The Best Christmas Cookies
Published on November 30, 2025
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Quick Summary
My ultimate Christmas cookie roundup! 45+ festive recipes, from classic sugar cookies and snickerdoodles to chocolatey favorites, nutty treats, peppermint delights, and easy no-bake cookies. Includes baking tips, storage ideas, and holiday gifting inspiration for the perfect cookie season.
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It's the most wonderful time of the year…COOKIE SEASON! And if there's one thing I know inside and out, it's cookies. I've developed countless cookie recipes over the years and even wrote an entire cookie cookbook, Let's Eat Cookies, so you can trust that every recipe here is truly tried-and-true.
These are the very best holiday cookies…the ones that turn out perfectly every time, the ones your family will beg you to make again, the ones that win cookie competitions and disappear in minutes at cookie exchanges. My goal is always the same: simple techniques, reliable results, and cookies that deliver BIG flavor.
Whether you're planning a cookie exchange, filling holiday tins for friends and neighbors, or building a festive dessert spread, this roundup has something for everyone.
And the best part? I'm also share baking tips, storage advice, and cookie gifting inspiration so your holiday treats turn out perfectly every time.
SAVE and SHARE this post so you can bake all season long!
Classic Christmas Cookies
1
Easy Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these Easy Sugar Cookies mix up in minutes and bake into tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that everyone loves.
Check out this recipe
2
Snickerdoodles
Soft, chewy, and coated in warm cinnamon sugar, these classic Snickerdoodles have that irresistible tang and pillowy texture everyone craves. A timeless favorite!
Check out this recipe
3
Chewy Molasses Cookies
Rich, spiced, and perfectly chewy, these Molasses Cookies are full of warm holiday flavor with a soft center and slightly crisp edges, comfort in every bite.
Check out this recipe
4
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Nostalgic and hearty, these oatmeal cookies are tender, lightly spiced, and topped with a sweet glaze, bringing back cozy memories with every bite.
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5
Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
Classic sugar cookies studded with mini chocolate chips! Tender and buttery, with just the right amount of sweetness! The best two cookies in ONE!
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6
Spritz Cookies
Delicate, buttery, and perfectly crisp, these Spritz Cookies are a holiday classic…fun to make, easy to shape, and beautiful on any cookie platter.
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7
Soft Gingersnap Cookies
Soft, chewy, and bursting with warm spices, these Gingersnap Cookies are a cozy holiday treat with just the right amount of molasses flavor in every bite.
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8
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery, tender cookies with a perfect well filled with sweet jam, these Thumbprint Cookies are a classic holiday favorite that's as pretty as they are delicious.
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9
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rich, buttery, and perfectly soft, these Chocolate Chip Cookies get an extra depth of flavor from nutty brown butter. Classic cookies with a deliciously elevated twist.
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10
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Buttery, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these Mexican Wedding Cookies (also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Snowballs), are a festive favorite perfect for holiday cookie trays.
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11
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
I make these cookies year-round, but friends and family always request them during the holidays too! They are the BEST!
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12
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Soft and chewy cookies with white chocolate chips and salted macadamia nuts. A classic cookie that everyone loves!
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13
M&M Cookies
M&M Cookies-Everyone's favorite chocolate candy brightens up these soft and chewy cookies! Kids and adults go crazy for these M&M Cookies! They are the BEST!
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Chocolate Lovers Cookies
14
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Rich, fudgy, and coated in powdered sugar, these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies have a soft, gooey center and a crackled exterior that makes them a holiday showstopper.
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15
Andes Mint Cookies
Chocolatey and soft, these cookies are topped with a melting Andes Mint, creating a decadent, fudgy frosting that's perfectly minty and irresistible.
Check out this recipe
16
Hot Cocoa Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies topped with a gooey marshmallow, these Hot Cocoa Cookies are a cozy, indulgent treat that tastes just like a mug of hot chocolate in cookie form.
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17
Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies topped with a melting Hershey's Kiss and rolled in colorful sprinkles for a fun, festive, and irresistible treat.
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18
Rolo Cookies
Soft chocolate cookies with a Rolo candy in the center, creating a gooey, chocolatey caramel surprise in every bite!
