19 Holiday-Ready Cookies Everyone Asks For

Holiday baking season is here, and nothing spreads cheer quite like a batch of cookies fresh from the oven. Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange or adding a homemade touch to your dessert table, these recipes are the ones everyone looks forward to year after year.

From timeless classics to festive favorites, these cookies strike the perfect balance of flavor and texture. They’re simple enough for a cozy afternoon bake yet impressive enough to gift or serve at your next holiday gathering.

So grab your mixing bowl, preheat the oven, and get ready to fill your home with the aroma of freshly baked goodness. These 19 cookie recipes are the kind people can’t stop asking for and for good reason.

Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies

These cookies bring that cozy gingerbread flavor in a quicker way using an air fryer. They’re crisp on the outside and slightly soft inside, perfect for decorating or enjoying plain. The warm blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves makes them feel festive any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies

Melting Moments Cookies

Known for their soft, buttery texture, these cookies practically dissolve when you bite into them. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness. Simple ingredients come together for a classic treat that pairs beautifully with tea or coffee.
Get the Recipe: Melting Moments Cookies

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

These rich chocolate cookies carry all the charm of a Texas sheet cake in bite-size form. They’re topped with a glossy chocolate icing that sets to a perfect finish. Moist, tender, and deeply chocolatey each one feels like a small celebration.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

Lemon Puff Cookies

These cookies offer a gentle citrus flavor with a light, airy texture. They’re golden on the outside and fluffy inside, giving a refreshing twist to traditional cookies. Perfect for those who like a hint of brightness in their sweets.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Puff Cookies

Russian Tea Cakes

These snowy, round cookies are nutty, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar. They’re often served around the holidays but taste wonderful any time. Their crumbly texture and mild sweetness make them a timeless favorite.
Get the Recipe: Russian Tea Cakes

Toffee Cookies

Crunchy bits of toffee mixed into a soft cookie dough bring a mix of textures and flavors. Each bite has a buttery sweetness with caramel undertones. They’re especially good when slightly warm and paired with milk or coffee.
Get the Recipe: Toffee Cookies

German Spitzbuben or Linzer Cookies

These sandwich-style cookies have a buttery almond base and a jam center peeking through a cutout top. The combination of sweet jam and tender cookie creates a lovely contrast. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance.
Get the Recipe: German Spitzbuben or Linzer Cookies

Glazed Sugar Cookies

Soft, sweet, and topped with a shiny glaze, these cookies are as pretty as they are tasty. The simple dough provides a perfect base for colorful icing or sprinkles. They’re great for parties, holidays, or just a cheerful treat.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Sugar Cookies

Edible Bloody Band-Aids

These playful cookies are a fun twist for Halloween or themed parties. Crisp wafer-like bases are topped with white frosting “bandages” and a touch of red gel “blood.” They’re spooky, easy to make, and always get a laugh.
Get the Recipe: Edible Bloody Band-Aids

Soft Sugar Cookies

Pillowy and tender, these cookies have a classic vanilla flavor that feels comforting and familiar. They stay soft for days and are easy to frost or decorate. Perfect for any occasion or just a cozy baking day.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies

No Spread Sugar Cookies

Designed to keep their shape, these cookies are ideal for cutting into fun designs. The dough bakes evenly without losing its edges, making decorating easy. You’ll love the buttery texture and mild sweetness that never overwhelms.
Get the Recipe: No Spread Sugar Cookies

Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies balance a soft center with crisp edges and plenty of chocolate chips. Each bite brings that nostalgic homemade flavor. They’re perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic Chocolate Crinkles

With their crackled sugar tops and fudgy interiors, these cookies look as good as they taste. They’re chocolate-rich and slightly chewy, ideal for gifting or a cozy night in. A true classic that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Classic Chocolate Crinkles

Rocky Road Cookies

These cookies are loaded with marshmallows, chocolate, and nuts for a fun mix of textures. Each one feels a little indulgent with gooey bits and crunchy pieces throughout. A great choice when you want something bold and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Rocky Road Cookies

Gingerbread Bars

All the flavors of traditional gingerbread come together in soft, sliceable bars. They’re warmly spiced and easy to bake in batches for sharing. A drizzle of icing or cream cheese frosting takes them up a notch.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Bars

Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Rich cocoa meets hearty oats for a cookie that’s both chewy and chocolatey. They’ve got a bit more substance than your average cookie, thanks to the oats. Perfect when you want something sweet with a little extra texture.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Iced Molasses Cookies

These cookies carry a deep molasses flavor with hints of ginger and cinnamon. Once cooled, they’re topped with a smooth, sweet icing that adds balance. Soft and fragrant, they’re a comforting treat for cooler days.
Get the Recipe: Iced Molasses Cookies

Super Quick Snickerdoodle Bars

All the cinnamon-sugar magic of snickerdoodles, baked into easy-to-cut bars. They come together fast, making them a great last-minute dessert. Slightly crisp edges and a soft middle keep everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Super Quick Snickerdoodle Bars

Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

These bars bring together creamy peanut butter flavor with chocolate on top, just like the cookie version. They bake evenly and slice easily, great for parties or gifting. Sweet, nutty, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossom Bars