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30+ BEST Christmas Cookies

30+ of the best Christmas cookies for your holiday baking! Lots of easy and delicious homemade ideas to make your next party or cookie exchange a success!

Best Christmas cookies photo collage.
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Most Delicious Holiday Cookies

I love to host a cookie exchange around Christmas time each year. It’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holidays with loved ones AND enjoy all of the delicious Christmas cookies. Talk about a win-win!

One of my favorite things about the holidays is coming up with new cookie recipes to share with family and friends. I have so many wonderful memories of baking over the years, and love when I find yummy recipes to add to my collection.

On this list, you’ll find the top Christmas cookies to make this season. These would be fun to make for one of your Elf on the Shelf Ideas or any holiday party.

Whether you’re looking for traditional recipes, chocolate cookies, ones with decorations or easy recipes that still taste delicious – you’re bound to find all of your favorites here!

Favorite Baking Staples

Below are some of my favorite baking staples that I can’t live without! These make my holiday baking each year so much easier and enjoyable. Being prepared in the kitchen is key during the season and these make everything from Christmas morning breakfast ideas, to cookies, and finally Christmas dinner that much better!

cookie dough in mixer

Appliances

Bakeware

Utensils

Traditional Recipes

There’s nothing like traditional Christmas cookies. My personal favorites are snickerdoodles because I’m a sucker for the cinnamon sugar coating. And above all, they are so soft and fluffy. Yum!

Iced christmas sugar cookies on counter
  • Christmas Sugar Cookies. This my favorite recipe to use when decorating sugar cookies for Christmas! 
  • Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe. Super soft and chewy, these are a hit at any holiday party.
  • Peanut Butter Blossoms. Peanut butter and chocolate come together to create the perfect sweet treat.
  • Gingerbread Cookies. Overflowing with ginger spice goodness, these adorable little men are the perfect cookie to decorate this season.
  • M&M Christmas Cookies. Colorful M&Ms adds a sweet festive note to these addictive cookies.
  • Mexican Wedding Cookies. Just 5 ingredients needed to make pillowy bite-sized treats coated in powdered sugar.
  • Iced Oatmeal Cookies. Made with chunks of oats, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon, these cookies are sure to bring the happy to any holiday.
  • Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies. A flavor combination made in holiday heaven and so simple to make.
  • White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. These two flavors are perfectly paired for a cookie that tastes just as good as it looks.
  • Spritz Cookies. Grab your cookie press and your favorite sprinkles to make these festive cookies in under an hour!
  • Shortbread Cookies. This recipe can be cut-out, pressed, or stamped to make the most adorable shortbread cookies.
  • Thumbprint Cookies. A classic buttery cookie filled with sweet jam is the perfect addition to any Christmas cookie platter!
  • Linzer Cookies. The prettiest cookie with two buttery cookies sandwiched between raspberry preserves! The signature cut-out on the top makes these looks so elegant.
  • Meringue Cookie. With a melt-in-your mouth texture these bite-sized cookies can be colored with festive red or green food dye to match the season!
  • Almond Cookies. With a delicate almond taste these buttery cookies will dissapear off the cookie tray.
  • Cream Cheese Cookies. Cream cheese adds a soft texture to these cookies that melt-in-your-mouth!
  • Candy Cane Cookies. Cute and festive, these Christmas candy cane cookies are a must for any cookie platter.

Chocolate Cookies

I love all things chocolate, and especially love chocolate Christmas cookies! Combine chocolate with peppermint at the holidays and it’s a heavenly match.

chocolate crinkle cookies

Decorated Cookies

Decorated Christmas cookies are perfect for entertaining, and are always a big crowd pleaser. Whether you dip in chocolate, cover with sprinkles or create a fun design, these decorated treats will be a hit!

Christmas oreos on a marble counter.

Easy

Things get so busy during the holidays, so I’m always looking for easy recipes to quickly whip up. These recipes below are fun, festive and super simple to make.

pistachio pudding cookies stacked on white plate

Click on the links below to find the recipes for all of the delicious Christmas cookies mentioned above.

