for a pop of color.
Conclusion
From classic sugar cookies and gingerbread men to peppermint sticks and walnut balls,
check out our favorite Christmas cookie recipes for all your holiday baking needs.