Christmas cookies are a festive tradition, bringing a variety of sweet treats to the holiday season. From classic sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes to spiced gingerbread men, Christmas cookies are all about celebrating creativity and flavor. These cookies often feature holiday-inspired decorations, like colorful icing, sprinkles, and festive shapes, making them a fun activity for the whole family.
Christmas cookies not only add a delicious touch to your holiday gatherings but also make wonderful gifts. Whether you’re sticking to classics or trying new recipes, they’re a delicious way to spread holiday cheer.
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1. Christmas Sugar Cookies With Easy Icing
Image and Recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction
Looking for festive fun? These easy to make, perfect for shaping, and great for decorating Christmas Sugar Cookies are here for the rescue. Use your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters, then decorate with royal icing or sprinkles for a festive treat.
Did you know sugar cookies originated in the mid-1700s in Pennsylvania and were originally called Nazareth Cookies by the German settlers who created them?
2. Gingerbread Man Mug Mates
Image and Recipe by Food Network
These fun gingerbread cookies are shaped to sit on the rim of a mug, adding a festive touch to your holiday beverages. Flavored with warm spices like ginger and cinnamon, they’re perfect for enjoying alongside a hot drink.
Did you know gingerbread cookies were once used to tell stories and celebrate special occasions, with shapes often symbolizing different themes?
3. Ugly Sweater Cookies
Image and Recipe by Taste Of Home
Get creative this holiday season with fun and festive Ugly Sweater Cookies. Decorate classic sugar cookies with vibrant icing, turning each one into a colorful and quirky sweater design. These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, letting everyone join in on the decorating fun.
Did you know ugly sweater cookies have become a popular holiday trend, inspired by the rise of ugly sweater parties that add a playful twist to holiday gatherings?
4. Double Chocolate Biscotti
Image and Recipe by Once Upon A Chef
These double chocolate biscotti are a chocolate lover’s dream, offering a crispy, twice-baked treat perfect for dipping into coffee or hot chocolate. Made with cocoa powder and chocolate chips, they provide a deep, rich flavor in every bite. Ideal for gifting or simply enjoying with your favorite warm drink during the holiday season.
Did you know biscotti means “twice baked” in Italian, referring to the traditional method of baking the cookies twice to achieve their signature crunch?
5. Marbled Peppermint Bark
Image and Recipe by Once Upon A Chef
Combining rich dark chocolate and smooth white chocolate, swirled together and topped with crushed peppermint candies is such a heavenly treat. It’s an easy and festive treat perfect for the holiday season, ideal for gifting or serving at holiday gatherings. The contrast between the sweet chocolate and refreshing peppermint makes for a delicious combination.
Did you know peppermint bark has become a holiday favorite, often made in large batches and enjoyed as a homemade gift or festive snack during the season?
6. Magic Bars
Image and Recipe by Chelsea’s Magic Apron
Ever tried making magic bars? These layered treats are easy to whip up and packed with chocolate, coconut, and nuts, creating a rich and delicious dessert. Perfect for holiday parties or a simple weekend treat, they come together with minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor.
Did you know magic bars are also called “seven-layer bars” due to the variety of ingredients stacked on top of one another?
7. Penguin Slice and Bake Cookies
Image and Recipe by Food Network
Why not try something cute and fun with these penguin slice-and-bake cookies? Perfect for the holiday season, they’re easy to make and feature adorable penguin designs that will delight both kids and adults. A simple yet festive addition to your dessert table!
Did you know slice-and-bake cookies originated from the convenience of freezing cookie dough, allowing bakers to prepare batches in advance and simply slice and bake when needed?
8. Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Image and Recipe by Delish
Want to add some festive flair to your cookie platter? These Christmas pinwheel cookies are colorful, fun, and perfect for the holiday season. The vibrant swirls of red, green, and white make them a standout treat, ideal for gifting or serving at parties.
Did you know the swirl effect in pinwheel cookies is created by layering and rolling different colored doughs, a technique that dates back to the 1920s?
9. Candy Cane Cookies
Image and Recipe by Delish
Looking for a festive twist on holiday cookies? These Christmas candy cane cookies combine red and white dough twisted into the shape of candy canes, creating a fun and whimsical treat. With a hint of peppermint flavor, they’re perfect for adding a bit of holiday cheer to your cookie platter.
Did you know the candy cane shape dates back to the 17th century and was originally created as a symbol to help children remember the Christmas story?
10. Panettone Cookies
Image and Recipe by Kickass Baker
Inspired by the traditional Italian panettone, these cookies bring a festive twist with flavors of dried fruit, citrus, and a hint of vanilla. Soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, they’re the perfect treat to enjoy during the holiday season. Ideal for sharing with friends and family, these cookies capture the essence of panettone in a bite-sized form.
Did you know panettone has been an Italian Christmas tradition for centuries, originally created in Milan as a symbol of prosperity and celebration?
11. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Image and Recipe by Delish
Peanut butter blossoms are a classic holiday cookie, combining soft, chewy peanut butter dough with a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss on top. They’re easy to make and have the perfect balance of sweet and salty, making them a favorite for both kids and adults during the holiday season.
Did you know peanut butter blossoms were created in the 1950s and became popular after winning second place in the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest?
12. Grinch Cookies
Image and Recipe by Mom on Timeout
Grinch cookies are a festive, colorful treat inspired by the holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” These bright green cookies are soft and chewy, with a fun red heart candy on top to symbolize the Grinch’s transformation. Perfect for holiday parties or sharing with family, they add a whimsical touch to any dessert spread.
Did you know the heart on Grinch cookies represents the moment when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes, capturing the spirit of the holiday season?
13. Santa’s Trash Cookies
Image and Recipe by The Salted Sweets
Packed with a mix of sweet and salty ingredients, Santa’s Trash Cookies are an irresistible holiday treat. Combining chocolate chips, pretzels, and even potato chips, these cookies offer a fun and flavorful twist that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. Their playful combination makes them a favorite during the festive season.
Did you know the contrast of sweet and salty flavors in baked goods actually enhances your taste buds, making each bite even more enjoyable?
14. Jolly Santa Cookies
Image and Recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Festive and fun, these Holly Jolly Santa Cookies are filled with colorful sprinkles and creamy white chocolate, making them a delightful holiday treat. Soft and chewy, they’re perfect for adding a playful touch to your holiday gatherings or for gifting to loved ones.
Did you know sprinkles, once reserved for special occasions, were historically used to decorate desserts like wedding cakes to symbolize joy and celebration?
15. Cuccidati
Image and Recipe by All Recipes
A traditional treat made with a sweet fig filling wrapped in a buttery pastry. Filled with dried figs, nuts, and a hint of spice, they offer a delicious balance of flavors in every bite. Often served during the holidays, these cookies are a festive favorite in many Italian households.
Did you know cuccidati cookies have been part of Sicilian holiday traditions for centuries, representing good fortune and prosperity for the new year?
16. Reindeer Mask Cookies
Image and Recipe by Food Network
How about adding some festive fun to your holiday baking? These reindeer mask cookies are both easy to decorate and a delightful treat for any gathering. Kids and adults will enjoy creating these whimsical cookies together.
Did you know reindeer have been associated with holiday traditions for centuries, symbolizing warmth and togetherness during the season?
17. Christmas Cutout Cookies
Image and Recipe by Taste Of Home
Ready to get creative with your holiday baking? These decorated Christmas cutout cookies are a festive way to add some personality to your holiday table. Perfect for cutting into fun shapes and decorating with colorful icing, they’re a fun project for the whole family to enjoy together.
Did you know cutout cookies date back to Medieval Europe, where they were often used as decorations before being eaten?
18. Crispy Ginger Cookies
Image and Recipe by Once Upon A Chef
Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, these ginger cookies offer the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. Made with molasses, ginger, and cinnamon, they’re ideal for those who love the warm flavors of the holiday season. Perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or as a festive addition to your holiday cookie platter.
19. Christmas Wreaths
Image and Recipe by All Recipes
Fun and festive treat made from cornflakes, marshmallows, and green food coloring. Shaped into wreaths and decorated with red candies, they’re a cheerful addition to any holiday dessert spread. Easy to make and perfect for involving kids, these no-bake cookies are as fun to create as they are to eat.
Did you know Christmas wreaths are traditionally a symbol of eternal life, making these edible versions a sweet and meaningful holiday treat?
20. Cinnamon Palmiers
Image and Recipe by All Recipes
Cinnamon Palmiers are light, flaky pastries made from puff pastry dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, then baked to crispy perfection. Their simple preparation and delightful crunch make them a perfect treat for pairing with coffee or enjoying a quick dessert. These elegant cookies are easy to make yet look impressively fancy on any holiday dessert table.
FAQS
Q. What are some classic Christmas cookie options?
A. Popular choices include sugar cookies, gingerbread men, snickerdoodles, and shortbread cookies, often decorated with festive icing and sprinkles.
Q. Can I make Christmas cookies ahead of time?
A. Yes! Many cookies, like sugar and gingerbread cookies, can be made ahead, and the dough can also be refrigerated or frozen for later use.
Q. What are some unique Christmas cookie ideas?
A. Try recipes like peppermint thumbprints, chocolate-dipped biscotti, or eggnog-flavored cookies for a creative twist on traditional flavors.
Q. How can I decorate Christmas cookies?
A. Use royal icing, colored sprinkles, or edible glitter for decorating. Cookie cutters in holiday shapes add a festive touch.
Q. Are there gluten-free or vegan Christmas cookie options?
A. Absolutely! You can substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and use plant-based ingredients like coconut oil or almond milk for vegan variations.
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