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19
Peppermint Mocha Marshmallow Cookies
Decadent chocolate cookies made with espresso powder, a gooey marshmallow center, and peppermint candy! The perfect cookie for the holiday season.
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20
Triple Chip Chocolate Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies loaded with white chocolate, milk chocolate, and semisweet chocolate chips, these Triple Chip Cookies are a chocolate lover's dream in every bite.
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21
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies studded with crushed peppermint candies, these festive treats are perfectly chocolaty with a refreshing holiday peppermint crunch in every bite.
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Peanut Butter Cookies
22
Peanut Butter Cookies
Classic peanut butter cookies with a perfectly tender center and slightly crisp edges. Rich, nutty, and irresistibly satisfying in every bite!
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23
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies topped with a melting chocolate kiss, these festive treats are a classic favorite for cookie swaps and holiday gatherings.
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24
No-Bake Cookies
Quick, easy, and fudgy, these No-Bake Cookies come together in minutes and are packed with chocolate, peanut butter, and oats. Perfect for a simple, delicious holiday treat.
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25
Puppy Chow Cookies (Muddy Buddy Cookies)
Soft peanut butter cookies with sweet and crunchy puppy chow (muddy buddies), chocolate chips, and a dusting of powdered sugar! If you like the famous chocolate peanut butter cereal snack mix, you will LOVE these cookies!
Check out this recipe
26
Monster Cookies
Loaded with oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and colorful M&M's, these hearty Monster Cookies are chewy, flavorful, and SO fun!
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27
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Soft, chewy cookies stuffed with mini peanut butter cups, these treats are a decadent combination of chocolate and peanut butter everyone will love.
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Creative Cookies
28
Brown Butter Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles
Brown butter snickerdoodles with a caramel surprise inside and flaky sea salt on top! These are the BEST Christmas cookie! 10/10!
Check out this recipe
29
Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies with chopped up peppermint bark, these festive treats are a holiday favorite with a perfect balance of chocolate and mint. My FAVORITE!
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30
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, buttery cookies loaded with chocolate chips and gooey salted caramel, these treats are a sweet and slightly salty indulgence perfect for the holidays.
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31
Toffeedoodle Cookies
A twist on classic snickerdoodles, these soft cookies are loaded with toffee bits and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
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32
Dark Chocolate Chunk Pistachio Cookies
Buttery cookies packed with dark chocolate chunks and crunchy pistachios, combining rich chocolate and nutty flavor in a delightful cookie.
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33
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
Big, soft cookies with a rich coconut flavor, dipped in chocolate with a chocolate-coated bottom for a decadent, chewy treat.
Check out this recipe
34
White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Cookies
Sweet and salty cookies loaded with white chocolate and crushed peppermint, studded with pretzel pieces for a crunchy, festive twist. Such a good combo!
Check out this recipe
35
Homemade Peppermint Oreos
Decadent chocolate cookies made with Oreo cookie crumbs, cocoa powder, and filled with a peppermint Oreo cream cheese frosting. Roll in crushed peppermint to make the cookies extra festive. The perfect cookie for the holidays!
36
Graham Cracker Cookies with Frosting
Soft and chewy graham cracker cookies topped with sweet vanilla buttercream frosting! If you like graham crackers and frosting together, the nostalgic treat, you will LOVE these cookies. They are AMAZING!
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37
Pretzel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies loaded with pretzels, toffee, chocolate chips and finished with flaky sea salt. The sweet and salty combination is delightful! Everyone loves these cookies!
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38
Brown Butter Caramel Oatmeal Cookies
Brown Butter Caramel Oatmeal Cookies are a decadent and irresistible twist on the classic oatmeal cookie. The combination of nutty brown butter, chewy oats, and rich caramel creates a cookie that's both comforting and indulgent.
Check out this recipe
39
Chocolate Dipped Toffee Shortbread
Crisp, buttery toffee shortbread that get dunked in chocolate! These cookies are fun to make and fun to eat!
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40
Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Cookies
You'll love these Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Cookies because they hit all the right notes: sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy, making them the kind of treat you'll reach for again and again!
