22 Decadent Christmas Cookie Recipes

Last Updated on 11/19/2024 by Nell Marie

Christmas cookie baking brings all the holiday magic to life!

Whip up ooey-gooey chocolate treats, decorate buttery cutouts with the kids, and dive into festive flavors like peppermint crinkles or eggnog cookies.

Each recipe adds sweetness to the season and fills your home with the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked joy.

Grab an apron, crank up the Christmas tunes, and let the baking begin!

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Get ready to bring the magic of the season to your kitchen with the sweetest holiday treats!

I’ve rounded up 22 of the tastiest Christmas cookie recipes that are sure to make your celebrations extra special.

From ooey-gooey chocolate crinkles to buttery sugar cutouts and festive peppermint delights, there’s something here for every cookie lover.

Turn up the Christmas music, grab your favorite sprinkles, and let’s bake up some holiday cheer!

Baking Goods You’ll Need

Baking Essentials:

Mixing Bowls – A set of various sizes for mixing dough and batters.

Measuring Cups and Spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.

Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer – To save time and energy while mixing dough (optional but helpful).

Rolling Pin – For rolling out cookie dough, especially for cut-out cookies.

Cookie Cutters – Fun shapes for cut-out cookies (stars, trees, gingerbread men, etc.).

Baking Sheets – Flat, sturdy pans for baking cookies evenly.

Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats – To prevent cookies from sticking and ensure easy clean-up.

Cooling Racks – For letting cookies cool evenly after baking.

Spatula – For transferring cookies to and from the baking sheets.

Ingredients:

Flour – All-purpose flour for most cookie recipes.

Granulated Sugar – For sweetening the dough.

Butter – Unsalted butter is best for baking.

Eggs – Usually, large eggs for binding ingredients together.

Baking Soda or Baking Powder – Leavening agents to help cookies rise and become fluffy.

Vanilla Extract – Adds depth of flavor to many cookie recipes.

Salt – A pinch of salt enhances sweetness and balances the flavors.

Chocolate Chips – A must for cookies like chocolate chip or peppermint chocolate crinkles.

Candy Canes or Sprinkles – Perfect for decorating and adding festive flair.

Jam or Jelly – For thumbprint cookies or filling for sandwich cookies.

Decorative Tools:

Icing or Royal Icing – For decorating cut-out cookies or adding detail.

Food Coloring – To tint icing or dough for colorful designs.

Sprinkles – For a fun, festive touch on cookies.

Pastry Bags or Ziplock Bags – For piping icing or decorations (with or without tips).

With these items on hand, you’ll be ready to create some mouth-watering Christmas cookies in no time!

22 Christmas Cookie Recipes

Cookie time! Check out all these delicious, gooey, festive recipes – they’ll love you for it!

1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Cut-out gingerbread cookies are a must-have.

Decorate them with royal icing for adorable snowflakes, trees, or gingerbread men.

2. Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Soft and buttery, these cookies can be shaped into stars, ornaments, or Santa hats.

Use vibrant icing and sprinkles for festive designs.

3. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rich, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies with a hint of peppermint are perfect for Christmas.

Roll them in powdered sugar before baking for the signature crackled look.

4. Linzer Cookies

These elegant sandwich cookies feature a jam-filled center and a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy touch.

5. Snickerdoodles

Coated in cinnamon sugar, these chewy cookies have a warm and comforting holiday vibe.

6. Thumbprint Cookies

Fill these buttery cookies with red or green jam for a festive pop of color.

7. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

Dip classic buttery shortbread cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles.

8. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Soft and chewy cookies with tangy dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips are a holiday hit.

9. Snowball Cookies

Also known as Mexican wedding cookies, these nutty, powdered sugar-coated treats resemble little snowballs.

10. Spritz Cookies

Made with a cookie press, these bite-sized butter cookies can be shaped into wreaths, trees, or stars and decorated with colored sugar.

11. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss are a timeless Christmas classic.

12. Red Velvet Cookies

Bright red cookies with a cream cheese drizzle or filling bring festive cheer to the dessert table.

13. Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies

Use chocolate cookies to sandwich a peppermint cream filling, creating a holiday twist on Oreos.

14. Stained Glass Cookies

Sugar cookies with cut-out centers filled with crushed hard candy that melts into a beautiful, colorful “stained glass” design.

15. Raspberry Almond Bars

These cookie bars combine a shortbread crust, sweet raspberry jam, and a crumbly almond topping for a festive flavor combo.

16. Orange Cardamom Cookies

Lightly spiced and citrusy, these cookies offer a sophisticated holiday flavor.

17. Hot Cocoa Cookies

Chocolate cookies topped with gooey marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate, resembling a cozy mug of cocoa.

18. Candy Cane Cookies

Twist red and white cookie dough together to create candy cane shapes. They’re festive and fun to make with kids!

19. Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Chewy oatmeal cookies with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips are a comforting Christmas treat.

20. Eggnog Cookies

Flavored with nutmeg and a splash of eggnog, these soft cookies are a holiday delight.

21. Pistachio Shortbread

These green-tinted cookies with chopped pistachios add a touch of elegance and color to any cookie platter.

22. Chocolate-Dipped Macarons

Chewy coconut macaroons dipped in dark chocolate make a simple yet indulgent Christmas treat.

Final Christmas Cookies Tips

Christmas cookie baking is all about creating sweet memories, sharing joy, and indulging in delicious treats.

As you whip up your holiday favorites, remember a few final tips to make your cookies even more magical.

Always chill your dough if the recipe calls for it—this keeps your cookies from spreading too much.

Use parchment paper or silicone mats for easy baking and clean-up. For perfectly even cookies, try using a cookie scoop.

Most importantly, have fun with decorations! Sprinkles, icing, and candies add festive flair, but there’s no such thing as “too much” when it comes to holiday cookies.

Enjoy the process, involve loved ones, and don’t forget to taste-test along the way—it’s part of the joy!

Your kitchen will be filled with the smells of the season, and your cookie platters will bring smiles to everyone who sees them.

Merry Christmas and happy baking!