Stack of snickerdoodle cookies on a white plate.
Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
This super soft snickerdoodle cookie recipe will instantly win you over! It truly is the best. It's a classic recipe that makes soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookies with lots of flavor every time.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Christmas sugar cookies.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
This is the best Christmas sugar cookies recipe. They have a sweet buttery taste plus are soft, chewy and easy to roll out then cut into shapes.
Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
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Peanut butter blossoms on a plate.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Soft sugar coated peanut butter blossoms topped with a chocolate Hershey's kisses. Perfectly soft and chewy and perfect for a holiday cookie exchange.
Total Time: 18 minutes
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gingerbread man cookies
Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Soft and chewy gingerbread man cookies full of ginger spice flavor. This classic Christmas treat is the perfect cookie to decorate with your family this season! 
Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
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Cherry cookies with chocolate drizzle.
Cherry Almond Cookies
Cherry almond cookies are soft, buttery and bursting with cherry and almond flavor! The perfect sweet treat to enjoy at the holidays.
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
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Stack of M&M Christmas cookies.
M&M Christmas Cookies
Thick and chewy M&M Christmas cookies with crispy edges, a soft center and bursting with chocolate flavor. These are the ultimate cookie recipe to make this holiday season! 
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Mexican wedding cookies on a plate.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
These Mexican wedding cookies are so simple and take only 5 ingredients to make! The perfect bite-sized cookie recipe that will literally melt in your mouth. 
Total Time: 28 minutes
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Iced oatmeal cookies on the counter.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Level up your everyday oatmeal cookies with icing on top! Iced oatmeal cookies are a soft, chewy, and buttery sweet treat made with chunks of oats, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon. They're easy to make and even easier to eat!
Total Time: 1 hour
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cranberry orange shortbread cookies on plate
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
These cranberry orange shortbread cookies are so rich and buttery, with the most delicious combination of flavors. They're the perfect cookie to share with friends and family this holiday season!
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
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white chocolate cranberry cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
White chocolate cranberry cookies are soft, chewy, and chunky loaded with white chocolate and dried cranberries. A delicious festive cookie perfect for the holidays!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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christmas spritz cookies on plate
Spritz Cookies
These spritz cookies are a melt in your mouth holiday classic! All you need is a hand full of ingredients, a cookie press, and your favorite sprinkles to make these festive cookies in under an hour!
Total Time: 46 minutes
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shortbread cookies on plate
Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread cookies are so easy to make with only 5 ingredients, melt in your mouth, and turn out beautiful every time. They are perfect to make cut out, pressed or stamped shortbread cookies.
Total Time: 20 minutes
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stack of chocolate crinkle cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These chocolate crinkle cookies are fudgy on the inside with a crisp outside edge! So rich and decadent and adored by any and all chocolate lovers. 
Total Time: 38 minutes
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andes mint cookies on top of parchment paper
Andes Mint Cookies
These Andes Mint cookies are a soft-baked chocolate cookie with an Andes Mint melted on top. This chocolate mint treat is perfect for the holiday season!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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chocolate peppermint cookie dipped in white chocolate with crushed peppermint
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe
Chocolate peppermint cookies are a double chocolate cookie filled with fresh peppermint flavor. The perfect Christmas cookie!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Candy cane cookies on a rack.
Candy Cane Cookie Recipe
These candy cane cookies are the star of Christmas cookie trays and deserve the spotlight! Bright red and white dough twists together to make these festive cookies.
Total Time: 4 hours 34 minutes
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Almond cookies on a cooling rack.
Almond Cookies
Create almond cookies like a pro with my step-by-step guide. Elevate your baking game with these buttery, almond-scented delights with a luscious powdered sugar glaze.
Total Time: 1 hour
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half eaten chocolate peanut butter stuffed cookie
Peanut Butter Stuffed Cookie Recipe
A rich and flavorful chocolate cookie filled with a delicious soft peanut butter center. These decadent stuffed cookies are an absolute dream!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Oreo balls stacked on a plate.
Oreo Balls
These OREO balls are made with just 3 simple ingredients and are such an easy dessert recipe to make. Drizzle with chocolate or top with your favorite colored sprinkles for the perfect decorative treat!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Hot chocolate cookies on a white cake plate.
Hot Chocolate Cookies
These hot chocolate cookies have all the flavors you love in a mug of hot chocolate, rolled up into one delicious baked good. Add these to your baking list this season—just don't forget the melty, gooey, roasted marshmallow topping. It's my favorite part!
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
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mint chip chocolate cookie on pan
