Christmas Cookies Your Family Will Request Again
Christmas cookies have a way of turning simple moments into family traditions. The kinds of cookies that disappear fast, spark conversations, and get requested year after year. These are the recipes everyone remembers long after the plates are empty.
From soft and chewy classics to crisp favorites with just the right balance of sweetness, these cookies are made for sharing. They’re easy to bake, easy to love, and perfect for filling cookie tins or holiday trays.
If you’re planning your Christmas baking list, these are the cookies worth making room for. Once they show up on the table, don’t be surprised if your family starts asking for them every December.
Spiced Christmas Tree Cookies
These spiced Christmas tree cookies are lightly crisp with warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. They hold their shape well, making them ideal for cutouts and decorating. A simple glaze or dusting of sugar finishes them nicely without overpowering the spice.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Christmas Tree Cookies
Peppermint Stuffed Cookies
Peppermint stuffed cookies combine a soft chocolate cookie with a creamy mint center. The contrast between the rich dough and cool filling makes them especially popular during the holidays. They’re best served slightly warm so the center stays soft.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Stuffed Cookies
Cowboy Cookies
Cowboy cookies are packed with oats, chocolate chips, and nuts for a hearty, chewy texture. Each bite has a balance of sweetness and crunch. These cookies are sturdy, making them great for gifting or storing.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cookies
Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These cookies blend deep molasses flavor with chunks of chocolate for a rich, balanced bite. The gingerbread spices add warmth without being overpowering. They stay soft in the center with lightly crisp edges.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
Red velvet sugar cookies are soft, lightly cocoa-flavored, and visually striking. Their mild sweetness pairs well with cream cheese frosting or a simple sugar coating. They’re festive without being overly rich.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
Spicy Gingerbread Granola Cookies, Or My Take On Russian Pryaniki
These cookies combine gingerbread spices with a granola-style texture for added chew. They’re lightly sweet with a subtle spice kick that develops as they bake. Inspired by pryaniki, they work well with tea or coffee.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Gingerbread Granola Cookies, Or My Take On Russian Pryaniki
The Best Apple Pie Cookies
Apple pie cookies deliver classic apple and cinnamon flavor in a handheld form. The filling stays soft and jammy while the cookie base adds structure. They’re a good option when you want pie flavor without slicing.
Get the Recipe: The Best Apple Pie Cookies
Cranberry Pecan Cookies
Cranberry pecan cookies balance tart dried cranberries with buttery pecans. The texture is soft with small bursts of crunch throughout. They’re not overly sweet, making them easy to enjoy more than one.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Cookies
Almond Crescent Cookies
Almond crescent cookies are tender and lightly crumbly with a subtle nut flavor. They’re often finished with powdered sugar for a simple, clean look. These cookies store well and improve in flavor after a day.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies
Toffee Kiss Cookies
Toffee kiss cookies feature a soft base topped with a chocolate kiss and bits of toffee. The toffee adds crunch and a caramel-like note. They’re easy to portion and bake evenly.
Get the Recipe: Toffee Kiss Cookies
Chocolate Blossom Cookies
Chocolate blossom cookies have a rich cocoa base topped with a classic chocolate kiss. The cookie stays soft while the top adds extra chocolate flavor. They’re a familiar favorite at holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Blossom Cookies
Gingerbread Bars
Gingerbread bars offer all the flavor of gingerbread cookies in a thicker, softer format. They bake evenly and are easy to slice for serving. A light glaze or dusting of sugar works well on top.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Bars
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Christmas Presents
These treats combine salty pretzels with smooth chocolate for a simple, balanced snack. Shaped like small presents, they’re more about assembly than baking. They’re quick to make and great for last-minute gifting.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Pretzel Christmas Presents
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Cinnamon roll cookies feature a spiral of cinnamon sugar baked into soft dough. They have the familiar flavor of a cinnamon roll without the rise time. A light drizzle of icing adds just enough sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cookies
No Spread Sugar Cookies
No spread sugar cookies are designed to hold sharp edges and clean shapes. They bake evenly and stay flat, making them ideal for decorating. The flavor is mild and buttery.
Get the Recipe: No Spread Sugar Cookies
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies pair sweet chocolate chips with tart cranberries for contrast. The dough stays soft while the mix-ins add texture. They’re a good alternative to classic chocolate chip cookies.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cinnamon Palmiers
Cinnamon palmiers are crisp, flaky cookies made from layered dough and sugar. They caramelize as they bake, creating a light crunch. These are best enjoyed fresh or within a day.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Palmiers
Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thick chocolate chip cookies have soft centers and slightly crisp edges. The extra height keeps the cookies from drying out. They work well with larger chocolate chunks or chips.
Get the Recipe: Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies
Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies feature a buttery base with a small well of jam in the center. The cookie stays tender while the filling adds sweetness and color. They’re simple and reliable for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies
Air fryer gingerbread cookies bake quickly while staying soft inside. The spices develop well despite the shorter cook time. They’re a convenient option when oven space is limited.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies
Salted Bourbon Caramel Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread cookies are rich and crumbly with a smooth caramel topping. The bourbon adds depth without being overpowering, and the salt keeps the sweetness balanced. They’re best served in small portions due to their richness.
Get the Recipe: Salted Bourbon Caramel Shortbread Cookies
