The holiday season is here, and nothing says Christmas like baking fresh, delicious cookies to share with family and friends. Christmas cookies are a joyful tradition, bringing warmth and sweetness to any gathering. Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting cookies, or just creating cozy memories at home, the perfect cookie recipe can make the season feel even more special.

This list has 15 of the best Christmas cookie recipes, from classic sugar cookies to unique flavors like coconut macaroons and biscotti. Each recipe is simple to follow and full of festive flavors that everyone will love. You’ll find a mix of textures and tastes, from soft and chewy to crispy and buttery, so there’s something for every cookie lover. Plus, many of these cookies can be decorated with sprinkles, powdered sugar, or even chocolate, making them look just as amazing as they taste.

So, preheat your oven, grab your mixing bowl, and get ready to fill your home with the wonderful smell of Christmas cookies! These recipes are designed to be easy and fun, with simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Whether you’re a baking pro or a beginner, these recipes will help you create beautiful, delicious cookies that spread holiday cheer.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Soft and simple, these classic sugar cookies are the perfect base for holiday fun. They have a buttery vanilla-almond flavor and can be decorated with colorful sprinkles, icing, or left plain for a traditional look. A quick recipe that’s ideal for a family baking session. Perfect for any cookie platter!

Time: 25 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract
• Sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
4. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Scoop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet, flatten slightly and decorate with sprinkles.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool before serving.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

These spicy and fragrant gingerbread cookies bring the cozy flavors of the season right to your kitchen. Soft yet slightly chewy, they’re perfect for cutting into holiday shapes and decorating with icing or candies. A holiday classic that makes any cookie tray festive!

Time: 1 hour | Servings: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup molasses

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then add egg and molasses, blending well.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until dough forms.
5. Roll dough out to ¼ inch thickness, cut into shapes, and place on baking sheet.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then cool and decorate as desired.

3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These rich, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are a treat for any chocolate lover. Their classic crackled finish, with powdered sugar on top, makes them look snow-dusted and festive. Soft inside and slightly crisp on the outside, they’re always a crowd-pleaser!

Time: 30 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix cocoa, sugar, and oil until smooth, then add eggs one at a time.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, then blend into wet ingredients.
4. Roll dough into balls, coat in powdered sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crinkled. Cool before serving.

4. Snickerdoodle Cookies

With a soft, chewy texture and a delightful cinnamon-sugar coating, snickerdoodles are a holiday must-have. Their classic flavor brings a cozy warmth to any Christmas gathering, and they’re wonderfully easy to make and enjoy with friends or family.

Time: 20 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and 1 ½ cups sugar until smooth, then beat in eggs one at a time.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until dough forms.
5. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp sugar and cinnamon.
6. Roll dough into balls, coat in cinnamon sugar, and place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set. Cool before serving.

5. Peanut Butter Blossoms

These cookies combine a peanut butter base with a chocolate kiss on top, making them a delightful combination of flavors. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat, perfect for adding variety to your Christmas cookie selection.

Time: 30 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 24 chocolate kisses

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, and sugars until fluffy, then add egg and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
5. Roll dough into balls, place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
6. Press a chocolate kiss into each cookie while warm. Cool before serving.

6. Thumbprint Cookies

Delicate and buttery, these thumbprint cookies have a small dollop of fruit jam in the center. They look festive on any holiday table and offer a sweet, fruity bite among richer cookies.

Time: 25 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup fruit jam (any flavor)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually mix in flour.
3. Roll dough into balls, place on a baking sheet and press a thumbprint in the center of each.
4. Fill each indent with jam and bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool before serving.

7. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

A comforting classic, oatmeal raisin cookies are hearty with a touch of sweetness from raisins and cinnamon. These cookies offer a rustic feel and pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee.

Time: 25 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugars, then beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and cinnamon, then gradually add to the wet mixture.
4. Stir in oats and raisins.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool before serving.

8. Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are delicate sandwich cookies with a layer of fruit jam in the center and a dusting of powdered sugar on top. Originating from Austria, these beautiful cookies have a nutty almond flavor and are perfect for the holiday season.

Time: 45 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup almond flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup raspberry jam
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, almond flour, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until dough forms. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out dough to ¼ inch thick, cut with round cookie cutters, and use a smaller cutter to create “windows” in half of the cookies.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then cool. Spread jam on the whole cookie, place the window cookies on top, and dust with powdered sugar.

9. Shortbread Cookies

These classic shortbread cookies are buttery, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. With only a few ingredients, they’re simple yet rich, and they can be shaped or decorated for a festive holiday touch.

Time: 20 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth, then gradually mix in flour and salt.
3. Roll dough into a log, wrap it in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Slice dough into rounds, place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool before serving.

10. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

With a chewy chocolate base and a peppermint twist, these cookies are a festive choice for chocolate lovers. A sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top makes them both delicious and decorative!

Time: 30 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugars, then beat in egg and extracts.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
5. Scoop dough onto a baking sheet, sprinkle with crushed candy canes and bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool before serving.

11. Spritz Cookies

These classic, buttery cookies are made with a cookie press to create festive shapes. Light and crisp, they’re perfect for decorating with sprinkles or colored sugar for a cheerful Christmas treat.

Time: 25 mins | Servings: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• Colored sugar or sprinkles, for decoration

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then beat in egg and vanilla.
3. Gradually mix in flour until dough forms.
4. Use a cookie press to form shapes on an ungreased baking sheet, then decorate with sprinkles.
5. Bake for 6-8 minutes until the edges are just golden. Cool before serving.

12. Biscotti with Cranberries and Pistachios

These twice-baked Italian cookies are crunchy, lightly sweet, and packed with festive colors from cranberries and pistachios. Perfect for dipping in coffee or hot chocolate, biscotti are a lovely holiday treat.

Time: 1 hour | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup pistachios

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients, then fold in cranberries and pistachios.
5. Shape dough into a log, place on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Cool slightly, slice into ½ inch pieces, and bake slices for another 10-15 minutes. Cool completely before serving.

13. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

These soft, chewy cookies combine the sweetness of white chocolate with the tartness of cranberries. The red and white color makes them look especially festive, and they’re a lovely alternative to traditional chocolate chip cookies.

Time: 25 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy, then beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually add to the wet mixture.
4. Stir in white chocolate chips and cranberries.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool before serving.

14. Snowball Cookies

Also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, these little round cookies are crumbly and buttery with a dusting of powdered sugar. They practically melt in your mouth and are a holiday classic.

Time: 25 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla.
3. Gradually add flour and pecans to form dough.
4. Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar while warm. Cool before serving.

15. Coconut Macaroons

These chewy, coconutty treats are easy to make and bring a tropical touch to the holiday season. They’re naturally gluten-free and can be drizzled with chocolate for extra decadence.

Time: 30 mins | Servings: 20 cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups shredded coconut
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine coconut, sugar, flour, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat egg whites until frothy, then stir into the coconut mixture.
4. Drop spoonfuls of mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool before serving.