24 Irresistible Christmas Cookies to Bake This Season
Christmas cookies are the heart of my holiday baking season. Every December, my kitchen fills with the smell of cinnamon, vanilla, and melting chocolate as I work through my favorite Christmas cookie recipes. In my experience, having a solid lineup of Christmas cookies makes everything easier, from cookie exchanges to last minute gifts to quiet evenings with a cup of cocoa.
This collection brings together 24 Christmas cookies I love, grouped by style so you can find exactly what you need. You will find timeless classics, rich chocolate treats, playful decorated cookies the kids will love, and elegant options made for gifting. I have also included my best baking tips, storage advice, and a quick cheat sheet at the end.
Classic Christmas Cookies
1. Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
No Christmas cookie list is complete without classic sugar cookies. I roll the dough to about a quarter inch thick so the cookies bake up soft in the center with lightly golden edges. Once they cool completely, I decorate them with royal icing in simple snowflakes, trees, and stars.
In my experience, the secret is letting the icing dry for at least 6 hours before stacking. These Christmas cookies keep their shape beautifully if you chill the cut dough for 15 minutes before baking.
2. Gingerbread Men Cookies
Gingerbread men are the Christmas cookies I bake first every single year. The warm mix of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses makes the whole house smell like the holidays. I use simple white icing for the faces and buttons, and the kids love helping with the decorating.
Roll the dough slightly thicker than you think, about a third of an inch, because these Christmas cookies firm up as they cool. Soft centers with crisp edges is the texture you want.
3. Snickerdoodles with Cinnamon Sugar
Snickerdoodles might not scream Christmas at first glance, but the cinnamon sugar coating fits right into the holiday spice lineup. These Christmas cookies bake up with the signature cracked tops and a chewy, buttery middle that I find impossible to resist.
I have noticed that chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking gives a thicker cookie with a better chew. Roll each ball generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture for full coverage.
4. Buttery Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is proof that simple Christmas cookies can be the most elegant. Just butter, sugar, and flour, yet the result is rich, crumbly, and melt in your mouth. I like to press the dough into a pan, score it, and bake it as fingers or wedges.
Use good quality butter here since it is the star flavor. I always dock the dough with a fork before baking so these Christmas cookies bake evenly without puffing.
5. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut butter blossoms are the Christmas cookies that disappear fastest from every platter I have ever made. The soft peanut butter base with a chocolate kiss pressed into the center is a combination that never fails.
Press the kiss in while the cookies are still hot from the oven so it sticks properly. I roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for that classic sparkly finish.
6. Russian Tea Cakes
Russian tea cakes, also called snowball cookies, look like little bites of winter. These nutty, buttery Christmas cookies get rolled twice in powdered sugar, once while warm and once when cool, for a snowy coating that stays put.
In my experience, finely chopped pecans or walnuts work best. Handle these Christmas cookies gently since they are delicate when warm and firm up as they cool.
Chocolate Christmas Cookies
7. Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Double chocolate crinkles are the fudgiest Christmas cookies in this collection. The dough is rich with cocoa, and as the cookies bake, the powdered sugar coating cracks open to reveal the dark chocolate underneath.
Chill the dough for at least an hour so the coating sticks well and the cracks form properly. I find these Christmas cookies taste even better the next day once the flavors settle.
8. Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint is the flavor pairing I associate most with Christmas cookies. These round chocolate cookies get half dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes for a festive red and white finish.
Melt the white chocolate gently and work in small batches so it does not seize. Let these Christmas cookies set on parchment paper until the coating is completely firm.
9. Hot Cocoa Cookies with Marshmallow Centers
These Christmas cookies taste exactly like a mug of hot cocoa. A rich chocolate cookie base holds a gooey marshmallow center, and I finish them with a light dusting of cocoa powder.
Press half a large marshmallow into each cookie right after baking, then return the pan to the oven for two minutes. That quick second bake gives you the perfect melty center.
