Christmas Cookie Recipes: 40 Must-Try Bakes for the Holidays

Rolling out dough and filling the house with sweet, aromatic warmth is one of the best parts of the season. Whether you’re packing tins for neighbors or planning a festive cookie-swap, this lineup offers a mix of nostalgic classics and fresh twists to keep spirits bright. Each recipe calls for everyday ingredients, delivers reliable results, and rewards bakers of every skill level with tins full of cheer.

1. Classic Gingerbread Men

Molasses, brown sugar, and a trio of warm spices create the unmistakable flavor of traditional gingerbread. Chill the dough so cutters hold their shape, then bake until the edges darken slightly for just-right snap. Royal icing adds charming buttons, smiles, and scarves, making these cookies as fun to decorate as they are to eat.

2. Snickerdoodle Snowflakes

Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their signature tang, while a roll in cinnamon sugar forms a crackly, fragrant crust. Cut the dough with snowflake cutters for a seasonal spin that doesn’t alter the flavor you know and love. Bake until the centers stay chewy yet the edges firm up for perfect texture contrast.

3. Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles

Deep cocoa flavor meets bright peppermint in these striking, crackled cookies. Rolling chilled dough in powdered sugar before baking produces dramatic fissures as the cookies spread. A sprinkle of candy cane bits just after they leave the oven adds crunch and a cool finish.

4. Linzer Raspberry Stars

Ground almonds in the dough lend subtle nuttiness and tender crumb. After baking, sandwich two cookies around bright raspberry jam, letting the jewel-toned filling peek through a cut-out window. A snowy dusting of confectioners’ sugar completes the elegant look.

5. Brown Butter Pecan Sablés

Gently browning butter builds nutty depth that pairs beautifully with toasty pecan bits. Form the dough into logs, chill, then slice for perfect rounds that keep their sharp edges. The result is a crisp, buttery shortbread that melts on contact.

6. Orange Cardamom Shortbread

Fresh citrus zest brightens the rich base, while fragrant cardamom offers subtle warmth. Press the dough into a round pan, score, and bake until pale gold. Once cool, break along the lines for tender triangles perfect with afternoon tea.

7. Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Divide basic sugar-cookie dough, tint half with red gel coloring, then twist ropes to resemble tiny candy canes. A quick chill locks in the swirl before baking. Sprinkle with coarse sanding sugar for sparkle that catches holiday lights.

8. Red Velvet Thumbprints

Rich cocoa and a hint of buttermilk create classic red velvet flavor in cookie form. After baking, press centers immediately to make wells, then cool and pipe in tangy cream-cheese frosting. The color contrast makes these a standout on any cookie tray.

9. Almond Spritz Cookies

A cookie press turns soft almond-scented dough into delicate shapes in seconds. Bake until just set to keep their pale, buttery hue, then brush with a whisper of glaze for shine. They’re crisp, light, and perfect for marathon baking days.

10. Cinnamon Pinwheel Cookies

Roll vanilla dough thin, spread with a cinnamon-brown sugar filling, then roll up and chill. Precise slicing reveals neat spirals reminiscent of miniature cinnamon buns. The cookies bake up crisp with ribbons of caramelized spice throughout.

11. Hazelnut Nutella Crescents

Ground hazelnuts give the dough a buttery, sandy texture. Wrap small spoonfuls of chocolate-hazelnut spread inside, forming crescents that puff and crack slightly in the oven. A snowy sugar coating seals in freshness and adds visual charm.

12. Eggnog Biscotti

These twice-baked slices carry the custardy flavor of eggnog thanks to grated nutmeg, rum extract, and a splash of cream. They’re sturdy enough for dunking yet still pleasantly crisp. Drizzle with white chocolate for extra festivity.

13. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Rolled oats add heartiness, while tart cranberries balance the sweetness of creamy white chocolate. Slightly underbake for a soft center that stays chewy for days. A touch of orange zest lifts the flavor profile beautifully.

14. Molasses Spice Cookies

Dark molasses, ginger, and cloves give these cookies deep holiday character. Rolling in coarse sugar before baking delivers a crisp exterior that yields to a soft, almost fudgy middle. They keep well, making them ideal for shipping.

15. Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies

Butter-rich dough acts as a canvas for jewel-tone mix-ins that mimic holly berries. Form logs in advance, freeze, then slice as needed for effortless fresh-baked aroma. The cookies hold their shape and color even after cooling.

16. Peanut Butter Blossom Trees

A classic peanut butter blossom gets a playful makeover by trimming the edges into triangles before baking. Press a chocolate kiss at the top while warm so it sticks without losing definition. Green sanding sugar adds a subtle tree-like shimmer.

17. Rum Raisin Rugelach

Cream-cheese dough bakes up flaky and tender, encasing raisins plumped in dark rum with brown sugar and chopped walnuts. Rolling each crescent from wide end to tip makes tidy spirals. A brush of egg wash ensures caramelized edges.

18. Maple Walnut Sandies

Pure maple syrup sweetens these shortbread-style cookies, while ground walnuts contribute richness. Bake until the bottoms just darken, then cool completely for melt-away texture. A dusting of maple sugar provides rustic sparkle.

19. Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Cocoa-rich dough forms the base, slightly indented before baking to hold gooey caramel centers. A toasted pecan rests on each pool, echoing classic candy shop turtles. A pinch of flaky salt balances the sweetness beautifully.

