The 10 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes to Sweeten Your Holidays

by

Christmas cookies are more than just treats—they’re memories, traditions, and the perfect way to spread holiday cheer. Whether you’re preparing a festive dessert table, giving homemade gifts, or just enjoying the warmth of the season, the best Christmas cookie recipes will add joy to your celebrations. From classic sugar cookies to spicy gingerbread, we’ve gathered the top 10 cookie recipes that are guaranteed to make your Christmas extra sweet.

Classic Sugar Cookies

No Christmas cookie tray is complete without classic sugar cookies. They’re easy to make, versatile, and fun to decorate. Plus, you can cut them into festive shapes like stars, Christmas trees, and snowflakes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk.
  4. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
  5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
  6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden around the edges.
  7. Let cool, then decorate with icing and sprinkles.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread men are a holiday staple. Their warm, spicy flavors are perfect for cold winter days, and decorating these little guys is a family-friendly activity.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup molasses
  • 1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, spices, and baking soda.
  3. In another bowl, beat the butter, molasses, and egg until creamy.
  4. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until the dough forms.
  5. Roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until firm.
  7. Cool before decorating with royal icing.

Peppermint Bark Cookies

If you’re a fan of peppermint, these cookies are for you. They combine the flavors of chocolate and peppermint in a festive, delicious way.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • ½ cup crushed candy canes
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add flour, cocoa powder, and extracts, mixing until dough forms.
  4. Roll the dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
  5. Press each ball lightly with a fork.
  6. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool.
  7. Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle over the cookies. Top with crushed candy canes.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

These soft and chewy cookies are coated in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, spiced holiday treat that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¾ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture.
  6. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
  7. Roll dough into balls and coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These rich, fudgy cookies have a crackled surface dusted with powdered sugar, making them look as festive as they taste.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and oil in a bowl.
  3. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
  4. Add flour and baking powder until fully combined.
  5. Roll the dough into balls and coat with powdered sugar.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

These cookies are topped with a Hershey’s Kiss, making them a delightful treat that pairs peanut butter and chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat together butter, peanut butter, and sugars.
  4. Add egg, milk, and vanilla, mixing well.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients.
  6. Roll dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 8 minutes, then immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into each cookie.

Shortbread Cookies

These buttery cookies melt in your mouth and are perfect for dipping in hot cocoa or coffee.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
  3. Mix in vanilla and flour until the dough comes together.
  4. Roll out and cut into shapes.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

For a wholesome holiday treat, oatmeal raisin cookies are a great option with their chewy texture and sweet raisins.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 cups oats
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugars together.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
  4. Stir in flour and baking soda.
  5. Fold in oats and raisins.
  6. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian-inspired cookies are made with almond flour and filled with jam for a festive look and delicious flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup raspberry jam
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flours and cinnamon.
  4. Roll out dough and cut into shapes.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool.
  6. Spread jam on half the cookies and sandwich with the remaining halves.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar.

Snowball Cookies

These delicate, bite-sized cookies are coated in powdered sugar and make for a snowy addition to your Christmas cookie platter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • Additional powdered sugar for coating

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream together butter and powdered sugar.
  3. Mix in vanilla, flour, and nuts.
  4. Roll into balls and bake for 10-12 minutes.
  5. While warm, roll in powdered sugar to coat.

Leave a Comment