25 Christmas Cookie Recipes + My Best Cookie Tips
Looking for the perfect cookie to bake this holiday season? Get inspired with 25 Christmas cookie recipes everyone is sure to love, plus some of my best cookie tips!
Christmas cookies! We love to bake and enjoy them all season long. Some cookies are for potlucks and parties, some are for gifts for neighbors and friends, and others simply satisfy a craving or fulfill a tradition.
Whatever your reason for baking, starting with a winning recipe is a MUST! Here’s a roundup of 25 recipes I’ve shared over the years that are perfect for Christmastime. These are my favorites, and I hope you’ll find a favorite or two here as well.
Table of Contents
My best cookie tips
But before we start baking, here are a few of my favorite cookie tips so your next batch turns out perfect.
Start with butter at the right temperature
Most of my cookie recipes require “room temperature” butter, and for good reason! If the butter is cold, it won’t properly cream with the sugar to create the best rise and temperature. If the butter is too warm, it will cause your cookies to melt and spread in the oven.
Start with butter that is slightly soft at room temperature but not at all melted. Your finger should leave a small indent when pressed, but should not easily press through the butter. I try to take my butter out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before baking, but I also have tips on how to quickly bring butter to room temperature.
Measure flour correctly
All of my recipes on this site use the spoon and level method to measure flour. Flour compacts as it sits in your pantry, and it’s really easy to accidentally add to much flour to your cookies, making them thick, dense, and/or too cakey. See my tips on how to measure flour correctly, or better yet use a kitchen scale.
My favorite cookie tools
These are the very tools I use in my kitchen! (Please note these are affiliate links.)
- Aluminum sheet pans (NordicWare is my favorite brand).
- Spring-loaded cookie scoops. I use a medium #40 1.5 Tbsp scoop for regular cookies and a large #20 3 Tbsp scoop for large bakery-style cookies.
- Pre-cut parchment sheets. So much easier that cutting a roll of parchment paper.
- Stackable wire cooling racks. Frees up so much counter space!
- Flaky sea salt. I sprinkle most of my cookies with salt for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Coarse sanding sugar. Another way to garnish baked cookies.
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment. A must if you make lots of cookies!
How to bake picture-perfect cookies
While they will taste great no matter what, cookies sometimes need a little extra TLC to look as great as they taste:
- Portion the dough with a cookie scoop, then roll into balls by hand.
- Give them plenty of space. I only bake 6-8 cookies at a time on my sheet pan, depending on size.
- Before baking, strategically place and press additional mix-ins (like chocolate chips) into the tops of the dough balls.
- As soon as the cookies are pulled from the oven, and while they are still hot and pliable, use a spatula to push any uneven edges back into a perfect circle.
How to freeze cookie dough & cookies for Later
Both unbaked cookie dough and baked cookies freeze really well! I love to make a batch of cookie dough to store in the freezer for fresh baked cookies on-demand. Here’s how to freeze cookie dough:
- Scoop or portion out cookie dough and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Freeze for about 30 minutes.
- Transfer to an airtight container or freezer zipped bag and freeze for 1 month or more.
- When ready to bake, place on prepared sheet pan and let come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
You can also freeze baked cookies! The steps are similar to freezing cookie dough:
- Let baked cookies cool completely.
- Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in a single layer and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Transfer to an airtight container or freezer zipped bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Keep it airtight to prevent the cookies from getting freezer burned.
- Let thaw at room temperature or warm in a 350°F oven for a few minutes.
How to package & ship cookies
If you’re planning to package and send cookies in the mail, I have a complete guide for how to ship cookies! But here are a few highlights:
- Choose sturdy cookies that will not break or crumble.
- Package cookies airtight in plastic wrap, tupperware containers, or ziplock bags.
- Make sure to pad the box so cookies don’t bounce around.
- Choose a quick shipping method.
25+ Christmas cookie recipes
Now, on to the cookies! Check out my complete cookie recipe archives if you need even more inspiration.
Chewy Gingersnaps— My grandma Wilda’s famous recipe is a favorite this time of year.
Chai Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies— All the cozy warm spices you love in a steamy cup of chai, but in a chewy chocolate chip cookie.
Frosted Sugar Cookie Cutouts— These soft sugar cookies require zero chilling time!
Frosted Brownie Cutouts— These cookies are actually brownies cut out with festive cookie cutters and decorated with frosting.
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies— One of my most favorite cookies of all time, and it’s perfect for the holidays.
Chocolate Candy Cane Sandwich Cookies— So pretty and perfect for the holiday season.
Brown Butter Shortbread— The brown butter really shines in these incredibly flavorful cookies.
Classic Buttery Shortbread (4 ways)— Rich and buttery, and so many options for flavor mix-ins and toppings.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles— Snickerdoodles just got a delicious upgrade.
Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies— No one will be able to resist these cookies once they discover the gooey caramel surprise inside!
Holiday Spritz Cookies— I’ve been baking a batch of buttery spritz every Christmas since I can remember. It’s tradition!
Snowball Cookies— A seriously underrated holiday cookie. These snowballs are rich, buttery and delicious!
Brown Butter Pecan Cookies— No mixer required! These simple cookies are simply irresistible.
Peanut Butter Blossoms— You can’t beat a classic like these for the holiday season.
White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies— As soon as the holiday season rolls around, this is often the first cookie I bake. It’s been a favorite for years!
Chocolate Mint Thumbprint Cookies— These cookies are both unique and delicious!
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies— These are the very BEST chocolate chip cookies!
Soft & Chewy Chocolate Cookies— So fudgy and perfect. This recipe is a favorite from my mom!
Chocolate Hugs Cookies— A delicious variation on Hershey Kiss cookies, and you can even make them with the peppermint kisses.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies— So chocolaty with a melt-in-your-mouth buttery texture.
Cherry Almond Snowballs— So pretty, festive, and delicious!
Pineapple Coconut Macaroons— Transport yourself somewhere tropical with these bright and sunny cookies.
Chocolate Mint Cookies— You can beat the combination of chocolate and mint in these fudgy cookies.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies— One of our family’s favorites!
Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies— Everyone loves peppermint bark, and they’re sure to go nuts for these shortbread cookies.
Snowman Sugar Cookies— Have you ever seen a cuter cookie?
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies— These are the best white chocolate macadamia nut cookies you’ve ever had, I promise!
Toasted Coconut, Dark Chocolate and Pecan Cookies— Such a great combination of flavors in these chewy cookies.