20. Lemon Snowball Cookies

Finely chopped almonds add body to these buttery bite-size spheres. Fresh lemon zest and juice cut through richness, making the flavor light and bright. Roll warm cookies in confectioners’ sugar, then again when cool for a thick, snowy coat.

21. Salted Caramel Thumbprints

Vanilla-scented dough surrounds pockets of soft, buttery caramel. Chill the impressions before baking so the wells stay defined. A finishing touch of sea salt heightens every sweet note.

22. Chai Spice Snickerdoodles

Swap the usual cinnamon sugar for a mix of cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. The aromatic coating perfumes the kitchen as soon as the cookies hit the oven. Soft centers and spicy edges make them hard to stop at one.

23. Toffee Chip Butter Cookies

Simple butter dough gets a caramel boost from chopped toffee bars that melt into molten pockets. Bake just until edges tan for crisp rims and tender middles. These store well in airtight tins without losing crunch.

24. Cherry Almond Kiss Cookies

Finely chopped maraschino cherries color and flavor the dough naturally, while almond extract enhances nuttiness. Shape into small rounds, bake, and press in chocolate kisses while warm. The red-and-brown combo looks wonderfully festive.

25. Espresso Dark Chocolate Drops

Instant espresso powder intensifies chocolate flavor and adds a subtle caffeine kick. The dough bakes into soft, brownie-like mounds that stay fudgy even when cool. A few crushed coffee beans on top signal their bold character.

26. Coconut Macaroon Wreaths

Sweetened shredded coconut, egg whites, and a touch of almond extract form chewy centers with crisp exteriors. Shape the mixture into small wreaths using a doughnut cutter or two concentric rings. A drizzle of colored chocolate turns them into edible ornaments.

27. Matcha Snowflake Shortbread

High-quality matcha lends earthy flavor and natural color without artificial dyes. Cut cooled dough with intricate snowflake cutters, then chill again to hold details. Bake until the bottoms barely brown for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.

28. Double Mint Sandwich Cookies

Cocoa wafers bake thin and crisp, setting the stage for cool peppermint filling. Crushed mint candies in the frosting add crunch and extra pop. Store chilled for clean edges and maximum flavor.

29. Bourbon Brown Sugar Blondie Bars

These bar cookies mix up in one bowl with melted butter, dark brown sugar, and a splash of bourbon for depth. The batter bakes into chewy, butterscotch-flavored squares. A quick glaze of bourbon and powdered sugar adds glossy finish once cool.

30. Cranberry Orange Biscotti

Tart dried cranberries and fragrant zest brighten this crisp Italian classic. Slice logs while still warm for cleaner cuts, then bake again until golden and dry throughout. They’ll keep for weeks, perfect for gifting.

31. Pecan Pie Bars

A press-in crust saves time over rolling dough, yet stays flaky under the caramel-rich pecan topping. Corn syrup and brown sugar create the signature filling that sets firm when cool. Cut with a sharp knife for tidy edges that show off the layered profile.

32. Saffron Almond Lace Cookies

A pinch of saffron steeped in butter lends golden color and floral notes. Thin batter spreads into web-like discs that crisp dramatically as they cool. Sandwich two with dark chocolate for a sophisticated finish if desired.

33. Gingerbread Biscotti

All the flavors of classic gingerbread—molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves—transform into crunchy biscotti perfect for dipping. Candied ginger pieces offer chewy surprises in every bite. A light drizzle of white chocolate echoes snowy rooftops.

34. Chocolate Orange Spritz

Cocoa powder deepens color, while orange extract brightens each bite. Using a cookie press ensures uniform shapes that bake evenly. A quick dunk of one edge in melted chocolate makes them extra luxurious.

35. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Minis

Chopped, toasted macadamias lend buttery crunch that pairs seamlessly with creamy white chocolate chips. Scooping teaspoon portions yields pop-in-your-mouth treats ideal for party platters. Slightly underbaking keeps centers soft even after cooling.

36. Spiced Lebkuchen Hearts

Honey, almonds, candied citrus, and cozy spices give Lebkuchen its unmistakable aroma. Resting the dough overnight allows flavors to mingle and texture to soften. After baking, a simple sugar glaze locks in moisture and adds sheen.

37. Sesame Cardamom Ghraybeh

Just three main ingredients—butter, powdered sugar, and flour—form a melt-away base accentuated by ground cardamom. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds visual contrast and nutty flavor. Bake low and slow to prevent browning and preserve their pale elegance.

38. Italian Pignoli Cookies

Made almost entirely from almond paste, these gluten-free cookies deliver intense marzipan flavor with minimal effort. Rolling in pine nuts before baking creates a toasty shell that contrasts the chewy interior. They stay moist for days if stored airtight.

39. Polish Kolaczki

Cream cheese dough stays tender and flaky, hugging sweet apricot, raspberry, or plum fillings. Chilling the shaped cookies prevents jam leakage during baking. A final sugar shower gives them snowy allure.

40. Biscoff-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Portion classic chocolate chip dough around chilled scoops of spiced Biscoff spread to create molten cores. Freeze the centers first so they stay intact while baking. Serve slightly warm to enjoy the flowing filling and soft crumb.