10. Chocolate Thumbprints with Ganache
Chocolate thumbprints filled with silky ganache are the Christmas cookies I make when I want something that looks bakery worthy. The deep chocolate base and glossy center make them stand out on any cookie tray.
Use the back of a teaspoon to make the indent while the cookies are warm. I fill them with ganache once they are fully cool so the filling sets with a beautiful shine.
11. Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies
These Christmas cookies capture the exact flavor of an Andes mint in cookie form. A soft chocolate cookie gets topped with a mint chocolate candy that melts into a swirly green topping as it bakes.
Place the mint on top during the last two minutes of baking, then swirl gently with a knife when you pull them out. In my experience, these Christmas cookies are always a hit with mint chocolate lovers.
12. Fudgy Brownie Christmas Cookies
When I want Christmas cookies with serious chocolate intensity, I make these fudgy brownie cookies. They have crackly tops, molten centers, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt that balances the sweetness.
Do not overbake these. Pull them when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They will finish setting on the hot pan and stay wonderfully fudgy.
Fun and Festive Christmas Cookies
13. Christmas Light Bulb Cookies
Christmas light bulb cookies are the decorated Christmas cookies that get the biggest reaction at parties. Sugar cookies cut into bulb shapes get iced in bright colors with a gray cap on top to look just like string lights.
I outline each cookie first, then flood with thinner icing. Let each color set for 20 minutes before adding the next so the colors stay crisp and clean.
14. Reindeer Nose Cookies
Reindeer nose cookies are the Christmas cookies kids ask for by name. Sandwich cookies become reindeer faces with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a bright red candy nose.
Use a dab of melted chocolate as glue for the antlers and eyes. I assemble these Christmas cookies on parchment and let them set for an hour before moving them.
15. Melted Snowman Cookies
Melted snowman cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. A puddle of white icing on a round sugar cookie becomes a melting snowman complete with a tilted hat and tiny candy features.
The charm is in the imperfection, so do not stress about neat lines. I have found that letting the white base set slightly before adding the face keeps the details from bleeding.
16. Christmas Tree Stack Cookies
Christmas tree stack cookies turn simple star shaped sugar cookies into impressive little trees. I bake stars in three sizes, ice them green, and stack them with icing between the layers.
A dusting of powdered sugar on top looks like fresh snow. These Christmas cookies make wonderful edible centerpieces for a holiday table.
17. Cornflake Christmas Wreath Cookies
Cornflake wreath cookies are the no bake Christmas cookies I grew up with. Cornflakes get coated in green tinted marshmallow mixture and shaped into wreaths with red cinnamon candies as holly berries.
Work quickly while the mixture is warm and shape the wreaths with buttered hands. I drop a spoonful onto parchment and use my thumb to make the center hole.
18. Santa Hat Cookies
Santa hat cookies are cheerful Christmas cookies that are simpler than they look. A triangular cookie base gets covered in red icing with white frosting trim and a fluffy marshmallow pom pom on top.
Pipe the white trim after the red base has set for 30 minutes. These Christmas cookies are perfect for classroom parties and cookie exchanges.
Elegant Christmas Cookies for Gifting
19. Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are the most elegant Christmas cookies in this roundup. Buttery almond sandwich cookies with a window cutout reveal a jewel like layer of raspberry jam underneath.
Dust the top cookie with powdered sugar before assembling so the sugar does not land on the jam. These Christmas cookies look stunning in gift boxes lined with parchment.
20. Italian Pizzelle Cookies
Pizzelle are thin, crisp Italian waffle cookies with beautiful snowflake patterns pressed right in. These light Christmas cookies are perfect alongside coffee after a holiday meal.
You will need a pizzelle iron for these, but the batter comes together in minutes. I have noticed they stay crisp for weeks in an airtight tin, which makes them ideal for gifting.
21. Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti
Biscotti are the Christmas cookies made for dunking. Twice baked until crisp, studded with almonds, and half dipped in dark chocolate, they pair perfectly with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
Slice the logs on a slight diagonal for the classic shape and bake the slices a second time until golden. In my experience, biscotti are the sturdiest Christmas cookies for mailing to far away loved ones.
22. Pecan Sandies
Pecan sandies are tender, buttery Christmas cookies packed with toasted pecans. They have a delicate crumb and a rich nutty flavor that feels made for the holidays.
Toast the pecans before chopping to bring out their flavor. I press each cookie gently with a fork before baking for the traditional look.
23. Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Lemon crinkle cookies bring a burst of brightness to a tray of Christmas cookies. The fresh citrus flavor cuts through all the chocolate and spice, and the powdered sugar coating gives them a frosty look.
Use fresh lemon zest, not bottled juice, for the best flavor. These Christmas cookies are a refreshing change of pace that guests always notice.
24. Spiced Molasses Cookies
Spiced molasses cookies are old fashioned Christmas cookies with deep flavor. Dark molasses, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon create a chewy cookie with beautiful crackled tops.
Roll the dough balls in coarse sugar for extra sparkle and crunch. I find these Christmas cookies improve after a day as the spices meld together.
Christmas Cookie Baking Tips
After years of holiday baking, I have learned a few things that make every batch of Christmas cookies better. First, always chill your dough when the recipe says so. Cold dough spreads less, which means thicker cookies with better texture. Second, use room temperature butter unless the recipe specifically calls for melted butter. It creams properly with sugar and gives you the right structure.
Parchment paper is non negotiable in my kitchen. It prevents sticking, makes cleanup easy, and helps the bottoms bake evenly. I also rotate my pans halfway through baking since most ovens have hot spots. And here is the tip that matters most: take your Christmas cookies out when they look slightly underdone. They finish baking on the hot pan from residual heat, and that is how you get soft centers instead of dry, overbaked cookies.
For decorated Christmas cookies, patience is everything. Let sugar cookies cool completely before icing, and let royal icing dry for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight, before stacking or packaging. Rushing this step is the number one cause of smudged decorations in my experience.
How to Store Christmas Cookies
Proper storage keeps your Christmas cookies fresh through the whole season. Most baked cookies stay fresh for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature. I layer them between sheets of parchment paper so decorated cookies do not stick together or smudge.
For longer storage, the freezer is your best friend. Baked Christmas cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months in freezer bags with the air pressed out. Cookie dough freezes just as well. I scoop dough balls onto a tray, freeze them solid, then transfer to bags. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add two extra minutes to the baking time.
Keep soft and crisp cookies in separate containers. Soft Christmas cookies like gingerbread will make crisp ones like shortbread go soggy if stored together. And always cool cookies completely before storing, since trapped warmth creates condensation that ruins texture.
Christmas Cookie Cheat Sheet
Here is the quick version of everything above:
Best make ahead Christmas cookies: shortbread, biscotti, pizzelle, and any drop cookie dough frozen as scooped balls.
Best Christmas cookies for gifting: linzer cookies, biscotti, pecan sandies, and Russian tea cakes, all sturdy enough to travel.
Best Christmas cookies for kids to decorate: sugar cookies, melted snowman cookies, and reindeer nose cookies.
Best chocolate Christmas cookies: double chocolate crinkles, hot cocoa cookies, and chocolate thumbprints.
Storage rule: airtight container, parchment between layers, room temperature for one week or freezer for three months.
Number one baking tip: pull cookies when they look slightly underdone. Residual heat finishes the job.
If you are building a full holiday dessert spread, pair these Christmas cookies with my hot chocolate bar ideas for the ultimate cozy setup. And if you want your cookie table to look as good as it tastes, my Christmas table decor ideas will help you style it beautifully. For more holiday inspiration and baking ideas, follow along on Pinterest where I share new Christmas cookie recipes every season.