Chocolate Mint Cookies
These chocolate mint cookies are soft chocolate cookies loaded with mint chips! If you love the combination of chocolate and mint, you will love these easy to make cookies.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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close up of turtle cookie
Turtle Cookies
Rich and decadent these turtle cookies are made with soft chocolate cookies, rolled in pecans, filled with caramel and then topped with a chocolate drizzle!
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
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ginger molasses cookie half dipped in white chocolate with a holly berry sprinkle
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Molasses cookies that are soft and chewy on the inside and crisp around the edges. Full of delicious ginger flavor and taste just like Christmas! Drizzle or dip in white chocolate for the ultimate holiday cookie!
Total Time: 33 minutes
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Melted Ginger Snowman Cookies - with a marshmallow belly, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup hat and chocolate chips for the eyes. Such a creative and kid-friendly dessert for the holidays!
Melted Snowman Cookies
Ginger melted snowman cookies with a marshmallow belly, peanut butter cup hat and chocolate chips for the eyes. Such a creative and kid-friendly dessert for the holidays!
Total Time: 50 minutes
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christmas sugar cookie truffles cut in half
Sugar Cookie Truffles
No-bake sugar cookie truffles made with only 4 ingredients! An easy and delicious treat for the holidays that is super easy to make. 
Total Time: 30 minutes
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snowman oreo balls with oreo hat
Snowman Oreo Balls
Adorable snowman Oreo balls are a fun, festive, and delicious DIY activity for the kids! Made with Oreo cookies, cream cheese and melted chocolate, these super easy snowmen are always a hit!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Best Grinch cookies.
Grinch Cookies
These Christmas Grinch cookies are another fun version of cake mix cookies! Turn them green and add a heart to make them look like the "Grinch."
Total Time: 18 minutes
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Best chocolate covered Christmas Oreos.
Christmas Oreos
These chocolate covered Christmas Oreos are an adorable, classic and easy treat the whole family can help make! Only 2 ingredients and 10 minutes needed to make this easy dessert. 
Total Time: 45 minutes
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stacked cinnamon roll cookies on counter
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
These cinnamon roll cookies are soft, filled with cinnamon flavor and topped with a cream cheese frosting.
Total Time: 50 minutes
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cornflake wreaths on table
Cornflake Wreaths
Cornflake wreaths are a yearly traditional Christmas treat that comes together in minutes. They're an easy yummy dessert perfect for sharing with friends, family, and neighbors!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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stacked spice cookies
Spice Cake Mix Cookies
Easy spice cake mix cookies made with 3 main ingredients in just 20 minutes. These delicious cookies have crisp edges, a soft inside and are filled with the perfect spice flavor. 
Total Time: 20 minutes
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stack of peanut butter cookies
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Easy peanut butter cookies made with only 3 ingredients in just 15 minutes. These cookies are soft, chewy and full of creamy peanut butter flavor.  
Total Time: 14 minutes
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stacked pistachio cookies
Pistachio Cookie Recipe
Soft, chewy and festive pistachio cookies are easy to make with instant pistachio pudding mix. A little green food coloring makes them perfect for Christmas or St. Patrick's Day!
Total Time: 1 hour
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m&m cookie bars
M&M Cookie Bars Recipe1
Christmas M&M Cookie Bars – Gooey, soft and fluffy cookie bars loaded with M&M’s and chocolate chips. Only 30 minutes to make and less than 10 ingredients. Perfect treat for a cookie exchange or holiday party! 
Total Time: 30 minutes
peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookie drizzled with vanilla glaze
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Soft and tender peanut butter and jelly cookies are reminiscent of the classic sandwich but in delicious cookie form. These peanut butter cookies topped with jam and a vanilla glaze will soon become your new favorite treat!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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eggnog cookies on white plate
Eggnog Cookies
All the flavor of the classic holiday drink staple in a delicious cookie! These eggnog cookies are the perfect treat to bring to holiday parties this year.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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stacked oatmeal pie cookies
Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies
Chewy oatmeal cookies filled with a fluffy marshmallow cream frosting. These homemade oatmeal cream pies are a nostalgic childhood treat that you can easily make at home!
Total Time: 1 hour
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A close up of a frosted ricotta cookie with holly berry sprinkles
Ricotta Cheese Cookies
Soft and moist ricotta cheese cookies have a cake-like texture and sweet taste. Topped with a light frosting they are a classic Christmas cookie perfect for sharing!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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red velvet cookies with white chocolate chips
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Soft and delicious red velvet cake mix cookies are loaded with white chocolate chips in every bite. Ready in less than 30 minutes with only a handful of ingredients, they will become a new holiday favorite!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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snickerdoodle cake mix cookies stacked
Snickerdoodle Cake Mix Cookies
Snickerdoodle cookies with cake mix are the same thick, soft, and chewy cookies they've always been but with half the ingredients and made in a fraction of the time! 
Total Time: 1 hour
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