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Fruity Cookies
41
Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Soft and chewy oatmeal cookies with tart dried cranberries, a hint of fresh orange, and creamy white chocolate. A delightful and delicious cookie for the holiday season!
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42
Cranberry Orange Pistachio Shortbread
Buttery shortbread cookies filled with sweet dried cranberries, orange zest, and pistachios. This slice and bake shortbread recipe is perfect for the holiday season.
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43
Chewy Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Soft, chewy Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies made with fresh lemon zest, poppy seeds, and a hint of almond extract. Finished with a sweet lemon glaze, these cookies are easy to make and perfect for any occasion—no dough chilling required!
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44
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are a festive, tasty treat perfect for any holiday table or cookie exchange! The tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate create the perfect cookie!
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45
Glazed Lemon Cookies
Soft, buttery lemon cookies with a simple lemon glaze. These sweet and tart cookies are light, refreshing, and the perfect treat for any occasion.
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46
Lime Coconut Snowballs
Buttery cookies dipped in a sweet lime glaze and rolled in coconut! Our family loves these festive cookies!
Check out this recipe
Baking Tips from a Cookie Expert
I've baked thousands of cookies over the years (and even wrote a cookie cookbook, Let's Eat Cookies), so I've learned a few tricks along the way to make sure your cookies turn out perfectly every time.
- Choose the right baking sheet: Use light-colored sheets and line with parchment paper to prevent the bottoms of your cookies from burning. I love this half-sheet pan.
- Flour Power: Fluff, spoon, and level your flour, never pack it, or cookies will turn dry and puffy.
- Butter Basics: Use cool, room-temperature butter. Too soft and your cookies will spread too much.
- Egg Advice: Cold eggs work perfectly, no need to warm them for cookies.
- Vanilla Magic: Use pure vanilla and don't hold back, the flavor really makes a difference.
- Mix-In Moves: Fold in chocolate, nuts, or oatmeal with a spatula after dry ingredients are just combined.
- Don't over bake: Set a timer and check a couple minutes early. Remove cookies when edges are set but centers are still soft—they finish while cooling.
- Shape & Garnish: When the cookies come out of the oven, use a spatula to shape the cookies while they are still warm. Gently press in chocolate chips, M&Ms, or nuts to make them extra pretty!
- Chill for Best Results: Chill dough or scoops for better flavor and shape, up to 72 hours. Let sit briefly before baking.
- Flavor Boost: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on warm cookies to enhance the flavors.
Storing & Freezing Cookies
The holidays are busy, so having a plan for storing and prepping cookies can save you time. These tips will help you keep cookies fresh or bake ahead for parties, gifts, and cookie exchanges.
- Divide & Conquer: I love doing a dough day and a baking day. Make all your cookie doughs one day and refrigerate for up to 72 hours. Then bake them all on another day so every cookie comes out fresh and perfect.
- Storing Baked Cookies: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread or a large marshmallow—the cookies stay soft while the bread or marshmallow hardens.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: Scoop dough into balls, freeze on a sheet for 30 minutes, then transfer to a labeled container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from the freezer, just add a couple minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool cookies completely, then stack in a freezer-safe container or bag, using wax paper between layers if they have glaze or frosting. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, or enjoy straight from the freezer for a sneaky treat!
Gifting Cookies
Cookies are even better when shared! Over the years, I've found a few ways to make cookie gifting extra special:
- Package cookies in festive tins, boxes, bakery bags, or cellophane bags.
- Add ribbon, twine, or holiday tags for a personal touch.
- Layer cookies with parchment paper so they don't stick.
- For a variety of flavors, stack similar cookies together, and individually wrap very different flavors to keep tastes separate.
- Label each cookie or add a note, especially helpful for multiple flavors or allergies.
- If you are shipping cookies, pay extra for speedy delivery! You want the cookies to be fresh! Package them tightly and add tissue paper or other fillers so they don't get broken.
Craving Even More Cookies?
If you're looking for even MORE cookie recipes, I've got hundreds of tried-and-true favorites waiting for you.
Explore all of my cookie recipes here → The BEST COOKIE RECIPES!