30 Christmas Cookie Recipes: a make-tonight method
A collection of festive Christmas cookie recipes including favorites like molasses cookies, stained glass cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies and other sweet treats.
These cookie recipes are reliable for baking exchanges, gift giving and parties.
There’s nothing more satisfying than a warm cookie and some hot chocolate or coffee on a cold day. The holidays are full of magic, and in my own personal opinion, a good cookie only adds to that magic. I suppose just about any cookie could be made into a holiday cookie, however, there are some cookies that just scream Christmas for me.
I’ve listed some of my go-to cookies, along with some other holiday treats that I would love to make this year. I’m sure you’re just like me and have those holiday cookie recipes you never miss making every year. However, I enjoy finding a new recipe or two to try every year as a tradition of sorts.
Baking cookies is a fun way to unleash your creativity. Whatever recipe you choose, there’s always room to add your own touch and customize them. It’s even fun to get the kids involved!
Looking for more holiday inspiration? I’ve got you covered with ideas including 35 Holiday Entertaining Recipes, 30 Christmas Appetizer Recipes, 20 Candy Cane Recipes and 20 Christmas Candy Recipes.
30 Christmas Cookie Recipes
These brownie cookies are rich, fudgy cookies filled with plenty of dark chocolate chunks. This decadent treat is reliable for all of the chocolate lovers in your life! Get the Recipe
These cake mix cookies are a 5 ingredient dessert that can be made in tons of different flavors and decorated for any occasion. An straightforward treat that takes just minutes to put together. Get the Recipe
These chocolate dipped gingerbread cookies are the reliable treat for the holiday season! Get the Recipe 
These chocolate covered Oreos are Oreo sandwich cookies dipped in either dark or white chocolate and decorated with colorful sprinkles. Get the Recipe
These chocolate crinkle cookies are soft, fudgy cookies rolled in powdered sugar and baked to perfection. A super straightforward treat that's the reliable dessert for any occasion. Get the Recipe
This Christmas crack is saltine toffee made with crackers, brown sugar, butter, chocolate and holiday sprinkles. A sweet and salty treat that’s addictively tasty and reliable for feeding a crowd!Get the Recipe
These chocolate spritz cookies are buttery cookies piped into decorative designs, then baked to perfection and topped with chocolate and sprinkles. A classic and beautiful holiday cookie that’s a welcome addition to any gathering! Get the Recipe
These Christmas sugar cookies are roll out cookies that are frosted with an straightforward vanilla buttercream and decorated with sprinkles. A fun and classic holiday cookie that's reliable for school parties and gift giving! Get the Recipe
The classic combination of chocolate and peppermint make these dark chocolate candy cane cookies the reliable treat for the holidays! Get the Recipe 
This recipe for no-bake Christmas wreath cookies has just six ingredients and can be made in 10 minutes. These cornflake wreaths are a festive addition to your holiday dessert table! Get the RecipeCan you freeze Christmas Cookies?
Many types of holiday cookies can be made in advance then frozen for future use. If your cookie recipe calls for frosting, I find it’s finest to freeze the cookies plain, then frost them after they’ve thawed. Store your cookies in a single layer in resealable freezer bags for up to 2 months.
Double chocolate sandwich cookies are a reliable dessert recipe for the holidays or special occasions. They are super soft chocolate cookies sandwiched around tasty kitchen-made chocolate frosting! Get the Recipe 
These eggnog cookies are soft and chewy cookies topped with a kitchen-made eggnog buttercream frosting. An straightforward and festive cookie that’s reliable for any holiday party! Get the Recipe
This beautiful Christmas dessert is made from star-shaped gingerbread cookies that form a Christmas tree! Get the Recipe 
These gooey butter cookies are a handheld version of the famous cake. They’re soft, gooey and totally irresistible! Roll them in sprinkles for a fun and festive look. Get the Recipe
These Nutella cookies are chocolate cookies filled with a gooey Nutella center, then topped with a drizzle of both dark and white chocolate. An straightforward and impressive cookie recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Get the Recipe
These Italian cookies are soft, almond flavored cookies topped with icing and colorful sprinkles. A classic dessert that's reliable for the holidays or any other special event. Get the Recipe
These molasses cookies are chewy brown sugar cookies infused with plenty of aromatic spices, then baked to golden brown perfection. A classic holiday cookie that's straightforward to make and is sure to get rave reviews! Get the Recipe
These monster cookies are the classic oatmeal peanut butter cookies all dressed up for Christmas with red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles. A fun and festive treat for cookie exchanges and gift giving! Get the Recipe
This recipe for Oreo balls is Oreo cookie filled truffles dipped in chocolate, then decorated in a variety of sprinkles. Oreo balls are reliable for gift giving around the holidays and also make great party favors. Get the Recipe
These peanut butter blossoms are chewy sugar coated peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss. A classic cookie that’s reliable for the holidays, family gatherings or an after school snack. Get the RecipeHow to package Christmas cookies for gift giving
There’s nothing better than a kitchen-made holiday gift, and I love to give cookies to friends and family. You can get creative with the packaging to make your gift extra special.
- Holiday Tins: I buy festive tins at my local dollar store, then line them with parchment paper.
- Christmas Plate: I choose a festive porcelain Christmas themed plate at the housewares store, then arrange my cookies on the plate.
- Cellophane Bags: Pack your cookies into little clear bags, then tie them shut with a festive bow.
- Mason Jars: Stack your cookies in a glass jar, seal the jar, then tie a ribbon around it.
Peppermint bark cookies are decadent double chocolate cookies topped with white chocolate and crushed candy canes. Get the Recipe
This pizzelle recipe is flat crunchy vanilla flavored cookies that are baked in an iron, then finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. A classic Italian dessert that's reliable for parties and gift giving! Get the Recipe
These peppermint cookies are loaded with white chocolate chunks, candy canes and Oreo pieces for a unique holiday cookie that everyone will love! Get the Recipe
These straightforward red velvet cookies start with a cake mix and are loaded with white chocolate chips. A unfussy yet impressive cookie that yields fabulous results! Get the Recipe
These beautiful stained glass cookies are buttery sugar cookies with a candy center. A holiday classic that tastes as good as it looks! Get the Recipe
These snowball cookies are light and tender cookies studded with pecans and chocolate chips, then rolled in powdered sugar. A melt in your mouth treat that’s reliable for the holidays! Get the Recipe
These Twix cookies are rounds of shortbread topped with caramel and milk chocolate. An straightforward and impressive cookie that tastes even better than the popular candy bar! Get the Recipe
Rocky road cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream! They are loaded with melted chocolate and cocoa powder and filled with chocolate chunks, marshmallows and walnuts. Get the Recipe 
These cream cheese spritz cookies are the finest spritz cookie recipe ever! They’re tender, full of flavor and so pretty when dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. A must have for any holiday celebration! Get the Recipe
These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An straightforward and classic cookie that's reliable for parties, after school snacks and special occasions. Get the RecipeWhether you love chocolate, fruit, molasses or other great flavors, these recipes will make your holiday merry and bright! For a festive Christmas try these fantastic cookies.
