32 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes for the Holidays

Looking for the best Christmas cookies that are also easy to make?

From classic sugar cookies to gingerbread men, these recipes make the holidays even sweeter.

It’s the time of year to dust off the rolling pin and crank up the oven! 

Whether you’re baking for family and friends or making cookie boxes for the neighbors, these Christmas cookies are guaranteed to spread the holiday cheer.

SO make one recipe or make them all. Either way, I know you’ll love them.

30+ Easy Christmas Cookies For The Holidays

1. Christmas Shortbread Cookies

No Christmas is complete without shortbread cookies! Start your holiday baking off with these adorable, delicious, tree-shaped cookies.

With just 4 ingredients, it’s the perfect activity for kids as well. Plus, they’re topped with red and green sprinkles. And it doesn’t get any better than sprinkles!

2. Stained Glass Cookies

These cookies are so pretty and make incredible edible tree decorations. They also make beautiful gifts!

The trick is to use crushed rock candy like jolly ranchers or life savers. They melt right in the middle as the cookies bake and will set hard and shiny.

3. Christmas Candy Cane Cookies

Here’s a fun holiday treat for the whole family! It’s a bit messy. But I promise it’s worth it.

Two long pieces of dough (one red and one white) get twisted to look like a real candy cane. Perfect for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges.

4. Butterscotch Cookies

I know everyone loves chocolate chip cookies, but butterscotch holds a special place in my heart!

When you bite into the sweet, soft, buttery goodness I think you’ll agree. Full of rich butterscotch chip flavor!

5. 5-Ingredient Chewy Coconut Macaroons

When you’re making a million cookies, having a few super-fast recipes is a must. 

And this simple recipe is a sweet and slightly tropical delight you will happily add to the platter.

6. Best Ever Fruitcake Cookies

Nothing screams Christmas like a fruitcake cookie! Full of candied fruit, raisins, and Brazil nuts.

This classic recipe is light, fluffy, and full of holiday cheer.

You can store them for up to 2 weeks, but they never last that long in my house!

7. Hot Chocolate Cookies

Be warned: these are dangerously delicious. 

Turns out, addind cocoa powder to your cookies is a VERY good idea. These melt-in-your mouth cookies are packed with big gooey marshmallows and melted dark chocolate.

Completely irresistible. 

8. Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Break out the Christmas cookie cutters! It’s time to decorate the sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles.

Fun activity for the kids and also makes the perfect gift for family, friends, and neighbors.

9. Cream Cheese Crescent Cookies

There’s something extra creamy about a cookie with cream cheese added. 

The cookies stay wonderfully tender and flavorful and pair great with nuts, chocolate, or even crushed candy canes. 

10. Easy Cinnamon Cookies

Cinnamon is the king of holiday flavors, and rightfully so. 

These holiday cookies are soft, sweet and perfectly crispy on the outside.

But the real star of the show is the cinnamon-sugar topping.

Yum!

11. Easy No-Bake Grinch Cookies

No one does Christmas like the Grinch!

This recipe is perfect for kids. All you need is some almond bark (or white chocolate), coconut oil, Golden Oreos, green food coloring, and candy hearts!

12. Seriously Soft Molasses Cookies

These cookies are for those of us who love the dark flavors of the holidays. 

The molasses makes them ultra-chewy and gives a deep and rich caramel flavor. 

For a touch of sweetness, try throwing in some white chocolate chips. 

13. Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a classic, holiday staple. But this one is extra special.

Soft in the center, crisp on the edges, the perfect amount of holiday spice,
and brown-sugar goodness.

Every bite is like a warm hug. Serve with hot cocoa for bonus points.

14. Snickerdoodle Cookies

You can make these soft, fluffy Snickerdoodle cookies in just 30 minutes from beginning to end.

But what makes these cookies extra special is they are extra think and extra soft! Wrapped in cinnamon-sugar goodness.

15. Polar Bear Cookies

These might just be too cute to eat.

Like the Grinch cookies, you will be starting with Oreos (how easy is that)?

The nose and ears are made using white chocolate wafers, and the tip of the nose can be any fun color you prefer. 

16. Easy Reindeer Cookies

Who knew pretzels and M&Ms was all it took to make a reindeer?

With just 7 ingredients, this recipe is perfect for kids!

17. Turtle Cookies

These holiday cookies have combined all my favorite things into one.

Melted caramel, pecans, and chocolatey goodness. What’s not to love?

Serve with a cup of coffee and you’ve got the perect treat!

18. Fudge Crinkle Cookies

Looking for a warm bite of chocolatey goodness? This recipe is for you!

Fudge crinkle cookies are a holiday must-have. They’re like brownies, but better because they melt in your mouth. 

19. Jingle Bell Bites (Holiday Shortbread Cookies)

Need a bite-sized treat that’s covered in holiday cheer?

These tiny holiday shortbread cookies are perfect for gift bags and stocking stuffers.

20. Christmas Butter Cookies

These Christmas butter cookies are dipped in chocolate, decorated with sprinkles, and super easy to make!

Perfect for gifts, stocking stuffers, and the occasional midnight snack 🙂

21. Italian Christmas Cookies

These soft, cakey Italian Christmas cookies are coated in a vanilla glaze that melts-in-your-mouth.

Super easy to make and perfect for your next cookie exchange.

22. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are always a classic. But this recipe is packed with extra ooey-gooey goodness.

Save this recipe and you’re likely to be the most popular person at your next family get-together.

23. Peanut Butter Cookies

These classic holiday cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor!

It’s got that perfect combination of sweet and salty. Making it impossible to eat just one.

24. Linzer Cookies

In my opinion, Linzer cookies are perfect.

Tender, buttery shortbread packed with sweet and tart raspberry jam? I could eat the whole tray.

I like to bake mine just enough so they’re done, but I always pull the tray before they turn golden. This way, they are crumbly and soft. 

25. Jam Thumbprint Cookies

The truth is, these are essentially the same as Linzer cookies, just in a different shape. 

Here you get all that amazing flavor, with half the work. 

Top with a dollop of your favorite jam!

26. Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

These peanut butter cornflake cookies are the perfect combination of salty and sweet!

They’re super easy to make and might just become your new holiday favorite.

27. Kourambiethes (Greek Christmas Cookies)

You’ve probably had something like this before and not known their name. 

But no matter what you call them, they’re a holiday favorite! Sugary, powdery balls of goodness.

28. M&M Christmas Cookies

If you’re looking for a simple way to add some festive color to the cookie box, this recipe is for you.

These soft and chewy cookies are filled with red and green M&M’s, sprinkles, and holiday cheer!

29. Easy Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Baking sugar cookies is a tradition that never goes out of style. Easy to make and fun to decorate!

30. Brown Butter Toffee Cookies

You might not think that browning butter is worth the time and effort, but it so is!

The nutty flavor you get just from cooking the butter down a little is beyond amazing. The smell alone is worth it!

I also highly recommend sprinkling with sea salt (for all your chocolate chip cookies).

31. Chocolate Cherry Cookies

It’s amazing how adding a red cherry to a chocolate chip cookie immediately makes them more festive. 

The pop of color is all they need to fit right at home with the Grinch cookies and red and green shortbread bites. 

I also love the cherry juice in the cookie dough for an extra boost of flavor with the rich chocolate. 

32. Melt-in-Your-Mouth Eggnog Cookies

I love eggnog around the holidays, but now you can have it in cookie form!

This Christmas cookie is soft and fluffy with a rich eggnog frosting.

Once you try them, you’ll be making them every year! It’s a family favorite that melts away in your mouth.

Feel free to leave out the rum if you want these kid-friendly.